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How to prepare and submit a writing sample for online work

You’re an aspiring or novice writer, looking for writing work online. You’ve covered the job boards and finally spotted a job you’d like to get. There’s just one catch. The publisher wants to see a writing sample. “Please send at least three writing samples …” is a typical request. It only makes sense that your prospective client wants to get a sense of the type of work you can provide. You’ve kept a journal for years, have a few school papers or that feature article you wrote for the school newsletter. Now this request has thrown you for a loop. Every publisher’s needs are fairly specific. Your writing sample must reflect your ability to produce work that matches their needs as closely as possible. Unless you already have an appropriate piece on hand, you’ll need to prepare a new piece. Here’s how to go about that task. While not difficult, you do need to adhere strictly to the format and submission instructions.

Let’s say that the publisher runs a website focusing on coffee and coffee-related products. He needs content articles on coffee and coffee products, about 500 words in length and which are informative and engaging. You’re a big coffee fan and are conversant with the coffee industry. So, how should you structure your submission?

If this prospective client wants three writing samples, he’s opening the door for you to demonstrate your all-around talents that make a perfect match for his objectives. You have three chances to show your versatile writing skills, a consistent style, knowledge of coffee and ability to conduct research. Make the most of the opportunity.

Your first sample might be an article on the history of coffee. This type of article is more of an academic piece, with lots of little-known facts. However, you must also write in layman’s language. Visitors to the site aren’t interested in having a dictionary at hand to wade through a dry, boring diatribe. So, when you prepare this article, inject some liveliness that makes the reader want to keep on reading, right to the last sentence.

Your second writing sample needs to shift focus, showing off your talents in copy writing. If the publisher has provided a link to his website, so much the better. Write a sample on a coffee product he sells. If not, pick out a coffee product and write a review. This will serve to highlight your research skills and sales skills. Your objective is to target the audience interested in the product and sell it to them. A persuasive style, engaging rhetoric and product knowledge works well here.

OK, two down, one to go. Remember, you want to convey your versatility as a writer who will drive traffic to the website. Your third writing sample might be of the op-ed sort, with a ‘human interest’ slant. For example, the customs of serving coffee in a Turkish coffee house are relatively obscure in American society. Not many readers will be familiar with this topic, but their curiosity will get the better of them. The information you provide should be an ‘aha’ moment for the reader, something they’ll want to share with friends and neighbors.

Used judiciously, the publisher’s request for three writing samples is a gift for you. Well written and researched articles keep the publisher’s visitors browsing his website, which translates into sales. That’s what he’s paying for with your services.

As for your submission, follow instructions to the letter. If you’re asked to paste your samples into the email, do it. If you send it as an attachment, your submission will be deleted. You might have the best articles, but they’ll never be read!

If you follow the submission guidelines to the letter, yet never receive a response, don’t feel your hard work has gone to waste. There are thousands of other good writers competing for the same job. While it’s hard to be rejected without so much as a rejection letter, think of it this way: your writing samples will, sooner or later, come in handy. File them in a directory for future use. This is a good way to have a ready portfolio, for the next job. Don’t give up! Happy writing to you!