Quickie Tip #2: Be Easy
{This is only good for freelance writing and other career-related endeavors of course.}
{Here’s what I recently realized.
I’ve found one of the greatest inventions ever for writers and journalists. HARO.
Doesn’t it sound Star Wars worthy?
It stands for Help A Reporter Out. Basically, it’s a win-win situation where journalists get quotes from leading experts in the industry and leading experts get free PR for their business.
I’ve been using it a lot lately and have gotten several pitches returned from potential experts. Pretty exciting!
But here’s what all that long-winded chatting is finally getting to…
If you want to get your pitch answered, your cover letter read, a new job or an article published, then make it EASY for potential clients.
I got a ton of replies from people with impressive titles attached to their name, but the people I used in my articles were not necessarily the best and brightest of the pack. (Though there were a lot of winners believe me!)
I chose experts who made it the easiest for me. As in, they provided compelling arguments for their statements, detailed information and easily seen contact information.
The other guys who said they would help me, but I’d have to jump through hoops to get to them, got left in the dust.
Get That Job By Making it Easy for Clients to Want to Hire You
I realized this same bit of juicy information would also apply to helping you get a job. Editors and clients are so busy. What they are looking for is a unique story from a qualified writer or someone who can bring energy and experience to their company.
Take advantage of that knowledge and take some time to do what’s necessary to get the job. Make your argument for why they should hire you so irresistible for potential editors and clients that they can’t turn you down.
How to Get the Jobs You Want
1. Explain exactly why (experience, specific examples) you are the best man/woman for the position.
2. Provide proof of every single requirement they listed on their job ad or publication requirement.
3. Be personable. Remember there’s a live person sitting their reading your query/cover letter. While you always want to be professional, it’s also important to be personable and avoiding sound too much like a robot when you’re contacting them.
4. Elaborate what you have to offer through writing samples, stories of what you have already accomplished and how you can use that experience to better the company.
It may seem like a lot of time and work to do so, but in the end, if you make it easy for potential clients to hire you, they won’t be able to reject you. And that’s SO worth it.
Don’t ya think?
