As the editor of several websites, it is part of my job to go through online writing applications on a semi-regular basis. These online writing applications are often by request, and they are supposed to include a few writing samples. Writing samples are supposed to be a snapshot of what the writer is capable of, and it will be the first impression that a potential client will have of you and your writing.

Unfortunately, most potential article writers give very little thought to the online writing samples that they provide. There are a number of tips about writing samples that I would like to pass along to those of you that apply to online writing sites. Hopefully, some of these might help you to secure more gigs, and make more money online.

Monkey's Rule (Except In Writing Samples)

1. Make sure that you send the writing samples as an attachment. Also do not pick some newfangled formats or funky files. A simple text file does rather nicely. If I have to download something to read your writing sample, that is a big fat no-no.

2. For goodness sakes, browse the website or company that you are applying to. For example, if the website is about the Dallas Cowboys, do not send over a writing sample titled, “The Washington Redskins Rule” please. You would be shocked. It happens. Know the niche you are applying for.

3. Another important note on visiting the website – Take a moment to read some of the content. Is the tone of the website bloggish, or is it more technical? This type of information is vital to your writing sample. Make sure your writing sample matches the website in form for the best results.

4. Make sure you send your best work. Do not send over a lackluster effort. If I read a writing sample and it is throwing out grammar issues in the first paragraph, I don’t bother to go on. The reason? If they do not care enough to proofread a writing sample while asking me for a job, they surely won’t once I am paying them.

5. Use a standard font when you submit article writing samples. No pink italics please. Also, I do not know Chinese, so do not send over that type of script unless the application asks for it. Straight English, 12 pt black – Times New Roman is perfect.

6. Do not send over custom writing samples. If people are requesting custom writing samples, then chances are they are scamming you. If they are willing to pay for them, then that is something else. I have seen jobs ask for a custom writing sample with no guarantee that you will be paid. That is very bad. An existing writing sample on the Internet is more than good enough to show if you fit the job. Watch out for the scammers folks.

Many people make the decision to become a freelance writer because it seems like such an easy way to make money. All that you need to do is write articles, blog entries, and other forms of content. Simple. Easy. Right? Not necessarily. If you are not good at managing your time, freelance writing is probably not the best option for you. Here are some tips for managing your time as a freelance writer.

1. Set up a work station for yourself. It is a good idea to create an office in an extra room if you have one. If not, find an area where you can set up a little office for yourself in the corner of another room, such as a living room or guest bedroom. Doing work in an office or at a work station will help get you in the mood to work.

2. Come up with a daily work schedule. It doesn’t necessarily have to be from 9 to 5 o’clock every day. Some people prefer to work at night, while others do better working in the day. Try to figure out what works best for yourself before deciding what to do on a regular basis. The main key is to find a schedule that you can stick with.

3. Do not take phone calls during the work hours that you set for yourself. At a regular job, you would not talk on the phone throughout the whole entire day. It will prevent you from getting any work done. The only exception to this rule is business calls and emergencies. Make sure that friends and families understand that even though you work from home, you should not be contacted periodically throughout the workday.

4. Avoid checking your social networking websites during the day. Facebook and Myspace can be highly distracting if you spend a lot of time on it throughout the day. It is also a good idea to avoid checking your email more than once in the morning and once at night. A business email should be checked periodically throughout the day, so you will definitely want to set up a personal email account.

5. Make a list of your goals in the morning. Write down what exactly you are going to do during the day and cross off each item on the list as you go along. This will help ensure that you stay on track with all of the tasks that need to be done.

Time management is very important for any freelance writer. Getting distracted by friends and family is one of the easiest ways to get off task. Learning what works and what doesn’t work for you is one of the main keys to a successful work day.

Candle safety is very important!

One of the main keys to homemaking is ensuring that your home smells its best. Not only do you want it to smell great for yourself, but you also want the scent of your home to be pleasant for visitors. Probably the easiest ways to eliminate any foul smelling odors or simply add a great touch to your home is to burn some scented candles. Here are some safety tips for burning candles in your home.

Always be sure to use a candle holder. Leaving a candle without a holder on a counter top can be very dangerous. The candle may easily knock over and catch fire to something. If this doesn’t happen, the wax will probably drip onto the counter and create a mess.

Never leave candles burning while you’re not home. In fact, it is also ideal for you to stay in the same room as the candle that is burning if possible. If no one is there to watch the candles, there is no way to know for sure that everything is safe. Extinguishing candles prior to going out is in your best interest. This is one of the most important keys to candle safety.

Keep candles away from anything that they could easily catch fire to. This means that you will want to make sure that the candle is kept away from loose papers, curtains or drapes, and even plants. Before deciding where you will light the candle, the best thing that you can do is clear the surface beforehand.

Take note of any flammable products that in your home. Never spray anything from a can too close to the candle while it is burning. You do not want to cause a fire that could be easily avoided just by being more cautious of your surroundings.

A candle should never burn all the way to the very end. Once you have gotten about three quarters of the way through the candle, it is a good idea to throw it away. Even if the candle is in a jar, you should never let it burn all the way through.

It is important to be very cautious when lighting candles when the electricity is out. Make sure that you know what you’re doing. If you have no idea, it is best to use a flashlight instead.

When finding a location to burn the candle, it is important to make sure that it will be out of the reach of children. You will also want it to be out of the reach of pets as well. While most cats and dogs know better than to go near fire, you don’t want to leave the candle in an area that they frequent. This can especially be a problem for cats who jump on counter tops often.

Candle safety is a main key to fire prevention. The above mentioned candle safety tips are ideal for just about every homeowner to follow. If you want to prevent your home from catching on fire, it is important to remember that candles can be very hazardous without following the right precautions.

Traveling to any new city can be very exciting. Probably one of the most exciting cities that you could ever visit is New Orleans, which is well known for its popular Mardi Gras festival. When traveling to New Orleans, you will want to have a good idea of what to do and not do during your stay. Here are some tips for traveling to New Orleans, Louisiana.

Be Cautious at Night

One of the most important things that you should know about New Orleans is that it can be dangerous at night, especially for women. The French Quarter and other areas which are commonly visited by tourists are generally considered safe. The best thing that you can do is not travel alone at night, and stay away from poorer or secluded neighbors in New Orleans. Also keep in mind that it is best to stay in groups when visiting tourist attractions in New Orleans as they may be targets for thieves.

When to Visit New Orleans

Most people want to visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras. This happens the day prior to Ash Wednesday, which usually happens during February or March. If you simply want to visit New Orleans, you will probably want to base your decision on the weather. It is important to keep in mind that most of the year in New Orleans is humid. December through March are the coolest months, with temperatures that average at about 63 degrees Fahrenheit. May through September are the hottest, with temperatures in the 80’s.

Make Reservations During Mardi Gras

If you are planning to stay during the week of Mardi Gras, it is in your best interest to make reservations when doing just about anything. Since there are so many tourists visiting during this time, everything will be a lot more crowded than it would at most other times of the year. Whether you are dining out or going on some type of tour, it is a good idea to call ahead to prevent a long wait.

With the right amount of preparation, New Orleans can be a whole lot of fun. It is important to choose the most enjoyable time of year to visit, make reservations if you are visiting during Mardi Gras, and be safe during your stay. Like with any other trip you take, be sure to do your research on hotels that you would like to stay at and attractions you would like to see in New Orleans beforehand.