A good lede (lead) draws readers into the piece. It’s purpose is to pique interest, tell readers what the piece is about and transition them into the body of the article. It also needs to develop rather quickly. That is a lot of weight to place on a paragraph or two, which is why it’s the area writers agonize over the most. As with most things, writing improves through practice, critique and analyzing others. This exercise incorporates all three. Rewrite the ledes you come across throughout the day. Newspaper or magazine articles, blog posts – it doesn’t matter, simply read [Read more…]
2011 Writing Prep: Work on Your Ledes
Simple writing exercise to boost your work
November 30, 2010. Leave a Comment
Stop Beating Around The Bush…
and get to the point already!
November 30, 2010. 6 Comments
Have you ever happened upon a blog post that seemed interesting to begin with but seemed to drag on and on and on? Sure you have! Are you one of those people who tends to become long winded when writing? One technique I’ve had to develop over time – with lots of practice is to write my post, edit, edit, condense, walk away, come back and edit some more. I try to get those posts down to the bare bones. Blog readers tend to have a very short attention span and if you read a lot of blogs, you know [Read more…]
Writing is Like Sex
Keeping it fresh and frisky with new crackers
November 30, 2010. 8 Comments
While you’re doing it, you’re focused, zoned in and intense. Every distraction is met with deep disappointment – the phone, the kids, the dog standing there watching you do it. When you’re not doing it it’s all you can think about leaving you distracted. “It” is writing, but the passion in which we pursue, fantasize about and devour it makes it a lot like sex. That’s another big reason why it’s fun. The Heat. There’s nothing like the heat of new blog post, new assignment or new magazine. The magazine represents an opportunity. The blog post or assignment represents a [Read more…]
2011 Writing Prep: Thick Skin
Mentally preparing for additional success
November 30, 2010. 1 Comment
As a writer, it is perfectly normal to get shellacked on a weekly or monthly basis. Whether it’s rejection letters, feedback from clients or mean-spirited comments on a blog or website there are plenty of days where the heart and ego will get bruised. Here’s the thing, it is the unfortunate by-product of success. Many define a writer’s success by their annual revenue. Others measure success by a writer’s influence – both online and offline. I look at those things, but I also look at a less rosy and overlooked area of success – feedback. We’ve all felt the sting [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for November 30, 2010
November 30, 2010. 1 Comment
Good morning! Here are your freelance writing jobs for today. New Articles Do You Care About Your Clients’ Business? 2011 Writing Prep: Editorial Calendar Creating Your Own Freelance Writing Gigs Freelance Writing Jobs Content Writing Jobs Website Content Writer/Editor (LA) Web Content Writer (Anywhere) Freelance Writers for wiseGEEK (Anywhere) Freelance Article/Handbook Writer for The Dow Group (New York) Freelance Content Writer – Psychology Writer for SocialTimes.com (SOMA) Writer/Researcher – Housing & Urban Planning (San Rafael/Telecommute) Yoga Writer (Anywhere) Part-time Development Writer (New York) Writer for DIY Home Improvement Magazine (LA) Blogging Jobs Real Estate Blogger for Snappy Homes (Online) Blogger [Read more…]
Creating Your Own Freelance Writing Gigs
Rainmaking as an Alternative to Job Listings
November 30, 2010. 7 Comments
I believe that one reason writers aren’t in higher demand is our collective shortcoming in marketing our gifts and their value. We have a tendency to wait until people see a need for us when we should be telling them why we’re so damned valuable. When you’re rainmaking, that’s exactly what you’re doing.
Do You Care About Your Clients’ Business?
It's Not a Four-letter Word
November 29, 2010. 7 Comments
How much do you care about your clients’ business? And what does caring have to do with getting hired for a freelance writing gig? Plenty. I believe that success is based partly on having a certain amount of raw talent but it’s mostly about showing up, doing the work and developing good relationships with the people you work with. Part of having a good relationship with your clients is caring about them and their business. You may be hired to provide a writing service, but what you are really doing is helping your client solve a problem. They may be [Read more…]
2011 Writing Prep: Editorial Calendar
Start the new year on schedule
November 29, 2010. 4 Comments
We are barely past the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday and here I am crashing through all the fun of the season by bringing up January. There’s no point sticking your head in the sand. The new year is coming and with it comes new responsibilities. To put a positive spin on it, it brings new opportunities to get organized and to create the cushy work environment of which you’ve always dreamed. In my dreamland, all of my calendars – editorial, home, kid activity and husband, are perfectly synced and color coordinated. In reality, my editorial calendar clashes with the other calendars [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for November 29, 2010
November 29, 2010. 5 Comments
Good morning, everyone! It’s still slim pickings today, probably due to Thanksgiving hangover; but bear with us, please, and we’ll find more job leads in the next few days. Have a good week ahead! New Articles Let’s Talk Adsense Should You Appoint a DMCA Agent for Your Site? Freelance Writing Jobs Content Writing Jobs Content Writer for Yoga Website (NYC) Marketing Writer for Meditation Website (Anywhere) Website Content Writer – Online Marketing and Video Production Freelance Writers for The Washington Informer (Washington, DC) Study Guide and Test Prep Writers (Mountain View, CA) Home Improvement Writer (Telecommute) Online Food Writers (Portland) [Read more…]
Let’s Talk About Adense
Tips to optimize adsense units
November 27, 2010. 1 Comment
Ever since I began blogging WAY back in the t days of Blogger, Adsense was and has remained one of the most common means of generating revenue for blogs and websites. Some bloggers swear by tried and true methods that can drastically improve your click-through rate and overall earnings simply by positioning the ads optimally, by improving the targeting content or by tweaking the ad units. Here are a seven methods you might try to optimize your own Adsense units: 1. The three top performing ad units are: 336×280 large rectangle, 300×250 inline rectangle and 160×600 wide skyscraper. Try using [Read more…]
Should You Appoint a DMCA Agent for Your Site?
Why and How to Protect Yourself Against Infringement By Your Users
November 26, 2010. 1 Comment
Freelance writers don’t just write for their clients. Most have sites of their own where they both post for themselves and, due to the increasing interactivity of websites in general, accept comments, postings and other material from users. However, this creates a new legal problem for freelance writers, namely what happens when their users violate copyright law. It might seem odd to be held accountable, even in part, for infringement that your users undertake without your permission or even knowledge, but the law does allow for that to happen in certain circumstances. To make matters worse, certain copyright holders have [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for November 26, 2010
November 26, 2010. 1 Comment
Good morning, FWJ friends! How did Thanksgiving go? It seems like practically everyone’s still enjoying the holidays, so it’s slim pickings today, but there are a few interesting leads for you today. Enjoy the rest of the long weekend! New Articles Job Boards for High-Paying Freelance Writing Jobs Freelance Writing Jobs Content Writing Jobs Web Content Writer (Chicago, IL) Health Website Content Writer (Vancouver) Article Writing for Website Game (San Francisco) Article Writer – How to Market Your Video Online (San Francisco) Game Quest Writer (Dallas, TX) Web Content Writers (Lowell, Boston) Marketing-savvy Writers for Photography Site (Cambridge/Boston) Creative Writers [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for November 24, 2010
November 24, 2010. Leave a Comment
Good morning, everyone! Since everyone’s going to be busy with Thanksgiving tomorrow, we’re also taking a break with the writing gigs. For now, I leave you with something to think about: Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude. ~ E.P. Powell Happy Thanksgiving! Freelance Writing Jobs Content Writing Jobs Web Content/Bio Writer (Hollywood) Freelance Golf Writer (Maui) Infant Apparel Article for PR Promotion (Anywhere) Health & Fitness Articles (Rancho Cordova, CA) Irrigation Article Writer (Telecommute) Freelance Legal Writer (Anywhere) [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for November 23, 2010
November 23, 2010. 1 Comment
Good morning, everyone! Here are your job leads for today. Good luck! New Articles Job Hunting During the Holidays Freelance Writing Jobs Content Writing Jobs Web Content Writer (Toronto/Telecommute) Freelance Web Writer (Eldersburg, MD) Part-time Content Writer (American Fork, UT) Lifestyle/Luxe Writers (Online) Gossip/Fashion Writer (Vancouver) Writer/Editor – Bollywood (Toronto) Blogging Jobs Blogger for Men’s Online Magazine (Washington, DC/Telecommute) Tech Blogger/Editor (Chicago) Ghost Blogger (Remote) Blogger for The Jewish News Place (San Francisco/Telecommute) Toronto Entertainment Writers/Bloggers (Toronto) Copy Writing Jobs Internet Copywriter (Orlando, FL) Lead Online Marketing Copywriter (SoHo) Direct Response Copywriter for World of Warcraft Guide Site (Work at [Read more…]
Job Hunting During the Holidays
Are You Listening to Hearsay or Focusing on Evidence?
November 22, 2010. 7 Comments
With the Holiday Season fast approaching, it can be tempting to abandon your freelance writing job search in favor of getting together with friends, shopping, baking and other enjoyable activities. I’m all for shopping, baking, hanging out with friends and family and enjoying all the wonderful things this time of year has to offer, but you should also devote some time to connecting with prospective clients. Be careful when you to go holiday-related events, though: chances are you are going to run into someone who will be less than encouraging about your career and your chances of getting your next [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for November 22, 2010
November 22, 2010. 2 Comments
Hi, everyone! It’s the start of a new week, and for many of you, it is going to be a very short one. I hope that you get everything you need to get done before the holidays. For now, here are your freelance writing gigs. Enjoy! New Articles Novel Ideas 5 Lessons From the Cooks Source Case for Freelancers Freelance Writing Jobs Content Writing Jobs Freelance Writers for CopyPress (Telecommute) Ghost Writer for How To Manuals (San Diego) Article Writer (NY/NJ) Web SEO Content Writer (Boise, ID/Telecommute) Freelance Writers for Mobile Media Ventures (San Francisco) Freelance Writers – Health/Fitness/Beauty (San [Read more…]
Novel Ideas
Web 2.0 Apps to Help You Get That Novel Written!
November 19, 2010. 2 Comments
Fiction writing ain’t what it used to be. We live in a new world, where dozens of online tools are available to make the process easier and faster, helping you organize and work your way through the process with ease. Let’s take a look at the usual steps to writing a novel, and how various online tools can simplify them. Traditionally, the first step in writing your novel is Brainstorming. And the Internet offers plenty of options for brainstormers in the form of “mind-mapping” software. There’s MindMeister, a visual tool for mapping ideas that’s accessible via your web browser or [Read more…]
5 Lessons From the Cooks Source Case for Freelancers
What We Can All Learn From Monica Gaudio's Tale
November 19, 2010. 5 Comments
If you’re a freelance writers, there’s a very good chance that you’ve been following the Cooks Source case for the last week or two. To recap what happened, Monica Gaudio, a freelance writer, discovered that an article she had written on the history of apple pies had been used in its entirety by a small New England magazine entitled Cooks Source. Though the use was attributed, making it a copyright infringement and not a plagiarism, she was understandably upset and sought an apology and a $130 donation to the Columbia School of Journalism. The editor of Cooks Source, Judith Griggs, [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for November 19, 2010
November 19, 2010. 1 Comment
Good morning, everyone! The weekend is here again!!! Before we all do whatever it is we’re going to do to relax, let’s take a look at the last of the job leads this week. Have a blast! New Articles Alternatives to Writing for Revenue Sharing Sites Beggars Can’t Be Choosers Freelance Writing Jobs Content Writing Jobs Yoga Instruction Writer (Greater Vancouver Area) Content Writer (Toronto) Part-time Content Writer (Toronto) Writer/Editor for L.A. River Website Blogging Jobs Political Blogger (New York) Fashion Blogger (Canada) Bloggers for GAFFN.com (LA) Copy Writing Jobs Energy Website Copywriter (Norwalk, CT) Freelance Copywriter for Direct Mail [Read more…]
Beggars Can’t Be Choosers
How to Use the Phrase "Begs the Question"
November 19, 2010. 4 Comments
Don’t you just love it when you learn something new unexpectedly? I was reading the news today when I saw an article titled “To beg or not to beg” and for some reason, I decided to take a look at it. I am glad I did, because it was a very interesting read, which I would like to share with you. How often do you hear the phrase “to beg the question”? How do you use it? In my case, I don’t really hear it that often, but I always understood it in the context of someone making a statement [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for November 18, 2010
November 18, 2010. Leave a Comment
Good morning, everyone! We all have “those” days, don’t we? If you are experiencing that today, check out Jodee’s column for some sound advice. Of course, here are your job leads for today. Happy hunting! New Articles Dealing with One of “Those” Days Freelance Writing Jobs Content Writing Jobs Freelance Writer (Martinsburg, WV) Freelance Writer for Startup (TriBeCa) Content Writer (San Francisco) Content/Copywriter for Bath and Body Products (Phoenix) Content Writer – Entertainment Show for South Asian Community (Work from Home) Blogging Jobs Freelance Blogger for NBC Universal (San Francisco) Car Blogger (NYC) Music Blogger (Online) Blogger for New Online [Read more…]
Dealing with One of “Those” Days
How to Get Back on Track When Things are Going Wrong
November 17, 2010. 3 Comments
Dear Jodee, How can I get back on track when my day starts off in a frustrating way (rejection e-mail, snarky communication from a client, etc.)? I work from home and I find it challenging to get focused on what I need to do when I’m faced with something disappointing or frustrating when I first sit down at my desk. What can I do to refocus my attention on the work I have in front of me? Miffed in the Morning Dear Miffed, It’s hard to stay focused when your day starts off in a frustrating manner. People who work [Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for November 17, 2010
November 17, 2010. 1 Comment
Hi, everyone! Here are your freelance writing gigs for today. Let’s take a look at something from Napoleon Hill for this week’s quote: Reduce your plan to writing. The moment you complete this, you will have definitely given concrete form to the intangible desire. New Articles To Leave or Not To Leave Your Blog Name/Keyword On Comments Freelance Writing Jobs Content Writing Jobs Video Game Walkthrough Writers (Toronto) Legal and Content Writer (Atlanta) Freelance Writers for DailyPride.com (San Francisco/Telecommute) Freelance Writers (Chicago) WRITER – News Reporting Style + Basic Website Setup Abilities (Miami ) Blogging Jobs Washington, DC Local Expert [Read more…]
