When your website is not exactly hopping with traffic and you are not sure how to change things, an article writing campaign can really jump start things. While reading a great post on article writing campaigns over at SiteproNews, I started to realize yet another reason that we are needed as article and content writers – for good quality content that is optimized for the web. Some website owners are more than capable of delivering their own content. Others have no chance whatsoever.

After careful consideration, I have come up with the top ten reasons that you might need an article writer. Here they are:

10. You do not know the difference between their and there.

9. You think keywording is naming your piano keys.

8. You have written articles and are still getting no traffic.

7. Your last article was around 1980.

6. You want dynamic and exciting content that can drive traffic to your site organicly.

5. You want tons of backlinks to your blog/website.

4. You are working in a niche that you are unfamiliar with on the whole. (not recommended)

3. You are short on time due to multiple ventures.

2. You want the best that the web has to offer.

1. Your website has grown stale.

If any of the above things apply to you, then you may want to look into hiring an article writer. A great content provider can make the difference in an good or a great website.

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.

Every once in a while in the world of online writing, you come across a kindred spirit. You meet someone that for whatever reason, spurs you on to bigger and better things. If you are really lucky, that person turns out to be a pretty fine human being to boot. My good buddy Randy over at Barefoot Scribbles is just such a dude. I dare say that it is hard to imagine how anyone could be unaware of his blog by now, but if you have not checked it out, click that pretty link above and give him a visit.

You can thank me later.

What is so cool about Barefoot Scribbles is that you can learn something about online writing while laughing your arse off. His writings are always chock full of great advice, while still entertaining as hell. He is what I aspire to be – A writer that keeps people coming back for more, if only to find out what he is up to.

On a personal note, this guy has always had an open door policy with me. From the first day I met him in Associated Content’s forums, he has made himself available to help. That is rare in the cynical world of web writing. I hope that I have been that same thing for others, and followed his honorable lead.

If you have a budding online writing career, I would highly suggest that you head on over and subscribe (after subscribing here of course) and dive into his huge amount of content. You will find more advice than you will ever need on virtually any subject you can think of where writing is concerned.

Thanks Randy for being a friend and mentor as well.

For years I wanted to have my very own blog, and was always unsure of doing so. Not because of content or information. I had oceans of that. The problem I had with starting my own blog stemmed from my dependence over the years on Blogger.com. I did not think I could actually get my own domain name, and start a “real” blog. I thought it took extensive knowledge in areas that I knew little about, and that my limited knowledge of html would be a huge problem.

Man, do I feel stupid now.

I wanted a wordpress blog, and briefly had a free one. I loved the simplicity of the blog, but I did not like that I could not put adsense on it. Again, I feel stupid now. Adsense is allowed if you get your own blog hosting and domain. I did not know that either.

Anyway, I finally took the plunge blindly, and went over to Bluehost.com. These guys set me up with hosting and domains, and simplescripts loaded up Wordpress services quick and painlessly. Now I have that blog that I have always wanted (three to be exact) – all with their own domains and complete control on my part.

Having finally done it, I would say that you need not worry about it. The process is simple as it can be, and you are up and running fast. I am new to the blogging world in this way, but my blogs are already doing better traffic wise than older ones I had on Blogger for months.

In other words, I am now converted. Never again will I have to take the route of free blogging on Blogger to monetize a blog. I am quite happy thus far. If you are considering getting your own blog with Wordpress, I can honestly say that you need to do so right away. The service is fantastic, and the interface is easy as pie.

If you are just getting started writing for the web, then earning a little cash has to be on the list of things you are looking to do. Getting your start is not always easy. Earning money as a writer can seem nearly impossible at first. Inevitably, new writers turn to the online writing sites that litter the web.

While these online writing sites are wonderful at their best, they are horrid at their worst. The key is to find the good ones and not waste time with the others. To that end, I have decided to tout the three online writing websites that helped me the most as a new writer. These websites all have their ups and downs, but they all are beneficial to a new writer.

Here they are:

Associated Content - This web writing giant has had a number of ups and downs over the years, and they certainly are not perfect. One thing I will say about Associated Content is that they are quite punctual with payment and they generally do a good job of keeping your web writing in the search engines. They pay an upfront amount for your work if it is well done, keyworded, optimized for the web, and they do not already have a large amount on the subject. They also pay you a page view bonus each month based on the number of views you garner.

Associated Content also has a special place in my heart for another reason. They awarded me 5000 bucks for a contest.

Demand Studios - Demand Studios is a step up in compensation and expectations. They are a little tougher than AC when it comes to editing, etc. Still, they offer upfront money as well. I earned a great deal of money from them over a year’s time, and they taught me a lot about writing for the web. I highly recommend them to anyone interested in writing for the web and earning money.

Hubpages – Hubpages is a bit different in that they do not pay upfront. Instead you put your adsense code in and are paid on a percentage basis of your views. The thing I love about Hubpages is the fact that you can really garner some serious page views. Also, you are free to add pics, Amazon, Ebay affiliates, and a number of other great earning sites. Finally, Hubpages gives you a fantastic way to build pages that can include video, pics, polls, and more. Hubpages is highly addicting! You can make money on Hubpages!

Hopefully you will check out some of the great websites I have listed, and do not give up. Though you are starting there, you will not finish there if you are dedicated. More earning power will come from these sites over time, and you will quickly find private clients are more than willing to pay for great content!

It happens to almost everyone: you have promised to get a certain freelance writing project done in time, but something has happened that will cause you to be late. While you can always email the client to let them know that you need a later deadline, there are some clients who are simply uncooperative. After all, you’re the one who said that you would have it done in time…

The only thing that you can think of doing without causing yourself to look bad is asking for the help of a fellow writer. Is it wrong to do this, however? Here are some of the things that you should think about prior to asking for other writers for help with the project that needs to be completed.

Has the Client Specifically Asked You Not to Do This?

If the client that you are working for has asked you at any point to ensure that the work you provide them is entirely your own, it may be a bad idea to ask another writer friend for help. On the other hand, how will your client ever know? By doing a bit of editing, you can help ensure that the articles will look a lot more like your own. If you were told that you should never provide work that was completely by a team of writers, it is best to avoid doing so, however.

Do You Actually Trust the Writer You’re Asking For Help?

Remember that there are measures that you can take to ensure that the work you are about to send one of your clients has not been plagiarized. You should not think about having to do this, however. It is important to think about how much you really trust the writer friend who you are asking for help. If you really feel that this writer will provide you with 100% honest and good work, then you should feel slightly better about asking for help.

Would You Think About Telling Your Client?

Some clients may be more open to the idea of multiple clients working on their projects than others would be. If you feel that your client is open to the idea, you may want to think about telling them. Simply let them know what the situation is, and tell them that you can still provide the same turnaround if they are okay with the idea of another writer completing some of the project. Your client may either reject the idea or they may extend the deadline so that you can finish it on your own, but there is a good chance that they will be appreciative of your honesty. Be sure to consider how long you have worked for the client, and the type of relationship that you have had with them so far before making the decision to ask them about this.

Many writers make the decision to ask for the help of their friends. The best thing that you can do is use your intuition. If the idea seems wrong even after you have given it much thought, then you may be better off trying to ask for an extension so that you can finish the project all on your own.

Here are some tips for managing your time as a freelance writer, to prevent yourself from getting into this situation in the first place.

A common misconception is that freelance writing is a job that’s ideal for everyone. This couldn’t be any further from the truth. Although freelance writing is a very suiting career for many individuals, it is not an online job that is the right choice for just anyone. Here are some of the reasons to rethink quitting your day job to pursue a career in freelance writing.

You can’t type quickly. Freelance writing allows you to work at your own pace, for the most part. However, you are going to have deadlines. If the idea of typing a lot of words in a short period of time seems challenging for you, then it may be a good idea to rethink pursuing a career in freelance writing. To make the most money and ensure that your clients are always happy, typing at the quickest pace possible is ideal. Here are some tips for improving typing speed and accuracy.

You have poor grammar skills. If you do not have very good skills in grammar or punctuation, a career in freelance writing is definitely not ideal for you. Have you ever browsed the internet, and found websites that were filled with typos? No one enjoys this. Unless you are willing to brush up on your grammar skills, it is a good idea to avoid a career in freelance writing.

You don’t enjoy doing research. Ultimately, you are going to be able to decide what freelance writing assignments you want to take on. However, the pickier that you are about what you want to write, the less money you are going to earn over time. Those who do not feel comfortable writing about topics that they are not familiar with may struggle with this. Doing internet research, and knowing how to provide sources when necessary, is one of the main keys to being a successful freelance writer.

You have very poor editing skills. Most freelance writers are their own editors because it costs too much money to hire a third person to do this job. If you do not have an eye for what looks right or wrong and if you tend to overlook the mistakes that you make, there is a possibility that freelance writing may not be for you. Here are some tips for editing your own work.

Although many people will make great freelance writers, there are some will not be too successful at this online job. Considering all of the factors prior to making the decision to pursue this as a career choice is very important. It is best to see how it works out for you on a part-time basis before quitting your day job to become a full-time freelance writer to pay the bills.

Looking for a great place to learn about new writing opportunities? If so, you will want to head over to the WAHM writing forum. Here, you will find a wealth of information that may be able to lead you to new opportunities.

Find New Opportunities at the WAHM Writing Forum

At the WAHM writing forum, writers talk about some of the opportunities that have been around for quite some time, as well as new ones when they become available. Any time that you learn about a new website that is paying writers, you will want to check out WAHM to find out if anyone else has had any experience with them. This is a great way to prevent yourself from being scammed or mislead by a certain writing company.

See if Others Share Your Experiences at the WAHM Writing Forum

Occasionally, those who are looking to hire writers stop by and post a bulletin. Writers also discuss some of the opportunities that are available, such as Associated Content and Demand Studios. If you are experiencing any problems with a website that you write for, you can post on the forum and see if there are other writers who have been sharing your experiences.

Find Support From Others at the WAHM Writing Forum

The WAHM writing forum is also a great place to check out if you are looking for group support. You will be exchanging information and conversing with people who are just like yourself, for the most part. Whether you are a beginner freelance writer or someone who has been doing this for quite some time, there is someone out there who can offer you advice on how to earn more money. If you are wondering whether freelance writing can help pay the bills, you will want to check out the forum because every month, certain people post how much they earn. What better inspiration for writers who are looking to get motivated?

These are just a few of the many reasons to stop by the WAHM writing forum! If you are looking for a great place to learn about freelance writing in general, this is a great option for you. Not only will you find inspiration, but you may find new opportunities. This is one of the best forums on the web for writers!

Article Writing… So many people think they can do it easily, and yet so many people fail miserably. Why? Because they think it will be easy. Too many people have dove into the world of freelance article writing with only one thing in mind – money.

While money is certainly a wonderful thing to have, you should know that it is far from the only thing we can focus on as article writers. No, the article writer has to love what they do. That is the real key.

To sit down and write 50 articles all keyworded around mesothelioma is not something that you can do simply for money. It has to be about the passion for writing, and the excitement of seeing your name in print.

Article writing is a career choice that is destined to change every single day, sometimes by the hour. As soon as you have it figured out, you realize that what you learned is wrong now. Why do we do this thing called article writing, anyway?

For others the answer may vary. For me, I do it because I love information and the high paced world of writing. It is what keeps me coming back for more every single day. I look forward to this blog growing and building a great many friends.

It is my first forray into the world of bloggers. (I had some blogger blogs, but never my “own” baby until now. I hope that you will join me each and every day to learn about the world together

Are you looking for a new way to come up with topics to write on? If you feel as though you have written about every topic that you can think of, it can be frustrating to come up with something new. Those who haven’t tried out this method so far will want to think about doing so. It can help lead you to some very good topics.

Turn the television on. Try to look for a show that you really like, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be one that you truly enjoy or watch on a regular basis. Pretty much every television show will work. Whether you watch Jon and Kate Plus Eight or reruns of The Golden Girls, this method can still work out for you.

Watch the show for about ten minutes. Do a close examination of the show. As you are watching, you can either make mental notes or actually take physical notes. Notice what type of clothing styles are being worn, what the characters are talking about, and what the theme of the show is. All of these aspects can help lead you to a very good topic. Whether you write about fashion, family situations, or relationships, it is likely that you will be able to think of a topic to write about.

Keep in mind that there are other similar outlets that can help you find topics to write about. Magazines and newspapers can both inspire topics. If you write an article after reading a similar one, it is important to make sure that you offer a unique angle. It is very important to make sure that you avoid plagiarizing as a freelance writer, which can happen without you even realizing it.