Posts tagged: writers

Oct 24 2009

Niche Writing – How To Embrace Those Subjects You Hate

Niche article writing has always been a bit of burr in the side of most articles writers. It is inevitable if you are a freelance writer that you will come upon some subjects that you simply have no interest in. For those of you that find yourself in this situation, fear not. There are ways to embrace those article writing gigs that feature subjects that bore you to tears.

Niche article writing often means writing a series of articles on a particular subject or keywords. Niches may fall into broad or very narrow categories, and can be mind numbing after writing a tenth article on “bone marrow” or some similar subject. How do you get past that boredom and still turn out high quality, engaging articles?

The first step is to realize that every subject excites someone. If someone can be excited about a subject, then you can too. Dive into some information about the subject. Pretend that it is the next big thing, and ask yourself what you need to know about it. Ask yourself if you were being paid a million bucks to write about it, could you then become excited about it? Most often the answer is yes.

We have to trick our minds sometimes. I will sometimes pretend that I am an actor learning a role. In that role, I have to know all about ….. then I write the articles. For some reason, that switches my mindset and helps me to embrace the subject matter.

Another great trick to embracing niche writing is to realize that it will pass soon. No gig is everlasting in the world of freelance writing. Think of the money you are earning when you feel weary.

Finally, when all else fails, contact someone that is turned on by the subject mentally. If you are writing a group of niche articles about snakes, for example, you could visit the local zoo or pet store. You are likely to find plenty of people that can give you insight into why they like the subject. You may even find some common ground and generate some new article ideas. Visit some websites about your subject and read the comments. There you will often find the passionate few that embrace the niche’s subject matter.

Unfortunately, if we are to be successful in freelance writing, we are going to have some subjects that bore us. If we must write on these topics and niches, then it is always good to temporarily put on the shoes. If not, then you will simply stare at a blank screen, tap your foot, and never get a word typed. Give it a shot!

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Oct 19 2009

Three Great Online Writing Sites To Earn Money With As A Newbie

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!

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Oct 18 2009

Is it Wrong to Ask For the Help of Fellow Writers?

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…

002 3 150x150 Is it Wrong to Ask For the Help of Fellow Writers?

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.

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Oct 17 2009

Is Daily Article Worth Trying Out?

If you are looking for a website that will allow you to sell your articles for a price that you set on your own, there are two popular options. The first is Constant Content. The second is Daily Article, which is a website that is not quite as popular among freelance writers. Is Daily Article worth trying out? Here are some things that you should know before applying to this website.

Daily article is not quite as popular as Constant Content. What this means is that they see less buyers than CC does. Does this mean that you won’t sell the articles that you put on Daily Article? Absolutely not. I have personally sold about 75% of the articles that I have posted on Daily Article.

Pros

The percentage of money that Daily Article keeps is known to be lower than what Constant Content keeps when you make a sale. The website only keeps about 4% of the total sales rate. This is not bad at all for a website like this.

When you submit an article, you need to write a brief description about your article. If you are good at this, it can be a great way to help you secure a sale.

You do not need to pay any type of fees to signup to or remain a member of Daily Article. This means that trying out DA is of no cost to you.

As with most other websites that writers use, payment is made via PayPal.

Many writers have found that Daily Article’s requirements for content are less stringent than Constant Content’s. The content is checked for plagiarism, but it is not denied on the basis of bad grammar.

Cons

Just like any other website where you post an article, it can take awhile before you actually make a sale. It has taken months before I have sold several articles on the website, while others have sold after about a week or so.

Payment seems to be made randomly, which can be considered either good or bad. From my personal experience, it seems to come on the 30th of the month. However, it has also come during the middle of the month as well. It may be that payment is sent when there is a sale.

You are giving up full rights to your content when you make the decision to sell it on Daily Article.

The Verdict

Daily Article is absolutely worth trying out. It is important to keep in mind that the types of content that you write will determine the overall amount of success that you have with DA. Articles in certain areas, such as health and marketing, are known to do better than those in other areas. It really depends on the exact topic that you are writing about, however. While it would be a bad idea to rely on Daily Article for all of your income, it is a great option if you are looking for a new place to earn some extra cash.

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Oct 16 2009

Check Out the WAHM Writing Forum For Useful Info

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!

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Oct 15 2009

What Does It Take To Be An Article Writer?

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

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Oct 14 2009

What Should Be in Your Writer’s Portfolio?

portfolio 300x199 What Should Be in Your Writer’s Portfolio?
When applying to certain websites or clients, you may need to provide a portfolio. If you are a writer who has never created a portfolio before, then you might not know what type of works you should include. Here are some tips on how to create the writer’s portfolio that will help you land a job.

Consider the job you are applying for. This is the most important thing that you can do when creating a writer’s portfolio. If you are applying to write for a woman’s health website, you probably won’t want to send an article that you have written about football. Try to choose the content that you have which is the most relevant. This will help the person reviewing your portfolio get a better idea about what you can do for them.

Try to provide varying samples. Although you will want to choose information that is relevant, you will want to also choose samples that are very different from one another. If you are applying for a website about teens, you may provide one sample on teen health, another on teen relationships, and another on teen fashion. Providing samples that are different from one another will help the reviewer of the portfolio see that you can be versatile.

Only include your best samples in your writer’s portfolio.
Try to choose samples which have been used by websites that are fairly well known. If you’re good enough to get accepted by a bigger publication, the person reviewing your portfolio will see less of a reason to hire you. Even more importantly than providing works that have been published by reputable sources, you should never EVER include an article that has a typo or grammatical error in the writer’s portfolio. Remember that the person who is hiring you is looking for reasons not to. Don’t provide them with the fuel to feed their fire.

Creating a writer’s portfolio doesn’t need to be as challenging as it may seem. With the right amount of planning, it is likely that your portfolio will be good enough for you to get a second glance from the person reviewing it. All that you need to do is make the wisest decisions when deciding what to include in your writer’s portfolio.

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