Today's Writer

Freelancing Tips From Charlotte A Cavatica

2013-09-17T13:11:00.000+08:00

Charlotte A. Cavatica, the spider friend of Wilbur in "Charlotte's Web", shares a few tips on how to survive as a freelancer. Just in case you're wondering who Charlotte A. Cavatica is: She is the loyal arachnid friend of Wilbur (the pig) in the book "Charlotte's Web."

Just in case you're wondering who Charlotte A. Cavatica is: She is the loyal arachnid friend of Wilbur (the pig) in the book "Charlotte's Web".

The first time Wilbur met Charlotte, he witnessed how Charlotte captured a fly, wrapped it with her silk, and injected it with an anesthetic fluid. He learned that spiders sucked the blood out of insects to feed. Wilbur couldn't imagine having a bloodthirsty friend!

But Charlotte was quick to explain why she had to do such things to survive:

"Nobody feeds me. I have to get my own living. I live by my wits. I have to be sharp and clever, lest I go hungry. I have to think things out, catch what I can, take what comes."

If you're a freelance writer trying to survive the daily grind, take these freelancing tips from Charlotte:

Live by your wits Freelance writers need to practice ingenuity to keep those projects coming. Be resourceful and keep yourself well-informed. If you know what's going on in your industry or area of expertise, you'll be able to generate more article ideas.

Be sharp and clever Use your skills and resources wisely and efficiently. If you're passionate about a certain topic, explore it and write more articles about it. It pays to write things you enjoy.

Use the 80/20 rule. Familiar genres and format within your area of expertise should make up approximately 80% of your writing work. Use the 20% for new and different formats/genres.

Think things out Plan ahead. Plot marketing and promotional strategies. Make daily and long-term to-do lists. You shouldn't run out of projects to work on. Remember, there are bills to pay!

Catch what you can, take what comes You don't have to be a starving writer. If there's a good offer, take it. When I was starting out as a freelance writer, I accepted ghostwriting, PR and profile writing projects because they paid more. As long as the writing gig doesn't go against your values or principles, go for it.

Easy SEO Article Writing Basics For You

2010-04-30T08:24:00.000+08:00

by Angela Booth

Are you writing articles for the Web? Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is fundamental -- here are four tips which will help you to learn this skill.

Firstly, let's look at why SEO is important: SEO helps your articles to be found. People looking for information use the Web search engines, which are basically indexing software.

Therefore, you need to include the search terms -- the keywords -- for which people are searching in your articles to ensure that the articles are found.

1. Choose Your Primary Keyword With Care

If you're writing Web articles for a buyer, you'll usually be given a set of keywords to target (include) in your articles.

But what if you're writing articles for yourself? In this case, you need to create your own keyword list. For each article, choose a primary keyword. (Only one.) You'll include this keyword in the article title, as well as in the first paragraph of the article.

You can also choose a secondary keyword if you wish. However, once you've chosen your primary keyword, just focus on writing an excellent article.

2. Write an Excellent Article -- Be Original

You must also remember your article's readers. So your article must not only be original, it should also provide useful information. While keywords are a primary tool of SEO, links are equally important. An article will only be linked to from other sites and blogs if the information is great.

Strive to make your articles "linkworthy". The more links any article collects, the more likely it is to be found by searchers.

3. Avoid Keyword Stuffing

As a Web writer, you'll often work with buyers of your writing who are unfamiliar with the Web, and they may use terms like "keyword density".

Years ago, when the search engines were less powerful than they are now, having keywords appear several times in an article was important. Nowadays, repeating keywords is more likely to get an article labelled as Web spam. Using a keyword too often is known as "keyword stuffing": avoid it.

Use keywords naturally -- once you've placed a keyword in an article title, and again in the first paragraph, it's not necessary to repeat it again, unless you're doing it naturally in the flow of writing.

4. Great Keywords Lead to Great Articles: Keyword Ideas

Because keywords are so essential to ensuring that content is found on the Web, it's vital to use those search terms which are used by Web searchers. Often they're keywords you wouldn't use yourself.

Therefore, when you're writing articles for others, ask to see customers' communications and questions, and also any lists the buyer has of search terms from the site's Web logs.

These sources will often give you great keyword ideas for articles, and the better your keywords, the more effective your articles will be.

Want to make a great income from your writing? Angela Booth's "Sell Your Writing Online NOW" Training Program at http://sellwritingnow.com/Home/training.html gives you all the skills you need to make great money writing for the Web. A subscriber recently said: "Your training has inspired me - I'm on Lesson 14, and I'm making enough money to quit my day job."

For free weekly writing information sent to your Inbox, subscribe to Angela's Fab Freelance Writing Ezine at http://www.freelancewritingezine.com/ and receive "Write And Sell Your Writing: The Power-Write Report" immediately.

Fresh Content Improves Search Engine Optimization

2010-04-30T08:23:00.000+08:00

by Matthew Foster

Many search engine optimization companies will sell you a search engine optimization package that addresses many of the major aspects of search engine optimization. These aspects include, but are not limited to, use of file names, alt tags, h1 tags, keyphrase density, meta tag optimization, link analysis and the like. These are all key aspects of a good search optimization.

However, one problem is that the major search engines (especially Google) not only rank pages upon relevant content (which is determined by the factors listed above, and more), but by fresh content as well. What this means to you is that, even after your site has been "optimized to the max", your rankings will increase to a certain level and then not go much higher. To get to the top and stay there, your site should deliver fresh, relevant content on a regular basis. Depending upon the nature of your business, your competition, and targeted keyphrases, the rate at which you should add content to your site can vary from monthly to daily.

The delivery of fresh content to your site, in a form that is readable by search engines (i.e. not through the use of javascript, iframes, or the like) requires a dynamic, database driven content management system.

The most cost effective way to achieve this is through the use of a weblog that sits on your server and resides under your domain name. Updating the weblog with rich articles or commentary, broadcasting this information to the internet, and allowing users to post comments, achieves the following:

Increases the number of inbound links to your website
Increases the frequency at which major search engines will spider or crawl your site
Increases interactivity for the web user
Improves your search engine ranking

For further information, you may contact ArteWorks toll free at 877-336-8266, or visit http://www.arteworks.biz.

Copyright © 2005 Matthew Foster

About Matthew: Matthew Foster is the President and CEO of ArteWorks Business Class, a company that specializes in online marketing, ecommerce and public relations for business. Self-educated in HTML and HTML 4.0 certified by the National Computer Science Academy, Mr. Foster has been actively involved in Internet policy, international banking and ecommerce, website design and search engine optimization since 1995. For further information, please visit www.arteworks.biz.

Writing for Triond

2010-02-18T15:35:00.006+08:00

I used to play doubts on online publishing companies that promise a steady flow of revenue stream. For me, they're like fake agents that sell peanuts for a huge price. But then, as I found myself needing a bit more money to augment my meager income, I took the plunge and signed up for Triond. This was 2 years ago. In the beginning, I was the hesitant writer who published articles little by little. I was testing the waters and needed to know if it was all worth it. After a few months of getting just a few cents, I stopped publishing and looked for other means of earning residual income.

Late last year, I came across actual testimonials from freelance writers who have been on Triond for some time. Apparently, it is possible to earn decent money through Triond as long as you know a few tricks (more on this later!). So, I was inspired to write and publish again. My simple goal then was to earn at least $1 each month. And to reach that goal, I promised to deliver at least 3 articles every week. I did that for almost 2 months and got my wish! Now, with 20+ articles published on different websites, I make at least a dollar a month at Triond. Not bad!

If you wish to try earning residual income through writing, I suggest you begin with Triond. It is by far one of the most credible publishing companies that offer writer-friendly services and pay on time.

On Managing Projects and Issuing Invoices

2010-01-14T15:28:00.000+08:00

Freelance writing requires commitment, discipline and a lot of hard work. To work more productively, writers can rely on a platform for efficient Freelance Project Management. It helps save time, energy, resources and most of all -- money! This platform is perfect for those who often work on collaborative projects and need input from several team workers.

Last October, I finally set up shop and decided to go full-time on freelance Web writing. I signed up for several revenue stream sites for writers and renewed contracts with a few publishers. I didn't have exact financial goals, but I knew I wanted to earn a decent amount of money from the Web. So I toiled and pecked on my keyboard for hours, writing short how-to articles and publishing them on several sites.

Finally, the money started to roll in sometime November. I realized that freelancers are like dentists - the more you drill (or fill), the more you bill. I have learned to manage my time well and push myself to write more every week. Hopefully in the future I'll be able to collaborative projects that pay more. Recently I discovered a system that can help writers with Freelance Project Management. It's a handy platform that saves freelance writers a lot of time, energy and money. I could've used Mavenlink at the time I was working on a collaborative project for a software company.

Mavenlink is focused on helping businesses, freelancers and clients work together more efficiently on a project. It makes the project process run smoothly by enabling everyone involved to collaborate using just one platform. Mavenlink offers a lot of benefits for both clients and freelancers, thus its membership fee is definitely worth it and beneficial in the long run. What more, you also get 1% savings per transaction if you are subscribed to Mavenlink. Through this PayPal Discount, you can save $100 for every $10,000 billed.

3 Ways to Help People Remember What You've Written

2009-06-15T14:04:00.000+08:00

by Barb Sawyers

With the constant onslaught of information, it's getting more difficult for people to remember everything they've read. That's why it's so important for writers to aid their recall. To do this, help readers deposit your information into their memory bank, add some strong glue and offer some cues to help them retrieve the information later.

Deposit into the memory bank

- Make sure your communication offers value and relevance. That's how the brain prioritizes memory deposits.
- Revise your writing until it's easy to understand, using your target readers' terms, not the jargon of your business or profession.
- Give people a context in which to remember. Tell them, for example, they will want to remember this information the next time they go to write an important email to a prospect.
- Focus on what's important and avoid the clutter.
- Organize your information, guiding your readers with numbers, bullet points, categories, acronyms, subheads or other devices.

- Use a strong visual to reinforce what you want readers to remember.
- Link what they already know to your new information.
- Create a catchy slogan.
- Persuade your readers to repeat your most important message out loud.
- State your main point in the introduction, then repeat it in the body and conclusion.
- Ask the readers to apply what they've learned by completing a practical exercise.
- Tell stories, anecdotes or jokes that play on emotions or connect different points.
- Rhyme. Who can forget: In August 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue?

Retrieval cues

- Follow up with communication that repeats the images and other cues you provided originally.
- Use emotional prompts. "I'm scared. Now what did Oprah tell me to do when that happens?"
- Or look to problem-solving cues. When people encounter the problem you can solve, they will dip into the memory and retrieve your solution.

Now repeat after me, loudly: "I will help my readers deposit information into their memory banks, add glue to keep it there and give them some retrieval cues to pull it out."

Or maybe you should just say, "Woo, glue and cue."

http://www.stickycommunication.ca
http://barbsawyers.wordpress.com

Barb Sawyers writes articles, newsletters, announcements, scripts and other communication that are read and remembered. With a masters in journalism and more than 25 years' experience, Barb has enabled many corporations, small businesses, government agencies and nonprofits to communicate more effectively.
She's working on an e-book called The First 25 Words.
A member of IABC/Toronto, Barb is past chair of the Alliance of Independent Practitioners, a large group of independent communicators.

Discount Coupons and Freebies for Writers

2009-06-12T06:54:00.001+08:00

Don't we all love good deals and free stuff? I found some coupons and freebies that writers might like. All these are legit and do not come with hidden fees.

Enjoy!

NewspaperArchive.com
NewspaperARCHIVE.com, the largest historical newspaper database online, contains tens of millions of newspaper pages from 1759 to present. The archive is fully searchable by keyword and date, making it easy for customers to explore historical content

Coupon valid until 03/03/2010

Magazines.com
Over 1,500 magazine subscriptions at the lowest publisher-authorized prices online.

Coupon valid until 06/21/2009

McAfee, Inc.
Protect your computer from viruses and other threats with McAfee!

Coupon valid until 07/01/2009

Free MP3 songs
Shop for music stuff at Amazon.com and get free MP3 songs.

Top 4 Types of Information Or E-Books That Sell Best Online

2009-06-06T06:31:00.000+08:00

by Gab L Chu

Why is information the best thing to sell online? Because information is the backbone of the internet. That's the power of the internet, where information can be available and updated with click of a mouse. Speed is a given, as you are only limited by the speed of your internet connection. People from all professions and locations log on to the web to search for various types of answers to their questions. Some of the popular ones include researching data for a school project, understanding how to increase productivity at work, searching for alternative cures to their illnesses, and reviews of products. These are lucrative needs that your information products or e-books can fulfill.

The top 4 types of information that sells best online are:

1) Timely information. This is especially true for technology related topics, such as the latest software, games and their walkthroughs, latest product reviews and how to market products online.

2) Scarce info is also very valuable. A lot of information can be obtained online for free, but not all required information is there. More in depth information or specific information usually requires paid products.

3) A lot of information are readily available FREE on the internet. However, if you can re-package all these materials, re-organize them into a comprehensive, easy to read report, people will pay you for your efforts and service.

4) Teach consumers how to solve a certain problem quickly and efficiently. The common how to's deal with how to feel better or look better, and with the given speed of the internet, people are naturally more impatient and wants quick solutions.

Selling information lowers the barrier of entry into internet trading and selling. If you are an expert in a particular niche, you can put up some information products of value and sell them to internet communities. The additional advantages are plenty, such as no need to have inventory space, and low cost of shipping for CDs, or even none if product is download-able. The whole internet marketing game takes time to master, so learn from those who have been there to shorten your learning time, and avoid painful mistakes.

Gab Chu has helped hundreds of Internet Marketers create wealth from their own online information product empire using strategies to better product creation, and traffic tactic, secrets and techniques. Get $19 worth of a F-R-E-E Report by visiting Trialed and Time-tested Informative Resources at http://loveformarketing.com/imsuccess

3 Easy Tips to Help You Break Into the Hot Niche of SEO Article Writing

2009-05-19T12:00:00.002+08:00

by Angeline Plesek

SEO article writing is one of the hottest niches for freelance writers. There are companies that understand the importance of using good SEO content to drive traffic to their websites and they are always looking for decent SEO article writers. Even in the current economic downturn, you can get SEO writing jobs if you market yourself as an SEO content writer.

Companies that look for SEO article writers look for candidates that have writing samples to show, can meet deadlines, and understand the basics of search engine optimization (SEO) and its use of keywords in SEO articles to help drive web traffic.

Yes, it's true-some SEO writing gigs pay poverty-level wages and this can work for you if your primary motivation is to just build a portfolio of samples. Some of these jobs pay from $3 an article up to around $15 an article. But...if you want to write SEO articles to make a living-there are companies that will pay decent wages for well-written content.

Here are 3 tips to help you land a gig as a successful freelance SEO article writer:

1) Study and understand search engine optimization basics. I recommend reading Google's Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide. This is a resource guide that was published for webmasters, but it can help copywriters understand the importance of keywords from an overall perspective- from the back-end of a web page, to the front-end SEO content.

2) Market yourself primarily as an SEO article writer. Don't focus on other types of writing. Companies prefer to hire writers that have some basic knowledge of search engine optimization.

3) Write some sample SEO articles for your portfolio. If you don't already have SEO writing samples, they are easy enough to write. Choose three to five topics that interest you and write articles that are anywhere from 300 to 500 words each using relative keywords. Make sure you understand SEO basics and do your keyword research first.

Once you've studied the SEO basics and collect some SEO writing samples, you're ready to get a gig in the hottest freelance writing niche!

Angeline Plesek is an SEO freelance copywriter and the publisher of The Copywriter's Vault, an online information resource for copywriters and Internet marketers. To visit go to: http://www.copywriters-vault.com

Making Income Online With Your Own Freelance Writing Business

2009-05-15T12:14:00.000+08:00

by Wendy Rahilly

Whether you are a trained, college educated writer or a stay at home mom struggling with making income online, freelance writing is picking up speed and has made a promising presence on the Internet within the last 5 to 10 years. Being a freelance writer sits solely on the shoulders of the person looking to write from home full or part time. This is because a freelance writer, along with their writing abilities, is the one being marketed.
There are several avenues a freelance writer can take to when becoming a knowledgeable and spoken freelance writer in today's busy writing scene.

If just beginning to think about writing from home, it is best to sign up with various online writing groups. These writing groups can be found through websites for stay at home moms or parents, exclusive websites groups for writers, employment websites which post writing jobs and websites where a writer can bid on a job. These are some of the best ways to begin making income online with writing and getting your name and product out there. Yes, your ability to write good articles online is a product for sale. When companies or private clients are seeking a writer for a particular project, this is the best way for you to gain more exposure and begin making income online. This is true especially if your writing is well written and thought out. Following instructions from a potential employer is a must along with asking questions when something does not make sense to you. It is better to ask questions the first time around than having to do a re write.

Here are some ways you, the freelance writer, can start your freelance writing business:

Education in Business or Writing: When it comes to education in business or writing, this is up to you. It is not necessary to have a degree in business or writing, but it does not hurt either. When you see your freelance writing business take off, and you being to hire more writers, it would serve you well to keep track of writing jobs going out and coming in. This means having prior business knowledge on how to keep track, or have inventory, of your writing jobs for tax purposes will serve you well. These days, all you might really need is a Business 101 course which you can take online in probably 4-6 weeks. This should give you a taste of what it is like to be making income online with a business, freelance writing or not, from home.

Learn the Freelance Writing Marketplace: Writing online is not the same as writing for print publications. As a freelance writer for a print publication, you will need past writing experience. This means you must have writing samples to show your potential employer. Another thing to write for print publications is, on a monthly or bi-monthly basis, you already have a consistent readership. That is, your readers are probably subscribing to a magazine that you write for. When it comes to freelance writing online, this could be a hit and miss readership. Along with this type of readership, it is imperative that all your articles have keywords the search engine will pick up. If your keywords are popular, your articles will appear at the top of each search engine page.

Negotiating Price: Sometimes, you, the freelance writer are in charge of how you are making income online by being given the opportunity to set your own price per words written. Other times, you are given a price to write for, per words written. It is up to you to leave it, or take it. Now, since you are just breaking into the freelance writing field, it is best to take what money you are given. Remember, the more you write, the better you become and the more writing jobs you will land. Just remember to begin portfolio of all your past writing assignments. Every article you write is a reflection of you and what you prefer writing about. In turn, these are the type of jobs you are more likely to get. The better your writing is the higher pay you will receive.

Find out how to be making income online and earning $100 per day online within 30 days with your freelance writing along with 20 other methods to make money online.

5 Benefits of Submitting Articles to Ezines

2009-05-12T22:37:00.000+08:00

by Carlos Marquez

There are many benefits to why you should submit articles to Ezines. Maybe you're reading this and wonder, like I did, who writes this stuff and for what purpose. Well, here is my list of 5 benefits.

1. When submitting various articles to Ezines, you are branding your yourself and your business when you include your name or the company's name and website in the resource box where people will click on your website and get redirected to it.

2. Many publishers search for articles on many Ezines so they can publish them in their website so they don't have to write all the stuff themselves. Now guess whose website link will appear on all of those publishers' websites if they chose your articles? Of course, yours.

3. Depending on how you write your articles and how complete is your information on your resource box, people may want to hire you to write some articles for them or even eBooks if you write that well.

4. This is one of the best ways to get free advertisement and great exposure. If you know how to look for "long tail keywords" that don't have too much competition, your articles will be found more easily when people search for the words on your title.

5. You will become an expert on writing articles once you manage to get your articles approved and you like to write about any topic. This will make it easier for you to write a lot of interesting articles by practicing at the same time that you are submitting them to Ezines.

Come and see for yourself how you can learn everything on Internet Marketing by visiting http://www.youmakemoneytonight.com

Find Copywriting Jobs on the Web

2009-05-03T00:47:00.000+08:00

by Angela Booth

Do you want to find copywriting jobs on the web? If you're a new writer, you may be wondering how you go about doing this. This article will give you a basic outline of how to proceed.

1. Start on the Out-Sourcing Sites to Build Your Credits

Copywriting is all about getting results for your clients. It's salesmanship; so as you improve your skills, you're worth more because you get better results.

So start getting jobs on the outsourcing sites: they're a great training ground for new copywriters. As a beginner, you'll get jobs on the outsourcing sites simply because you are cheaper. People who have very small businesses can't afford to pay top copywriters, so they're willing to work with newcomers.

As you build your copywriting credits, and achieve successes for your clients, you will get more clients because your reputation will grow.

2. Approach Internet Marketers: They Have an On-Going Need for Your Skills

Internet marketers sell on the Web. Without a copywriter, they can't sell. This means that Internet marketers are prime buyers of your writing skills.

Visit some of the Internet marketing forums, join, and interact. Post useful information, and make friends. After you've made at least 20 to 30 posts, you'll be looked on as someone who contributes to the forum.

Now set up a new webpage directed at Internet marketers, offering them special copywriting rates. Add a link to this page in your forum signature, and go on interacting on the forum as before. People will hire you because they know you.

3. Advertise Your Copywriting Services

You've worked your way up from the outsourcing sites to Internet marketing forums. You've written lots of copy, and have worked with lots of clients.

Now it's time to take the next step in your career and advertise your copywriting services. You can advertise your services both online as well as off-line. Online, start using pay per click and other marketing methods.

There's never been a better time to be a new copywriter. Even as a new writer, you get plenty of copywriting jobs, so get started and prosper.

Want guidance to learn copywriting? Top copywriter Angela Booth's "Copywriting Master Class - Ten Weeks to Copywriting Genius" at http://angelaswritingclasses.com/Class/copywriting.html helps you to start and run your own copywriting services business and/or write copy for your own business.

For quick results, Angela's ebook "Seven Days To Easy Money: Copywriting Success" at http://abmagic.com/Copywriting/copywriting.html takes you from novice to pro copywriter in just seven days. This popular ebook has been turning writers into successful copywriters for five years. Packed with information, the ebook also includes exercises which become your copywriter's marketing processes and portfolio. You could be signing up your first clients within two days.

4 Tips For Attracting New Blog Readers

2009-05-01T11:12:00.002+08:00

by Ehud Furman

Blogging has made it easy for anyone to publish content online. Regular, fresh content is important for anyone looking to increase their online visibility, but this content is useless without an active readership. Here are some tips on how to increase yours...

1). Increase Your Syndication

Make sure to keep up to date with the more popular bookmarking and directory hotspots and use TrackBack URLs so you can tell how far your new content has spread and identify any new active readers.

2). Comment on the Blogs of Others

Joining the discussion on the blogs of others is a great way to attract attention, increase engagement and create new readership. Be careful not to create the impression that you are just hunting for links, but rather add some value to the conversation and ultimately try and create the same activity in your blog's comment sections if they aren't already a place for conversation.

3). Promote Your URLs

Promote your blog URL as well as your RSS feed URL. Use your blog address when commenting on the blogs of others, feature it on your email signature, on all your social media profiles and everywhere else available. Encourage RSS subscriptions by including the link in your newsletters and all other communications.

4). Optimise Each Post

This might sound like a given, but you'd be surprised as to how many optimisation and syndication opportunities are overlooked. Create a checklist of steps towards better optimisation and syndication. High quality content with great optimisation will make your blog easier to find, and harder to resist for returning visitors.

Follow these tips and blogging will be one of the most powerful tools to boost your online presence.

By allowing you to create or improve your online presence, Lookup Page can help you to take control of your Google CV and start branding yourself online. Visit the site for more tips on how to build your Google CV and increase your online visibility.

Finding Good Freelance Writing Jobs Online

2009-04-28T14:36:00.000+08:00

by Terri Rains

There are many places online where you can find a freelance writing job, but you have to know where to look to avoid the scams and deadbeat clients. Because the online world is fairly anonymous, it sometimes happens that a client will order a set of articles, only to take off with them -- and your money. Many freelancers who have been in the business long enough know the names to avoid and connections to make. If you are new to freelancing however, keep in mind the following tips when searching for a job.

Clients - It's a good sign if a potential client has a positive reputation with other freelancers. However, it is always a good idea to ask around about somebody you are not familiar with. Often, new content buyers will stiff several writers before the word gets out that they are someone to avoid. It is not unreasonable to ask for your fees upfront if it is the first time working with a particular client.

Contracts - New freelancers often do not realize the extreme importance of having a contract with their clients. A contract can be as simple as an email detailing the specs of the job, but be sure each parameter of the job is covered: fees, deadline, and details of the deliverables. Having a contract is smart business, and helps you avoid any disagreement over payment.

Communication - The sign of a great client is one who frequently and openly communicates with the writer. If it takes three days to hear from a new client after sending an email or making a phone call, you should proceed with caution. In addition, be sure they are specific about the job they want performed -- vagueness makes it easy for a client to claim you did not perform your end of the bargain.

Writing web content is fun and satisfying, but it can be difficult to find a steady stream of reliable clients if you do not know where to look. Using the tips above will aid a new freelancer in the search for a good content opportunity. Once you have written for a while and have made enough contacts with other writers, you will have more confidence in turning down questionable offers. Unfortunately, other writers may have had to deal with unsatisfactory clients for you to know to avoid them, but their experience will guide you on yours.

Writing is powerful, no matter who you are or what you do. Get some of the best information and perspective on writing right away.

And for an inspiring, eye-opening lesson in action and focus, I wholeheartedly recommend this site: http://blindmentor.com

Getting Your Book Published - How to Choose the Right Editor For You and Your Manuscript

2009-04-11T20:44:00.000+08:00

by L Murdock
There are a lot of things you should consider when hiring an editor to help you hone writing chops and polish your manuscript.

Experience/skill level/past successes (How did your editor become an editor? Who has he or she worked with?)
Pricing structure/total cost (Make sure you're getting what you're paying for!)
Personality (Do you click?)
Areas of expertise (Does the editor know your genre? If your book is too close in plot to another book on the market, would the editor notice?)
Business philosophy (Can you ask questions after the edit is complete? How accesable is the editor before/during/after the edit or eval is complete? Is this a person you can count on?)

The process can certainly be confusing, but following the 5 steps below should keep you on the right track.
1. Go with your gut. For a full-length book, you'll likely be working with an editor for at least a few weeks; I've worked with some of my writers over several years and several books. The editing and evaluation process works best and will be the most valuable to you if you can develop a friendly, easy relationship with your editor. Early conversation - whether by e-mail or phone - should leave you feeling confident that you're working with someone who wants to help you succeed. If you don't feel comfortable with one editor, move on to another.
2. Get a second opinion. I always recommend that writers ask for references, particularly when they're looking for an editor to perform a good deal of work (line edits, developmental editing, extensive copyediting, manuscript evaluations and critiques, etc.). Go ahead and ask an editor if you can talk to one of his or her previous clients - they'll be able to give you unique insight into the process and the value of the services you're considering.
3. Do your research. Google the editor's name and/or business name. Look for any complaints or warnings other writers may have published online. At the very least, ask the editor about any troubling posts. Of course, Google has its limitations - don't worry too much if you find that your editor's name brings up a whole cast of strange characters - there are at least 5 other Lindsay Murdocks that pop up on my GoogleAlerts - one of them actually lives only a few towns over!
Also, although I've mentioned it before, I have to reiterate - check any editor you're considering hiring against the Preditors and Editors database. Not all freelance editors are listed there - but if an editor does have complaints against him or her, chances are those complaints are documented on this site.
4. Take a taste. When you order an expensive bottle of wine at a restaurant, the server will have you take a sip before serving the rest of the bottle, just to make sure you like it. An editor should do the the same - offering you a sample edit so you can see precisely what you're getting for your money. I offer a free ten page sample edit or evaluation to ALL potential clients. Most editors I know will do the same.
5. Get it in Writing. Some editors use written contracts, some don't. At the very least, get a detailed description of what you're getting for your money, what your options are, what deliverables you can expect when, how much it's going to cost, and when payments are due. Ask questions and get answers. Remember, your editor is a professional who will be working for you.
BONUS: Be nice, and expect the same from your editor. We're all in this together!
Good luck!

Lindsay is a freelance editor and publishing consultant specializing in Manuscript Evaluation and Manuscript Critique. Read more on her blog at http://www.murdockediting.blogspot.com or her website, http://www.murdockediting.com

Website Copywriting Tips to Help Your Content Resonate

2009-04-08T23:10:00.002+08:00

by Paul Leonard

Contrary to popular belief, being a website copywriter isn't easy. In fact, successfully copywriting content for your website can be downright tough, even without the added complication of SEO. Use the appropriate language and people will remember you - and everything you say - for all the right reasons. Use the wrong language and you could inadvertently be saying goodbye.

If you're dealing with customers face to face, it's easier to get your language right. For instance, if you own a shop, your customer is right in front of you. You can see who they are, how old they are, what mood they're in. You can pick up on all sorts of visual cues and tailor your language accordingly, without even really thinking about it.

Website copywriting is different

It's stating the obvious, but communicating with your online clientele as a website copywriter is different. You can't see your customers. You can't gauge how they are reacting to what you say, your products, your prices, anything. With this in mind, and assuming you've already done some due diligence research into your market, here are some simple website copywriting tips to make your content more engaging and effective.

The power of 'you'

Remember, as a website copywriter you're talking to a person - one customer, not some vague group or demographic. Personalize your copywriting by using 'you' to address your audience. 'You' immediately means you're talking directly to the person who's in front of their monitor looking at your website. You're engaging with them as an individual, while also giving your content a warm and inviting tone.

Using 'you' also helps you get into the right headspace. As soon as you make sure you address your reader as 'you' you'll automatically find yourself using more appropriate and conversational language. This is especially helpful if you're used to copywriting more formal documents, such as official letters and contracts instead of advertising or marketing material.

The first person, not the third

You can usually tell when a company has written their own marketing or website content in-house - more often than not, inexperienced website copywriters write in the third person. Rather than 'we' their copy refers to the business by its name, subsequently referring to the business as 'it.'

For example:

"Acme Grommits is an international grommit manufacturer with distribution centres throughout the world. Its reputation for excellence is unparalleled."

This is a copywriting mistake.

Firstly, it can be confusing and misleading, especially in situations where you're talking about partnerships or alliances with other companies. Before you know it, your reader doesn't actually know which business 'it' is.

Secondly, it simply doesn't engage your reader. It gives your copy a detached feel. Using 'we' and 'our' and 'us' in conjunction with 'you' creates a more immediate link between your business and your online audience, like so:

"Here at Acme Grommits, we're one of the world's leading grommit manufacturers, with an unparalleled reputation for excellence. You'll find our distribution centres throughout the world."

Ask questions

People like to be asked questions. Questions make you feel important and involved. That's why using website elements such as feedback forms or email surveys as a two-way conduit for dialogue with your customers is so effective. By involving your customers and asking for their input, whether it be feedback on your website or recommendations on what products they would like to see, you're developing a relationship.

The same applies to your website copywriting. Using questions within your copy, even if they are rhetorical, not only engages your audience, it makes your content feel more natural. After all, we all use questions when we're trying to make a point, don't we?

Strike the right tone

Before you start copywriting, consider your business as a brand in the context of the marketplace and your competition. If your business were a car, what make and model would it be? Is it a Mercedes or a Ford, a Ferrari or a Volvo?

By asking yourself these questions, and thinking about the style and tone of language other brands use to communicate, you'll be able to identify the right copywriting style and tone for your business and website. Big-name brands put a huge amount of money into researching their brand and the language they use to differentiate themselves, so you should take the time to consider your website copywriting style and tone too.

Use your imagination

This is the most important bit; the best way to ensure you're doing a good job as a website copywriter is to imagine your customer is sitting in front of you. Imagine you're talking directly to them. If it helps, picture someone you know who fits your demographic - a neighbour, a friend, whoever.

Imagine you have 10 seconds to make the right impression and convince them to find out more about what you and your business has to offer. What do you say? Just as importantly, how do you say it? By going through this exercise, you'll find it easier to write more convincingly, and that's half the battle when it comes to being an effective website copywriter.

Paul Leonard is a freelance advertising, website and SEO copywriter and founder member of Caboodle Copywriting, a freelance copywriting team based in Perth, Western Australia (WA). He has extensive international advertising and website copywriting experience, having worked with brands including Harrods, IBM and Amnesty International. To find out more about Paul and Caboodle Copywriting, visit http://www.caboodlecopy.com/

Practical Article Marketing Tips - Discover How to Launch Your Articles on Twitter For More Traffic

2009-03-31T15:01:00.003+08:00

by Jeff Herring

Combining Article Marketing and Social Networking is a very powerful traffic generation strategy for your online business. Here's just one strategy you can use when you learn how to launch your articles on Twitter.

5 powerful steps

A couple of words of explanation: Twitter is a powerful "micro-blogging" platform where you can send out messages of 140 characters on less. These messages are called "tweets." When someone repeats your "tweet" this is called "re-tweeting" or "RT." I know, but that's what they are called.

Step 1 - Tweet that you are sitting down to begin a brand new article. Include the topic of the article and even the title if you have crafted one yet. This begins to build anticipation and gets people ready to "re-tweet" the announcement of your article.

Step 2 - Tweet that you have completed the article and submitted it to EzineArticles.com. Ask people to watch for it and RT for you. Further builds anticipation for your new article.

Step 3 - EzineArticles.com publishes your article - When you set up your account properly, EzineArticles.com "auto-tweets" your article to Twitter and a tweet is sent out announcing you article, with a link directly to your article.

Step 4 - You come in after the "auto-tweet" and let your followers know the new article is out and you provide the link. You can also ask that people RT it if they like it. You want to do this several times over the next few days, at different times each day, as people come in and out of Twitter all day long.

Step 5 - Many of the people following you on Twitter "re-tweet" your article and your article begins to go viral across Twitter. This is in addition to the multitude of people (15 million a month at the time of this writing) that come to EzineArticles.com to view articles.

My niche of Article Marketing is a very small sliver of a niche in Internet Marketing. I'm happy if a new article of mine receives 100 views in a month. With this strategy I've been getting 90 views in 90 minutes leading to hundreds of views in a month.

And yes, I am using this strategy about this article.

And to learn more great traffic and business building strategies with your articles, I invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to 5 Audio Samples when you visit http://www.AMTeleSeminarClub.com
Scroll down to The Club Sampler section, fair enough?
From Jeff Herring - The Article Marketing Guy & The Great Article Marketing Network

6 Simple Steps For Turning Your Articles Into an eBook Or Special Report

2009-03-19T16:40:00.000+08:00

by Denise Willms

Have you been thinking it's time to finally write that e-book or special report? Perhaps you want to give it away to gain more subscribers for your list. Or maybe you would like to increase your passive income by selling an e-book or report.

Whatever your reason for creating it, turning your articles into an e-book is an easy way to repurpose content you've already written. Here are some steps to follow to do just that:

1. Compile articles that are on a similar theme so they work together as a book or report. If you've written an article series, or have several articles that are on one topic, these would be good candidates for your e-book or report. If you don't have this in place, take some time to write what you're missing.

2. Organize your articles into a logical format. I like to write a short introduction and conclusion for the book as well, so it feels like a book or report, not like a few articles put together.

3. Depending on how long you're making your book or report, you also might want to add a table of contents, to make the e-book easier to use.

4. I usually format the articles and content in a Word document and then publish it as a PDF to create the e-book or report. For this, I use Adobe Acrobat, but there are some good free programs as well.

5. You'll also want to add some active links to your new document, so they can visit your website or any affiliate links you have in there. If you use a table of contents, you can link that to the various articles throughout the book.

6. For an e-book, you'll want to add a professional looking cover. If you're like me and don't do graphics, you can hire a designer to create one for you.

One more quick tip - ask some of your online friends or clients to review it for you and use their testimonials on your sales page or download page. Now that you've published your first e-book, the next step is to let your market know how much it can benefit them.

Denise Willms is a professional article writer who specializes in creating content for moms. Visit http://www.wahm-articles.com/ to download her free ebook, Get Started!! Making Money by Writing WAHM Articles and learn how you can tap into this lucrative market

Five Reasons to Independently Publish Your Next Book

2009-02-23T12:53:00.000+08:00

by Tom Cannon

For generations, the only publishing option available to would-be authors, was the traditional method of publishing, where you submitted your manuscript to one of the big publishers and hoped for the best. Modern technology has changed that paradigm. Now, anyone with a computer and an internet connection can successfully publish a book, in a plethora of formats. And most surprisingly of all, especially for those who grew up linking publishing success with the big publishing houses, is the fact that bestsellers don't have to originate in New York or London anymore.

Interesting facts about the ever-changing world of publishing:
• Independently published authors are selling millions of volumes each year - proving that creative thought can originate outside the walls of the BIG publishing houses.
• Books by independently published authors have earned their own recognition award: Independent Publisher Book Award.
• The success of electronically published books (ebooks), with millions in annual sales, have proven it is no longer necessary to print your book traditionally.

During the rise of independent publishers, the traditional publishing houses did everything they could to convince the world that their select few authors were the only people capable of telling (writing) a good story, or creating quality books. How arrogant! Certainly, we honor them for giving us some great reads through the centuries, but thanks to independent publishers, we are beginning to realize how limited the offerings were with the BIG houses.

Independent publishers have brought a breath of fresh air to the publishing world. Thanks to independent and niche publishers, the book world, which had been declining for years, is now rising like a phoenix from the ashes. A brief examination of sales data from the independent publishers, reveals what the problem was: the BIG houses were suffocating readers with their restrictive book categories and cookie-cutter ideas. (Visit my website to read my blog: How to Write a Bestseller - An Unexpected Plan That Might Surprise You)

Independent publishing has helped explode the book market. Books that were formerly rejected by the BIG houses, for the simple reason that their topic didn't fit neatly into the existing categories, or traditional molds are selling millions of copies annually. And guess who wins? Every reader who loves great books, and every author who has a great story to tell, that's who! Isn't it good to breath again?

The top five reasons you should independently publish your own book:

1. Creating quality books independently has never been easier. Thanks to technological advances in computers, and the expansion of the internet, almost anyone can publish professional-quality books on their own. You no longer need to pay someone huge money to help you publish your book. Do some research, and you'll find many ways to publish your book inexpensively. First-time publishers need to check out Lulu.com. It's a great place to start. They provide easy-to-use templates, and offer simple instructions to guide you through the process. Once you learn how the process works, you can find less-expensive options available, but the learning curve increases with most of them. That's why I recommend starting with Lulu, especially if you are printing only a few books to start.

2. Why waste your time and energy trying to convince some stuffed shirt in New York that you have a great story to tell, only to be rejected again and again? By publishing independently, you can devote your time and energy marketing your book directly to readers, instead of trying to catch the attention of an editor. For most authors, the experience will be much more rewarding in every way. (Visit my website to read upcoming article, Ten Easy Steps to Publish Your Book Independently)

3. You'll make more money publishing your book independently. Yes, you read that right. Most authors, especially first-time authors, never make much money with their book. In fact, many authors never make more than the author's advance. Compounding that problem, is the short shelf life of a traditionally published book. Considering your book will only have a few months to start earning well, or be pulled off the shelf, you can see how the possibility of future earnings you're your traditionally published book becomes almost non-existent. Such is not the case with independently published authors. I know several independently published authors who are still making sizeable incomes from their books, decades later. Note: consider joining the thousands of authors who sell millions of copies ever year, electronically. Ebook sales are skyrocketing. If you enjoy writing short stories, or novella-style books, this may be the niche for you.

4. You retain all intellectual copyrights to your manuscripts - not the BIG publishing houses. (A word to the wise: never sign away your copyrights to any printer, agent or independent publisher. Read the fine print, or have a lawyer look over the contract). Think about it: you created the work, so why sign away your rights to a publisher or agent? If you do, you'll be sorry for that decision later, because your copyright means money to you. Sign it away, and you'll get nothing for your creative efforts. Retain your copyrights, however, and the potential for creating personal wealth from your work, will forever reside in your hands.

5. You are only an internet connection away from potentially selling thousands, or even millions of books. Skeptical? You shouldn't be. Every day, more and more independent publishers are proving old-school thinkers wrong. So tell me again - what made you think the next bestseller couldn't possibly be you? Exactly.

Independent publishing is the new frontier of the book industry. Nobody knows what the future may hold, but for authors, succeeding in that world has never been easier. Why wait another minute to publish the book of your dreams, when, with a well-written manuscript, and a high-speed internet connection, you can be on your way to publishing success.

(Visit my website to read my blog: Ten Reasons YOU Should Write a Book Now)
Tom Cannon is an experienced author, and has written numerous books, including; "Two Faces in the Mirror," "Servants of the King," "Mountain Empire" and "Changing Natures."

Tom is the director of Destiny Ministry, Inc., and ministers worldwide in conferences, churches and seminars.
For more information on this topic, or to purchase books, head on over to Amazon.com, http://www.TomCannon.org, or http://www.DestinyMinistry.net bookstore.
Email: destinyministry@gmail.com
Read more blogs at: TomCannon.org

10 Tips For Proficient Web Content Writing

2009-02-07T16:20:00.008+08:00

by Viveck Sharma

Writing article for the web is different from academic writing as readers online seeks for information that focuses on keywords and they give preference to those articles that can be read fast and easily. It is vital that you seize the attention of the reader so that your article engrosses them. Many writers have the capability for penning down masterpieces, but they too at times land in a fiasco because most often they do not know there mistakes which in turn hinders improvement.

There are certain tips that an aspiring web writer in you should keep in mind while writing article for the web.

Be at ease

Choose an effective writing style, which is comfortable for you. This implies that while writing, just be you. This permits you to organize and express your thoughts properly. Thus, writing will come naturally to you.

Pen down

It is quite often that an idea comes to the mind. So, whenever an idea strikes your thought process, immediately write it down. This process will provide you a conduit for enhancing your imagination and thoughts and connecting it with the title of the article.

Read yourself

Reading high-quality articles will help you to develop writing skills because reading will provide you with an opportunity to know the pattern, format and style of article writing. The place o your work should be inspirational and it should be free from all the unnecessary setbacks, obstacles and distractions. Do not over stress yourself and be persistent and patient.

Mentally peaceful

It is better to write articles when your mind is at peace.The place of your work should be inspirational and it should be free from all the unnecessary setbacks, obstacles and distractions. Do not over stress yourself and be persistent and patient.

Meticulous research

Before you begin your article, make it a point to surf through endless websites and articles to get more information on the particular topic you are to write. The reader of your article wants interest, inspiration and information.

Efficient title

The reader of your article cannot open or read your article if the article has a poor title, despite being informative and engaging. The title of an article acts as a catalyst for successful promotion of the article. You should spend a lot of time in thinking about a suitable title for your article and make sure that the title grabs the attention of readers.

Apt subtitles

Subtitles are the synopsis of the written material. Just by looking at the subtitles, the reader will have a general idea about your article. This is useful because at times readers would want to scan the substance of your article to see that the information they want is there or not in your article.

Accuracy, precision and comprehensibility are the key elements

The reader of your article is dependent on the information you give, so, it is essential that the information you provide is factually correct. If you share a story, it should be from your personal experience; this will give authenticity to your work.

The main motive behind writing an article is that it should be able to convey the message to its readers. Therefore, it is advisable for you to use simple words, as your reader can be anybody such as young, professionals, students and adults. If you write for a targeted audience, like literary or scientific reader, then it is better to use words that are at par with them.

You should systematize your thoughts in short and crisp sentences. Try to eliminate unnecessary phrases or words without altering the meaning of your writing. Internet users seek for information and prefer articles that are easy to understand.

Keywords

Always include keywords in your article and in the title. Avoid unnecessary use of keywords; a balance should there between good writing and keyword density.

Proofreading

Make it a point to verify your article before uploading or submitting it to the sites. Make the necessary correction if you have committed any mistake like spelling, punctuation error or grammatical errors. If the site has a style sheet, make certain that you article is according to the style sheet.

Any article written for the websites should be easy to understand, well organized and concise. Provide the readers with information as competently as possible and follow the aforementioned points while writing an article to succeed as a web writer.

The author is dynamic web content writer and budding SEO. He has got the experience in writing quality content for various websites and getting them optimized too. You can view his website for more information.

How to Meet and Beat Deadlines

2009-01-14T14:55:00.001+08:00

by Angela Booth

Developing your freelance writing career is both fun and profitable. As you target new markets, improve your writing skills and make contacts, your confidence will grow -- if you meet your deadlines. Deadlines are a challenge for many writers, and they're a challenge you must overcome for real writing success.

Here's the reason meeting your deadlines is vital: the buyers of your writing depend on you. A writer who meets and beats deadlines will get more ongoing writing work that a writer who doesn't.

Here are five tips to help you to meet deadlines.

1. Free Writing Eliminates Page Fright
Are you using free writing? Use it whenever you land a new commission. Spend five or ten minutes free writing on the topic, and you've conquered "page fright."

2. Use Mind Maps at the Start of Every Project
I enjoy lists too, but nothing beats mind maps for giving you a sense that you're in control of your writing topic. This sense of control leads to confidence, and this confidence will help you to meet your deadlines.

3. Researching Isn't Writing: Avoid Aimless Web Surfing
"Research" is just another word for "procrastination." When you research, act like a researcher. Write down your terms of reference -- what you want to know -- and write a report of the results of your research when you're done.

Get into the habit of writing a report on our discoveries. If you write for magazines, the fact checkers will love you. If you're writing a book, your reports give you instant ammunition for your editor's queries.

4. Revise, Don't Tinker With Words
Never be afraid to exceed your word count in your first draft. You can always cut. It's hard to bulk up text that's thin, however.

When it comes to revision, "re-vise." Try to look at what you've written with fresh eyes. What fits? What doesn't? When you revise, don't play with word choices. Take a macro view of the piece of writing.

5. Proofread by Reading It Aloud Onto Tape, then Read Again
You've done your revision, and you've written what you hope is your final draft. It's time to proofread.
Here's a tip: read your writing aloud. Not only does this help in proofing, it also helps you to catch awkward phrasing. Read the document onto tape, and then read it again.

Discover how easy it is to make money freelance writing with Angela Booth's "Sell Your Writing Online NOW" Training Program at http://sellwritingnow.com/Home/training.html The program is fun and profitable too. There's a full year of lessons and assignments:"Sell Your Writing Online NOW" helps you to earn while you learn, even as a brand new writer.

For free weekly writing tips sent to your Inbox, subscribe to Angela's Fab Freelance Writing Ezine at http://www.freelancewritingezine.com/ and receive "Write And Sell Your Writing: The Power-Write Report" immediately.

10 Most Common Mistakes Done by Freelance Article Writers

2009-01-11T22:55:00.002+08:00

by Jitesh Arora

Freelance article writers often encounter a lot of mistakes while writing freelanced articles, and most of these mistakes are committed by novice writers. This article covers those concerns to give assistance to novice freelance writers. After reading this you should be able to avoid these mistakes and start looking for a brighter path with your writing career.

Fixing Reasonable Rates:

Estimation of the rate is as important as writing the article, but most fail to negotiate with a fair rate. Many writers settle for low rates thus, affecting the quality of their work. Understand that you must be paid with the proper rate to maintain quality and professionalism with your work. It is compulsory to evaluate the time, work, and money you spent for writing articles.

Grammatical Errors:

Article writing is more than just writing an essay in a school exam. Clients do not tolerate grammatical and spelling errors. They do not want to rewrite articles for which they paid with their hard earned money. In writing, avoid mistakes with your article. And if possible, have it proofread to assure quality.

Inappropriate Marketing:

Marketing is about advertising and attracting clients. A good freelance writer should be updated with all methods of marketing and must apply those according to his writings. In advertising, consider the needs of your clients. Some freelance writers accomplish there task without thinking of the best promotion for their clients. Improving the way you market means leveraging your income.

Irresponsibility:

I am a freelance writer now, no boss is there to control me; I will write article later, let me party first. This has become the attitude of novice freelance writers; neglecting the value of discipline. Freelance writers are self-employed, but that does not entitle them to be irresponsible. Responsible writers enjoy their career by earning referrals and bonuses.

Inability of Negotiation:

New freelance writers are bound to say “YES” to every client’s enquiry. While starting a freelance writing career, it is sometimes beneficial to be flexible with your client. When a client pays you well, provide him with high quality articles but do not allow him to dictate your working hours. You have other things to do with your time aside from writing his articles. Learn to say NO instead of being over committed.

Unorganized Environment:

Keeping records of your writings, client details and payments are sometimes omitted by most novice writers. Recorded details can be used to show your experience and be added to your portfolio. It can also be used to stay in contact with old clients for another business opportunity or referrals.

Skeptic in Investing For Promotion:

Although freelance job requires no investment, it is necessary to allocate a little cash for business cards and other web promotions. It is also necessary to invest for reliable equipment such as a good computer system to help keep track of your output and perform more tasks.

Distractions:

Writers find themselves trapped in researching more about a topic than what is required. They tend to forget about the time and the value of task. It is recommended that you should not write beyond what is asked. You may research more about the topic after accomplishing the task.

Addressing the Articles:

Before submitting an article, it is recommended that a writer must be able to address it to the right audience. If you are writing articles about “Dieting and Exercise”, then your target audience should be those who are into dieting and fitness category.

Plagiarism:

Every client will look for unique and original articles. Plagiarism is a mortal sin in the world of writing. Formulate your own ideas by doing extensive research and replete yourself with the knowledge needed to write about the topic.

Do not be discouraged with these mistakes. Remember, perseverance in learning from your mistakes is the key to your success in writing. Everyone can make mistakes, but if it can be avoided then avoid it.

Are you really looking for freelance writing jobs? Do you want to earn six figure income through Online Writing Jobs? If yes then I would recommend you to visit Six Figure Freelancer.

The Protocol of Successfully Submitting Your Book

2009-01-08T07:33:00.002+08:00

by Charles Jacobs

Modesty, integrity and professionalism are key to the successful submission of your manuscript to either a literary agent or directly to a publisher. That's not really very different from seeking success in any field, but for some reason far too many authors, especially start-ups, stumble because they allow their ego to bypass these very basic considerations. Then they rail about the obstacles to finding an agent or to landing a publisher.

What they fail to realize is that agents and editors are eager to discover new talent, but not talent self-proclaimed by the author or by relatives and friends whom the author selects in an effort to secure impressive comments for inclusion in their submission. You would be surprised to discover how many writers proudly proclaim their output is guaranteed to be a best seller. After all, brother Tommy and pal John both said it was superbly written. Aunt Susie, a retired English teacher, called it the next great American novel.

Editors and agents certainly expect authors to have a great deal of enthusiasm for their output. It would be sad if they, of all people, did not. That would be interpreted as a guarantee the book would fail, for it is the author who is the key to proper and widespread promotion once the book comes off the press.

Common Mistakes

The mistake that is so easily avoidable, yet underlies so many rejections is the lack of researching the targets of your submission. Agents constantly complain that authors submit manuscripts that aren't part of the agent's standard repertoire. By that I mean, they are subjects and genres the agent doesn't handle. This can be avoided simply by reviewing the agent's web site. Some specialize in fiction; others in non fiction. All list the categories they represent, and these can range from cookbooks to travel guides to literary novels.

Many agents point out very clearly on their sites that they do not represent a category, and yet submissions in that category arrive anyway, wasting the agent's time and the author's money and effort. Some accept simultaneous submission, while others insist upon exclusivity. All require a SASE or you will never receive a response.

When you are researching, don't forget that there are several agents that function in a single agency. Take the time to determine which of those handle the type of book you are submitting. Direct your submission and all related correspondence to that specific agent by name. That personalization distinguishes your submission from those that are sent randomly to a number of agencies and will guarantee you a faster and more careful review.

Ego Errors

The only opinions about your manuscript that agents or editors value are those you obtain from publishing professionals or well-respected experts in the topic you are writing about. Your own praise for your book is meaningless. In fact, it can be a turn off because you are in essence saying to the recipient, "Listen to me. I know better than you how good this book is."

Some authors neglect to do their homework when preparing the sections of their book proposal dealing with competition, marketing and promotion. They assume the quality of their manuscript is such that they don't need these special sections to gain acceptance. They foolishly overlook selling points that can make the difference between success and failure. The income of an agent or an editor depends on the success of your book. If the market is saturated with identical books and yours offers no special insight, chances are few will buy it.

If you haven't carefully analyzed your proposed market and planned a fairly extensive promotional program to reach it, no publisher would be foolish enough to accept your proposal because the chances of sales success have been undermined from the start.

A number of novices think they can draw attention to their submission by dressing it up with color and fancy typography and graphics, none of which impress
an agent or editor. They are interested in just three things: Is the book of a quality to attract readers? Are you qualified to write the book? Will the book sell? Publishing is a business and agents and publishers are astute businesspersons.

Lastly, if you are fortunate enough to find a qualified agent, listen to him/her. These folks have proved their understanding of the industry through long experience. Their criticism is always constructive and will help sell your book to a publisher and later to the public. They know what they are talking about. Listen to them carefully, and follow their recommendations.

With your awareness of these simple points, you will probably double your chances of success in your search for an agent or publisher.

Charles Jacobs' latest book The Writer Within You has been selected as one of the Best Books of the Year by seven publishing organizations. He is available for book coaching, shepherding and ghost writing. Contact him at charles@retirement-writing.com or visit his extensive web site http://www.retirement-writing.com

The Memoir - Easy to Write and Now Easy to Publish

2009-01-02T06:05:00.001+08:00

by Charles Jacobs

What could be more rewarding to you and to your loved ones than writing a memoir? It makes little difference that you're not a celebrity or a high level politician. Whether you're a plumber, an engineer, a college professor, you have a history, a story, and your kids and grandkids will thrill to read it. For you, it's a chance to formalize on paper all of those tips and suggestions that have guided your own life and want to pass on to future generations. It's an opportunity to increase their pride in the history of the family and in your own accomplishments. For family member and close friends, it is a better chance to understand you, your underlying philosophy of life, the things that most mattered to you, the hopes and dreams that motivated you. It will long remain as a cherished reminder of your essence and those wonderful moments they spent with you.

New Technology Makes It Easy

For many years, it was extremely difficult and costly to publish those memories and convictions in an attractive book format. Not so today. Wondrous new printing technology has brought down the costs dramatically and for the first time made it possible to print short runs of books and not fill a garage with rotting unsold volumes as used to happen with vanity presses. For novice authors, even those interested in limited distribution to a small circle of intimates, there are companies and individual coaches who can guide you through all of the rigors of publishing. Book coaches are available at relatively modest fees to assist in the writing. Book shepherds, as they are called, can walk you through each step of the production process. Many of us offer a combination of these to clients. This new technology has given rise to a new publishing industry labeled Publishing on Demand or POD. These companies-and they are profit minded businesses-take the manuscript you submit and turn it into a finished and attractive book little different from the books you find in a bookstore. Of course there is a fee that the author must pay, but it is quite reasonable compared to the huge charges of the old vanities. Average production charges run from $500 to$1,500, depending on the reputation of the POD house and the bells and whistles that you request. Most of those additionals are promotion materials the company prints for you and mails out. I strongly recommend you bypass those offers. They are not terribly effective and you certainly don't need promotion if you are limiting distribution to just friends and family. Editing and rewriting, if you desire it, will also be an additional charge.

The Publishing Process

I have found when delivering speeches about writing that most newcomers fear the publishing process far more than the writing of a memoir. They find themselves lost in the maze of book publishing, and desperately cry for guidance. That was one of the principal reasons I wrote The Writer Within You. It breaks down and explains each step of the publishing process.

Once the POD house receives the manuscript, it must design and format it to the book page. A staff artist creates a professional cover. The ISBN, a global identification number, must be obtained, as well as barcodes. Libraries will not accept your book unless it is catalogued by the Library of Congress, another task completed by the POD house. Securing the copyright is next.

When all of this has been accomplished, the material moves to a printer selected by the POD house, and is shipped to you in whatever quantity you want. This can be as little as 20 or 25 books. However, you can continue to fill in as needed by calling the publisher and ordering another five or ten or whatever quantity you find you need. The POD house will charge you an additional amount for each book you buy, but the cost will be discounted well below the retail price.

Writing the Book

The memoir should be the easiest of the various genres to write. It does require some careful preparation, but the author is able to call upon personal experiences and call upon close friends and family members to validate memories and possibly to suggest others. Many families have genealogical family trees to review, and official documents are generally available through the city or county clerk's office.

So how does one begin? D.G. Fulford of familyhistories.com explains that "Our minds are filing systems...The merest cue can call up what we thought was lost." I always recommend a simple exercise when I am asked how to bring up those cues. For one week, devote one hour every day to recalling distant memories.

Clear your mind of all current distractions, and concentrate on recalling parties, special events, vacations, clothing that you loved wearing. In fact, anything and any event that had great meaning. Try to remember the first day of kindergarten, some of your teachers or classmates throughout your school years. Work experiences are important, as is your personal life as an adult. Any of these and many more thoughts will trigger meaningful memories that can fill your book.

Write these down at the end of each session. You will be amazed at how quickly they open the door to other facts or anecdotes. Before long, you will see a basic theme developing, based upon the things that mattered most to your throughout your years. Sort all of that into a logical sequence and voila! You've got your book.

Of course, I have over-simplified the process, but there are many fine books on writing a memoir that are available to you at the library or bookstore. What I have attempted to show you is that you can do it. You can write it and you can publish it. What a wonderful gift that will be to you and to those you care most about.

Author Charles Jacobs, winner of 7 Best Books of the Year awards for his book The Writer Within You coaches writers and shepherds books through the publishing process. He can be reached at carosbooks@gmail.com or view his informative web site http://www.retirement-writing.com His book is available at bookstores and on http://www.retireandwrite.com

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-26T06:57:00.000+08:00

Happy holidays!I hope you're surrounded by loved ones, wonderful presents, and the warm holiday spirit which still hovers on top of us despite the financial crisis. I've been on slow blogging mode lately, but that's because my family and I have been busy attending parties and big family get-togethers. By the time I'm home, I'm all pooped and ready for bed. There's so many photos to transfer to the computer and so much food to consume or give away. Ah, not to mention the Romanesque belly that I've to deal with after the Season's over. And, oh, lest I forget -- I've an article to finish before January 5th!

I'd like to thank you all, dear readers, for being a part of Today's Writer. I've been publishing this guide blog for years now, experimented with it, nearly gave up on it. (But I keep resurfacing, so there must be something good behind what I'm doing!) Truly I am very grateful for the repeat visits, subscriptions and email forwards. The year 2008 has been a great year for Today's Writer in terms of content, web traffic and sponsorship. More stuff are afoot next year!

Wherever you are, whatever stuff you've been busy with, I hope you're having a great time writing! Happy holidays from Today's Writer!