It’s something many people forget because freelance writing can be a self-defeating endeavor even for those with strong academic skills. It isn’t like completing a math problem where everything has a logical place and you’re guaranteed to do fine so long as the dots are properly connected.

Writing is the brooding cousin of painting. Whereas painters use brush strokes to convey an image, writers craft visions with words. The picture is framed by words designed to influence the reader’s perception of whatever is being conveyed. Word choice and flow are important in capturing and maintaining the reader’s interest.

In the course of more than a decade as a full-time writer – mostly for U.S. metropolitan daily newspapers – I have learned from extremely talented wordsmiths who passed on practical advice.

Their tips will help fine-tune your writing for maximum clarity and effect:

• Keep it simple, stupid! This design principle dictates use of sentences that are focused and clear. Any writer is more likely to get into trouble using long sentences with complex punctuation. Clunky sentences should be divided up so they are easier to read. Writing this way helps build and maintain momentum.

• What’s in it for me? It’s an old sales adage, but it applies equally well in writing. By the third or fourth paragraph at the latest, the writer must answer this question for the reader or risk losing their attention. In general, people want to be led and the writer must be firm in explaining why the article has value. This “nut graph” spells out, in one or two sentences, why the article is important and relevant to the reader.

• Word echoes are redundant. This one can be tricky, especially for those writing Search Engine Optimized content that relies on repetitive use of keywords. But even SEO has a limit. Generally speaking, an echo is when a writer uses the same word more than once in a sentence, or even paragraph. Repetitive use of words –except for search engine optimization – is boring and distracting. Avoid doing this at all costs.

• That “that” has got to go. In many cases, use of “that” is unnecessary and should be avoided. It may seem trivial, but “that” acts in a similar fashion as “umm” – overuse detracts from the author’s message. For example: “I hope that we go to the baseball game” should instead read, “I hope we go to the baseball game.”

• Read it out loud. Even after writing, editing and conducting a spelling and grammar check, it’s still not time to hit the send button. Read it out loud. This simple act is a perfect way to catch – with fresh ears – errors that may have been missed by fatigued mind and eyes. Reading every sentence out loud also helps identify awkward word arrangements that may slow the reader and cause them to veer off-course.

J.P. Cawyer is an east coast-based professional writer. When he isn’t mulling the dictums of the written word, he enjoys playing on his Galaxy S and the iPad.

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Freelance Writing Jobs

Content Writing Jobs

1. Freelance Writers – Personal Finance
2. Editor/Writer with Recreational Experience
3. Sustainable Living Writer
   

Copy Writing Jobs

1. Copy Writer for Health/Medical Products
2. Expert Copy Writer Needed
3. Sales Letter Needed

Blogger Jobs

1. Tech and Gadget Bloggers
2. Money/Personal Finance Blogger
3. Student Writer Blogger Needed
   

Proofreading/Editing Jobs

1. Proofreader @ Lakeshore Learning Materials – Carson, CA
2. Freelance Bilingual (English/Russian or English/Korean) Proofreaders – Culver City
   

Journalism Jobs

1. Freelance Writers for Online Business Journal
2. Freelance Media/Telecom Writer
3. Freelance Editor/Writer – New York
4. Music Writers for Local Publication – Orlando

Technical Writing Jobs

1. Freelance Technical Writer – Dayton-Springfield, Ohio
2. Software Manual Writer – Detroit

Business Plan/Proposal/Grant Writing Jobs

1. Proposal Writer – Washington, D.C.
2. Freelance Grant Writer – Miami
3. Business Plan Writer – Brooklyn
   

Travel Writing Jobs

1. Bahamas Writer

Sports Writing Jobs

1. Sports Content Writers
   

Resume Writing Jobs

1. Freelance Resume Writers

General/Misc. Freelance Writing Jobs

1. Contract Medical Writer – Michigan
2. Writer/Researcher for Production Company – New York
3. Educational Content Creators @ MediaBistro
4. Popular Fiction Writer for Paid Critique
5. Service Operation Report Writer- Des Moines
6. Writer Needed – Delaware
7. Writer with Marketing Background – Palm Beach
8. Freelance Press Release Writer
9. Infomercial Script Needed – New York
10. Writer for English Learning Materials

Magazine Submissions, Guidelines and Markets

GlobalSpec’s e-Newsletters provide timely and significant industry-related content to the professional engineering, technical, and industrial communities. Our e-Newsletter properties include 60+ business-to-business e-publications. These e-Newsletters keep readers informed of product areas of interest, new technologies, the latest industry news and trends, and use internet technology and creativity to help GlobalSpec clients reach their targeted audience of buyers on a monthly basis.

The Editor’s primary responsibility is to write headlines and a brief introduction to engaging content for a steady flow of high-quality news stories from the World Wide Web. Editors will conduct research/search activity via the Web to find stories on news, trends, new technology, product introductions, careers, and diversions that will interest the engineering, scientific, and technical community of professionals.

View our E-Newsletters at: http://www.globalspec.com/Subscriptions/SignUp?frmtrk=home

We are currently looking for editors with expertise in the following two areas: Food & Beverage Processing and Healthcare Manufacturing.

Job Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Technical Communications and engineering experience required

Requirements:

• Minimum of 3-5 years of editorial experience in the engineering, technical, and industrial market segments.
• Web savvy professional with e-experience
• Good judgment and ability to put news quickly into value-added context and develop engaging headlines and introductory paragraphs for e-Newsletters

Skills:

• Attention to detail is critical for this position
• Ability to work remotely (home office, etc.)
• Ability to work well under tight deadlines and in a fast-paced environment
• Experience with Web/Internet technologies a plus
• Excellent writing and editing skills
• Ability to recognize great and industry-relevant stories

If you feel that you could be a good fit for our Newsletter Team, please send your resume, cover letter, and writing/work samples to techjobs@globalspec.com with the subject line “Editor.” Qualified candidates will be contacted directly.