Creating the Perfect Blog Post
There has been many articles written about how to write articles in terms of features. You probably have encountered advice on using pictures, bullet points and controversy to make your blog more readable and interesting.
Though there is validity in this approach, many fail to take into account the important person in the equation: The reader.
At all times and no matter what kind of writing you are doing, you should always keep the reader in mind. Blog tips such as pictures and bullet points, are just minor aspects in creating quality blog posts. Ultimately, your blog will be judged on its content and your writing style.
Before you start to write an article, think about the following :
Who your article is aimed at?
Through identifying and discovering who your readers are, you will discover the correct tone of voice for your blog, and in turn your style as a writer will develop and you will create better and more relevant writing.
Would a reader find the article you are planning to write interesting?
If not, there is no value to writing the article.
Identify what your readers want. The show business adage of giving the people what they want is true in the world of web writing. If they want more articles on one aspect of your blog but less on others, I would advise you succumb to their wishes. As writers, we feel we have a good idea of what people would like to read from our blogs. If you have been employed to write copy for someone else, then you will know that this is untrue. Take a look at what you are writing, put yourself in your readers shoes and see if the two match. If you have not done this before, I'll be surprised if they do. Write what readers want to read.
Would you like to read what you have just written?
If the answer is no, then alter it until you do. Try to get out of the habit of publishing something just because you have written it. It can harm your reputation as a writer if you publish poor quality work.
Don't be afraid.
If you are writing a potentially explosive piece do not be afraid to follow it through. This is what writing is all about and has been challenging views and perceptions since before Shakespeare. Be bold, be comprehensive, and explain your views well. There is a risk you could be wrong, but it is better to state how you feel rather then not to publish. You may well be right, and not publishing through fear just to learn you were right in the first place is worse than vise versa.
I will add this to post as and when the need takes me. For the time being, always think about the reader, and you will find everything else will fall into place.
Best of luck!
Laptops Make a Writer’s Life Easier
If you are a writer that is never in one place for too long, then the chances are you have probably been out and about and have been struck by inspiration. Sadly, you can bet your last penny that you had no means to record this idea, and it has diminished back into your sub consciousness.
Though smart phone and other devices such as the iPad have addressed this problem somewhat, there can be no substitute for using a laptop. Even the traditional notebook and pen can not walk in the same shoes as our trusty laptop. The problem with a notebook is that often it is an item that is easily forgotten and as consequence, it is never in your pocket or bag when you need it.
I tend to carry a notebook but most importantly, I carry my laptop wherever I go. Inspiration, or just a spare fifteen minutes can make the difference between a good piece of writing or none at all. Though some laptops are prone to damage albeit minor, by placing it in a laptop sleeve, generally protects it from being moved around from place to place.
Many are concerned that their laptop tends to overheat. They can and do get hot, as the miniature parts inside a laptop have to work harder, and as a result, they tend to get hotter than your average PC. Also, you tend to notice it more if your notebook or laptop is on your lap. A laptop stand helps air to circulate around the latptop, and subsequently prevents it from overheating and as offers protection from the same problem to the device's internal parts. Though you cannot carry your laptop stand around with you, well you can but it looks a little daft, but for home use of if you give speeches or presentations then the laptop stand is invaluable.
Most of us writers are not exactly well off, and anything that can help us protect our equipment from damage is welcome.
One way to ensure that we do not forget a good idea that may change our financial fortunes, is to ensure we take our laptops with us, wherever we go.
How to Cope With Freelance Copywriting Boredom
There can be no denying that certain assignments are more interesting than others, and though an assignment may pay well and is a straight forward job, boring and repetitive subject matter will at one time or another wear you down. So what can we do to combat freelance copywriting boredom?
Tips on how to combat freelance copywriting boredom.
- Take small breaks between articles, and tiny ones between paragraphs. This is especially important if you are writing the same article in a different style. Be careful not to let the break be an excuse not to stop working.
- Try not to think about other things when working on a boring assignment, as this can lead to an excuse not to work on the project and stop work. Facebook and that piece you were going to research can wait.
- Set small goals and celebrate as you complete them.
- Ensure you complete what you set out to do.
Remember that not completing assignments is self defeating, and ultimately will harm your reputation as a freelance writer.
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Laptops help research and inspire creativity.
I often write using my laptop, as I often work in various locations and not just in one place. I find it handy to be able to pick up my working life and slip it into a bag, and disappear for the day to a coffee shop or a friend’s house and work from there. It not only provides a convenient way of working, but the change of scene often gets the creative juices flowing, and this can be all important when you have an assignment that requires a lot of research. Generally, the coffee is better too, as the coffee I make is not the barista equivalent of Shakespeare!
Mindset and the freelance writer
Mindset, plays a crucial role in determining a writers progress and success. I have touched upon this subject before and once again refer to Norman Mailer's excellent book,"The Spooky Art", in which he states that to be a successful writer, a writer must make a pact with themselves to write at a given time, and then honour it. Through following this edict, a writers subconscious will apply itself to the task of writing, and improvements to the writers craft ensue.
Should the writer dishonour the pact they have made with themselves to write at a given time, then their subconscious works on other areas of the writers life, and no longer focuses on craft. This causes problems when the writer returns to writing and problems of writers block, and a poorer standard of writing may occur.
The writer should always honour the pact with their subconscious unless matters of life and death get in the way.
This applies to all types of writing, including writing as a hobby. Remember, ten minutes of writing is better than no minutes of writing, no matter how bad the hangover.
For tips on staying motivated as a writer, click here.
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photo credit: Andrew Mason
Freelance writing and the importance of doing something
Though planning, marketing, and long term goals are important and have their place. There can be no denying they pale into insignificance compared to the power of just getting on with the job.
At some point the work, the real work has to be carried out: This pays the bills, and puts beer or wine in the glass.
I have found that simply by typing the first twenty words of an article puts me into the right frame of mind to complete the work. This helps establish a good mindset, which is the all important factor for successful freelance writing.
If you find yourself struggling to find this mindset, then just write and the chances are it will happen naturally.
How do you find your writing gear?
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Freelance writing tips on winning the job
Making a good pitch when applying for a job is fundamental to freelance writing success. Often a freelance writer can be in competition with dozens, sometimes hundreds of freelance writers, all eager to win the work. Your pitch must stand tall in among this competition and be well supported by good, relevant examples of your previous work.
When I pitch for a job I have a template in my mind of points I need to include. They are:
Who I am and where I'm from. Sounds obvious, but many jobs specify someone from the English speaking world, and this shows that I am.
My experience. I normally state the number of projects I have been involved with. the more work I complete the better this looks.
My approach to the work, including gauging tone, keeping the copy interesting and informative, and to engage the reader.
My CV/Resume. This contains a cross decision of my previous work, along with testimonials. Both of these are significant.
A link to my website. The writers website provides a means of displaying their talents together with an opportunity to showcase what they can do. This recently won me a job and has done so in the past.
Depending on what the ad has asked for, depends on how I construct my pitch, and I mention any previous experience that I feel is relevant to the job.
Your bid is also an important factor in winning the work. Often, there is a budget specified for the job, and to stand a realistic chance of winning the work, it is best to put forward a bid that is within it. I have found that bidding slightly lower than the maximum, tends to give you a fighting chance.
Good luck!
Freelance Writing Scams
There seems to be a rise in scams aimed at freelance writers. I have been had twice, and the total cost to me stands at around £800. (This figure has been worked out through a combination of factors which include loss of promised money, loss of money that could have been spent working on legitimate projects, ant time spent tracking down scam artists). The last scam was a very professional operation. The perpetrator, Ralph Basinger, claimed to work for Mindsprout marketing, and furnished a contract to that effect which was written on Mindsprout Marketing headed paper.
Somewhat ironically, I did a search for his name on Google which showed nothing unusual. If I had searched a few days later, a search engine page full of results would have appeared warning me off the guy, and showing he was a fraud.
It is difficult to see what someone could hope to earn from the frauds, as material posted on a site could be easily tracked, and material sold to others would be peanuts in the grand scale of things. For this to be a truly profitable venture, new scams would have to be created, which ups the ante in terms of risk as writers like me become wise to the acts. Nonetheless, the scams do persist.
All I can add to what I have already been written before is to keep vigilant, check search engines regularly to see if there is any unpalitable news posted, and be sure to spread the word about the scam.
If you do get scammed, report it to this website, and keep your eyes peeled. Many scam artists have more than one going at a time, and have a tell tale style.
For info about Ralph Basinger visit http://mindsproutmarketing.com/blog/2010/04/alert-not-associated-with-ralph-basinger/.
The WC3 page for reporting scams visit https://complaint.ic3.gov
photo credit: aprillynn77
Freelance writing tips for staying on top of workload.
If you have any experience of writing in a professional capacity, you will no doubt be aware that motivation and discipline are two big factors to success.
Without these two elements, writing becomes a very hap hazard affair, and often the urge and need to write dries up. In effect, your mind is shutting down as it transfers its resources to concentrating on other tasks. The writer Norman Mailer, writes about this in some detail in his book the Spooky Art, where he declares that a writer makes a pact with his subconscious to write, if he breaks that pact, he or she finds it harder to write.
In essence it is the same for a copywriter. You have no doubt experienced this phenomenon if you have ever under taken commercial work. Somewhat strangely, if you start writing, you will normally continue, and this is the key to stay on top of your workload. Though I have to be honest and say I am sometimes guilty of not practising what I preach, in my experience the following tips should help you keep the workload manageable.
1 Minimise distractions. Email, Facebook, looking at rubbish on the web, anything that takes your fingers off the keyboard has to be avoided. Anything that gives you an excuse not to write has to be avoided. Anything that can distract you has to be dealt with, and I mean anything.
2 Prioritise your workload by deadline and necessities. If you are short of money, a faster paying client may be a more appealing, but often a professional approach centred around priorities will serve you better in the long run.
3 Make a pact with yourself that you are going to start writing at a certain time, and start at that time. This is similar to what Norman Mailer talks about in his book. Be on time for work.
4 Too much to do. If you have found yourself with too much work, think about outsourcing it. This does tend to bring about its own problems, but outsourcing could be a good long and short term solution.
5 Pay professionals to do professional jobs. If its taking you four hours to do your accounts, that's four hours money you won't be earning. The chances are the professional will know more tricks too. It pays to use a professional.
Hopefully what you have just read will help you stay on top or your workload.
photo credit: Gamma-Ray Productions
Freelance writing tips on gauging tone
One aspect of writing which is crucially important, is understanding and setting the right tone for the readership. This comes into play in all aspects of writing,and not just writing for the web.
This should be a consideration when you first apply for the job. In nearly every advertisement for a role, there are hidden clues as to what is expected from a writer. By using these clues effectively, you will increase your chances of landing the role. If you get this right, you are speaking directly to your readership, so subsequently your blogs will be more effective.
As with all tips these are guidelines only, so don't be afraid to forget about them now and then, and go with the flow.
- Most blogs require proper English, so ensure you reply in proper English
- Always have an up to date CV, and ensure it has a broad range of writing samples you have done in the past included, together with testimonials
- If you feel a sample that is not included in your CV, will be more suited to a role that you are applying for, obviously include/swap it.
- Always ensure there is something of you in your writing, regardless of the tone you are setting.
- To find the tone, ask yourself who will be reading these articles, and adjust accordingly.
- Always make your writing engaging, and interesting. You'd be surprised at how much difference this makes.
- Never waffle. It is tempting with minimum word counts etc, but if you just keep writing, you'd be surprised at the quality you can achieve.
- Don't try too hard, just keep in your mind who the likely readership are, and then just let yourself write.
Hopefully, these tips will help you.
photo credit: ktylerconk
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