Jodee’s post on freelance etiquette got me thinking about other services freelancers should be packing.

While skills like web design and programming can be quite useful, your value as a freelance writer rises considerably (doubles and triples) when you also offer complimentary freelance services (with the underlying assumption being that you’re good at your job).

Here are 5 services every freelance writer should be looking to offer to their clients - remember that it’s one thing to know and quite another to have experience in this field:

1. Editorial Calendars - the ability to plan out what you’ll be writing in the future in advance and to present to your client a concrete plan for your work will go some way towards building trust. Editorial calendars aren’t brain surgery but in situations where you have a contract for writing X articles (whether it’s per month or a one-time gig) you need to be able to map out what you’ll be writing in the future.
2. Outsourcing Knowledge & Contacts - if an organisation / person is outsourcing their writing work, there’s a good chance that they are looking to outsource more work in the future. Know web designers? Other freelancers? Start networking like your life depends on it (spare an hour each day, if you want to schedule it) and build up your contacts list. After that, it’s just a case of positioning yourself so that when clients need outsourcing done, they’ll trust your judgment.
3. Social Media Experience - whether you’re comfortable with creating social bait or not, knowing what type of content generates interest and how you can target specific social networks will put you ahead of 99% of your competition. Yes, you need help, and yes, it’s not always successful, but consider that professional linkbait these days costs $2,000+ and then think about it - would you make the effort to build a network of contacts that can help you earn that much each week?
4. Podcasting - audio or video, going beyond the text medium and especially doing it well is a valuable service. Where you might be paid $50 per article, a podcast episode (probably taking the same time, if not less) can fetch you 4x the amount.

   Video podcasts are even more lucrative - of course it helps if you’re photogenic, but depending on your niche, the two things you need the most are passion and the ability to communicate ideas clearly (even more important in audio / visual media than in print).

5. Strategic Planning & Management - suppose that your client is launching a new project and doesn’t have the time to manage it (happens quite a lot online). Could you step in and shoulder most of the load in terms of setting objectives, hiring the right people, managing milestones and delivering the desired end result?

   Successful project management is perhaps the most valuable service a freelance writer can offer, although once you reach this stage, you might find yourself doing more management work and less writing.

Question for today - what do you think is the most important add-on service a freelance writer can offer to their clients?

Ahmed Bilal is a blogger and internet entrepreneur who runs the FM network and also writes on Performancing.