Category: Quick Web Writing Tips

Authenticity is Key to Earning Respect

4/1/2013

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.

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3 Last-Minute Checks Every Web Writer Should Make

10/14/2012

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

The quality of your work can make or break a second order. Don't expect a new client (or even an existing one) to continue ordering from you if your content doesn't make the grade. Over the years, I have learned that doing certain things at the last minute before I send in the work can be very helpful.

Proofread one last time. Always, always proofread again right before you turn in your writing project. Even if you have proofread several times, one more time before submitting is essential. Sometimes that one last time at the very last minute can catch those minor issues you missed before, like spelling "too" as "to" or misspelling someone's name.

Is your content web-friendly? Print writing and web writing are very different. Hopefully, if you are writing for the web, you are aware of this. Beware of run-on sentences, unnecessary modifiers, and other things that can clutter web content. Web writing should be clear and concise. It should also be optimized for search, as well as eye-tracking.

Numbers count. On the web, there is a such thing as too lengthy. How many words did your client request? Did you stick to that plan? If you went over, you need to shorten it up. Don't forget to proofread and count your words again if you revise. In fact, you should still do another word count even if you didn't revise. Did your client recommend a length that you feel is not appropriate for the intended purpose? If it's at the last minute that you made this revelation, submit the content as requested. Include a note with a promise to revise if they wish.

Quick Web Writing Tips: Clean Copy Gets the Contract

4/3/2012

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

Just like a carpet cleaner shouldn't leave behind too many spots, a good writer should have clean copy, as well. Think of typos, grammar mistakes, and spelling errors as the spots on your virtual carpet. No one is perfect. But if you are going to write for a living, you need to make sure that your copy is as clean as possible.

Do you think someone is going to hire a carpet cleaner that leaves behind some spots or one that's known for getting out most or all stains? Web writing is the same. You are the expert and your finished product should demonstrate that.

Quick Web Writing Tips: Back Up Your Work

4/2/2012

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

Oh no! You're in the middle of an article and the site you're typing on crashes. Your hard work is now lost. Another site you had work published on is now nonexistent. But you didn't save a copy of your work on your computer. Back up your work to save yourself from scenarios like this.

Think these things rarely happen? Think again. This is one of the most common issues that new writers come to me with. Always write your work offline and always save it offline, preferably in more than one place. Even if you don't plan on publishing your work in other places you still need to have a backup copy for many reasons.

Quick Web Writing Tips - D is for Doubt

4/13/2011

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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.

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Quick Web Writing Tips - C is for Caution

4/9/2011

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

Tirelessly, you search Yahoo!, Craigslist, or Google for job postings and finally something promising comes up. But wait, why are they asking you for money or to write for free? Maybe they are offering to pay you instead, but the offer seems too good be true. If it sounds too promising, it might be a scam.

The world of freelancing can be a lucrative one. But it can also be wrought with scammers. Before you jump on 'the next big thing,' do your research to make sure the company and offer is legit.

There are thousands upon thousands of gigs out there for freelance writers. Always proceed with caution when choosing which gigs to go with and which contracts to sign. Only give the amount of info needed to receive payment. I recommend using PayPal for all transactions and invoices. This way, there is no need for you to give out bank information and certain other info that scammers can use. It also puts all transactions and agreements on record, especially if you send out the invoice outlining the agreement before the work is completed.

You cannot prevent every single instance of someone trying to con you. But when you proceed with caution, it does make being scammed less likely.

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Quick Web Writing Tips - A is for Authentic

4/5/2011

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

Buzzword Bingo: Authenticity = Truthfulness of origins, attributions, sincerity and intentions #buzzwordbingo

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.

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Authenticity is Key to Earning Respect

3 Last-Minute Checks Every Web Writer Should Make

Quick Web Writing Tips: Clean Copy Gets the Contract

Quick Web Writing Tips: Back Up Your Work

Quick Web Writing Tips - D is for Doubt

Quick Web Writing Tips - C is for Caution

Quick Web Writing Tips - A is for Authentic

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