4 ways to get started writing for nonprofits

This niche pays well and is desperate for trained writers … [The Writer’ s Life]( December 8, 2023 "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." – Mahatma Gandhi Hi {NAME}, I am so inspired after [yesterday's special Inside AWAI](, which focused on getting paid to write for nonprofits and worthwhile causes … Who knew the opportunity was so BIG! It makes my heart happy knowing this niche is growing so fast … The non-profit sector will soon be nearly twice as big as what every company in the U.S. spent on marketing last year. 🤯 And I love knowing people CHOOSE to do business with companies that support a cause — one study found that 91% of consumers are more likely to buy as a result! But what really got me going was seeing how, for you, the writer … It's not about choosing to help OR make money. You can have BOTH. 🙌 Nonprofit charities, nonprofit trade organizations, and cause-related companies need EVERYTHING you're learning to write here at AWAI (or are already getting paid to write in other niches!). First, there are all the projects any organization would need: websites, emails, newsletters, social media, video, blogs/articles, ads, etc. But this niche has even more projects you can get paid to write … Fundraising and donor communications … communications to the people they serve (think Habitat for Humanity) … grants, professional trade show and conference materials (attracting attendees), communications to trade event sponsors and exhibitors, lobbying communications, industry journals and news/PR pages, guides … There is so much variety! And we're excited to help writers get their start … So TODAY we've added a new bonus "toolkit" to our Barefoot Writer membership, [The Profitable Niche That Pays Up to $100 Per Hour for Doing Good](. You'll learn insider tips and "secret shortcuts" you need to start doing work you can feel good about while making great money at the same time. It's free with your Barefoot Writer Club membership (along with five other guides aimed at accelerating your earning potential!). [Go here now for more details and grab this special bonus!]( And then check out today's issue where Pam Foster shares four ways you can get started as a freelance writer in this space. Have a great weekend, Rebecca Matter President AWAI Now Accepting New Writers If you want … - high-paying gigs, - predictable writing income, - greater flexibility … AND the satisfaction that comes with LOVING what you do for a living … Then getting accepted into our influential club can set you up for everything you're looking for in a writing career. NOTE: Your acceptance window will be closing soon! [Apply Now]( TODAY! Get all this for $1 … The Professional Writers' Alliance (PWA) takes the stress out of running your writing business. With ready-to-use business forms, templates, and checklists … VIP job board access … networking opportunities … and a mountain of tips, tactics, and "been there, done that" advice from working freelance writers … You'll minimize the "unbillable" hours you spend working on your business and maximize your time writing — and getting paid. [Claim Your $1 Access Here]( Four Ways to Get Started as a Freelance Writer for Nonprofits and Causes By Pam Foster Nonprofit writing is an excellent opportunity for all writers — whether you're a seasoned freelance writer or just starting out. And like seizing any other writing opportunity, the best way to get started as a nonprofit writer is to simply start! Follow these four steps to help land your first nonprofit clients. 1. Position Yourself as a Nonprofit Writer If you have a writer's website, make sure it's clear that you specialize in writing for the nonprofit industry. Include your specialty on your business cards and other promotional material as well. And one of the best ways to start positioning yourself as a nonprofit freelance writer is on LinkedIn. Take Sheryl Williams's LinkedIn profile as an example: [Example of a LinkedIn profile highlighting the copywriter's specialization in non-profit] Sheryl has made it clear that she writes for nonprofits and why she's qualified to do so. If a nonprofit organization found her LinkedIn profile, they would know they've found a writer who's perfect for them. For more tips on using LinkedIn to position yourself and get clients, check out our free webinar [LinkedIn Now: Best Practices for Getting Great Writing Clients](. 2. Post Your Writing Samples If you have any writing samples you've done for nonprofits or other clients, include them on your website or in your portfolio. And if you don't have any samples, there's nothing wrong with approaching a local nonprofit and offering to do a project for free just to get some experience. This is what Keith Trimels did when he was first starting his writing career. He approached his local Boys and Girls Club and offered to write a fundraising letter for free, and they agreed. It worked out well — Keith's letter helped them raise some needed funds, and Keith got a writing sample he could use in his portfolio. For more ideas about building your writer's portfolio, you can watch our free webinar [How to Create a Winning Portfolio of Samples](. 3. Reach Out to Prospects You may already know specific nonprofit organizations you might want to work with, or perhaps even agencies that specialize in nonprofits. If you don't, it's worth spending some time researching potential clients online to see what organizations you feel might be a good fit. Once you have a few organizations or agencies in mind, write each one a short, personalized email telling them who you are and what you do. Share one or two things you like about their organization, and how you could potentially help them with their marketing communications. You could ask if they're planning to submit any grant proposals and offer your assistance. Another option is to write an example blog post for their site and send it to them. Many successful freelance writers have gotten started with a simple email like this, and still continue to use email prospecting to find new clients. 4. Tell Everyone You Are a Writer! Don't hesitate to tell people that you're a freelance writer for nonprofits whenever you get a chance. Hand out your business cards, share your website, and invite others to connect with you on social media. Even if the person you're speaking to or connecting with isn't part of a nonprofit, there's a good chance they know someone involved in a nonprofit who might need your help. Also consider joining your local chamber of commerce or other local groups related to either business, nonprofits, or other topics you're interested in. Have some fun as you network with others and get the word out about what you do. At the very least, you might make some new friends in the process. Editorial Note: If you're looking for the ultimate "win-win" … Where you get paid really well as a writer AND help worthwhile organizations and the people they support at the same time … [Go here now and check out our newest training opportunity.]( What's Hot at AWAI … 👀 Did you miss yesterday's Inside AWAI? [You can watch the replay here!]( 🧐 Not a member of the Barefoot Writer Club yet? [Join today for just $49.]( 🤩 [Unexpected furlough launches corporate manager into a six-figure copywriting career.]( Tis the season … [Social media post about finishing a blog post for a local non-profit on year-end giving] Great job, Teresa! Have your own story to share? Email us at mysuccess@awai.com, or [post it over in the Facebook group](, so we can celebrate your win too! Featured Jobs You can find these jobs and thousands more on [WritersWanted.com](: --------------------------------------------------------------- Senior Grant Writer – Police Athletic League Full-time, Hybrid, NY, NY Manage a portfolio of public and private grants including writing, preparation and submission of all grant proposals, letters of intent, reports and other written materials. --------------------------------------------------------------- Grant Writer & Grant Compliance Administrator – NJ Transit Full-time, Newark, NJ Collaborate with internal and external partners to develop proposal strategies and gather relevant information for grant application narrative and supporting materials. Coordinates and drafts correspondence and reports required by funding agencies. --------------------------------------------------------------- Infrastructure Funding & Grant Writer – Jacobs Full-time, Denver, CO As a vital member of our team, you'll support the efforts of our clients, including cities, counties, state departments of transportation, transit agencies, and utilities to secure federal and state funding for their critical projects. You will use your research and writing skills to develop federal and state grant applications that thoroughly address grant program requirements, while creatively highlighting the strengths of every project. --------------------------------------------------------------- Trouble viewing this email? [View in your browser, here](. 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