Due to the rising work of LadyRedot.com and MiddleMe.net, I have no choice but to recruit freelance writers for LadyRedot’s travel articles.
As I interviewed some of the freelancers, I noticed that there is a great disparity between a writer and a blogger. Leave professionalism aside, I have encountered both noobs and experienced writers and bloggers. Many whom I realised that they don’t know the differences between these two: freelance writer and blogger. I’m no expert here but I’ve engaged enough clients and freelancers to perhaps throw some light to the differences.
Content As a freelance writer, you will probably write in different genres. The popular genres you will touch on are romance, mystery, adventure and mystical. However, there are other genres that widely sought after in the commercial market such as advert writing, IT articles, eCommerce descriptions, SEO write ups, rewording, thesis and biography.
As a blogger, you will write about food, lifestyle, fashion but everything that concern about you and the things around you.
Directions A freelance writer usually follows the market trends and demands of the clients. If the clients or the market dictates on SEO writes up that pays higher than IT articles, then usually more than often you will choose to take up on the project that pays more.
While a blogger, similarly as above point, will follow the trend of what is popular in the blogosphere. Maybe the latest gossip in the entertainment world or the newest mobile phone or even the hottest nail colour this winter.
Style To make yourself marketable as a freelance writer, you will have to pick up different kind of writing style in order to make yourself as attractive as possible to the different type of clients’ needs, namely Expository, Descriptive, Persuasive, and Narrative. Whereas as a blogger, your style is usually from a personal point of view, narrative and making it personal is what attracts readers to follow your blog.
Adaptability As a paid freelance writer, your clients dictate the direction, the keywords even the style of writing of your complete work. It might be uneasy and you might even find it hard because you might not agree with the clients, however at the bottom line, they are the ones who is going to pay for your bread.
Depending on the trends, bloggers have more room to manoeuvre on the content they write or how they present themselves. Even the most niche stories will have its audience, the question is more likely how marketability is their blog and whether their post will go viral. More than just writing their heart’s desires, they have more to worry about as they monitor their traffic and conversion rates on their own.
Attractions For a freelance writer, the work you do is on a project basis. You tend to need to source and hunt for your own clients but that being said, if you are talented and good enough, word do spread. You might have clients who through word of mouth, come a-knocking on your door or clients who has seen and admire your published work.
As for a blogger, it all depends on your exposure rate on the internet and social media. It is about your searchability and viral content on your blog. It also helps if you are interactive with your audience, famous like the Kardashians and use multiple social media like Snapchat, Instagrams, Facebook and Twitter. Your value will be determined when sponsors and brands approach you to advertise and carry their products for them.
Ka-Ching The possibility of earnings is endless for both freelance writers and bloggers.
For writers, think Harry Potter’s J. K. Rowling and 50 Shades of Grey’s E. L. James. For bloggers, think Pat Flynn who commands 150k monthly and of course, the bigger boys like TechCrunch, Mashable, Perez Hilton who does engage freelance writers for some of their content.
So do you have a better grasp of the differences? Are you a blogger or a writer? Or even a mix of both? Come and share your experiences with us below!
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