In today’s digital age, the need for quality content has never been greater.

Businesses are now feeling the pressure to start blogs and fill them with good, useful content on a regular basis.

Websites need effective copy. Email campaigns need to be written strategically. And then, of course, there are tweets, Facebook messages and LinkedIn posts.

This is overwhelming for a lot of businesses. And many are not equipped with the marketing staff to handle the need.

This creates incredible opportunities for savvy writers to shine.

As the owner of a marketing company, I’m always looking for good, quality writers to work with. Although I do much of the writing myself, there are times when I need to bring in other writers to get the job done.

I’m not alone. PR firms, advertising agencies and web design companies could all benefit from having talented writers at their disposal. And, there are plenty of businesses that would love to work with writers directly.

How to Get Your Writing Noticed

So, how do you get noticed by businesses that would love to pay for your writing? Here are seven tips to help you get started:

1. Start a blog

If you don’t already have a blog, now is the time to start one. Since the world lives online, that’s the first place people will look when searching for writers to work with.

Not only will a blog help you get found online, it will also give you the opportunity to showcase your writing. Since many businesses are looking for writers to blog for them, it’s important to show that you are comfortable writing in this medium.

2. Guest post on other blogs

Whether you’re just getting started with blogging or want to expand your reach, guest posting is a great way to get your writing in front of a new audience.

It also gives you some credibility and will improve you search engine rankings if your website is linked from another high-quality site.

Reach out to bloggers (who are always in search for content) and offer to guest post for them. This offer not only helps you get noticed, but it also helps the blogger.

3. Comment

Strategically leaving a well-thought comment on other blogs is a fantastic way to get yourself in front of the right the audience.

Look for companies or people that you’d like to work with and leave smart, helpful comments on their blog posts. This will help you get on their radar screen, fast.

4. Get social

Social media can help you hone your writing skills. Distilling your thoughts into 140 characters or less challenges you to be incredibly succinct.

As a marketer, I want to know that you can write a tweetable headline or convey a message with a compelling Facebook post.

Getting active on social media sites helps you flex your writing muscles and prove you know how to write for this environment. Additionally, social media offers great way to connect with the very people and businesses you're trying to attract.

Connect with those that you would like to work with, and strike up a conversation. You never know where it might lead.

5. Get testimonials

Can you meet deadlines? Can you work under pressure? Are you responsive and easy to work with? Is your writing effective?

Testimonials help answer key questions business owners will have about working with you. And, they allow you to convey these important messages without having to say so yourself.

If you don’t have any testimonials yet, it’s time to ask for some to showcase on your site.

6. Show off your portfolio

Business owners want to see your writing in action, so make your work easily accessible on your website.

Even if your writing isn’t online, you can offer links to download a brochure, white paper or other hard copy pieces you’ve written. This will help businesses get a chance to see what kind of work you produce.

7. Just ask.

If you’re ready to get paid for writing, it’s time to get out there and just ask. Businesses are starving for good writers. And some may not realize that freelancers are a viable option.

Contact these businesses and ask if they need writers. You never know what they might say.

And, if you’re not sure where to start, contact marketing consultants, PR firms and advertising agencies.

The benefit of working with these kinds of companies is that they recognize the need for good writers and eliminate the work of dealing directly with the client. This saves some headache for you.

How do you get your writing noticed?

Image credit: Tokyo Japan Times