How to Make Money Writing for Non-Profit Organizations

As if money wasn’t hard enough to come by for freelance writers! You are thinking of writing for non-profit organizations that, generally, pay less than other clients. Other than “helping out” and building your portfolio, writing for non-profit organizations can be lucrative as well. Here are a few ways you can make money writing for non-profit organizations.

Instructions

How to Make Money Writing for Non-Profit Organizations

1. Write all the copy that you would normally write for companies that are for-profit. Write the ads and advertorials. Non-profits need annual reports, business and marketing plans as well as training manuals for staff and volunteers. Don’t forget to pitch speeches and scripts to them; they will be needing these as well. Non-profits need media attention so news articles and press releases are necessary to them. They also need attention from those already supporting them so remember the newsletters, direct-mail packages and self-mailers. Drawing in new supporters is key to their continued success (and yours), so write booklets, brochures and web content for them.

2. Set fair rates. Just because they are not in the business of making money, does not mean they do not have money to spend. It may not be as much as for-profit entities, but they do have some money. They are willing to spend it to further their cause. Help them find a way to spend that money on your great copy will further they cause they feel so passionate about.

3. Come up with “special offers” for them that keeps you and them in the black and out of the red. Give the non-profit organizations your bulk rate. Perhaps for every large project such as a marketing or public relations plan your write for them, you could throw in a “freebie” like a newsletter or an article for publication in the newspaper. If you charge a flat, hourly rate instead of a per-project rate, let them know that for X amount of hours of work they pay you for that they will receive X amount of hours free. Whatever the specials are that you give them, do not lose money on it. If they need a lot of copy written on a regular basis, ask them for an exclusive contract where you are the only writer they can use. Make your money in bulk from them. Just like the non-profits, you have to pay your bills as well, so don’t undersell your services.

4. Ask the non-profit organizations for referrals. Don’t be shy! If they are happy with your work, they should be willing to sing your praises. Ask for letters of recommendation that you can send out to those able to pay higher rates. Non-profit organizations know a lot of businesses: that is how they bring in their money. Let that be how you bring in your money as well. Use the non-profits connections with businesses in the area to fatten your wallet. Never pay for a recommendation. If they aren’t willing to give you a recommendation, look for work elsewhere without burning that bridge with the non-profit organization.

5. Stuff your portfolio full of the copy you write for them. Show off your excellent clips you wrote for them to potential clients. If you are writing several things for the non-profit (reports, ads, slogans, brochures and the like), let potential clients see your range as a writer. Those in need of a freelance writer usually like “one-stop-shopping” and your work for a non-profit organization helps to prove you are a well-rounded writer capable of any project needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember your bottom line. If they can't pay what you are worth or what you need to survive, find someone who can.

• Don't forget about grant writing. If you have never done this, many vocational schools offer classes to help you get started.