by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Sometimes ads can be annoying. So, you may be enticed to install an ad remover app or program. Before installing ad blocker or ad remover programs, consider all these reasons not to. Doing so can actually be harmful in many ways.

Ads Keep Your Information Coming

In order to be able to display that information you’re reading, website owners often rely on payments from those ads. Without impressions (aka you viewing the ads), this can’t happen. If not enough ads are getting impressions (and clicks and sales), that means the website owner no longer can afford to display said content and you lose that reading venue. It costs money to maintain a website (hosting, domain, time and effort, possibly employees and freelance creators, and so on). Therefore, when website owners don’t earn enough via ads, they sometimes have to downsize or close that venue.

Many Content Creators Get Paid Solely From Ad Views and Interaction

Similar to the website owner, many writers, videographers, and photographers get paid based on the ad revenue made from their content. If the ads have little to no impressions (due to the ad blocker or ad remover), that person makes little to no money on the content and can no longer afford to display it or create more. Therefore, you may no longer see content from this person and they make no money from the hard work they did getting the information out there for you to see.

Can you imagine going to work every day, say 5-8 hours per day, and then getting no paycheck as a result of that work? This is what would happen to a content creator if everyone blocked the ads. Sure, not everyone does. However, each blocked ad does ad up and count toward a loss for the people who worked so hard to create that content you love. Just like you deserve to enjoy it, they also deserve to be paid for the work put into it.

Blocking Ads May Encourage Publishers to Charge For Their Info

The display of ads is often the only way publishers and writers can afford to freely display their content to the public. Without funds from ad revenue, many publishers look to other options, such as paywalls, eBooks, subscriptions, and other paid access choices. In order to keep information free for all to access, sometimes those seemingly annoying ads just have to be there without the intrusion of ad blocking and ad removal programs. I think most people would agree that seeing an annoying ad here and there is  a much better option than having to pay for each item they want to view online.

What do you think? Let us know in the comment section.

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

Are you worried about being late turning in writing assignments? Have you missed some deadlines, but still have more work ahead? All is not lost. This is the kind of experience I don't like to admit to. But hopefully my past mistakes will help someone else manage late or missed deadlines with more writing on the horizon.

Apologize and Explain but Don't Overdo it

Your client may need an apology and explanation for your tardiness. I say 'may' because some clients are more relaxed than others and would rather you just get it done without explanations. But if you don't know how your client will react or you know they are expecting the writing, they need an explanation. Don't tell them your whole sob story. A simple explanation that outlines why you were late and when they can expect the work is good enough. Some may not even want a why, but a definitive date they can count on is pertinent.

Don't Panic

When you have a pile of wok due in a short time - or worse, past due, it is very easy to panic. But doing so could reduce your productivity. Instead of panicking about the late or missed deadlines, just relax and enjoy the writing as you would normally. Forcing it might show in your work. Many clients would rather have late work that is exactly what they wanted than on-time work that looks like a 5 year old produced it. If you simply cannot produce a quality product on time, don't panic. Explain and then relax and get it done.

Why do content marketers and web design experts constantly have to fix the mistakes of supposedly professional marketing firms? Not that we mind. It’s more business for us! Still, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen businesses pay marketing firms that clearly didn’t know what they were doing.

This is definitely not to disparage those that are trying to earn an honest living doing good SEO and content work for businesses. Anyone can make honest mistakes. Who gives us all a bad name are those that call themselves "experts" and do such a deplorable job - even under contract. Then, others have to come in just to fix those mistakes. Sometimes, it's at a fraction of the original cost, since the marketing budget was blown on low-quality work. Learn how to spot poor marketing firms, so you can save your hard earned money for quality work instead!



Beware of Marketing Firms Who Promise Too Much!

Before I was self-employed, one of my employer’s affiliate companies brought in a marketing firm to overhaul their website. The website, as it was, actually was not ranking too badly in the search engines. The SEO was good enough that it was bringing a fair amount of local organic traffic. But the director of the affiliate wanted more leads from online traffic.

So, a company came in and overhauled the website design to the point that it looked nice, at first. But then, most of the important text was stuck in images or in weird I-frames that the search engines had difficulty reading. The search engines were puzzled and started looking away. There was nothing to keep the creepy-crawly search spiders interested. Then, the site's existing SEO was ruined and content that might have been OK if properly optimized simply wasn't doing its job.

Previously, I had done considerable SEO work on this website. The original design had been clean and simple. The logo was crisp and well-designed – also made in-house. This company threw everything out, and even changed all the page names from .htm to .html. Changing page name extensions in this way without proper redirects is a major no-no in SEO. As you might expect, traffic plummeted. The website dropped off the front page of search results across the board. My boss was furious.


The Website Had to Be Fixed In-House!

So guess what? We tore down the site in-house and rebuilt it from the old version we had. Within a few months, the rankings were back to where they had been before. Of course, the traffic still wasn’t enough for our affiliate. So, they brought in a pair of online marketing “experts.” I was there for the interview with them and found that I knew more than they did. I made the suggestion to not hire them. I could do everything they could already. But, my suggestion went unheard.

I had been absolutely correct. We had no intention of giving them direct access to the site, and it’s a good thing they didn’t get it. They sent me “fixed” HTML pages in emails. Sadly, they were a mess. I would continuously fix the stupid mistakes they had made in both the HTML and the title tags. It seemed as if we were paying them just to annoy me.

The final straw came when they asked me to go out and research inbound links. As the “webmaster,” it was apparently my duty to go and ask for links. Wasn’t that supposed to be part of their job? They didn’t make any good suggestions, either, except for spammy directories which would have actually hurt the rankings rather than helped them. They just told me to go and do it as if I were working for them. I told my boss about this, and fortunately, I was heard this time. They were subsequently fired. Unfortunately, it was only after they were already paid too much to begin with.


The Poor Quality SEO Marketing Firm Still Got Paid Upfront!

In the end, they were paid rather well for such lousy “work.” I ended up undoing everything they did, anyway, besides a couple of useful keyword phrases I was able to use. Unfortunately, a lot of businesses get duped all the time by people acting like they know what they’re doing. Then they simply turn to in-house staff, who are often making a fraction of what they had just paid out, to fix the mistakes.

Businesses need to stop doing this and actually make those doing outside work for them prove their mettle before paying them the big bucks. Otherwise, pay your in-house staff better. You’ll attract much better content writers and web designers into your fold. Then you'll better motivate those that you already have.

Just some friendly advice from someone who's been there and done that as an SEO Consultant!

If you're looking for quality copywriting and SEO services, see what the Brand Shamans can do for you!

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

While it’s true that writing often can lead to a successful web writing career, that isn’t the only way to success. In fact, your business strategy should involve more than being productive. You should also know how to make the most of your existing content. As a career freelance writer and advocate to fellow web writers, I have years of experience doing just that.

Submit non-exclusive work as often as possible.
The more rights to your content that you can keep, the better. While exclusive pieces can sometimes net you more upfront, you won’t always make the most from exclusive work in that piece’s lifetime. If done right, evergreen (ever-relevant) non-exclusive work can net you more over time.

Save all of your work in more than one place.
Always have more than one copy of everything you write. For instance, if you save it in an online word/drive program (like Google Drive), make sure you also save it to your computer and also to a flash drive. This ensures that if something happens in one of those places, you’ll still have your work stored in another place. It never hurts to over-store your writing. But it can often hurt to under-store it. Just because one thing is reliable does not mean it always will be. At the very least, have your work stored in two places. But I recommend more, if possible.

Re-use your non-exclusive submissions whenever possible.
The reason you want to submit your work as non-exclusive wherever possible is so that you can re-use that writing elsewhere. Many venues will accept work that has been previously published. This means that you can get more use out of one piece of content than if you had originally submitted it as exclusive. In fact, you can republish that content as many times as you wish if it isn’t exclusive to a particular venue or individual.

Keep your published content updated.
Generally, when you post content online, most of the time you’ll have access to keep it updated. This way, its “shelf-life” is longer. Links and information can get outdated. If you always keep your content as up-to-date as possible, readers will trust your work and you’ll be able to direct people to your content for longer periods of time. Many online venues pay per view. No one wants to look at stale content. But if your content stays updated, you can continue to promote it and keep people interested long after its original publication date.

Reference and promote your existing content often.
Don’t forget to link to existing content that is relevant to new things you publish. Also, when promoting new content, always remember to cycle promotion of your existing content as well. This keeps attention on your content for longer periods of time, which means more views and usually more money.

People often say “Work smarter, not harder”. I say “Work both smart and hard for the best results”. You still have to write often to keep people interested. But making the most of your existing work will help you earn more from each piece of web writing you produce.

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

One very common mistake I often advise new writers about is the incorrect use of images with their written content. Many believe that if they search Google Images or Yahoo! Images for a photo, they can then use that photo and credit Google Images or Yahoo! Images as the source. This is incorrect usage and can get you into a large amount of trouble regarding copyright. Google Images and Yahoo! Images are search tools, not image sources.

Can I use images found via Google Images or Yahoo! Images?
You can likely use some of those images. But you will need to go to the original source and verify the licensing and usage rights. When using these images, you should not credit Google Images or Yahoo! Images as the source. Rather, you should credit the photo as outlined in the licensing terms at the original source. Yahoo! Images does make it easier by integrating Flickr photos and an advanced search option to find commercial use photos.

What are Yahoo! Images and Google Images for if not an Image Source?
These resources are merely tools to help you narrow down the search. They are not meant to be used as the original source, which is why the original source is always linked with each photo. This is so that the person searching can go to that original source for more information, including licensing information, if applicable.

How do I credit an image properly?
This depends on where you are posting the image, as well as the licensing terms. If you are displaying the image on content you will profit from, also make sure that the licensing rights include commercial use. Generally, you'll be listing the photographer's name, as well as the source and/or a link back to the original image. But again, the method of crediting the image may vary.

What if the original source has no licensing info?
If no usage information is listed, don't use the picture. But can't I just say where it came from? No, you cannot. Not all photographers would like their images used and if there are no permissions specified, then you don't have the right or proper permissions to use the image. If there is contact information on the site, ask for permissions that way. However, it is much easier to prove granted permissions with a link to the licensing info online. So, I recommend sticking with images that prominently display such info.

Photo Credit: Lyn Lomasi

I originally published this elsewhere (no longer published there)

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer


So you've decided to be a web writer. Now what? If you've done any writing besides your average day-to-day writing, then it will be easier to get started. Prior writing experience is helpful, but not a necessity. Although, writing skills or the ability to learn them is an absolute must. Getting started in web writing is not as hard as it may seem. It can be a simple way to make money for people who have a genuine love for writing and the talent that goes along with it.

Study, study, and study some more.
From print journalist to hobby writer, you'll still need to learn more to become successful at writing for the web. There are many aspects of web writing that just aren't present in other outlets. Style guides are a must for every writer, web or not. I find the Yahoo! Style Guide to be very helpful and essential for web writing. Potential web writers should study up on that, as well as other common style guides to help gain the most skills and insight into the field. Also, ask experienced web writers every question you have, small or complex. Gaining insight from experienced web writers can help you get started with better understanding of how the field works.

Decide on a platform.
What type of clients or venues do you want to write for? Will you be going for various independent contracting or are looking to get hired on full time? Do you need a structured environment or can you come up with your own ideas? Would you rather submit to individuals, online magazines, content sites, or something else. Figure out where your focus will be. If you'd like to write for individual websites, some have submission guidelines and procedures to follow. With others, you may have to contact the editor or watch for writing gig listings. Content sites will have a submission process to follow. Remember that you should never have to pay in order to write for someone. You should be the one getting paid.

Study that platform.
Once you know what type of venue or platform you'd like to submit to, study it well and learn the ropes before jumping in without a clue. You don't need to know everything about it, as some aspects will only be learned by doing. But at least learn the basics of what this potential client wants and needs before submitting work. If you are submitting to a an online mag, read articles and observe what the readers respond to. Pay attention to the style, length, and tone of the work. The same is true when submitting to content sites. Know the audience, as well as what type of content fits with that platform.

Submit your first work.
Now that you've learned a little about the company, write and submit your first content. If you get accepted, keep at it with that venue and even try others when you are comfortable doing so. If you get rejected, don't let that discourage you. Rejection is only a lesson on what to do next time around. Some waiting times will be longer than others when it comes to review. While you're waiting, learn more and submit more.

Learn and grow.
This is one of the most important aspects of web writing. Whether you are just getting started or are an expert, there is always something new to learn. Keep writing and consistently apply new knowledge to your work as you learn and grow. Before you know it, you may become a full time web writer and be able to help someone else get started.

I originally published this on Yahoo! Contributor Network

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

Just discovered Yahoo! Contributor Network (YCN)? Perhaps you've been there a while and are ready to take it more seriously. The most common question I get as a writing peer mentor is "How much money can I make writing for Yahoo! Contributor Network?" The answer to that question depends on you and here's why.

What is your average upfront offer?
This will help you determine how many articles you should be writing per day to earn the figure you are looking for. You may want to start out with a low figure, such as $20 per day. As your skills increase, so should your earning amount per day. You may also find that within time, the number of articles you have to write to get to your daily goal decreases as your upfront offers go up. There are also assignments that come with higher upfront offers than unsolicited work. When those come along, it will take even less articles to get to your daily money goal.

How many articles can you write in a day?
Knowing the average number of articles you can produce daily can help you figure out what you should expect to earn as a Yahoo! contributor. Because payment will vary for each article, you may want to keep the number of articles you write in a day a little higher than what you think you need to write. If you can't handle writing the number you would need to in order to earn what you want to, you may not do very well at YCN or in article writing in general.

How well do your articles perform?
Are your articles getting a good amount of views? If not, study up on SEO skills to increase your performance bonus. Some people like to add this in the equation when calculating their monthly earnings. I prefer not to count it so that it ends up being a bonus. However, if you want to use this as part of the earnings potential equation, look at the average amount you earn each month and add that to your total from upfronts.

Can you be consistent?
This is extremely vital if you want to make money writing for YCN. If writing articles is not something you can do all the time, then you cannot make a living doing it. You've likely heard people say that article writing is an easy way to make money. It is -- if writing is easy for you. If not, then you may need to look elsewhere or learn to adapt real quick.

What are people searching for at the moment?
This falls in line with the performance equation. If you write about big blue bunnies and it happens to be a popular topic at that moment, you will likely receive more views (thus make more money) than you would if you write about tiny yellow chicks when no one is interested in that at the moment. That said there are also timeless topics, which most web writers refer to as 'evergreen' topics. Those are the common things people search for all the time, like puppy care tips or household hints.

How are your writing skills?
If you don't have writing skills, you are not going to make much, if any, money writing for YCN. You need to have decent grammar and spelling skills in order to expect decent upfront payments. If you want readers and staff to take you seriously, you better be able to form sentences that make sense. Otherwise, you are not going to earn top dollar for your thoughts. If your writing skills are especially bad, expect to receive rejections until you can learn how to pull it together. The Yahoo! Style Guide is a great resource for basic grammar and style guidelines. But if you need more than the basics, grammar and writing classes will be very beneficial to your writing career.

Earnings are up to you.
Because there are a variety of ways to earn at YCN, it's hard to give people an exact figure. However, the fact that exact earnings per article are not set in stone also leaves earning limits up to the writer. That's you. The limit to your earnings is determined by what you are willing and able to do. One person may be able to write ten articles per day and another may only be able to write one. Of course, both may still make a similar amount if that one article gets more views and/or a better offer than the ten.

I originally published this content on Yahoo Voices:
voices.yahoo.com/how-much-money-writing-8731643.html

I also published it here:
http://www.bubblews.com/news/286098

*Note: Author is currently a staff member at Yahoo Contributor Network, but was not at the time of this writing.

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

"Please subscribe to my work. I promise I will read yours too." Those are words many web writers hear on a daily basis. But should those words be put to rest? In mentoring fellow writers, I often get asked about promotion. Many times people ask me what to do. Now I'm going to tell you what NOT to do. Here are 5 of the many marketing no-nos for web writers.

Don't blast the same links on twitter all day long.
Not only is this annoying, it is considered spamming and can get you banned from twitter. It makes me cringe when I see fellow writers sharing the exact same article link every hour all day long. If you want to reshare an article, wait for another day or share it elsewhere, not continuously in the same space. The same goes for when you're sharing on other social networks or anywhere else you promote your links. Oversharing could be a TOS violation. When you violate one thing, readers and clients may question your ethics.

Don't use social networks purely for link posting.
If you join a social site, then be social. Posting only links is not considered being social. Even if you click on links others post, you still aren't being social. Have conversations. Participate in the community. If you aren't going to do anything but post links, then you are probably promoting to dead air space because that's considered spamming.

Don't demand reciprocation.
If you follow another writer's work, don't expect them to follow yours. Sure, they might want to return the favor or they might like your work. But just because you read their work does not mean they are required to read yours. Think about it from their perspective. How do you feel when people expect you to do something? It's not a fair way to treat people. Instead of asking for or demanding reciprocation, leave people to make their own decisions about your writing.

Don't expect family and friends to read everything you write.
This is something many web writers will deal with. It's definitely a good feeling when family members and friends want to read your work. But don't make them feel as if they have to. Not everyone is going to understand your passion for writing. That doesn't mean they don;t support you. They may just have other interests. It's one thing to drop a quick link on facebook where everyone you know can see it. It's quite another to repeatedly email the same links to family members and friends.

Don't use shady promotional tactics.
If you want readers and clients to take you seriously, avoid certain marketing tactics. Selling traffic traffic clicks, using pyramid schemes, and other such promotional tactics may sound tempting at first. But these type of marketing campaigns are often frowned upon and are even against the TOS of many content sites and publications. Keep the trust of your clients and readers by only using trusted promotional techniques. Your clients will trust your work ethics when your traffic is verifiable and your readers will trust what you say if you are ethical in all your actions.

*I originally published this content on Yahoo! Contributor Network

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

What does it take to make money in web writing? What's the formula to success? Throughout my career as a web writer and peer mentor, this is one of the most common questions people ask. One key component that I see in every web writer who stands the test of time is leadership. If you want to make yourself well known in the world of web writing, be a leader, not a follower.

But Mr. So-and-so does it this way. It's perfectly fine (and recommended) to learn from your peers. But never try to replicate exactly what they do. But why not, if it works? It's simple. Each writer has their own unique style, voice, and topical expertise. What works for one person may not work for another because there are too many variables.

Readers trust authenticity. If you want to be a true voice in the world of web writing, you need to actually keep that voice true. Leaders use their own style and voice in their work, not someone else's. When you see a fellow writer who seems to be miles ahead of you, it's natural to want that for yourself. But if you want to succeed, you need to stand out and that means you should figure out what works for you. Be yourself and people will notice that more than if you follow after everyone else.

Leaders are more visible to potential clients. If you want to be noticed, be a leader in your topics. Be unique by being yourself. Clients will more readily notice a writer who isn't like every other independent contractor out there. Give them something they can't refuse by staying on top of your expert subjects, as well as the latest style guidelines. Your leadership skills should be evident in every single piece of writing you put out there, even emails.

Mentoring your peers shows you know the field. Once I started learning the ropes, I began helping fellow writers simply because I knew what it felt like to be in their shoes. There's not a day that goes by that I am not answering questions, giving critiques, connecting people with potential clients, and so on. While I do this for the love of helping others, I discovered that it also shows current and potential clients that I know what I'm doing.

Leaders are more likely to move to the top quickly. Look at all the successful web writers you can think of -- that ones who have been at it for a long time. I can almost guarantee you that each one of them stands out for their individual talents and style. When looking for web writers, do you think the person who mimics another's style will get picked first for an important project if they both apply? Of course not. The leader with the proven track record and unique qualities is the one who will rise to the top.

*This content was originally published on Yahoo! Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi.

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

Often friends and family of online writers don't understand their lifestyle or career. It's not something they do on purpose. They just really don't understand. Here are some of the top things family and friends of online writers need to remember.

Just because we are at home does not mean we are available.
Online writers work at home. Yes, this means we are at home more than some others might be. But it does not mean we can always answer the door or the phone. All of a writer's home hours are not hours that the writer is available. We have hours that we work, just like everyone else. It just so happens that our work is done at home. Just like you would not want someone calling your job to interrupt your work, we feel the same.

If the phone is off, we are most likely working and probably not dead.
The phone being turned off is not an invitation to bug a writer on messenger or facebook. It's also not an invitation to keep leaving messages or show up at our door. It simply means we are working and will get back to you when the work day is over. Writing is no different than any other job. If we don't do the work, we don't get paid. So if the phone is off, please don't take that as an invitation to interrupt our work with other means of contact.

Call before coming over.
Online writers might be working at various times of the day or night. Our schedule is flexible. However, because writing requires a specific thought process, when we are in the middle of it, interruptions can actually ruin our work. So, even though our work day is flexible, we need to be able to be the ones to choose the hours. If you'd like to visit an online writer, call first. If the phone is off, the writer is probably busy.

Facebook and other networking is not playing.
Online writers get paid by page views on many of their pieces of writing. Just because your online writer friend or family member is on facebook, it does not mean that person is playing. We need to stay social to keep connected with each other, as well as our readers. Both conversations and posting article links helps us with this aspect. Just because we are posting on facebook, it does not mean we are not working. It also does not mean we are available. Facebook, twitter, and more can be an important part of an online writer's day.

Online writing is a career, not a hobby.
When you ask your friend or family member how their 'little hobby' is going, expect them to be offended. Why? Online writing might be a hobby for some, but to many, it is actually their career. Does your friend or family member get paid for their writing? If you can answer yes, then it is not a hobby. Online writers are business owners, which makes writing their career. Just like everyone else, we have to file taxes, we have to put in the hours, and we get paid. Please do not call an online writer's career their hobby.

*I originally published on Yahoo! Contributor Network.

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

Do you know what it takes to get noticed? Unsure how to get more attention? It's as simple as being unique and innovative. People with fresh, new ideas get more readers, more clients, and more opportunities. Their quality is often impeccable all-around. Why? Because they keep learning and growing all the time. This is one of the very first lessons I learned as an experienced web writer.

Readers want something different. Think about it. When you look up information, do you want to hear what you have already heard a thousand times over? No, of course not. You want information that you can apply to your existing knowledge about the topic. That's how your readers think as well. Give them something they can actually think about and apply soon after reading your work. Sure, the basics may pay for a while. But if you want to stay successful and keep people interested, you need to give them what they want and that involves being different from the crowd.

Just because Jane did it doesn't mean you should. This is one point I constantly try to make with my writing peers. People will ask me for my exact formula. The problem with that is there is no formula. My way of doing things works for me. Jane's way of doing things works for her. Jack's way of doing things works for him. Learn from others, but don't try to duplicate their success because each person operates differently and writes to different audiences. Make your own success by discovering what works for you and being innovative.

Potential clients notice innovative people. Readers look for innovation. It's also one of the key components many clients look for when seeking out new writers for gigs. Who wants to hire someone who will give their target audience common information they likely already know? Not me. In addition to my steady writing career, I also own a network of niche websites. Do you think I publish every submission I receive? Of course not. I pick the ones readers will enjoy, largely based on their unique qualities. Writers who think outside the box will have the most luck in any venue that cares about their audience.

Those with newer ideas may get better pay and opportunities. Some sites base pay on a variety of factors, such as quality. In that type of model, unique content is more likely to receive a higher than payment than information that is more common. The same goes true with flat rates. Clients are more likely to choose submissions that offer their readers something new and innovative. Overdone ideas will quickly get tossed to the side. Looking to move up in a client's company? That's not going to happen unless you set yourself apart from the rest.

Thinking outside the box improves your writing overall. Besides increasing opportunities and readership, being innovative helps you improve as a writer. The more you learn and apply, the better your writing will get in time. There is always something new to learn in the world of web writing. On person cannot possibly know all there is to know. Things also change and grow. Be the person with the new ideas if you want to stay ahead of the game instead of falling off the cart while the horse leaves you in the dust.

*This content was originally published at Yahoo! Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Authenticity is the key to returning readers. Being the true you creates trust.

You may not win over everyone by being you. But your goal is not to please everyone. If you think it is, you may need some serious rethinking time.

No matter how much it may seem that you have different thoughts than others, there will always be someone else who can relate. I am finding this out lately as I open up more on a personal level with certain friends.

Even if no one agrees with you, it is better to be authentic than to fake it just to save face. Readers like honesty and although they may not always agree with you, they'll respect you much more for being real than they will for being fake.

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

Are you targeting the right people with your writing? Who are you focusing on either intentionally or unintentionally? How do you know? As I am constantly telling my writing peers, knowing your audience is vital. During my career as a web writer, I've learned several ways to figure out what my potential audience wants and needs.

Consider the topic. What are people looking up your topic interested in? If you want to write parenting tips, think about common issues parents face and what you've done to solve those issues. If you want to write about writing, think about all the things you once looked up. Know what people into that topic are going to be interested in. Be very specific and gear your writing toward people who would be interested in that topic. For instance, if you are writing about dogs, don't veer off into talking about cats or mice. If someone clicks onto your dog article, they want to read about dogs.

Pay attention to reader comments in your niche areas. This will help you determine what people want to read. Readers may ask questions, express their disinterest in another topic, thank the writer for the info, and more. There is often much to learn just by reading the comments on your own articles, as well as others. What better way to learn what readers like than by looking straight to them for their thoughts? Another benefit to this gaining loyalty from regular readers. If they know that you actually care and pay attention to what they want, they'll interact more often.

Keep up with news and information changes regarding your topic. Staying on top of things helps readers trust what you say. It's also part of knowing who you're speaking to in your content. Don't write about a topic, unless you know what you are talking about because readers will call you out on it. On the other hand, if you do keep up with the latest in your niche area, readers notice that as well and will thank you instead. Periodically, I check my tutorial and how-to articles to make sure that the information is still accurate. If not, I will make edits where the venue permits it to reflect newer information. This helps give my audience what they want whether they access my article the day it publishes or months from then.

Study websites and blogs related to your topic. While it's beneficial to also study the venue where you are publishing, don't be afraid to also look outside that source. Take a look at how readers are responding to your niche topic elsewhere. Also, look at the methods each writer uses to interest the audience. See what you can learn from what other writers are doing. While you don't want to copy someone else, you can always learn from others and implement the lessons into your own style.

Pay attention to how your readers respond to what you write. Are readers responding negatively or positively to your work? How is it affecting the frequency of traffic on your articles? Do they blog about your work elsewhere? Are they asking you questions or sharing your work on social networks? If they're sharing, is it in a positive or negative light? These are all things you want to look at to see what your audience wants. When you can figure out what they respond to, you will have a better chance at reaching your intended audience.

***Note: I originally published this on Yahoo! Contributor Network

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

Family, friends, and complete strangers telling you it isn't possible to make it in web writing? Is your faith in yourself beginning to fade away? Are you working too hard with what seems like no results? I've been there. I truly believe in the saying "Anything in life worth having is worth working for" (Andrew Carnegie). Even at your darkest hours, never give up on your dream. You may have to do other things while working toward your dream. But don't ever give up on it. I'm living proof that it's possible to make things happen if you have the drive and determination.

Take insults as inspiration to keep going. People you know may not support you. Complete strangers may insult you. Instead of letting what they say get to you, use it to boost yourself to the next level. You know what you can do. You know what your goals and dreams are. Make it happen and don't let anyone discourage you. When I first decided to make web writing my career, people thought I was crazy. "You can't make money doing that." "You're not good enough." Those people can keep laughing if they want to. I'll probably pass them by on my way to the bank.

Hold on to your inner reasons for writing. Remember the feeling you had when you first got into writing? Hold on to that passion and excitement and remember why you got started in the first place. Writing has always been a part of me. Deep inside, I always knew I'd do something with it. Although, I never actively pursued it until trying other things that just didn't work for me. For me, I write for many reasons. Some of the most prevalent include the fact that writing is a part of me, as well as the fact that it's a great way to support my family. It allows me to stay at home with my kids. But even if one day, the writing becomes more involved and I cannot stay at home anymore, it still enriches our lives daily. Writing helps people grow, both through hearing their own thoughts, as well as what they learn in the process.

Know and believe what you can do. "Don't you want to write books? Books make more money." Writing books is great (I've done that too and will likely do so in the future). But it's not the only way to make money and books are not necessarily where all the money is anymore. For me, the passion lies in providing content that can be enjoyed by a global audience. I want people to b able to access my content anytime, day or night. Knowing that someone may get their questions answered or an issue resolved because of something I wrote is an awesome feeling. Know and believe in your specific area of expertise..

Don't let hard work scare you away. Never give up on your dream, no matter how challenging things may seem. It's a scary world out there. But facing those challenges can take you to a place you've never even dreamed of before. When I first started writing for the web, I had no clue what I was doing or where it would take me. I have done so many things I never even thought of before. Was it easy? Not always. In fact, there have been times where it's been downright difficult and trying. But I didn't give up. Now I am going places and doing things I never knew or thought were possible. I now have my own network of sites, I provide content to the largest name in content, and have some other amazing things in the works. If I had given up back when the naysayers were hounding me and my faith was faltering, I'd never be where I am today.

Keep a mental image of why you work for yourself. Hate that past job? Love the freedom of being at home with your kids? Whatever your main reasons for becoming a web writer for in the beginning can be your inspiration to never give up on that dream. Do you really want to go back to having cranky bosses or kids who miss their mommy or daddy? Always picture what it was like before to keep you in check and keep yourself moving forward in your dream. Never, ever give up on your writing dreams. Anything is possible, regardless of whether someone else has done it before or not.

This article was originally published on Yahoo! Contributor Network.

"I am a freelance writer. I provide content to some of the most popular websites" "But what do you do? What's your job?" "That is my job -- well, career actually." "But you're not a real writer. You don't have a best-selling novel and you're not employed with a newspaper." Does this conversation sound familiar? You are not alone. So how do you deal with this misinformation and stereotype?

Show Me The Money
So, freelance writers don't make that much money, correct? Wrong. As someone who has been freelancing for years, I can personally attest to the possibilities in earnings. The earning limit is only based on the writer's own limitations. According to PayScale, the average income for an author starts at $14,220 and caps at about $84,783. Newspaper writers are estimated to make up to $51,288 per year. Surely freelance writers can't top either of those. Wrong again. Freelance writers are estimated to make up to $114,400. I personally know of freelance writers who make much more than that. Either way, freelance writers top both of the writing careers typically looked at as "real writers" by many others. Hmmm.

Fight Back With Actions, Not Arguments
For every 10 people who inquire about my freelance writing, 9-10 generally have a first impression of me as a lazy person who does nothing all day long. Those who know what goes into my work will laugh hard at that one. But people will think what they think and rather than argue, you can prove them wrong by letting them see what you do in action. Invite them over on a work day and if they are willing, let them try to do some of what you do in the process. Compare what they get done to what you get done and break down for them how much they would have earned and how much you did earn. Some people need more than words to understand how something works.

The "Real Writer" Test
While this is not a be-all end-all test, the following questions can help in determining whether you are a real writer or not. If you can answer yes to at least one, you're a real writer. If you can answer yes to more than one, writing is probably your career. If you can answer yes to all of them, you are most likely a real writer - a successful one at that.

1) Do you write articles, poems, stories, or other pieces of content?

2) Do you get paid for producing said content?

3) Do you pay taxes based on your pay for said content?

4) Do you make at least minimum wage for said content?

5) Do you make more than minimum wage for said content?

It's All in Your Own Attitude
Some of the reason people tend to be biased about freelance writing comes from the writers themselves. Yep, I said it. If you want to be taken seriously as a writer, then take yourself seriously. Stop going around with an apologetic tone about your writing career. You know what I'm talking about if you do this: "Oh I just write things for websites. Its not like a real job but I do make some money" (said with your head hanging in shame). Be proud of what you do and stand up for yourself and your career. When I got my current job, I had been freelancing for years prior to that. So the reaction from people was "Oh, so you finally have a real job now?" To which my response was "No. Now I have a second career that I enjoy as much as the freelance writing. I am and will always be a freelancer because it's what I like and it's where the money is." Do you see the difference? Be proud of your career. You know how lucrative this business can be. So act like it and forget what others say. At the end of the day, your bank account speaks louder than the misconceptions.

What? They Still Can't Deal? More on this topic:

Things Friends and Family of Online Writers Need to Remember

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Doubt. All freelancers have it from time to time. The freelance writing business is a tough one. It has many great rewards. But because of the nature of this business, sometimes writers can doubt themselves.

For the most part, freelance writers do not have a set amount they can rely on. We may have steady gigs with certain clients. But we never truly know for sure how much money we will make in any given month. For some, this can lead to doubt.

But don't let that doubt take over your life. Believe in yourself and the clients will believe in you too. Know that you can accomplish your writing and income goals. Doubt can only stand in the way f we let it. We need to be careful not to because that doubt can show in our writing and in the way we relate to potential clients.

Freelance writers need to sell their service. But if even you doubt your service, why would a client want to hire you?

Don't let doubt take over.

Overcome it today and forever. Believe in your writing. Be what you dream to be. If you dream it, it's already there just waiting for you to let it come out.

As I always say:

"Don't just dream and hope it. Make it happen and make it awesome!" ~Lyn Lomasi

You can quote (and test) me on that. I live what I say.

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Are you authentic in your writing? I'm not talking about facts here. Hopefully, you can answer yes to that. But are you true to yourself in your writing?

Do you write with passion or do you just write anything?

Own each piece of work you write by making it authentic. For instance, don't claim to be an expert on a topic you know nothing about just to get paid. It's one thing to write a well-researched piece or a piece with personal experience. But it's a whole other ball game to wrote something you have absolutely zero knowledge or experience in.

You may be able to slide past the radar with that at times. But it will eventually catch up to you and ruin your entire writing career. Instead, write what you know through studies or experience. Your clients will appreciate your authenticity. Readers can see right through writing that lacks connection from the writer. On the other side of the coin, they also value and feel content that contains the writer's authentic knowledge and experiences.

Be authentic. Be you. Be hired. Be read.