Lots of freelance writers don’t want to send cold emails.
They think it’s far too scary to actually try.
Like, “Negan from The Walking Dead” scary.
They’re worried about sounding like a weirdo or not knowing what to say.
So instead they end up scouring Upwork and Craigslist for 20 hours per day, accepting whatever shitty one-penny-per-word gig they come across.
…Okay. I’m exaggerating a bit here.
(At least I HOPE I am.)
But you know what I mean.
Too many freelance writers let their fears of cold emailing (aka getting rejected) hold them back from going after the high-paying clients they want.
Does that sound familiar?
If so, this post is here to help you out.
I’m about to bust some cold emailing myths so you can get inspired and get to work!
Myth #1: “The clients I email are going to get super pissed off/annoyed and send me an angry email reply in all caps.”
Yeah… I doubt it.
And I’m not just saying that – I sent LOTS of cold emails when I started out as a freelance writer, and I didn’t get one single hateful email like that.
In fact, this was the “meanest” response I got:
That’s right. He hates “direct email solicitations,” but he wanted to work together anyway.
And guess what?
He ended up becoming an easy-to-work-with, high-paying client.
…One of my first ever freelance writing jobs!
SCORE.
Myth #2: “I don’t have time to cold email.“
HOLD UP.
You say you don’t have time to cold email, but how else are you spending your time finding new clients?
Probably one (or all) of these methods:
– Digging through Craigslist
– Searching through 10 different job board websites
– Looking through UpWork for gigs you can bid on
Why waste your time using those methods that tend to land you low-paying work when you could be cold emailing and finding your own high-paying clients instead?
I mean, I know cold emailing is kinda tedious and time-consuming.
There’s no denying that.
But isn’t it worth it if it allows you to win high-paying clients and build your business?
I’d say yeah.
Definitely.
Myth #3: “I’m not good enough to cold email CEOs and marketing managers.”
You know what?
I get this – I really do.
When you first start out especially, it’s hard not to be like:
WTF am I doing?! I can’t talk to CEOs and big-shot managers. I’m a freakin’ fraud and not good enough for this shit.
But you can’t talk down to yourself like that.
Because you ARE good enough if you can write well and deliver what the client wants.
In fact, you’ve got something amazing to offer them.
Realize that, and keep it in mind when you’re feeling unconfident!
Related reading: 6 Freelance Writers Share How Cold Emailing Grew Their Business
Myth #4: “Cold emailing is too scary.”
The great thing about cold emailing is that you get to write to express yourself.
And as a freelance writer, that’s what you’re best at!
Compare that with cold calling where you have to come up with what you want to say on the spot…
*shudder*
Cold emailing doesn’t seem so scary anymore, huh? 🙂
Even if it does scare you a little, it’s important to push yourself and work to overcome that.
Being self-employed is scary at times no matter what.
I want you to face you fears so you can grow your income – not let your fears slow you down.
Myth #5: “Cold emails are always annoying to receive.”
So, so false.
Think about it – you offer freelance writing services.
No matter what specific kind of writing service you offer, you can give a business something they need.
Something that will help them grow and make more money.
Here are a few examples:
- If you’re a website copywriter, you help companies increase conversions.
- If you write blog posts, you help companies get more traffic and gain authority, which can help them win more customers.
- If you write sales letters, you help companies boost their sales and bring in some sweet cash-ola.
See where I’m going with this?
You have something valuable to offer.
Companies need you to help them grow their audience and make more money.
So stop telling yourself that your cold emails are annoying, okay?
(By the way, you can steal my copy-and-paste cold emailing scripts and learn how to start writing full-time in my best-selling Killer Cold Emailing program right here!)
Don’t get me wrong, though.
Lots of your emails will be ignored.
And you might even annoy a few people.
But…
Who fucking cares?
Like, not every company needs writing help right away.
But the people who do end up hiring you will be so glad that you reached out to them.
And heck, you’ll be glad too when you’re sending that invoice!
(Side note: You WILL annoy people if you send crappy cold emails that aren’t personalized / tailored to fit the client’s needs at all. Don’t do that. EVER. Instead, steal my proven process right here.)
Myth #6: “I need more experience and a better portfolio before I cold email clients.”
Look – you have to stop letting excuses like this dictate the course of your freelance writing career.
When I first sent out cold emails, I didn’t have a ton of experience and this massive portfolio full of impressive pieces on top publications.
Far from it.
I just knew I could write decently well, and I knew my marketing knowledge would allow me to help my potential clients.
And you know what happened?
I won 2 high-paying clients from cold emailing the very FIRST day I did it.
That wouldn’t have happened if I had held myself back or waited for the “perfect time” or the “right amount of portfolio pieces” to get started.
Myth #7: “Cold emailing is too difficult.”
Sure, you need to personalize and tailor every email, learn how to sell/position your services, and figure out what to say.
And yeah, it can take time to gather good leads.
But cold emailing isn’t as difficult as you think it is.
Seriously – if I did it as a newbie freelance writer, you can too.
That being said…
You have to do it the right way.
Miss just one element of your cold email, and you’re screwed.
Don’t leave your career up to chance! Learn how you can cold email your way to freelance writing success right here.
Ready to give cold emailing a shot?
If so, I want to help! 🙂
Check out this FREE step-by-step guide:
It’ll teach you the exact process I used to make over $800 in my first month as a full-time freelance writer – all from cold emailing!
Or, if you want the entire process, you can learn more about my best-selling cold emailing program for writers here.