Freelance Writer Road

Is It Time For Evolution?

As a freelance writer and website owner, I think it’s important to keep your website fresh and updated. I have to admit, it’s easier said than done, as you all know due to the lack of posts recently! I apologize for that, life just seems to be getting in the way! At the same …

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What A Week: 03/20/11 – 03/26/11

Boy did I have a crazy week last week! First off, I shared my link to my new affiliate business. I guess you can call it a business.. or opportunity. If you missed it and are interested to see what I’ve been doing, check it out HERE. I set that website up myself in like …

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Recommended Email Subscriptions

I think a great way to learn about writing from those with more experience than you is to sign up for their email newsletters. Not only is it great reading and a chance to learn new things, receiving email newsletters provide me with motivation, ideas for future projects, and new goals. And in the work-at-home …

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Join The Craze – Swagbucks

As a freelance writer, I am constantly using search engines to research topics I am writing about. When I heard about Swagbucks, which is a search engine that you can use and then earn prizes, I was intrigued. I saw many posters on my favorite message board, WAHM.com, with links in their siggy lines and talking about how fun it is. I went to the site and checked it out. I joined. I am addicted.

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Linda Carmical’s March Madness Contest & Giveaways!

It’s time to share and spread the news: my friend Linda Carmical is having a birthday in March and to celebrate she’s giving US presents! Linda is holding a contest on her website with multiple chances to win. In addition to having a fun contest for bloggers and website owners, she’s also going to be …

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Is It Time For Evolution?What A Week: 03/20/11 – 03/26/11 Recommended Email Subscriptions Join The Craze – Swagbucks Linda Carmical’s March Madness Contest & Giveaways!

Apr 07 2012

C Is For Content – More Than Just Words on a Page

Categories:

Freelance Writing Tips and Treasures, ultimate blog challenge

by Janis Bennett

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When it comes to freelance writing one of the key things to remember about website content is that it isn’t just words on a page that you need. Successful freelance writers understand how to create website content that has a dual purpose. The content should be interesting to the reader as well as be sensitive to website search engine optimization. Search engines need to be able to find the website content in order to put it on the list of search results when a given potential reader is in search of what the publisher has to offer. This means that you have to have the right information in the text to rank near the top of the search results giving you the best chance to be seen first.

This being said, it is important that a freelance writer not lose sight of the importance of quality content. You want to fill your writing with quality information that will entertain or inform the reader throughout their reading! Keeping them interested and giving them something they can use is equally as important as providing the search engines with keyword usage that will keep you on the top of the rankings. A great freelance writer will create a name for themselves with quality writing that actually means something.

When selecting a topic for your content it should be something you have knowledge about and something that others are going to be interested in. Choosing a topic that is popular or of interest to your target audience will definitely keep you headed in the right direction when writing your content. You want to make sure that you are giving them information that is going to keep them wanting to read more of what you are writing. Giving that audience something they can implement into their life or see from their own perspective will also draw them in and keep them interested in what you have to offer.

It is easy as a freelance writer to fall into an automated mode of preparing content. This can destroy the quality of your work, proving that keeping a fresh perspective is essential. Being able to provide clients with a continuous stream of well written and informative content is what will brand you as being the go-to person for reliable writing substance. Discovering new angles for approaching your content topics will help to keep the product fresh and interesting to your readers. This will bring repeat clients to the door of any freelance writing professional. Quality is key when it comes to successful content.

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Apr 06 2012

B Is For Blogging – Every Freelance Writer Should Have A Blog

Categories:

blogging

by Janis Bennett

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of the best things you can do as a freelance writer is to have a blog . There are several wonderful benefits to blogging, including having an internet presence, the opportunity to practice writing, a place online where clients can find you, a way to get new clients, and it’s also a great way to earn some passive income.

The number one reason for a freelance writer to have a blog, or a website that is regularly updated, is to provide an internet presence. Today, the internet is such an integral part of our everyday life that it is essential for freelance writer to have a blog. The more you can get your name out there and build a positive reputation, the more successful you will be. Clients only want to hire people that they know will do a great job, so they will hire someone that they’ve heard of before, over hiring someone they’ve never heard of.

A blog is also the perfect way to practice your craft. How do you become a better writer? Well, that’s by writing often, of course! You know the old saying “Practice Makes Perfect”, well, that applies to freelance writers just as much as it does everyone else. Your blog is the perfect way to get into the habit of writing every day, or at least regularly. Then promote your blog by putting link in your email signature line, in the signature line of message boards and forums, and when you leave comments on other websites. This will start to drive traffic to your site and you will get noticed!

When you have a blog or website, clients will be able to find you easier. They can click on links that you can place all over the internet, be it on message board siggy lines or an eZine article about freelance writing or about the niche you are blogging about (Your site doesn’t have to be about freelance writing. Choose a niche that you are passionate about.) No matter what niche you are blogging about, create a page to let people know you are a freelance writer and you are offering your services. Include links to more samples of your work, if you have any, and your rates. Don’t forget to include a way for potential clients to contact you, either by filling out contact form on your site, or by providing an email address.

When you have a blog, you can easily direct potential clients to the site in order to see your writing style and easily access your writing samples and rates. Sometimes, clients will find your website without you even directing them there. I’ve been hired for several projects through this website! This way, clients will now your rates right away and there are no surprises.

Finally, having your own blog is a great way to earn some passive income. Passive income is when you do a little bit of work, and you can then potentially earn continuous income long after you’ve done the work. The easiest way to do this is to sign up for Google Adsense and then strategically place an ad block on your site. You can also sign up for Amazon Associates, Click Bank, Share A Sale, and other affiliate programs.

So choose a niche, buy a domain name, get web hosting, upload Word Press, and start blogging today!

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Apr 02 2012

A is for Accountability – Why A Freelance Writer Needs It

Categories:

Freelance Writing Tips and Treasures, ultimate blog challenge

by Janis Bennett

Modern Roman A (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Accountability is a very important aspect of a freelance writer’s life. In order to be successful, you must hold yourself accountable for every job you do. And because you probably work from home, this can be a hard rule to live by. But there are a few things you can do to help you stay accountable, which will also help you be successful. This is something that many books won’t tell you, but it takes a certain kind of person to be successful in any work at home job, including freelance writing.

When people work outside of the home they have a manager that will keep them on track, ensuring that deadlines are met and that work is being done in a timely manner. When you work from home there is no boss tapping his/her watch to subtly tell you to hurry up. You don’t get yearly reviews to tell you how you’re doing, and you don’t have anyone checking on your or telling you what tasks need to be done and in what order to do them in. You have no one but yourself to motivate you and only you are held accountable for getting your work done and getting it done on time.

Not only does a freelance writer need to be accountable for their own work. Anyone considering a writing career needs to make sure they have the drive to get work done and not get distracted by chatting on Facebook or bidding on eBay. Individuals that work from home need to make sure they can balance work and family appropriately in order to earn the necessary amount of money, while not neglecting the kids and/or spouse.

If you can’t be accountable for your work and you often turn in articles late, you will hurt your writing reputation and you will find it nearly impossible to get a decent writing job. There are several freelance writing circles and both companies and individuals talk to each other, and give each

other feedback about writers, so if you are serious about a freelance writing career then make sure you have the drive and work ethic to work on your own and always turn your work in at or before the deadline in order to keep a positive reputation in the field.

One of the easiest, and best ways to stay accountable is to keep a to-do list. There are many great ways to do this, from keeping a small notebook next to your computer to jot down notes and due dates and daily to-do lists, to online software programs like the Google Task List, Google Calendar, and even websites like Remember The Milk.

When you have good time management skills and you are accountable for your work, if you turn in high-quality articles in a timely manner, and you have the necessary skills to write decent articles and blog posts, then you have all that it takes to be successful in a freelance writing career.

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Mar 29 2012

The Blogging From A to Z Challange & Ulitmate Blog Challenge – April 2012

Categories:

blogging, ultimate blog challenge

by Janis Bennett

Have I got a treat in store for you! For the first time, I will be taking part in the Blogging From A to Z Challenge for the month of April. I have previously done the Ultimate Blog Challenge, which also takes part this month but decided to try the A to Z Challenge this time around. Both of these fantastic and fun events are about posting daily (or almost daily) articles to your website and then visiting other blogger’s sites. These challenges are a fun way to get into the habit of regularly posting to your website, increasing traffic, gaining customers, and meeting new friends! Since they are similar, I will be doing BOTH during the month of April.

The A to Z challenge has more rules, so for the month of April, you will see a new post from me every day of the week, except Sunday. These posts will go alphabetically, so the first post’s title will have an A, the second post will be B, the third post will be C, etc… On Sunday, you will see a new post from me, but it will not be an alphabetically post. This will be a list of great freelance writing articles I’ve found around the web, with links for you to go check out.

For you, my awesome readers, this means you’ll get lots of great information from me every single day of the month! So if you haven’t signed up for my feed yet, do it now so you don’t miss out!I can’t wait to start!

See you April 1st!