Alleviate Pressure by Outsourcing Copywriting

travel writers
Updated: Mar 11th, 2010

Every Freelance Travel Writer should ideally have two websites.

A travel writer’s primary website should be a travel blog, focused upon a specific travel niche about which you are passionate and knowledgeable, and to which you regularly add new and interesting content. Your travel blog should include an “About” page which explains what it is about you that makes you an expert on your travel niche.

The second site should be your online portfolio, featuring an expanded “About” page that speaks to your experience, skill, education, and qualifications as a freelance travel writer. It should also have pages that feature some samples of your travel writing, clips, lists (with links where possible) of where you’ve been published, information that an Editor considering you for an assignment might want to know, and a way to contact you about potential travel writing assignments and opportunities.

While I have seen some travel writers skillfully incorporate both functions into one website, doing so can confuse the search engines and prevent you from achieving the most effective optimization of your site for either.

A bigger problem though, than optimizing your site for a clear intention, is freelance travel writers who are either uncomfortable with, or just unfamiliar with, how to sell themselves.

This is where a good professional marketing copywriter can help.

Good marketing copywriters are used to writing sales and marketing materials, press releases, and executive biographies. They often have advertising and or publishing backgrounds. They’ll be able to skillfully craft the promotional copy that you’ll need to position yourself in the travel writing industry.

Over the next few weeks we’ll be looking at all the various types of additional writing you’ll need to do to promote yourself as a a freelance travel writer, some of which you can outsource to a professional copywriter.

Types of copywriting to outsource

  • Your professional biography (short, medium, and long versionss);
  • Career materials such as resumes or CVs;
  • Letters such as cover letters, query letters, and thank you letters;
  • Advertising and marketing materials, such as business cards;
  • Email campaigns;
  • Newsletters.

Working with a good professional copywriter can benefit you in other ways too, such as freeing up your time to focus your energy on traveling and travel writing.

Questions to ask a copywriter

  • What are your copywriting specialties?
  • Where can I locate samples of your writing?
  • What are your fees?
  • How long have you been a copywriter?

Hiring a copywriter to write certain materials may be humbling for some travel writers. You may think you can write all types of copy, but may not be strong at promoting yourself. It’s all right to reach out and ask for help. Think of the copywriter as your ally and partner. They may have contacts with editors and publishers you only dreamed about meeting. It’s another win-win situation!

~Rebecca

What types of writing would you outsource?

About Amandah Blackwell 198 Articles

Amandah Blackwell is a creative, freelance and ghost writer for industries that include but are not limited to the arts & entertainment, travel, publishing, real estate, pets, personal and professional development, and much more.

Amandah's personal writing projects include screenplays, teleplays, YA, non-fiction, short stories, and poetry. 

You can find more of her writing at www.MisticCafe.com, savvywritingcareers.wordpress.com, and www.savvy-writer.com.

You can follow Amandah on Twitter at:  http://twitter.com/savvy_writer

7 Comments

  1. This is great advice. I think that our website is a little too broad, especially after reading this article.
    We are looking into starting up a couple of other sites and I am looking into moving content over from this site to another. (not sure if I can even do it, but that is the plan)
    I didn’t really think about confusing search engines. Yet another task to add to my ever growing list…clear out content:)
    We will definitely look into hiring a copywriter down the road.

  2. I can relate. I’ve been drilling down my niche market. I deleted some websites because it was very overwhelming and too much. Plus, they weren’t necessary giving the area that I’m transitioning into. It came down to me realizing that I’m not going to be everything to everyone and had to do what was right for me.

  3. This is a great idea! I’d rather have someone else write my resume and some other writings that I put off doing because I’m not thrilled about writing them. It’s one way we can help each other and perhaps refer business to one another.

  4. As a copywriter who also writes food/destination content, I know how challenging it can be doing both….especially if you’re a part time freelancer marketing yourself. Please let me help you with your SEO, white paper, and newsletter content. I offer reasonable rates and am also willing to barter my services in exchange for goods (i.e. B&B/hotel certificates, restaurant vouchers, wine…). I look forward to hearing from you

  5. Laraine,

    Thanks for stopping by TWE! I’ve heard of Dan Kennedy and his copywriting seminars. I believe he’s known as the “millionaire maker.” FYI: I clicked on the link and it didn’t work.

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