Here's how you can stand out from competitors as a freelance content marketer.

As a freelance consultant and project manager in the marketing sector, I know how crucial a strong personal brand is. In my podcast "Mittelstand hautnah", I rely on authenticity and directness to reach my listeners. Similarly, content marketers should use their unique voice to connect with their target audience. Regular posts on various platforms that include both professional insights and personal stories can create a strong, recognizable brand that fosters trust and credibility.

Developing a strong personal brand is key if you want to stand out from your competitors. Starting a personal blog (even on your LinkedIn profile) and sharing your expertise in content marketing is a proactive way to attract potential employers and generate leads. By consistently posting insightful articles, you'll demonstrate your knowledge and capabilities, effectively showcasing the solutions and services you can offer. Think of your blog and LinkedIn profile as your digital business cards—these platforms represent your professional identity and are often the first point of contact for prospective employers. Just within a month, you may begin to see opportunities come your way.

Personal branding is essential for freelancers to maintain a competitive edge in content marketing. It serves as a differentiator, allowing you to stand out with unique skills and qualities. A strong personal brand fosters trust and credibility, which can attract clients and justify higher rates. It also enhances online visibility, drawing more business opportunities your way. Moreover, it helps in building long-term client relationships and establishing authority in your niche. This can lead to repeat business, industry recognition, and various professional growth opportunities. In short, personal branding is a strategic investment in your freelance career, offering long-term benefits such as client loyalty and financial success.

Niche Expertise: Develop deep knowledge in a specific industry, catering to a targeted audience. This positions you as a valuable specialist. Data-Driven Results: Track and showcase the positive impact of your content (increased traffic, conversions) to demonstrate effectiveness. Exceptional Communication: Maintain clear and consistent communication with clients, exceeding expectations in responsiveness and professionalism. Value-Added Services: Offer additional services like SEO optimization or content strategy consulting to provide a comprehensive package. By specializing, demonstrating results, and exceeding client expectations, you'll attract clients seeking top-tier content marketing talent.

I do not have personal experience but I've seen freelance content writers like Bani Kaur and Kiran Shahid do it exceptionally well, in terms of building their personal brand and distinguishing themselves as freelancers. Bani Kair, for example, shares all her writing process, step-by-step, her wins and her struggles as a freelance content writer. It's authentic and resonates well with other freelancers as well as content writers. And the way she pitches on social media platforms like LinkedIN and Twitter with her experience narrated as story makes her stand out in the sea of content marketing professionals out there.

My experience shows that clearly communicated unique selling points are essential to stand out in a competitive market. For example, my offer stands out through specialized knowledge in the B2B sector and effective sales strategies. Content marketers should clearly highlight their specific skills and successes, such as increased user interactions or specialized industry knowledge, in order to convince potential customers immediately. But: USPs are often difficult to differentiate. Don't forget that personality also counts.

Having been in the position of hiring freelancers for specific roles in my previous two or three jobs, my advice here is to niche down on a specific area of expertise. More established companies will generally have a good mix of marketing and channel-level generalists, but won't have the kind of expertise necessary to test and exploit more esoteric opportunities. One recent, prime example of this; LinkedIn ghostwriting. More and more leaders are taking to LinkedIn, especially in the B2B space, to build their personal brands and become a distribution channel for content. This process is time-consuming, however, so you see content writers pivoting into this space to help. Find such a wave on which to surf and position yourself well.

Use your personal experience to tell stories in your content. Stories are what people remember and when you tell them to both educate and entertain, you set yourself apart in a memorable way!

Going with the same example O shared of Bani Kair, she specializes in interview- based content in SaaS space and emphasizes this everywhere. She highlights how her interviews with SMEs makes her articles stand out and shares the impact of her articles too. So, see what you do best in a niche and stick to it, master it and highlight it.

In the wild, wild world of content marketing, your UVP (Unique Value Proposition) isn't just your secret sauce—it's your golden ticket to success. Whether it's your Jedi-like mastery in a niche industry, your knack for spinning tales that leave readers breathless, or your track record of turning 'meh' engagement into 'wow' moments, showcasing what sets you apart is like flashing a neon sign in a sea of gray. So, slap that UVP front and center in your marketing materials like a badge of honor, because in a world where attention is the currency, standing out is the name of the game.

Precise knowledge of the target group is the key to success. In my podcast, I often use direct feedback and interactions to sharpen content and make it more relevant. Content marketers should use similar strategies, such as detailed audience analysis and regular communication, to tailor their content to the needs and desires of their target audience.

1. Know Their World: Research your audience's interests, challenges, and how they talk. Speak their language and write content that truly resonates. 2. Solve Their Problems: Don't just write fluff. Focus on creating content that addresses their specific needs and helps them achieve their goals. 3. Be Their Go-To: By understanding your audience deeply, you can anticipate their needs and deliver content that makes them see you as the ultimate resource.

By tuning into the symphony of your audience's voices through surveys, social media banter, and feedback, you're not just collecting data—you're uncovering hidden gems of insight that can sculpt your approach like a master sculptor with a chisel. Understanding your audience's deepest desires, quirks, and pet peeves isn't just a luxury—it's the compass guiding your content ship through uncharted waters, ensuring every message hits home like a bullseye. So, don your detective hat, dive deep into the psyche of your target market, and watch as your content and services morph into bespoke offerings that resonate with laser-like precision.

So, like, the audience's perspective is crucial, you know? It's what guides our whole business as a content marketing professional. If we don't understand who our target audience is, we're kind of in the dark, directionless, you get me? It's like trying to hit a target with a blindfold on. We need to know who these people are, what they want, what they like, what their problems are. Only then can we create content that really resonates with them, that makes them interested and engaged with our brand. So, it's like, essential to have that audience perspective really clear in our heads, otherwise, we're just lost along the way, you know?

Stress the importance of creating content that provides genuine value to the audience. Suggest focusing on educating, inspiring, or entertaining rather than solely promoting services. By offering valuable insights and solutions, freelancers can position themselves as trusted authorities in their field.

xcellent content is essential. As I do in my projects to ensure that every campaign is executed to the highest standard, content marketers must emphasize thorough research, creative approaches and flawless execution. This underlines their professionalism and promotes positive brand perception.

This is really the most important trait and one that can be hard to find depending on the type of content being created. I have a few go-to contractors that I work with regularly because they understand my areas of focus, they're strong writers, they're reliable, and - this one I think is especially important - they're able to really hone in on the audience and what the audience is most interested in/the information that would be most valuable to them. That ability to really connect with your audience in a meaningful way is rare, I think.

Don't forget that on the 5th of May, Google will ban all poor-quality and AI-generated content. That's why strive for excellence in every piece of content you create. Add some personal insights, graphics, research, and stats to your content, and create unique visuals. Do not simply copy ChatGPT content and hope it will suffice. Because it won't anymore. It's time to put more effort into your content.

Excellent content is the foundation. Would you trust a bricklayer whose house seems to be falling apart? A mechanic whose car has just broken down in front of your house? Every piece of content needs to reflect your personality and excellence. Whether it's pots on LinkedIn, your website, your newsletter, your appointment scheduling tool (I use Calendly): everything needs to be aligned with your message and positioning. This means investing the same amount of time and attention in our own content, as copywriters, as we do for our customers. In fact, we're our first customer.

Very high quality content builds the reputation of its author. Reputation then acts as a hook far more powerful than all possible hacks. The ultimate “hook” is Content Excellence!

Networking is also a crucial factor in my field. By actively participating in industry events and online forums, I have been able to make valuable contacts and enter into collaborations. It is also advisable for content marketers to be active in networks and position themselves as an expert resource in order to generate new orders and partnerships.

In the dynamic world of freelance content marketing, networking isn't just shaking hands and swapping business cards—it's planting seeds of opportunity in a fertile garden of connections. By nurturing relationships with fellow professionals, you're not just expanding your social circle; you're opening doors to referrals, juicy collaborations, and a treasure trove of new gigs. So, don't just lurk in the shadows; be an active, helpful presence in your community, sharing insights, lending a hand, and before you know it, you'll be basking in the spotlight as the go-to guru in your field, with opportunities knocking at your virtual door.

Don't be shy to dm or comment on a LinkedIn or Twitter post. Be curious, ask questions, comment away, share your portfolio of works. Pitch yourself if you see yourself fit for a gig. If not you, suggest people in your network who'll be a right fit. When you refer, they'll also refer you back. Once you have connected with someone, nurture that relationship. It can be a simple "hey, what's up" Or you can share your latest work or industry news or something common that connects you both.

Collaborate: Collaborate with like-minded folks and execute your content work. Be it using your content for podcasts or scripts to be transformed into short-films. Connect and network well within different communities and groups and don't hesitate to make the first move.

1. Stay Ahead of the Curve: Learn new content trends and tools to create fresh, impressive work for clients. 2. Master Your Niche: Keep diving deeper into your content area. The more you know, the more valuable you are. 3. Impress with Knowledge: Share what you learn! Blog posts, social media, or talks showcase your expertise and attract clients.

Agility is king. Test, eliminate what doesn't work, double down on what works, test new things again, continue, optimize, optimize, optimize. It's not your results that matter, but the fact that by optimizing, you improve your customers' experience. The content is agile, doesn't make it something static.

There are many certifications provided by major social media platforms on creative strategy or content marketing. For example, LinkedIn has LinkedIn Marketing Insiders. Taking the time to learn from the portal and participating in events could help refresh and make sure that you are aware of the latest trends when it comes to content marketing.

I want to emphasize the importance of being flexible and adaptable. In the world of content marketing, the winds can change quickly and what works today may be outdated tomorrow. It pays to be willing to experiment and test unconventional methods, be it through interactive content or new formats such as podcasts, which I have used successfully in my own career.

As someone who occasionally hires B2B freelance content marketers and copywriters, my suggestion is to show how you won't just contribute B2Boring (as we have ChatGPT for that now): - Be an expert with a position on the topic - Have a professional personality, that you write with some flair and don't be afraid to have an opinion - Suggest how your work will differentiate the client - Show how you'd use research, case studies and client success stories And be direct, show confidence that you can be trusted to get sh*t done.

- Build a niche (or multiple niches). - Talk a lot about your services. - Ask for referrals and testimonials. - Talk numbers and success.

Get social currency. More followers = more opportunities. Not always, but most of the time. Remember, "stop caring about vanity metrics" is a bad tip. You can stop caring about it, but your potential clients won't. A client will ALWAYS lean towards freelance content marketers who have a larger social following (and a great overall online presence) vs. someone who has a poor/non-existent social presence. So, get active on social media platforms and focus on getting more followers and likes. This is superficial, yes!! But it's the social currency that clients in marketing value.

If you're conducting SME interviews for content, give your interviewee the opportunity to prepare. When requesting an interview, communicate your expectations and make it clear why you’re asking for their time and how the interview will help your company. This is especially crucial with external SMEs. It’s not only good etiquette to send your SME the interview questions a few days in advance, it also ensures they have time to review them and understand exactly what information you’re looking to include in your content.