Writers’ Websites: How to Find Your Way Through the Writing Maze
If you’re a writer, it’s a given that there are several things you need. One important thing is a writers’ Web site. There are many different types, however, so here’s a guide to help you to find your way through the maze.
1. Your own writers’ Web site
Your own site is a major priority. It’s your home on the Web, and it establishes your credibility in the online world. How can you claim to write effectively for the Web if you don’t have your own online presence? It’s fairly easy to create your own Web site but be sure to include the essential information: Sample content, testimonials, a page about your background and, of course, how to contact you.
There is some debate about whether your writing fees should be listed at a writer’s own Web site. Including them makes it easier for the client to decide whether he or she can afford your services. Not including them gives you more wiggle room when seeking clients — theoretically. It’s only a theory, because you can always negotiate.
2. Writing job boards
This type of writers’ Web site allows you to bid on jobs posted by others. These job boards are great for breaking into Web writing, or for trying something new. For instance if you’ve been writing articles but want to try writing ebooks or sales letters, bid on a job and see what happens. However, the best advice is to move away from these boards once you get some experience because bidding tends to keep the pay low.
3. Content mills
While a rather unsavory term, content mills are another easy way to break into Web writing. There are many of these writers Web sites which collect articles to be used on other Web sites. Writers approved to write for the particular mill simply claim the title, write the article to meet the specifications and turn it in. These sites are great for those writers who have weaker marketing skills. The pay may be a little bit higher than those found on the job bidding sites but still on the low side. It pays to compare the content mills, however, they are similar but each one has its own little quirks.
4. Web sites by and for writers
Face it, most of us Web writers do so from the comfort of our own home. While it is nice to work while wearing bunny slippers, it can be a little lonely. Plus Web writing is still in its infancy, comparatively speaking, so it can be difficult to build a career without some guidance. Look for writers’ Web sites that offer guidance as to legal and financial matters, problem clients and writing help. Some of the best writers’ Web sites regularly compile job postings, too.
5. Internet marketing sites
A large part of Web writing is geared toward article marketing. There are many forums which allow writers to post classified ads promoting their services.
Visit several forums and take a look at what other writers are charging for their work. Are your rates within the same ball park? Try posting your own ad and see what happens. The beauty of posting your own ad on one of these message boards is that you can specifically request testimonials in exchange for a lower-than-usual price. Those testimonials are gold in terms of getting referrals for future jobs.
Bet you just thought about a writers’ Web site in reference to your own page, didn’t you? Use each of these types regularly and often and watch your career blossom.
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Writers Wanted: How to Avoid Writing Scams
‘Writers wanted’, that siren call has helped many writers find lucrative freelance writing jobs.
It has also helped many others get suckered into scams that either pay abysmal wages or no wages at all.
Here’s how to avoid writing scams.
1. Read the ‘Writers Wanted’ posting closely: Does it list a company name and location? If it lists a wage, is it a reasonable one for the research and writing time involved? Or, does it only make vague promises of becoming rich by working out of your own home?
2. Do you have to pay money to get hired? You should not have to pay to get a job. If there is a real job available, then you should be able to get it by the traditional methods: a sparkling resume and well-written samples for starters. You should not have to shell out money in order to qualify for the job.
However, keep in mind that there are several legitimate freelance writing sites that compile lists of freelance job openings, from online classified ads, writers’ magazines and elsewhere. You’re paying for the convenience of having those listings in one place. The nominal fee you would pay for these lists may pay off in legitimate work.
3. If you are ‘hired’ through a ‘writers wanted’ ad, make sure you understand the instructions clearly and that you have enough time and information to do the work properly. Many writing scams promise the moon and stars but then work you to death for a ridiculously low price, like a cent a word. Then, they’ll deny paying you because supposedly you did not follow some very vague instructions.
4. Get a retainer. Whether you’ve signed on for a major project such as a book or grant proposal, or a small one, such as a few SEO articles, ask for at least half of your compensation upfront and do not begin work until you have it. Countless writers have been scammed by not insisting on the retainer: ‘But they seemed so sincere’, they’ll say when they realize that weeks have gone by after turning in the assignment without getting a cent. New to writing for money? Discover how to charge for your writing.
5. Get an agreement. Along with the retainer, get a written agreement about the project. This agreement should include: the subject, estimated length, due dates, the pay rate and schedule and the name and contact information for both parties (you and your client). If there is a question, do not begin work until both parties understand and agree to all terms.
6. Do an internet search. Once you find out the name of your client, use a search engine and enter its name along with ‘+ scam’ or ‘+ review’. You may be shocked by what you find out about that so-called great writing opportunity.
7. Be wary of contests. While there are some legitimate writing contests out there, there are many others in which the prize is inclusion of your entry in an anthology. Guess what? Everyone wins the chance to buy the overpriced book, which will never end up on the best seller lists or at major book vendors.
When you see a ‘writers wanted’ ad, use your common sense and avoid anything that seems fishy. Your writing career deserves better.
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Article Writing: Success or Failure?
Do you want to be successful at article writing? You can make a lot of money writing simple web articles, if you have a process to follow. This process includes the use of keywords; however, you must ensure that you’re using them in the right way.
1. Use the Right Keywords at the Right Time
With billions of webpages online, you articles will sink without a trace unless you use the right keywords.
However, you shouldn’t depend on keyword tools. Remember that these tools are all historical, they may tell you what search queries were used last week, last month, or last year, but they can’t tell you what people will search for today or at any time in the future.
Therefore, rather than relying on keyword tools, pay attention to what your articles’ audience is looking for.
Read blogs and forums related to the topics on which you’re writing articles. On blogs, read the comments on posts. It’s also useful to read newspaper sites. Any news which is related to one of your topics is valuable to you.
When you pay attention to your audience, you’ll be using the keywords that they are using today, and your articles will be found.
2. Your Brain Is the Best Keyword Tool
If you’re writing articles for others, you usually won’t have the choice of which keywords to use because the keywords will be provided for you. However if you’re writing articles for yourself, for your own sites and blogs, then realize that your brain is the best keyword tool.
Research your topic.
Read sites and blogs related to that topic. Join forums. You need to know your market, and once you’re happy that you understand exactly what the needs of these people are, you will be able to write articles which they will want to read.
Therefore, brainstorm keywords from your own research before you start using any online keyword tool.
Article writing is becoming very competitive. Your success or failure depends on you.
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Writing Articles: 3 Tactics to Make Money Faster
You can turn writing articles into a great home business. However, unless you think about what you’re doing, you could spend your time writing for sites which pay poorly. To make more money, you need to improve your strategy.
Here are three ways you can do that.
1. Improve Your Topic Selection
Every article you write is written for a purpose. People buy articles to add more content to a website, or perhaps to sell specific products. When you’re writing for others, your topics will usually be chosen for you.
One way to sell more articles however, is to write articles on money-making topics that you choose yourself. If you choose your topics well, and can show that they will be profitable, you’ll line up more clients than you can handle.
2. Focus on Your Client Selection
Although some writers make great money on the outsourcing sites, many don’t.
I call this the “rush to the bottom syndrome”. Writers on the outsourcing sites tend to believe that the lowest bidder wins. They never stop to consider that if this is so, that you’ve really won nothing at all, except a lot of hard work and minimal pay.
If you want to make money faster, decide that you will never work for clients who won’t pay your base rate.
Set your base rate at a reasonable level and never bid below that. You may be surprised that at all it takes is a decision on your part, and you’ll get the money you want. Buyers who want articles at the lowest possible price aren’t worth your time and energy. (Unless you’re a beginner, at which time you should write for anybody who will hire you, until you get experienced.)
3. Match Topics and Clients
When you know how article writing works, and your articles make money, it’s time to start matching article topics and clients.
For example, perhaps you’ve decided to write a batch of articles on the Apple iPhone. You know that this is a hot selling product, and there’s lots of demand for information. Once you’ve written your articles, offer them to a blog or a website which is focused on technology, or on products made by Apple. If your articles are good, they’ll sell; you may even land an on-going job writing for the site.
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