Sample Introduction Letter for Blogging Jobs

In the last post, Applying for Blogging Jobs – Do You Need A Resume?, I noted that I’d post a sample introduction letter. I’ve sent some variation of this basic introduction letter most times that I’ve applied for a non-network blogging job, and I get many of the jobs I apply for, so it’s working for me and the type of gigs I apply for…

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Hello there,

My name is Sue Smith. I’m a full-time freelance writer and problogger located in Seattle, Washington. This is in response to your request for a green living blogger.

My experience:

Eco-minded blogs I currently write for include Green Life for So&SoNetwork, Organic Dreams for the Seattle Food Co-op, and Green Homes for So&SoClient. Other specialty blog topics of mine include health, pregnancy, babies, wellness, architecture, and organizing.

Besides online work, my freelance writing experience includes:

• National magazine articles.
• Promotional copy, major proposals, fliers, newsletters, manuals, and more for businesses, non-profits and individual clients.
• Health profiles for The New Mexico Department of Health.
• OSHA action plans and safety committee plan projects.
• UNM Grant research assistant and writer for journal publication.
• And more…

I am also active in blogger and freelance forums and social media sites.

IF THEY ASK for it, a short personal blurb would go here (this is where I would include blogs of my own by the way). Other current projects and blogs of mine include, House blog, organizing blog, parenting blog, and this other blog.

You can check out my writing style online, at one of the following relevant links:

• Best relevant green post link #1
• Best relevant green post link #2
• Best relevant green post link #3

Additional blog post, magazine and business clips are also available upon request.

Thanks very much for taking the time to read my credentials; I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Take care

~ Sue Smith

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Points to note:

1. My letter is casual, and sounds like how I talk and blog: I base my letter tone on the job description tone – and if I’ve seen it, the blog they’re hiring for. Although mainly, I want a potential client to know what they’re getting. Because I’m a casual blogger, gigs I tend to apply for are fairly casual.  If someone is looking for stuffy, journal sort of writing, I’m likely not who they want to hire. If the job notes that they require a formal tone, or it’s a blog for a corporate business client, and I want the job, I would use the same basic letter form, but make my text more formal.
2. I write my letter somewhat like a blog post: I try to be brief and chatty, while still giving them all the info they want. I use bullets and bold heading to break it up, and to make it easy for the potential client to scan.
3. I always say where I’m from. Sometimes this can make a difference. More than once, I’ve had a blog client email me back and say, “Hey I used to live there!” or “I really want to visit there.” Where you live can be a good small talk opener. Small talk, in my experience leads to jobs.
4. Experience. I list the most relevant blog jobs I’ve had first, but then always note other topics I have experience in. You never know if they’ll need a blogger for another project. Once I applied for a housing blog. By the time the client got my email, they had filled the housing blog position, but had an open green blog position, which I got based on my listing additional topic specialties.
5. Most of the time I list some of my other freelance experience. I do this for two reasons. One, it shows I can write in different styles – a perk for me, since my letter is so casual. Two, I do this for the same reason that I list my other specialty topics; you never know what someone needs. You don’t know if they want someone with research skills, or someone who knows how to interview for longer pieces. I never include all my freelance experience, or lengthy explanations unless asked, but a short bullet list will show off your other abilities, without being too wordy.
6. Personal experience. Your personal experience is another way for you to prove that you know your topic. For example, if a client asks for personal info and they’re hiring for a homeschool blog, I’d mention that I homeschool. For a green blog, I’d mention the green stuff I do at home. I always fill in personal blurbs with a few non-topic related points, such as I like Frisbee, coffee, and music.
7. Just so there’s no confusion: No I don’t post links like “Best relevant green post link #1” I do actually link the title, such as, “How to green your kitchen” or what have you.
8. Your ending: I end my letters nicely, but not fake nicely. I do tend to write “Take care” at the end of emails in general, but I’d never end a letter with something I wouldn’t normally say. I also never say stuff like, “Please get back to me if you’re interested.” OR “I hope I sound like a good fit to you.” Be confident and direct, not wishy washy. Expect that you’ll hear back and get the job, and end your letter accordingly.

What do you include in your introduction letters?

Applying for Blogging Jobs – Do You Need A Resume?

Recently someone asked me about blogging resumes. As in do you need one, and if so how should your resume look. The short answer to this is you won’t need a full-on resume for most

The three kinds of blog gigs I’ve applied for are; network-based, individual client or business owed blogs, and word of mouth blogs. Word of mouth blog is my catch all phrase for blog gigs that I hear about because one, I know the individual hiring, or two, I was referred by a good friend who knows the person hiring.

I stick to one general rule when it comes to applying for blogging jobs. I give the hiring party what they ask for. I read the ad, follow directions, and tell them what they want to know. Plenty of people DO NOT follow basic directions when applying for writing jobs. If you do follow directions, you’re already one step ahead of many applicants.

There are two times when I won’t follow directions. One is when I’m asked to submit newly written original clips. Two is when I’m asked to quote a rate, but the ad is too vague regarding required tasks and hours. I’ll discuss these two issues in an upcoming post. (Stay tuned)

With network blogs, there’s usually some sort of application page. The best way to apply for a network gig, is to read their application and/or job opening page carefully, and then follow their directions for applying. In my experience, a network is far more likely to hire you if you apply for a blog opening they have already, vs. suggesting a new blog.

With word of mouth blogs, I’m very brief. I’ll send a quick email that begins with how I know about the gig; i.e. “Bob Smith let me know that you’re looking for an architect blogger for Architect.com; here are my qualifications and time available.” I’m brief, because I don’t know what they want to hear, other than I know they need a blogger. Also, sending a potential client too much info, is worse, in my opinion, then bare basics. No one likes wading through wordy emails.

When it comes to applying for individual client or business owed blogs, first of all, I tell them what they want to hear based on what they wrote in their ad. Personally, I’ve never had a potential client ask for a standard resume. Usually clients want a cover letter or introduction letter of sorts. If they don’t ask, don’t send a full resume. Blogging tends to involve brevity, or at least showing that you can be brief when asked. If a client asks for a short introduction letter, and you send a resume, refs, and a cover letter, they’re probably going to wonder if you’ll ever be able to follow directions.

The actual introduction email letter: I’ve posted a sample intro letter with a breakdown of what’s what, as its own post – Sample Introduction Letter.

Do you usually submit a resume or an introduction letter when applying for blogging jobs?