Have you ever been on LinkedIn recently?
I’ve used my LinkedIn profile to assist me discover purchasers and lots of the posts I scroll by means of are author callouts.
Firms, businesses, and solopreneurs write LinkedIn posts to seek out freelance writers, copywriters and different sorts of writers they want.
This is usually a legit methodology to touchdown consumer work as a contract author, whether or not you’re in your first or tenth 12 months.
Just lately, I noticed a author callout on LinkedIn that had 117 feedback inside a couple of hours!
And you recognize what I did? I utilized.
As a result of why not?
I do know it will probably really feel fully pointless if you discover a freelance writing alternative and there are already 47, 83 or 100+ writers beneath it saying:
- !
- Despatched you a DM!
- I’d love to assist!
Your first thought might be, Welp. Too late. However I don’t robotically assume that anymore.
I’ve been freelance writing for over a decade, and I’ve realized that the variety of folks making use of doesn’t essentially inform you what number of good-fit writers are making use of.
There’s a distinction.
A content material supervisor may obtain 100 responses and nonetheless be on the lookout for somebody who understands their area of interest, can present related samples, follows instructions and—that is changing into more and more vital—can really suppose past the phrases on the web page.
So, sure, I nonetheless shoot my shot.
However I’m additionally not sending the identical generic pitch as everybody else.
In case you’re making an attempt to determine how one can stand out as a contract author, particularly if you’re responding to these ridiculously standard LinkedIn author callouts, listed here are some issues I’d do.
1. Don’t Simply Share Writing Samples. Clarify Them.
After I began replying to those author callout posts, I’d apply like how everybody utilized after they commented, “Listed below are three samples.”
After which dump three hyperlinks into the publish or in an electronic mail.
Finished however as a result of I used to be like everybody else doing the identical factor as everybody else, I wasn’t standing out.
Now?
I’m far more all for displaying the considering behind the content material.
As a result of writing a 2,000-word SaaS article isn’t simply…writing 2,000 phrases.
Possibly I needed to interview a topic professional or I needed to analysis ten competing articles earlier than deciding what everybody else was lacking.
Possibly the consumer gave me an AI-generated transient that I used as a place to begin, however I fully modified the angle after doing my very own analysis.
It might be that I discovered an authentic examine as an alternative of linking to the identical statistic each different article was citing.
THAT is the fascinating half. And it additionally provides a possible consumer a peek into what it could really be like to rent you.
As an alternative of claiming:
“Right here’s an article I wrote about content material repurposing.”
You would say one thing like:
“For this text, I analyzed how a number of manufacturers have been repurposing long-form content material throughout social platforms and pulled examples straight into the publish. I additionally researched the constraints of repurposing so the article wasn’t one other ‘flip one weblog publish into 17 tweets’ kind of piece.”
See the distinction?
You’re not solely proving:
I can write.
You’re displaying:
I can analysis. I could make selections. I can discover an angle. I can suppose strategically.
And that’s changing into extra useful.
LinkedIn’s 2025 Way forward for Recruiting report discovered that 93% of expertise acquisition professionals consider precisely assessing a candidate’s expertise is essential for enhancing high quality of rent.
Firms doing essentially the most skills-based searches have been additionally 12% extra more likely to make a high quality rent.
Clearly, responding to a contract author callout isn’t precisely the identical factor as going by means of company recruiting. However I believe the takeaway applies.
Present what you may DO.
Don’t depend on a job title or a reasonably portfolio to do all of the convincing for you.
2. Give Context to Your Outcomes Too
That is associated to the primary tip, however I believe it’s price separating as a result of writers are always informed to “present outcomes.”
And sure, outcomes are nice. In case your article ranks #1 on Google, inform them.
If a consumer informed you the e-mail sequence you wrote elevated conversions, completely use that.
However right here’s the issue.
Freelance writers don’t all the time have entry to these numbers.
I actually haven’t acquired detailed visitors, conversion and income stories for each article I’ve written.
Typically you hand within the Google Doc and that’s mainly the top of your involvement.
So don’t suppose:
I don’t have a case examine, subsequently I’ve nothing spectacular to say.
Speak about what you do know.
For instance:
- The article required two SME interviews
- You sourced authentic statistics
- You prompt the angle
- You optimized it for a selected search intent
- You tailored the consumer’s voice
- You turned difficult product info into one thing a newbie might perceive
These particulars present experience too and they are often particularly useful for those who’re a more recent author who doesn’t have enormous consumer outcomes but.
3. Match the Method the Particular person Communicates
I lately discovered a author callout on LinkedIn written in Previous English.
It was a doozy however as an alternative of sending my regular skilled little DM, I performed alongside and responded in the identical fashion.
The Content material Lead despatched me a connection request. Does that imply I’m getting the gig?
Nope.
However I took it as a constructive signal as a result of my message bought seen sufficient that he needed to remain related.
And that is one thing I believe freelance writers overlook.
Take note of how your prospect communicates.
If their author callout is informal, you most likely don’t have to ship:
“Expensive Sir, I’m writing to formally specific my curiosity in your freelance content material author alternative…”
Please don’t. 😅
In the event that they’re humorous, you is usually a little humorous or in the event that they’re easy, get to the purpose.
In the event that they use trade jargon, you may present that you simply perceive the terminology.
You’re not copying their persona and displaying you can learn the room.
The Nationwide Affiliation of Schools and Employers’ (NACE) 2025 Job Outlook survey discovered that 77.1% of employers appeared for written communication expertise on a candidate’s resume, whereas 69.3% appeared for verbal communication expertise. Flexibility and adaptableness got here in at 67%.
Once more, you’re a freelancer, not essentially making use of for an worker place.
However purchasers nonetheless need individuals who talk effectively.
4. Observe. The. Directions.
I can not stress this one sufficient and it’s most likely the best factor you are able to do to face out.
If the Content material Lead says:
Ship two writing samples through LinkedIn DM.
Ship two writing samples and never three or one.
Don’t ship six samples or worse, your total portfolio.
Don’t discover their firm electronic mail and ship your pitch there since you suppose it’ll assist you to “skip the competitors.”
And please don’t observe down their Instagram account and DM them there.
That’s not intelligent outreach.That’s displaying somebody that you simply don’t comply with directions.
I’ve employed and labored with folks in my very own enterprise, and these tiny issues matter.
Give it some thought from the consumer’s perspective.
If they will’t belief you to comply with a two-sentence instruction if you’re making an attempt to impress them, what’s going to occur after they ship you a three-page content material transient?
Consideration to element issues right here too.
NACE’s employer survey additionally discovered 65.9% of employers particularly search for candidates who’re detail-oriented.
So when somebody provides you directions for making use of, don’t consider them as hoops it’s a must to bounce by means of.
Consider them as your first mini task and to not go rogue.
5. Don’t Write a Novel within the Feedback
Right here’s one thing else I’ve seen with LinkedIn author callouts. Some writers virtually submit their autobiography beneath the publish. They suppose that in the event that they use that house and make it lengthy it would stand out, however it actually doesn’t.
As an alternative, it makes folks need to SKIM over that large all of textual content within the feedback.
So, so that you can stand out, don’t try this!
If the individual says to DM them, I’d maintain the general public remark easy.
One thing like:
“That is proper in my wheelhouse! I write B2B SaaS content material within the digital advertising house. Sending you a DM 🙂”
That’s sufficient after which put the helpful stuff within the DM.
Why?
As a result of your objective isn’t essentially to persuade them to rent you from a LinkedIn remark. The objective is to get them to have a look at your message.
That’s the subsequent step.
6. Make Your First Two Strains Depend
Take into consideration what the Content material Lead is seeing after writing that LinkedIn publish and seeing that over 100 writers commented on it.
Probably dozens of DM messages that begin with:
“Hello Sarah! I noticed your publish on the lookout for freelance writers and I’d love to use.”
There’s nothing technically incorrect with that however Sarah already is aware of why you’re messaging her.
So use that house for one thing higher. If I have been making use of for a SaaS writing gig, I would begin with:
“You had me at B2B SaaS + digital advertising 🙂 I’ve been writing on this house for years and instantly considered two items that match what you’re on the lookout for.”
Then I’d present them.
Or:
“I noticed you’re on the lookout for somebody who can interview SMEs moderately than rely solely on desk analysis. That’s really considered one of my favourite elements of writing B2B content material.”
Now I’ve instantly related their requirement to my expertise and this make your copy a lot stronger.
7. Don’t Assume 100 Feedback Means 100 Certified Writers
You don’t know what’s occurring behind the scenes. It might be that 40 of these folks ignored the area of interest requirement.
You don’t know if one other 20 despatched fully unrelated samples or if the Content material Lead already contacted somebody and so they weren’t accessible.
You additionally don’t know if the one that seems to be completely PERFECT from their LinkedIn profile despatched a horrible pitch.
LinkedIn’s recruiting analysis is more and more pointing towards skills-based hiring, too. Its 2025 report discovered that 93% of expertise acquisition professionals take into account precisely assessing expertise vital to enhancing high quality of rent.
Which is why I’d spend much less time worrying concerning the quantity beside that little remark icon and extra time making it apparent that you’ve the abilities they want.
So understand that it’s okay to nonetheless apply to gigs when over 100 writers already utilized to.
What I Would Do If I Noticed a Author Callout With 100+ Feedback
Look –
I JUST began making use of to gigs I see in my LinkedIn feed. For years I by no means did, largely becuase my feed didn’t have many author callouts.
Now? Each single day there are dozens and dozens of callouts and I can’t sustain anymore.
So, to face out my course of is fairly easy.
I’d learn your complete publish first and ensure I do know precisely the kind of author they’re searching for.
Then I’d take a look at the Content material Lead’s profile and firm. From right here, I get a really feel if this can be a begin up or a longtime firm. I additionally rule out any businesses as I need to work straight with the purchasers.
I’d select my two or three most related samples, not essentially my two biggest-name purchasers.
Then I’d write a brief message explaining why these samples are related and embrace one or two particulars concerning the work behind them.
And eventually?
I’d ship the factor. I wouldn’t spend one other hour debating whether or not it’s “too late.”
As a result of I’ve realized one thing after greater than a decade of freelance writing:
You may’t get the freelance writing gig you talked your self out of making use of for.
The competitors could also be greater than it was once. AI could also be altering how corporations consider writers.
LinkedIn callouts may get 100+ responses earlier than you’ve even completed your morning espresso.
However purchasers nonetheless want writers who can analysis, suppose, talk, comply with instructions and create content material that truly helps their enterprise.
So don’t attempt to seem like the opposite 117 writers.
Give them a motive to recollect you.
What do you do to face out if you apply to these author callouts on LinkedIn? Share within the feedback!