tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307788060691818812024-10-25T00:48:38.595-05:00A Content Writer's LifeInformation, Advice, and Real Experiences from a successful content writer.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-1011712179278713462013-11-29T07:00:00.000-06:002017-05-26T21:38:32.317-05:00Shut Up and Write Already!
This week I have posted about writing specialties and publishing platforms. This is valuable and important information for freelance writers - both experienced and inexperienced. However, I've realized that this advice could throw up huge roadblocks for some writers, preventing them from doing what they want to do most - write.
I've realized this because I'm a bit OCD, and if I were a Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-72556447588414725162013-11-28T07:00:00.000-06:002013-11-28T07:00:08.618-06:00Happy Thanksgiving!
I am taking the day off to enjoy time with my family. We are hosting Thanksgiving dinner today for 14 people. We are, of course, cooking a huge turkey with all of the fixin's, and numerous desserts!
Make sure that you put your writing to the side today, and spend time with your family and friends. Be thankful for them, for your writing abilities, and all of the other good things in your life!
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-34998022878805386712013-11-27T07:00:00.000-06:002013-11-27T07:00:09.535-06:00Which Publishing Platforms Will You Use?
All freelance writers want to be published - including ghostwriters. We also want to be paid well for the work that we produce. We also want people to actually read what we have written. All three of these desires are determined by the publishing platforms that we choose to distribute our work in.
Not all publishing platforms work well with all writing specialties or with all writing styles. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-89239972422520714252013-11-26T09:00:00.000-06:002013-11-26T09:00:06.812-06:00Do You Have a Writing Specialty?
As a freelance writer, it is important that you determine what your specialty is, and that you hone your knowledge in that specialty. Many new freelance writers have no idea what their writing specialty is, and many experienced writers have never taken the time to find their niche either.
It is possible to specialize in more than one niche, but you do not want to have too many specialties. TheAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-58354367192784432522013-11-25T07:00:00.000-06:002013-11-25T07:00:09.664-06:00Fancy Words Do Not Make Your Writing Better
If it is your habit to continually utilize cutting-edge vocabulary in your writing in an effort to produce outstanding work, think again! You are actually making your writing less valuable because it is not targeted to the average reader.
Take a look at the first part of the first sentence here:
"If it is your habit to continually utilize cutting-edge vocabulary..."
This sentence would Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-52664297168384606852013-11-25T02:14:00.003-06:002013-11-25T02:14:59.470-06:00My Second Book Has Been Published
After experiencing a decent amount of success with my first book, How to Become a Freelance Writer and Get Paid Now: A Step-by-Step Guide to Your First Paycheck in a Week or Less, I decided to go forward with the book that I was working on when I became so ill (damn Lupus!). I finally finished writing, proofing, making revisions, making additions, proofing, revising...if you have ever Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-49664039030118168432013-11-22T09:00:00.000-06:002013-11-22T09:00:03.641-06:00Are You Spreading Your Freelance Writing Too Thin?
As I demonstrate in my book, I used several different platforms for my freelance writing, and that ensured that I had a good income each month. However, when I first started out as a freelance writer, I was guilty of spreading myself too thin.
Let me explain.
As you probably know, today there are numerous bidding sites, content mills, and other outlets for selling your writing skills. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-66234227353956040092013-11-21T11:09:00.000-06:002013-11-21T11:09:00.551-06:00A Way for Freelance Writers to Report Deadbeat Clients
During the course of my freelance writing career, I've come across several deadbeat clients - those who never paid at all, those who did not pay the agreed upon amount, those who paid later than promised, and of course those who requested sample articles and then stole them for their own use. I've never had any real way of collecting what was owed to me.
Today, that has changed to some degree.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-33574777101536299352013-11-20T13:55:00.000-06:002013-11-20T13:55:00.737-06:00The Advantages of Having too Much Time to Think - What I Learned About Writing
As I mentioned in my last post, I was sick for over a year...very sick. When I was awake during that time, the only thing I could do was watch mind numbing television or entertain myself with my own thoughts.There is a lot to be said for having too much time to think...I discovered very important things about myself, my life, and my career.
When I first started writing, I did it because I Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-34448533009566290042013-11-19T12:00:00.002-06:002013-11-19T12:59:04.143-06:00I'm Back on Blogger
What a year it has been!
My last post here let everyone know that I was moving over to my own website for this blog...which I did. Things were rolling along nicely, when all of a sudden both Lupus and Sjogrens hit at around the same time. I'll just say that it has been incredibly bad, and I'm still not 100%. Typing is slow and problematic...I'm doing the two finger peck thing. I'm also taking Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-9428531364932663082012-08-03T21:30:00.000-05:002012-08-03T21:30:57.836-05:00Moving to a New WebsiteI've finally decided to go ahead and purchase a domain name for this blog, and to move it on over to my hosting service. The new address is www.contentwriterslife.com. I hope you will update your bookmarks and join me there :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-3212027371343324192012-08-03T10:00:00.000-05:002012-08-03T10:00:03.436-05:00Another Freelancing Source
I recently found out about another site that is fairly similar to Constant Content. This site is GhostBlogger.net. I just joined the site, so I cannot report how good or bad it is, but I will be submitting my first article later today.
The pay structure is 3.50 for every 100 words, which is nice. You also have the option to set your own price for each article that you submit. The site Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-76377440683902204062012-08-02T13:26:00.001-05:002012-08-02T13:26:51.914-05:00My First Book in Progress, Indecision on Back Burner
So, today, I am starting work on my very first, full length book. My book - not a book that I am ghostwriting. A full length book - not just a short report or mini book. I won't mention the title or the subject at this time. I wanted to start this project some time ago, but one thing was stopping me from moving forward. The details.
I was getting far too wrapped up in the details, and those Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-85408269036651732582012-08-01T09:28:00.000-05:002012-08-01T09:28:18.026-05:00There is Writing and then there is Writing
Not everyone who thinks that they can write can write well enough to truly call themselves a professional writer. Sadly, those who think they can write, but really can't, insist on calling themselves professional writers anyway. It's even more unfortunate that this fact actually has a negative effect on those of us who actually are professional web content writers.
How does this affect us? YouAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-68117392909496310362012-07-31T19:04:00.002-05:002017-05-26T22:04:58.827-05:00Freelancing Success with Constant Content
If you are a freelance writer who hasn't realized much in the way of success working through the various freelancing websites - where the competition is tough, and the bidders are tragically cutting their rates to win projects, you may want to give Constant Content a try.
I only joined the site on July 21st, which was just ten days ago. In that time, I have written and submitted 7 articles. OfAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-4697589699737749572012-07-30T07:20:00.000-05:002012-07-31T22:27:30.848-05:00New Freelance Writing Website
Today, I've received two press releases about a new freelance writing site that is being widely publicized. When freelance websites that are writing specific advertise, that's great for the writer's who work through that site, but that may not be the case this go around.
First, I went to check the site out. The company is Real Writing Jobs. I clicked on the FAQ and read what it was all about. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-33205114737511998402012-07-29T08:21:00.000-05:002012-07-31T22:27:59.541-05:00What Kind of Writer Are You?
I think one of the biggest mistakes that I've seen writers make is to not to have a definition for the type of writer that they are. For example, I am a writer. That is a very broad term, and could mean just about anything in the writing world. If I had said I am a healthcare worker, that could mean that I am anything from a Candy Stripper to a World Class Surgeon. In order for othersAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-32638026418081747612012-07-26T22:29:00.003-05:002012-07-31T22:36:13.425-05:00iWriter Ratings and the Support System
One of the things that many writers do not like about iWriter - aside from the low pay - is the rating system, and how requesters, also known as buyers or clients, use the system so unfairly. As I stated in a previous post, I have been compiling a list of iWriter requesters that should be avoided, and I'll be happy to share it privately with other writers, but aside from avoiding those Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-2399024051113343932012-07-26T00:07:00.000-05:002012-07-31T22:29:00.787-05:00What to Do with Rejected Articles
As a freelance writer, you should expect for your work to be rejected from time to time. If you work one-on-one with a client, or through one of the freelance sites such as vWorker, and a client wants you to make changes to the work, this is easily done, and usually has no affect on your rating. Once those requested changes are made, the client generally accepts the work, and you get paid.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-58880161536186819282012-07-25T23:32:00.000-05:002012-07-26T00:09:18.630-05:00What You Should Know about the Polar Heart Rate Monitor 2
This was an article that I submitted to a requester on iWriter. It was rejected, because the requester claimed that the article wasn't complete because the bottom sentences were cut off. I viewed the article, and the entire content was there and viewable. I will publish all of my rejected articles here, to protect the work from being stolen, and to prove that I stand behind my work 100%. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-77705151337609525162012-07-25T03:21:00.001-05:002012-07-31T22:29:42.086-05:00Taking Action and Moving in a New Direction
As I have stated in previous posts, I have Lupus. This has demanded that I cut back on the amount of writing that I can do significantly, and because of this, I have been looking for a new direction that will still allow me to do what I love - write.
I've finally decided on a direction, and I'm taking action on that decision. Today, I started a new blog, The Lupus Way of Life. I am also Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-18729034540411290842012-07-23T07:06:00.002-05:002012-07-31T22:30:14.411-05:00Over Thinking Your Writing
You may not think that it is possible to over think when you are writing, but in some instances, it really is. One prime example of this is when you are writing for a client who will use the work in article marketing, or for the purpose of moving up in search results with SEO content. This is why it is so important to have a clear understanding of how your client intends to use the work that Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-43648079452084432982012-07-20T05:35:00.000-05:002012-07-31T22:30:53.493-05:00Topic Ad Nauseum...Writing About the Same Topics Over and Over
I love being a freelance writer. I love the fact that I can sit on my behind, at home, and make money. I would never - could never - go back to leaving my house to work at a regular 'job' after enjoying the freedoms of being a freelance writer. Some days, however, writing just makes me want to throw up.
These days generally occur when I've spent several days doing a bulk article job on Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-86330133772015191112012-07-19T00:04:00.000-05:002012-07-31T22:31:15.566-05:00Why I Don't Use Speech-to-Text Software
As a writer who has Lupus, I have been asked why I don't use speech-to-text software, such as Dragon Naturally Speaking, to make things easier on my hands and fingers.
I actually have tried several different brands of speech-to-text programs, and I simply do not like them. They slow me down, and they interfere with my creative process overall, but I also have very specific reasons why I don't Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530778806069181881.post-71574971333696310042012-07-16T19:13:00.001-05:002012-07-31T22:31:41.813-05:00A Typical Day in the Life of Shyley
I've been asked lots of questions about time management - especially when someone finds out how much work I accomplish in one day. What most people do not realize is that there really is not a 'typical' day in the life of Shyley.
First, my days are actually nights. My husband works nights, and I usually keep the same schedule as him. Monday through Friday, I'm working nights - but some Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07839839205196249047noreply@blogger.com0