B2B SaaS 101: A Primer for Freelance Writers

This article is an introduction to B2B SaaS — a sector within the technology industry — for freelance writers. It defines this sector and outlines the income potential for content marketing writing. It also links to some resources for those interested in learning more about how to break into writing for B2B SaaS.

B2B SaaS is interesting not only for the potential to make a good income but also during a sustained period of economic uncertainty worldwide, the B2B SaaS industry is booming. The SaaS sector has been growing steadily over the past decade and experienced tremendous growth and profitability over the past year. The pandemic is driving the adoption of SaaS technologies worldwide as many companies turn to remote work. If you are interested in a potentially lucrative and stable source of income in uncertain financial times, B2B SaaS is worth a look.

What is B2B SaaS?

B2B stands for business to business. The term refers to companies that provide goods and services to other businesses (rather than consumers). SaaS stands for software as a service, a way to deliver software applications over the internet. Instead of installing and maintaining software on a computer, users access it online.

B2B SaaS, or business-to-business software as a service, refers to cloud-based software used by businesses for tasks such as accounting and customer relationship management (CRM), office productivity, and databases, among others. To access SaaS software, companies pay a subscription fee on a recurring basis (monthly or yearly).

B2B SaaS is Booming

Numerous industries — from manufacturing, banking, finance, information technology (IT), and others — have adopted SaaS solutions in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic, starting in 2020, has contributed to this growth, as SaaS applications have powered remote working for companies. According to industry reporter Statista, the SaaS market is estimated to be worth approximately $145.5 billion in 2021. SaaS is forecasted to amass $832.1 billion in revenue by 2025. The SaaS market is expected to continue growing, as organizations worldwide adopt SaaS for their business functions.

Some of the biggest SaaS companies are:

· Adobe: multimedia and creativity software

· Salesforce: CRM platform

· Shopify: subscription-based software that allows anyone to set up an online store and sell their products

· Intuit: financial, accounting, and tax-preparation software for individuals and small businesses

· ServiceNow: cloud-based workflow automation platform that enable companies to improve operational efficiencies by automating and streamlining routine work tasks

The list above is a small sample of companies and wide variety of business services in SaaS.

Opportunities in B2B SaaS for Freelance Writers

B2B SaaS is a sector where freelance writers can find clients who can afford and are willing to pay a premium for writing talent. Opportunities abound in B2B SaaS for writers who have the proper expertise and background. These can be with agencies who contract writers to do content marketing for companies or directly with the marketing departments of companies.

Here are a few examples of how much a writer can earn writing for B2B SaaS:

· This content marketing agency pays $450 per blog post to experienced writers in their team and $350 to those starting out

· This experienced SaaS writer charges $1,000 per blog post

· Another experienced SaaS specialist has rates starting at $1,000 per blog post

· This agency that works primarily with B2B SaaS companies budgets $500-$650 per blog post

· This agency also works with B2B SaaS companies and pays a standard $500 per blog post

Resources to Learn About Writing for B2B SaaS

The topic of writing for B2B SaaS and the knowledge and background required can be the topic of multiple articles. The information below is a curated list of resources to help freelancers learn more about breaking into writing for the sector.

How-To Blog Posts

· Keys to Freelance Writing for SaaS Companies

· How Liz Froment Became a B2B Tech Content Marketing Writer in 3 Steps

· How Non-Geek Writers Can Add a B2B Technology Niche

The resources below outline options for training, making connections, and uncovering freelance writing opportunities for B2B SaaS. Not meant to be exhaustive, it is a starting point for exploration for freelance writers interested in learning more.

Community and Job Listings

· Peak Freelance is a paid membership community for freelance writers. Many of their members specialize in B2B SaaS and exchange insights and information with one another. Peak Freelance membership comes with an active and friendly Slack community, as well as a membership portal with courses, which features podcast interviews with industry movers and shakers. They recently opened a job board and announced the launch of Peak Freelance, the boutique content marketing agency.

· Superpath is a free online Slack community for content marketers. Many members of the community work for B2B SaaS companies and are very friendly and exchange information and job opportunities. Superpath has a job board that features plenty of job listings for full-time and freelance content marketing and writing positions for B2B SaaS companies. It also has a podcast with interesting stories and features from industry insiders about content marketing in practice. Superpath Pro is a paid membership option for content marketers interested in advanced training and networking with a community of industry peers.

· Working in Content is a free job board and newsletter devoted to the content industry. It also has an informative blog that features insightful interviews with industry experts giving their perspectives on working and careers in the industry. This resource covers not just content marketing but also content design, content strategy, and content operations.

Training

· B2B Writing Institute is a paid membership community to help B2B writers of all levels of expertise hone their skills and launch careers in B2B writing. This community is excellent for those just starting out. It provides online courses and holds regular webinars that explain the craft of writing for B2B marketing and demystifies the process and formats of types of content such as case studies, white papers, and thought leadership. It also teaches the mindset required for writing for marketing managers and executive audiences.

· Writing for Content Marketing is a paid 8-week course from the University of British Columbia. The course, taught by a content marketing writing practitioner, explores industry best practices and gives students an overview of different types of content marketing writing formats such as blogs, case studies, white papers, among others. Students also do writing assignments and get feedback from the instructor. The course is conducted fully online through a learning management system platform.

· The Freelance Content Marketing Writer is a comprehensive how-to guide to find high-paying clients as a freelance content marketing writer. The book’s author, Jennifer Goforth Gregory, shares ideas, step-by-step processes, and templates for increasing income and building a career as a freelance content marketing writer. The author is a technology-focused writer and publishes a blog with plenty of practical advice for aspiring and practicing freelance writers.

Research and Industry Information

· Content Marketing Institute is a membership community for the content marketing industry. The organization provides practical how-to guidance, advice from experts, and an active community for discussing the latest industry news and information. They provide education and training, as well as publish a magazine and hold an annual conference. They also publish an annual research report and custom research studies on the content marketing industry.

Did you find the information listed above helpful? If you have thoughts or have additional information to add to the list of resources, please feel free to comment.

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