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Corporate Blogging – It’s Just Smart Business!

By on January 25, 2011. 2 Comments
corporate blogging

Recent reports and surveys are showing more business owners are getting plugged into blogging and social media as a means to connect with potential online clients and have a little extra marketing. With blogging, these two targets are easily obtainable – that’s considering you do everything ‘by the book.’ Blogging has proven itself to be a great method of spreading the word potential consumers and clients about your products or services. It’s also proven to be a great medium to connect business owners with their existing customers in a very “hands on” approach to customer service. The technology behind blogging [Read more…]

Categories: Blogging Tags: , ,

10 Interesting Social Media & Blogging Stats

tools for planning ahead

By on January 11, 2011. 5 Comments
social_media_bandwagon1

I recently came across a collection of stats as they pertain to social media and blogging. I found it to be a powerful collection of information to have. Especially while reflecting on old blog posts and considering future topics, social media goals and methods in which I can increase my traffic. With this kind of knowledge you can customize a long-term agenda that will fit in line with some of the current trends. When it comes to blogging and social media – now is not the time to get left behind. Social networking usage among seniors 65 and older grew [Read more…]

Categories: Blogging Tags: , , , ,

Everything is Optional

Freelance Writers Online and the Conventional Wisdom

By on September 23, 2010. 8 Comments

I’m here to tell you that there’s no law requiring you to blog twice per day. There’s no rule demanding a professionally designed website. You can live without Twitter and Facebook if you’d like. You don’t need to comment on this post to show that you’re a part of this community in hopes that will somehow put money in your pocket.

Everything is optional.

Categories: Blogging, Freelance Business Tips, Freelance Writing Business Tags: , , , , , , , ,

(Mis)Communication in the Social Media Age

By on May 10, 2010. 10 Comments
Social Media Breakfast at SXSW - As you can see we're all chatting, just not with each other.

I miss the pre-social media world sometimes, back then ignorance was bliss. Communicating Back Then Growing up in the 70′s meant no cell phones or Netbooks. We sent all our correspondences via snail mail and any phone calls came to the house or office. Most of us had one phone in our homes, but some of the more well off families had extensions upstairs, and even separate phones for the kids. No one ever called during dinner hours or after 9:00. We received our news from newspapers, magazines or one of a half dozen television stations and always had to [Read more…]

Categories: Networking Tags: , , , , ,

Introducing the Like button at Facebook!

By on April 19, 2010. 3 Comments

Just a quick heads up. Today, Facebook decided that “Like” is a better wording choice than “Become a Fan.” Interesting news because we JUST discussed this here; with me and others noting that, “The wording, “Fan” is off-putting.” In fact this wording is one major reason I haven’t felt compelled to create a separate page for any of my sites. Currently I only have a me page. What Facebook says… “Introducing the Like button – Starting today people will be able to connect with your Page by clicking “Like” rather than “Become a Fan.” We hope this action will feel [Read more…]

Categories: Blog Tools Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Freelance Writing for the Web: A Change is Gonna Come. Are You Ready?

By on April 15, 2010. 23 Comments

Make a point of learning more about why potential clients are looking for a writer in the first place and study the hell out of the marketplace and the kind of changes in advertising, search, social media, and all of the other things that are going to force changes in the way people conduct business and information acquisition on the ‘Net.

Categories: Best of FWJ, Freelance Job Options, Freelance Writing Clients, Job Hunting Tips, Web Content Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

How to Use Twitter Lists to Find Freelance Writers – and Freelance Writing Jobs

By on April 5, 2010. 7 Comments
tweety bird

Twitter lists have me torn. On one hand, they seem like a popularity contest with the most popular Tweeters landing on the most lists. However, at second glance they become something a lot more useful; directories listing freelance writers and freelance writing clients. Honestly, I don’t know many folks who use the various Twitter lists each day. I ignored them until recently, but finally realized they were valuable both for those looking for work and for clients looking to hire freelance writers. What are Twitter Lists and Why Should I Care? Twitter lists are user-generated lists of people and businesses [Read more…]

Categories: Marketing, Networking Tags: , , , ,

We Are the Social Media

By on March 30, 2010. 8 Comments

“Is social media singular or plural?” This question came to me from a regular reader by means of Twitter. Reader questions are rarely easy, but I like a challenge. (So keep them coming!) First, let me say this. Social media should be treated like any other form of media, at least grammatically speaking. The phrase hasn’t yet made it into the authoritative style books, so we’ll have to go with “media” and extrapolate. Short answer: It’s plural. Yes, really. Media is plural. Dictionary.com and the AP Style Book agree. (Please promote this column so I can afford to buy the [Read more…]

Categories: Parts of Speech Tags: , , , , ,

3 Ways to Use Social Media to Boost Your Client Base

By on March 24, 2010. 3 Comments
social media

If you’ve been following me for a while you know I believe there are no right or wrong ways to use social media, and often complain of “social media police” telling us how we should Tweet or use Facebook, However, that doesn’t mean I don’t believe we shouldn’t use social media to give our careers a boost. There may be no exact rules, but there are certainly tried and true methods for using the social networks and other social media tools to achieve success. What I like about using online tools for networking and landing clients is how they’re so [Read more…]

Categories: Networking Tags: , , , , , ,

Freelance Writing Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

By on March 21, 2010. 7 Comments

At Freelance Writing Jobs we strive to provide you with the best information possible about starting your freelance writing career. With so many posts offering tips and advice, it can be hard to find useful information that’s not on the front page of this blog. Since we receive a lot of email asking for tips on getting started as a freelance writer, how to set rates and more, I thought it was time for a static “Frequently Asked Questions” page. If you’re starting out as a writer, or just want a refresher course, use this handy list as a one [Read more…]

Categories: Announcements, Best of FWJ Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Should you separate social networking from your friends & family?

By on March 17, 2010. 17 Comments

Darren had an interesting post up last month at Problogger; maybe you caught it – Dear FaceBook Friends, I’m De-Friending Most of You [It's Not You, It's Me]. The post was his public rational as to why soon he’d be deleting all his work contacts from his Facebook account. Darren’s not the only one doing this either. Lately I’ve seen many folks creating their own Facebook fan pages, Twitter accounts and other work-personalized social network accounts that allow them to specifically network with work pals and contacts vs. personal real-life friends and family. Here’s an example; say your name is [Read more…]

Categories: Blog Traffic Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Are You (Ab)Using Your Online Friends?

By on March 1, 2010. 21 Comments
Community1

Does this sound familiar? You’re an aspiring blogger looking to make yourself known in a popular niche. All the blogging books and blogs tell you in order to do this you have to network heavily including commenting at other top blogs to bring in traffic. You do. You don’t just comment you become THE top commenter. You add your opinion to every single post and even drop some links if you can get away with it. As soon as your blog starts picking up momentum you forget that other blog. You don’t come by and comment or participate in community [Read more…]

Categories: Blogging, Thoughts and Stuff Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

40 Lessons Learned in Ten Years as a Freelance Writer

By on February 11, 2010. 13 Comments
laptop 2

As I was writing 40 Lessons Learned Over Ten Years of Blogging yesterday, I was inspired to also note my lessons learned as a freelance writer. 2010 marks my tenth anniversary as freelancer and while I may not have taken a traditional approach to my career, I still believe there are some important lessons to share. Don’t jump into it blind: When I’m asked to give tips for new writers, my first tip is always to research before beginning. It’s not enough for a writer to wake up one day and say, “I know. I think I’ll write. Yeah…that’s it.” [Read more…]

Categories: Freelance Writing Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Freelance Writer’s Guide to Blogs and Blogging

By on November 19, 2009. 7 Comments
blog 3

Deb’s note: This is part three in our “Freelance Writer’s Guide to Social Media Series.”  Also see: The Freelance Writer’s Guide to Twitter and a Freelance Writer’s Guide to Facebook…and stay tuned for the accompanying ebook. It almost seems as if everyone who writes for a living has a blog about writing, doesn’t it? That’s not a bad thing as it gives us plenty of places to share ideas and learn. Even writers who don’t have blogs can benefit, though. In  this”guide” we’re going to take a look a the different ways blogs and blogging benefits freelance writers. Blogs You [Read more…]

Categories: Best of FWJ, Community, Networking Tags: , , , , ,

The Freelance Writer’s Guide to Facebook

By on November 13, 2009. 9 Comments
facebook-logo - Copy

When my social media clients ask me the difference between Facebook and Twitter, I tell them it’s all about communication; Facebook is  the extended family picnic while Twitter is a rock concert. Both Twitter and Facebook are important networking tools, tools to use to build relationships online, while knocking them out of the ballpark by taking them offline. To be honest, I was reluctant to embrace Facebook. I wondered if it was a more grownup version of MySpace except not as spammy. To my delight, Facebook continues to evolve for the better. Many people use it as a place for [Read more…]

Categories: Freelance Writing, Networking Tags: , , , , , , ,

Blogging & Web Writing Gigs for June 26, 2009

By on June 26, 2009. 1 Comment

Very few decent gigs today – sorry. Also, no job tip today, because I already posted a lengthy one. Read: One job listing you should not apply for. Anywhere gigs: health/eco/lifestyle writers – MA or Phd – Too low of pay unless pieces are short (as in blog post size). Ask. Freelancers Wanted Freelance Food Writers Wanted Green blogger – saw this up before, not sure whats up. Assistant Medical Editor for Online Med Ed Company – (Midtown Manhattan) Location specific gigs: San Francisco Lifestyle Blogger – guess where (ha) Site Merchandiser – Athletic & Outdoor Footwear, Shoes & Endless [Read more…]

Categories: Writing Gigs Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Creating a useful and successful blog networking plan

By on June 24, 2009. 3 Comments

Social networking isn’t that hard. Anyone can tweet, leave comments, ask for link exchanges, or IM readers and blogging pals. These are all general networking ideas that can work. However, if you’re focusing on the wrong blog networking tactics for your specific blog you’re wasting your time. In my mind we network for one basic reason, to draw readers to our blog. Maybe you’re networking for another reason; to get read for personal reasons, to promote a cause, to get a job, or to gain clicks on ads, but it really all comes down to getting people to your blog [Read more…]

Categories: Blog Traffic Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Wanted: Someone Who Gets It

By on December 14, 2008. 2 Comments

by Deb Ng Warning: Brief rant up ahead. The other day I had a frustrating talk with someone about building community around a website. He’s going for celebrities and shock value rather than reach out to bloggers and social media, even though the bloggers and social media experts embraced the business early on. He called bloggers “amateur hour.” (Hint: Don’t wonder why no one is blogging about you, if you dismiss bloggers as amateurs.) I submit we can give you something the expensive, hot shot P. R. firms can’t. Now that more businesses are looking to build up community and [Read more…]

Categories: Community Building Tags: , , ,

Social networking is fuzzy – what's your take?

By on November 17, 2008. 4 Comments

I was making a list of social networking methods for blogs, plus discussing it with Deb, and I realized that some of the methods I use are pretty fuzzy. Many social activities cross over with blog promotion and the other way around, and it all mixes up with building your own blog community. For example, if someone finds you through Technorati and you become pals and maybe score a gig through that friendship, is it blog promotion, or are you doing a little networking? Fuzzy business. That said, I’m going to cover some blog networking methods over the next few [Read more…]

Categories: Blog Traffic, Blogging, Community Building Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Social Media: Obama Gets It

By on November 13, 2008. 5 Comments

by Deb Ng A hat tip to Wendy Piersall at Sparkplugging for tweeting this story. I promise, this isn’t a political post. One thing that impressed me about Barrack Obama is how he realized the importance of a web presence. He and his team embraced social media and used it with positive results. Obama had a presence on Twitter (with 130,000 followers, mind you) and other social networking sites. He knew it wasn’t enough to stump to the crowds in person, he had to do reach out to the online community as well. In fact, most of Obama’s campaign funding [Read more…]

Categories: Writing Tips Tags: , , ,

Why Freelance Writers Need Social Media

By on November 10, 2008. 12 Comments

by Deborah Ng Social media is the practice of using online tools and resources to share and discuss items of interest.  As a freelance writer you may think this isn’t your problem, but I’d like to play devil’s advocate, if you don’t mind. Freelancers need and should embrace social media if they want to be a success. Social Media Ensures an Online Presence You may have noticed more businesses are looking to create an online presence. They’re hiring bloggers, web content writers, community managers and social media strategists. Some of us predicted this trend years ago. You see, the Internet [Read more…]

Categories: Writing Tips Tags: ,

How Much Time Do You Spend on Social Media and Social Networking Promotion?

By on September 26, 2008. 2 Comments

If you know me, you know I spend lots of time on Twitter. I also spend time at various other social networking and social media sites and forums. When I first began working from home, social networking was a way to stave off loneliness as I was missing the camaraderie from my office jobs. Now, I find it an absolute must if I want to turn others on to my blog posts and podcasts. I spend at least a good hour each day visiting different social networking sites to chat or share links. I discussed this with many others while [Read more…]

Categories: Blogging Tags: , , ,

Cool it With the Digg Requests

By on September 24, 2008. 9 Comments

I have this thing about Tupperware and Pampered Chef parties. I rarely go to them. Invitations for these things usually come from people who wouldn’t call me to say hi, invite me out for a drink or even send a Christmas card. Yet somehow I’m a good enough friend to invite over so I can spend my money so the hostess can receive some free merchandise. No thanks. I feel the same about Digg and Stumble requests. I don’t mind doing them, but if you’re not going to at least drop a line or a Skype to say hello to [Read more…]

Categories: Blogging Tags: , ,
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