Contributor Guidelines
Thank you for your interest in writing for The Freelance Dance! Below you’ll find the process for submitting your pitch idea, and once approved your final guest post.
The purpose of The Freelance Dance has always been to help other freelance writers get started and get further, faster. The best way to do this is to open up my website for contributions.
Step 1: Pitch your best pitch via email at cru3.santana.writes@gmail.com. Make sure it’s fleshed out and impressive. If you aren’t sure how to compose a pitch, read all about cold pitching in my blog.
Please know, I’ll respond to your pitch whether or not your submission is right for The Freelance Dance. If it’s not, try again.
Step 2: Once approved, run through the following list before you submit your final draft for publication.
Have you:
- Formatted your post as an editable Google Doc, Microsoft Word .doc or .docx file?
- Added your name, email, website, Twitter handle and Google+ profile link to the top of your post?
- Included your bio at the end of your post?
- Attached a headshot as a separate file in the email?
- Added at least one (but no more than three) links within your post to other useful content on The Freelance Dance?
- Included a call-to-action at the end of your post to encourage conversation or social sharing?
If so, you’re ready to send it to me!
Please email your post (including your bio and social media/website links) and headshot to cru3.santana.writes@gmail.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should I write about?
The Freelance Dance is all about helping other freelancers find their own success. It’s the message at the heart of the site.
If you’re curious about my content, read the blog!
I like personal stories with practical, actionable advice. Think about posts that will help other entrepreneurs (writers or otherwise) launch or grow their web-based businesses.
2. Do you pay?
Yes!
You’ll get the byline AND $50 per approved post.
3. What are your invoicing and payment procedures?
Email me your invoice (I prefer Paypal) right after I approve your finalized draft. Make sure you send it to cru3.santana.writes@gmail.com. Include the title of your piece in the description and also your word count.
Paypal is my preferred method to use for payments. I’ll send yours out to you within 7 days. The money will come from my Paypal balance directly so you won’t incur any additional fees.
4. How long should my posts be?
Aim for 800-1,200 words. (Posts could be shorter or longer as needed, but this range is what you’ll typically find on the blog.)
5. Should I pitch you my idea before writing the post?
Yes, please do! I prefer to pre-approve ideas. Even if you have a completely written post, do not send me that in your pitch.
Instead, send me some ideas. The best way to avoid rejection is to send me at least three topics from which to choose.
6. Should I include links within the piece?
Yes. Please insert links you feel can be helpful and relevant. Link relevant posts from your site, reputable news sites, and blogs, and previous posts by The Freelance Dance. At least one link to another post by The Freelance Dance (or page) is required.
Insert links in your copy via anchor text or keywords. For example, if you’re writing something related to content on my resources page, you’d insert the link in this manner.
7. Who writes the headline?
You do. Although I might tweak it as needed.
8. Will you edit my post?
Yes, but mostly for proper formatting, readability and clarity. I’ll do my best not to make any significant changes to your style or voice.
9. How should it be formatted?
Write your post for the Web in blog style. Use short words, sentences, paragraphs, and lots of white space. Don’t forget to break up large blocks of text by using sub-headings. Only use one space between sentences!
For more information about how to effectively format context for the Web, read my post on formatting content or get yourself a Yahoo! Style Guide.
10. Should I include a photo?
Sure, but also include source information in HTML if it’s not your original. For example, this is the source information for the above photo.
Photo Credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/105455406@N05/15348413341″></a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/”>(license)</a>
I’ll also need your headshot. Also, if you find a photo that would fit your post, please add it as an additional attachment to your final submission email. If you don’t find one, I will – it’s not a requirement.
11. Along with my headshot, should I send a bio?
Yes! If you’re curious about how to draft one, check out my post all about bios. Include links to your site as well. Make sure you send me the HTML version of your biography. Here’s my biography written in HTML format.
Biography: Cruz Santana is a single mother of seven, a <a href=”https://dancefreelance.wordpress.com/writing-services/”>professional freelance writer</a>, and an <a href=”https://dancefreelance.wordpress.com/editing-services/”>editor</a> in San Antonio, Texas with a background in science and medicine.
A ghostwriter since 2007, she recently switched her focus to writing for the Web, a journey she chronicles in the blog, <a href=”https://dancefreelance.wordpress.com/2015/11/01/my-sweet-november-chronicling-my-journey-through-gina-horkeys-course-30-days-or-less-to-freelance-writing-success/”>My Sweet November</a>.
For help with this, just contact me. I’ll walk you through it.
12. What can I expect after I submit my post’s final draft?
Your post will be up within 7 days between submission and publication. Once I format it in the back-end, I’ll shoot you your publication date and URL by email.
On the day it goes live, I hope you’ll be active in the comments, responding to readers’ questions or thoughts and share the post on social media as well.
I look forward to reading your contribution!
~ Cruz Santana, Founder
The Freelance Dance
The Freelance Dance 