by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer ![]() POS software is what tells your point of sale system how to perform certain tasks, as well as how information is to be sent across multiple systems and the Internet. Exactly which tasks your POS software will perform depends on what software you choose and what needs your business may have. Be sure to get free price quotes and product details from a variety of vendors before making a purchase. Using POS Software All small business POS software does not work the same, so it is important to examine different packages before making your final decision. Try to pick software that has all the features your company is looking for, but also is easy to learn and use for both you and your employees. Once it has been determined which POS software your company will use, and you have become familiar with its workings, you will likely want to offer a training session to instruct employees how to operate the system. POS Software: Features One feature you will see in most point of sale software is the ability to operate the cash drawer. A POS cash drawer cannot be opened or operated without a user ID and password. Another feature is the ability to transmit data to various business locations. This can be helpful to businesses that have more than one location, including small businesses with both a home office and a professional location. The small business POS software tracks everything that is done over the POS system. This can help prevent errors, process refunds and paperwork, find out which products sell most, and much more. POS software can come in forms compatible with both monitors and LCD touch screens. LCD touch screens are the most popular as they offer ease of use and quicker transactions than keyboard operation does. Customizing POS Software POS software is very versatile and can be customized to fit the needs of your business. For instance, if your company is a retail location, the POS system can not only track the sales, but also keep a record for bookkeeping as well as for restocking inventory. That same system might also keep a record of customer information, sales and promotions, price lists and more. This can make it simpler to look up information for refunds, check item stock for a customer, and to help control inventory loss. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network RELATED: Should You Buy a Used POS System? Do You Need a POS Cash Drawer? Benefits of Electronic Point of Sale (POS) Equipment
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by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer ![]() When considering a point of sale system for your company, there are times when it is practical to purchase a used POS system. There also are times where it will be more cost effective to buy a new one. It is important to pay attention to minor details and get price quotes and product descriptions from several different vendors before making a decision. Used POS System: Pricing While pricing could play a role in your decision, it shouldn't be the deciding factor. The money that a POS system will save your business in the long run is likely far greater than any discount you will receive on a used POS system. Instead, look for the best system you can get that will fit your company's operational needs. Cheap POS systems are not always the best deal. Software Support POS software sometimes requires support, as does most software. When there are questions or difficulties that need to be resolved, it is the software support that your business will be consulting. The problem with some used POS systems is that support for the software may no longer exist. To run the system efficiently, you may have to purchase support or even a whole new software program. Doing so could cost you more than a new system. Compatibility Be sure to find out if all the POS components you are purchasing are compatible with each other, and whether anything extra will be needed for the system to operate. Individual components aren't worth much, if anything at all, without compatible components and software. Be sure to pay close attention to this detail, especially when choosing a used POS system. Customization The biggest benefit to a POS system is the ability to customize it to each company's needs. When considering a used system, be sure to examine how much customization is possible. Pay attention and make sure it is what your company is looking for. If the system cannot meet your company's needs, then it is not a wise choice. A POS system without all the desired features is usually a waste of money. Upgrade and Management Options As businesses grow and technology changes, upgrades will need to be made to the system. Be sure that the used options you are considering allow the ability to upgrade. If a system cannot be upgraded, it will not be good for your business. Software often requires upgrades to process data in the most current format. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer ![]() Deciding whether or not your company needs a POS cash drawer depends on many factors. Though most businesses will benefit, it is best to weigh all the pluses and negatives when deciding whether to make a purchase or not. What Makes a POS Cash Drawer Different? A POS cash drawer can only be operated in conjunction with the right POS cash register equipment and software. This helps prevent theft and also helps keep better track of sales. Sales are tracked in real time over the Internet through the POS software. On a manual cash register, sales might be added up, but they are not saved or transmitted in real time. A POS cash drawer also tracks inventory, customer information, refund dates and more. Why Use a POS Cash Drawer? Accounting is made simpler through the use of a point of sale cash register. There are fewer steps and less paperwork to be processed compared with a manual cash register. If your company has several locations and your customers wish to use their accounts at more than one of these, point of sale equipment makes that simpler. For example, say that a customer purchases a vacuum on Saturday. The customer has an account with your business, so his information, along with all of his sales transactions, are stored within the POS system. On Monday he decides he no longer wants that vacuum, but he has lost his receipt to prove he has paid for it. With a POS cash drawer, this isn't a problem because the customer's information can be looked up easily. Do You Really Need a POS Cash Drawer? Compare the benefits of a POS cash drawer to your company’s needs. Most companies will likely find that the benefits outweigh the risks. It’s much less difficult to track valuable customer data that is within easy access. That being said, if your company only does a few transactions per day, you may want to stick with your current method or use the most simplified version of POS cash drawers available. A regular cash register can be operated by anyone. However, a POS cash drawer can only be operated by registered users with a password. This adds a measure of security. The best POS cash drawers are made of steel for durability, since they are opened and closed so many times during the day. Getting price quotes and product details from various vendors can help you choose the right system for your company's needs. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer ![]() When building a business, there are many things to keep in mind in order to keep it afloat. One of the best pieces of business advice I received when starting my own business was to network. This is true for all businesses, but it's especially helpful for small businesses. Networking with business peers provides essential knowledge Others in your field can share important facts and advice with you. Even if you keep up with the latest business news, others will have other helpful experiences and insight. You may not always do things the way that person recommends, but sharing opinions, advice, and experiences with each other can teach you all valuable lessons.
Tips from an Overachiever 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.
Are Social Networks a Good or Bad Idea While on the Job? by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer ![]() You log onto facebook and notice a few of your co-workers are posting personal things - on company time. Should this be allowed? In a technical world, the answer today may be different than it would have been several years ago. Some people may equate facebook posting to playing around, but others may consider it vital to their career. Which do I recommend? Should employees network during business hours? Absolutely! The way that people communicate is changing drastically. This is largely due to the development of newer technology. People no longer have to be sitting next to each other to communicate. Sending a message or posting a status update or photo on facebook is pretty much the same thing as chatting with your co-workers. Most businesses have no problem with people talking while working. Some even encourage it. For many people, it's second nature to type a quick status to facebook or twitter via their phone or computer.
Networking is vital to the business world. Being able to use social networks is a requirement for most jobs. This is because many people now turn to the internet for interactions, even those that are business related. Companies often use social platforms to collect customer feedback, provide support, and share ideas with others in the industry. Managing both business and personal social interactions in between other daily tasks shows the boss you are both responsible and business savvy.
Adding a personal touch helps clients and customers identify with the company. So, maybe that photo your co-worker just posted of her baby wasn't exactly work-related. But it does bring out her personal side. Being a good business person is not about a perfect image void of any feeling. Clients and customers want to deal with businesses, particularly employees, that they can relate to. If everything is always straight business and no fun, no one sees the human side and that can hurt business. You don't necessarily need to discuss drunken escapades. But posting a silly status or two during company time can help people feel comfortable with employees, which is good for business. Happy employees are more productive. When people don't feel pressured, they are more likely to do their jobs efficiently. People who sit at a desk all day may not have much time for social interaction that is not work-related. Social networks can provide a few minutes here and there where the employees can get some quick social time in and still do their job efficiently. It only takes a few moments to read or post an update. But the happiness or stress relief from doing so may last all day. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network Electronic Point of Sale Equipment: Cash Drawer Operation Electronic point of sale equipment makes it simple to operate a cash drawer. Every transaction made on the POS cash register equipment is recorded. Sales can be tracked in real time using electronic POS equipment. Real time sales tracking is beneficial in handling accounting, merchandise returns, voids, inventory control, processing credit cards and gift cards, check processing and more. Features such as touch screen menus and online price lists can help keep transactions fast and accurate. Also, the POS software can help ensure that sales and promotions are given to the customer at time of purchase. Record Keeping Everything done on electronic point of sale equipment is tracked. This is a great benefit for record keeping. Not only does it save a large amount of paper, but it also can save time and money. Some of the records kept by a POS system include inventory, customer accounts, sales transactions, restaurant orders, and current sales and pricing. With a manual cash register, these tasks would need to be handled individually and would require many more steps and manpower to complete. Accurate record keeping is also more easily attained with all the data and facts being stored in real time. For companies with more than one system or location, the ability to link multiple systems through the Internet and software is a big plus when it comes to keeping records. Safety and Loss Prevention Point of sale equipment can help with many safety and loss prevention issues. Because the system can only be operated using a registered ID and password, only certain people can open the cash drawer. This ensures that only the right people are in contact with the money. It also is tracked by transaction, as well as by registered user. This keeps the money safe and helps pinpoint where any money loss may have occurred and who may have processed the faulty transaction. Loss prevention can also be curtailed by the inventory tracking feature. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network
by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer ![]() If any of you have worked in retail or other forms of customer service, you know just how rude we humans can truly be. Having held several of such positions since I was old enough to do so, I've had many, many frustrated customers over time. Time and again, my best strategy has always been to basically kill them with kindness. I'm naturally a nice person (most of the time), so it works for everyone involved. Besides, people aren't always actually being rude. It may just seem that way. Maybe there's an issue or maybe they had a bad day and you can help change that. “Please don't scan that in self check. Here, let me scan it for you.” If a cashier says that to you, that should be an indication that it isn't going to work. One customer didn't heed such advice from me on one occasion and proceeded to get rude. He was attempting to scan a heavy bag of concrete on the self check machine. We didn't allow those at this store, as it was common for the bags to break in process and ruin the machine or get all over the customer. The fact that I was manning 4 self check machines, as well as my own register, yet still offered to help him should have been an indication that he needed me to do it. I nicely attempted to come scan it for him with my handheld scanner. However, he insisted on doing it anyway. Lo and behold, the bag of concrete broke across the machine, causing us to have to call for an expensive repair. Even so, I politely ran and grabbed him another bag of concrete, scanned it myself, and sent him on his way. Sometimes you just have to let people figure things out for themselves. He was pretty polite after that and upon return visits always chose my line and never scanned his own concrete again. Sometimes what can be perceived as rude may just be a preference of independence or someone having a bad day. Speak another language, eh? No problem. One busy day, while working customers quickly through my line, I heard two women speaking in French. No problem with that part. However, what they were doing was speaking in French to cover up the fact that they were making fun of one of my co-workers, who happened to be an extremely nice lady. She hadn't done anything wrong to them. They simply didn't like her looks, as well as a few other superficial things. Now, some people might get upset, but instead I chose to to give the same excellent service I always do – but in French. I wasn't rude, nor did I say anything at all about their rude behavior. I simply killed them with kindness. The expressions on their faces were great when I started speaking in French and they were shocked as I completed the entire transaction that way. I doubt they were expecting that. The next time they came in the store, they were extremely friendly to both myself and the co-worker they were so rude to before. Imagine that. I have many more stories like these, as I've worked in customer service since I was a teenager. But maybe I'll save some of the others to tell you about another day. *I originally published a version of this on another network (no longer published there). ![]() Residual income is that which continues to pay after you've already completed the work. Writing evergreen content is one way to earn residual income on the web. There many ways to utilize your evergreen writing skills when looking to earn residuals. Write for Content Sites Many content sites offer performance-based or revenue share payments. This could be on top of an upfront payment or might be the only source of pay. Once a piece of content is published on that site, as long as it exists and the program is in place, that content can continue to earn money. This means that you do the work once and keep earning. If you focus on evergreen content, you have a greater chance of earning residuals for a lengthy amount of time. Build a Blog and Post Often Much like writing for content sites, you can also use blogs to build residual income. Place ads on the blog to earn profits. Linking from your blog posts to the articles you write for content sites can help you earn more in both places. Keep posting your original content regularly for the best results. Some choose to re-post articles they've written and still have rights to on their blogs. This can bring in some ad revenue. However, writing original posts and linking to those articles on the content sites can be more profitable. Write for Other People's Blogs and/or Sites Some sites or networks (like Write W.A.V.E. Media) have blogs or article categories they allow guests or members to post on. Benefits usually include linking back to your existing work or a byline. This is beneficial for drawing attention to your other writing that may earn from views. Some sites (such as ours) may also have earning options, like ad revenue or flat payments. Use Article Marketing Article marketing can also help increase residual income. Write articles and share them in one or more locations. The byline in the articles should link back to a central location (like your website or your profile on a content site) where readers can find more of your work. When allowed, you can also link back to other articles of yours within the article text. Blogging is one form of article marketing. But you can also share articles on more popular sites, using marketing techniques. When participating in article marketing, be sure to follow the terms and guidelines properly at each site. Getting banned for marketing improperly is not a good idea and can ruin your writing reputation. Create Niche Blogs Rather than having one blog for everything, try creating several niche blogs. For instance, if you know a great deal about exhaust fans, create a blog about them. Write about where to buy them, review various models, write about how they work, and more. If you also write articles for content sites, don't forget to write some on this topic. Link to them from the blog posts. Do the same for several blogs and several topics. Don't forget to put ads on your blogs to build that residual income. Niche blogs can get more attention from the search engines because everything on the page is relevant to the topic. If you post regularly, this shows the search engines that your blog is active. Activity combined with relevancy tells search engines your blog is the place to go for a specific topic. Create Niche Sites Much like niche blogs, niche websites also can be great for building residual income. With a website, you have even more versatility than a blog. It's also recommended to add a blog to your website to draw traffic and show that content is updated regularly. Here again, you'll need to display ads and link to any relevant content you have on the subject elsewhere on the web. Use Social Media and Networking to Increase Exposure Social media and networking help to spread the word about your content. Be it your website, blog, or article, you need to get it noticed. Good SEO can do the trick. But well-optimized content does even better when promoted through social media and networking. This helps to get your content out there and it also helps increase exposure to your name - your brand. The more places that people know you for your specific type of content, the better. Use RSS to Increase Exposure A large part of making money with evergreen web content is ensuring people know it's there. Custom RSS feeds are an excellent way to do that. Many content sites provide writers with an RSS feed of their content. You can also create RSS feeds on your own site. Blogs are naturally equipped with RSS. Submit your RSS feeds to directories (submit to each one only once) and also place them on your sites and blogs so people can subscribe. Some services, like NewsGator allow people to email content directly from a feed widget. All of this increases the exposure to your content by outside parties, which helps to build residuals. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network ![]() by Dennis Townsend, Contributing Writer We sometimes wonder what it takes to get us going each day when our feet hit the floor in the morning, and while some of us are able to hit the ground running, there are a lot of people who lack the inspiration to take on a days activities. That begs the question, what do people do to inspire the mind to get going. What do Web Content writers do to inspire themselves to write about things everyone is interested in when they sit down at their computers. How does one create content that will be entertaining or informative and will keep the readers attention? Well, it’s not as hard as you might think. What motivates you is most likely the same thing that motivates those that think like you do. For a blogger who makes their living off their ability to create interesting content, a writers block is something they really can't afford. How does one come up with content when the mind draws blanks, you go outside with a notepad and take notes. Let’s take an example of you riding on a crowded bus and you strike up a conversation with the person next to you. A subject comes up that you might not have ever thought about, but after listening to the other person talk about it, you find that it interest you also. You start to give your own opinion, and next thing you know, it’s a full blown conversation equipped with questions and answers. Inspiration and subject matter is around you everyday and all you have to do is grab hold and run with it. You read a newspaper and read that the soup kitchen in your neighborhood is serving 100 homeless people a day, and they could sure use some more volunteers.You’ve always help the less fortunate, and that story you just read has you wondering why no one wants to help. Sometimes all it takes to get the creative juices flowing is a change in scenery some fresh air and an outside nudge. A lot of people still keep journals that they write in every day which is a kin to blogging. A blogger basically writes about their interesting activities of the day, or writes about things that they might have learned which made their life a little easier, and passes it on in a blog in hopes that it will help whoever reads it. Your mind is a perfect tool to get you inspired, and all you have to do is listen to it. How many times have you thought about something you should be doing and don’t act on it. The Webster Collegiate Dictionary defines inspiration as “The act of influencing or suggesting opinions. The action or power of moving the intellect or emotions.” While you may think that what went on in your day wasn’t to exciting, it may be of interest to someone else. So what do you do to inspire your mind, nothing, because it’s a thought process, and the only thing that keeps you uninspired is procrastination. Think about it. DLTPONCH33 Small business owners and managers are always faced with the challenge of how to create a positive work environment that will improve efficiency and ROI. A joyous environment at the workplace invokes a sense of dedication and purpose to the employees, and everybody is geared to serve the organization to the best of their abilities. According to Forbes, companies with satisfied and happy employees were able to generate 22.4% more revenue for their respective companies or employers. So here are some important pointers that can help in creating such an environment. Appreciation is the Best Motivator Everybody likes to be appreciated, but in most offices, you will find employees feeling unappreciated for their work. An employee needs a sense of purpose, and that can only be instilled with due appreciation. Most employers and managers have no idea what a major difference it would make, if they mentioned a simple thank you. In fact, phrases like “you have turned the project around”, “nice job”, or “we are glad to have you on our team” are excellent motivators, and you can immediately notice the difference in the work environment. However, make sure you show appreciation only when it is due, or you could be setting a bad example for others. CareerBuilder in its 2014 survey states that employees who receive workplace recognition are 29 percent less likely to leave the company they work for whereas those who are dissatisfied with their jobs are 58 percent more likely to disengage themselves and seek other ways to pay their bills. Making Employees Understand their Job One of the key components of keeping your employees happy is to tell them what exactly is expected out of them in their daily responsibilities and how their performance will be gauged. The best way to achieve this is by keeping both formal and informal channels of communication and feedback open. As a manager, you lose a golden opportunity to make your subordinate happy if you fail to praise him or her for a job done well. On the other hand, if the employee commits a mistake, the manager should take the constructive feedback approach and make sure this is not done in front of other people. In-Person Communication
When you make an effort to connect in person with employees or team members, you are showing that you care, and that is a tremendous motivator. Sending short messages by email may not be as effective as when you connect in person. Get to know your employees better, by inquiring about their career goals, the things that interest them in the projects, what they would like to achieve overall and so on. Small talk and discussions on topics that are not related to the job during free time, can also work wonders. Dealing with an Errant Employee It is equally important to discipline a problem employee. If you fail to do so, others will see it as a sign of weak and passive leadership. The best way again is to open channels of communication with the problem creator and understand their underlying issues. Many times, problems in their personal life are hampering the employee’s professional attitude and motivation. Conducting informal discussions with them without taking an official or confrontational stance should be enough for them to see the light and get back on track without officially writing them up for overt disciplinary reasons. However, if the problem employee is beyond control and has ignored your attempts to build a strong bond and if they still refuse to be a team player and a cordial person to work with, then it is the right time to tell this person their services are no longer required. When doing this, make sure you incorporate the proper procedures and policies your company adheres to. Building Trust Trust goes a long way in building meaningful relationships, and is a major requirement in creating positive work environment. For building trust, you need to be what you claim to be, and do what you have said you would do. This will show to your employees that you are a reliable person, who takes his responsibility seriously, and likes accountability. You can create an environment of trust when there are no inconsistencies in you talk and behavior. Employees will automatically feel that you expect the same from them, and they will start behaving in a similar manner. However, trust is quite fragile and can be broken easily. Therefore, you need to be very alert in things you say and do. You should make it a point to be upfront and honest even during uncomfortable situations. Employees can easily make out if you are not being entirely honest to save the situation, and that can work against you. Once you have built a reputation of being very honest, employees will start having more confidence in you, and they will be more open. It is also integral never to discuss aspects about an employee in a group setting, unless you are praising the person or talking about his or her terrific qualities. If you are having any problems with an employee or team member, it should kept between you and the employee, and not discussed openly (as mentioned above). If you follow these five tips, you will be well on your way to creating a positive work environment for your employees, which will increase both loyalty and productivity to your business. For other great business tips and ideas, contact 118group today! by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer You hear it all the time. “Never mix business with pleasure”. But that strategy is definitely the wrong way to go for myself and many others. I’m here to tell you all the reasons I blend both -- and why you should too!
Authenticity is Key to Success Frequent readers know my stance on authenticity and that I feel it’s a must for web writers. Honesty creates loyal readers that trust you. Part of being real with your audience involves mixing in some of your personal life. No one wants to read dry, boring content. Where’s the pleasure in that? Readers want something they can relate to. The best way to give them what they want is to be more personal. There’s no way to hone in on those feelings properly and authentically without mixing in personal accounts. You can still be professional while sharing personal feelings. Fictional stories can add flavor but feelings are best portrayed when you speak from the heart with honesty and raw emotion. Teamwork Requires Personal Engagement Writing for the web involves a great deal of teamwork. Whether you write for your own blog or site, clients, or other venues, the same is true. Your team may consist of you, clients, fellow writers, your audience, editors, or some varied combination. In order to interact with those on your team, you need to be able to relate on a personal level. There will be times when it helps to weave in personal accounts, even when talking about business. Readers may ask questions about your topics. Other writers may ask for help. Clients also may want to create small talk or ask you about the experiences that make you an expert. There are many scenarios that require more personal interactions. If you are all business, that may make some people feel uncomfortable. The idea is to be welcoming and treat your team as just that. Risks are Necessary to Succeed There are obviously certain life situations you don’t want to discuss. However, risks are necessary to succeed. Mixing business with pleasure may be risky. But sometimes, it’s a risk you have to take. You will know what’s right to share and what isn’t if you take the proper cues from your team. Ever heard of the saying that talks about doing the same thing and expecting different results? Web writing is very much like that. You have to dive in and enjoy the ride in order to experience the true benefits. One of the greatest things about web writing is the ability to help others. This is much more effective when you mix business with pleasure. By sharing your experiences, you take the risk of putting your business where others can see it. But, in my opinion, that risk is insignificant compared to the possibility of healing another soul. Leaps of faith like that are also often what leads many people to success. Just think what may have happened if I’d never have taken the risk of making my first website for my birthday in 2007? I definitely would not be where I am today, managing a team of freelancers and running several more sites, in addition to that first one. Pleasure Often Feeds Success Obviously, the happier you are, the more you are going to put into something. It’s not rocket science, folks. If you don’t love what you do, you may still succeed, but you will be miserable, so it will be for nothing. I’ve always believed the point of life is to work toward happiness for yourself and others. Happiness in what you’re doing gives you the drive to do what you need to in order to succeed. I recently learned this in a big way when I decided to bring on a partner in what was previously my own company. Yes, I am talking about Write W.A.V.E. Media -- and our very own Richard Rowell. I initially brought Rich in as a writer -- well, actually he expressed interest in publishing his content with us. In the process, he was making suggestions and talking about things that I had been planning on doing. Our ideas were so closely aligned that I asked him to come on as a partner. What does Rich have to do with mixing business with pleasure, you say? It’s very simple. We connected so well that we actually became quite a bit more than business partners. Once we did this, we found that the business was getting better and better every day. You see, not only did we have a passion for the business itself. But our drive to succeed in both business and personal matters is helping make this network even better than it was before. Do you mix business with pleasure? In what ways do you recommend doing this and which ways do you advise against it? by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff ![]() Should your client offer certain perks? Are there certain things you should expect them to do besides pay you? When freelancing, sometimes it can be difficult to figure out the roles played by you and your clients. Is the client asking for too much - or are you the one demanding the impossible? In freelance writing, my number one rule has always been that the client is not obligated to please you. In fact, you should be instead be providing what the client needs. If you can't or won't, let them find it elsewhere. Here's why. The client's venue is not yours. Whether you are writing for a print magazine or a website, remember that you do not own it. While your name may be on the article, the client hired you to gear the article toward their venue. Some clients may be more flexible on topics. But if it comes down to choosing your idea over the client's, unless their idea is harmful, always go with what the client wants. It's their venue. You are a freelance writer, not a partial owner of the client's company. Your client may have a different vision than you do. Just because you think things should go one way does not mean they have to listen. Everyone has their own way of doing things and the client has the right to run their venue as they see fit. The client does not need to please you. But they do need to please their audience and they may have their own wants and needs outside of that. Sometimes a freelance writer has to bend their ideas to fit what the client wants. If you think an idea will make you look bad, then pass the work onto a more suited writer. Don't get mad at the client. Respecting a client's wishes can lead to good reviews. Those who get good services often recommend freelance writers to their colleagues and friends. What will your clients have to say about you? Don't waste time arguing with your client about his needs, rather than providing the service you agreed to provide. Would you hire a plumber who would fix your working sink rather than your leaky toilet? Freelance writing is the same. Clients may have an exact request. If a client wants to pay you for a specific topic, don't bait and switch them with another. Passing a gig onto another writer is always better than insulting a client's ideas or trying to twist them to fit you better. Clients are more likely trust writers that are honest about what they can and cannot do. The client hired you, not the other way around. When you sign a contract to complete a specific project for a client, it should be what they requested. There should be no requests from you for them to do anything for you, other than pay you for your work as agreed upon. It's fine to make suggestions. But if the client is not happy with them, then neither should you be. With some gigs, it's easy to think that a client should make certain accommodations, especially long-term gigs where a relationship is established. But in fact, it should be the other way around. You are still the one getting paid. If anyone is obligated, it's actually you, the freelance writer. It would be nice if every single client was bright-eyed and cheery and gave out extra bonuses and perks. But they are not all going to be that way and (possibly unfortunately), they don't have to be. Sometimes when clients give us extra incentives or web features (for online writers), we can come to expect more and more from that client and future clients. But the truth is that because we are the ones being paid for the service, it is our duty to satisfy them. This does not mean you need to suck up. But it does mean you should give them at least what they paid for. How do you feel about the client and freelance writer relationship? *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network
by Dennis Townsend, Contributing Writer
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I can remember the days when you had to get up to change the channel on the television set, stay at home so you wouldn’t miss that important phone call, be amazed that they finally came out with push buttons on the telephone, and something everyone loved, power steering for your automobile. Cigarettes were 32 cents a pack, and gas was 29 cents a gallon, and at that price, there was an attendant who even pumped it for you and even cleaned your windshield. Aw, the good old days, no iPhones, no X-Boxes, no remote controls. Today’s teenager would go nuts in 15 minutes.
Then technology started to emerge, and all of a sudden you got more than 3 channels on your television set, and not only that, you could now see Ed Sullivan in color. For those of you who don’t know who Ed Sullivan was, sit down with your grandmother and have her tell you some stories. As technology kept moving at a breakneck pace, the cost of everything began to also rise. People would say when gas reached a dollar a gallon, they would never drive again. Cars went from being constructed like tanks to the light weight vehicles we know today. As you could expect, the death toll also rose because if you get into a serious accident with today’s plastic cars, your chances of survival is 50/50 at best. I was about 9 years old when I went to a department store with my mother, and we noticed a crowd of people gathering around some new invention at the back of the store. People were pushing and shoving, and I even saw a security guard standing there to keep the peace. I was thinking to myself that whatever it was, it must be really something. After pushing our way to the front to get a look, it turned out to be an automatic washing machine. Up to that point, everybody used a wringer washer like the one in the photograph. You'll want to ask grandma about the joys of running a wringer washer while you’re grilling her about Ed Sullivan. As time continued to move on, so did the technology, and then one day they came out with a box that would cook your food with microwaves. After that, came toys that were tech based. The very first video game that came to the market was “Pong”. It was electronic “ping pong” that you played on your black and white television set, produced by the company, Atari. You would hook it to your television, and you had two paddles, hard wired of course, and you proceeded to bore yourself to tears. Another thing to put on your "hey Grandma" list. With the easiness that technology has brought us to do everyday tasks, have you ever thought that we might be moving too fast? Are we satisfied with letting more and more of our daily tasks be completed by technology? Just keep in mind that life is a double edged sword and while we're dancing to the music, one day we may have to pay the piper.
DLTPONCH33
![]() by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer If you write for the web, chances are there is a comment section on some, if not all, of your articles. Readers like to use this section to leave feedback. Comments might include compliments, insults, random thoughts, and more. Sometimes a reader may leave remarks that prompt a reply. Should web writers comment on their own work? This question often comes up in discussions with my peers. What are you replying to? Whether or not you should reply may depend largely on the medium and the publication. Are we talking about your personal blog or a medical study? How you respond and whether you respond may vary, dependent on those factors. Readers like to be engaged by the author. However, it may not always be appropriate. If a regular reader of your blog wishes you a happy day, it's perfectly normal to do the same in return. But if someone leaves a less-than-flattering comment on your professional news writeup, you may want to walk away from the keyboard. Would you use that mouth around your mama? Or your clients? I'm serious. Before you open your mouth (or put fingers to keyboard keys) think about who might read your words back. If you wouldn't want your mother to hear those words from you, chances are they don't belong on your professional work. I try to respond to my readers when they have questions or concerns. But when it is obvious the reader is looking for an argument, there is no need to engage in that. It looks unprofessional and honestly, it doesn't just look that way. It is. What if a potential client happens upon your article? What will that person see in the comment section? If the way you interact does not reflect the impression you would like people to have of you, then stop and think about what you are doing. Is it ever a good thing to comment on your own work? Of course. Readers enjoy conversing with the author. It shows them you care about them and your work. You just have to know when it's a good thing and when it isn't. For instance, if a reader asks you a question about caring for hamsters on your hamster care article, it's fine to respond if you have the answer and the venue is appropriate. But you also have to know when it's time to ignore the comment section. The main thing you might get out of arguing with your readers is a bad reputation. Think about the venue. Is this your blog or are you published on someone else's venue? Sometimes web writers have work published on sites that are not their own and the thoughts of these clients matter. Does the site where your work is published approve of authors commenting back to readers? How do they feel about what you say? Read the TOS and also ask your clients how they feel about authors responding to readers. If you are in doubt, don't leave the comment. Your response may make a good follow-up article. This can be a more professional way to inform your readers. You can say more in an article than in a comment box. This can be especially true if the comments were negative, prompted more research, or were simply something interesting you'd like to write about. If the comments were left by a regular reader, they'll likely appreciate the fact that you took the time to compose a whole new article for their benefit. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network ![]() by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer UPDATE: It's fixed and any posts not yet migrated will be shortly. ;) Tonight, after a long day of other work, I logged on to make a post over here, only to make a horrific discovery instead. There's crazy clowns lurking the WWM web space! Say what?! Okay, not really, but sort of. I'm not sure if it happened during one of my coding sessions or that of another member, but our whole blog over here is completely gone. Adios. Au Revoir. vanished. My first thought when it happened: http://www.nooooooooooooooo.com/ (Go ahead. Click it. You know you want to.) I cannot find a single thing I did in the code that would cause that and I was able to create another blog with the exact same title, URL, and so on without removing any code, so crazy clowns is really the best conclusion I could come to. Of course, that can't REALLY be it. But it'll do as an explanation for now. I can't put into words how stressful this revelation was. But I am quite nerdy though, so it shall be restored as soon as possible. Until then, please enjoy the Writer's Blog over at my other writing site, which is linked at the top of every page over here until further notice. See you next time, my friends -- hopefully with a restored blog. Happy Writing! ![]() by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer I’ve often written about how to come up with ideas when you’re struggling to find topics as a writer. However, I am one of those writers who always has too many ideas. I can’t be the only one who has docs, notebooks, and cell phone space full of them. So, how do I deal with all of these ideas? What exactly do I do with them and what can you do with yours? Sort and organize your ideas for ideal use Many writers write to more than one venue or have somewhat of a designated space or time period for certain topics. It may help to sort your ideas into categories based on topics, venues, styles, in alphabetical order, and more. We each have our own way of doing things. Therefore, only you can decide the exact sorting method that will work best for you specifically. Whatever you choose should make it easier to find and take advantage of all of your ideas. Give away good ideas you’ll never write We all have those ideas that sit in a notebook or file somewhere that we keep skipping over for various reasons. Some of those ideas are ones that we may come back to eventually, while others are those which we know we will never write. Take the latter ones out of your records completely and compile them to share with fellow writers who need ideas. Most writers are friends with other writers and you may even be able to think of an exact person who’d appreciate at least some of the ideas. Create blank docs with titles ahead of time This is one of the many things I do to help keep track of ideas, as well as to save time when I am ready to write. I title a blank document using the idea and try to make the title one I can use for a potential article or other piece of writing. I save the documents in the most appropriate folder for that specific idea. This could be a folder of docs designated to a specific client, a specific category of ideas, or for one of my own websites. If I don’t yet know where it might go, I save it under the regular documents folder and move it accordingly after it has been written and published. Use your ideas to create templates/outlines that speed productivity This is taking the blank doc idea one step further. I have a method I use to speed up my productivity when creating content. I make myself templates or outlines that have all of my ideas listed so that I only have to think of how to explain it in each section and type out just that part when ready to write. To see samples of how I do this and exactly what I mean, go here: Make an easy Outline to Sped Writing Productivity Stop staring at them and just write! You knew I was going to say this at some point, right? The most obvious thing to do with all of your ideas is to just start grabbing them and write! It really is just that easy. Do the voices in your head keep switching back and forth from idea to idea? Let them. I have an easy way that I deal with that issue as well: Writing Multiple Article Topics at Once What do you do when you’re overwhelmed with ideas? *I originally published this on Bubblews.com. by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff Every community needs to have a clear objective. What is your community about? Do your members know the full purpose or intent? Is your community’s objective obvious when people visit the web space?
Make new on-topic posts as often as possible In order for members to be able to interact with a similar objective, things need to be fresh and on-topic. If other members aren’t posting relevant topics regularly, as the community manager, you should step in and do so. This ensures that both new and old members understand what the site’s objective is. If things aren’t kept up-to-date, they may lose sight of what your community is truly about, which also leaves room for spam and other unwanted behavior. Monitor member posts for relevancy In addition to making those new, relevant posts, it’s important to keep an eye on what community members are posting. Part of a community manager’s job is to make sure that what’s being posted is relevant to the community. It’s fine to have an area for off-topic things. But if you want your community to be user-friendly, most posts should match what your community is about. Those that don’t should be moved to an off-topic area or removed entirely. Use your better judgment based on what your community members would prefer. Keep an updated “About” or “Mission” section or page E very web community should have an area that describes the community’s purpose. If your community consists of a website with multiple conversation areas (like comment sections, private messaging, and forums), you can create a specific page for that. Usually, that page should be titled along the lines of “About Us” or “Mission statement”. If your community is just a forum, you may want to include some community info within the main/welcome/guidelines post. That way, it’s immediately visible. **I originally published this elsewhere (no longer published there) ![]() 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 Do you actually make money with your writing? It's just for fun or because you're bored, right? How do you pay your bills when you just play on the computer all day? These are the types of questions I get from people interested in learning how to make the most money in web writing. Often they are skeptical, thinking that a decent income is impossible in this business. You need a website. Some will tell you this isn't necessary. But, I repeat: All web writers need a website. While you can definitely make money writing online without having your own website, you're likely to earn more money if you do. Sometimes my clients find me via the various companies I publish with but they tend to visit my website even if they find me elsewhere. Your website should be a place where clients can learn more about what you do, find out your rates, and contact you for services. Without a website, that's more questions they will need to ask you and some will skip over authors they can't research more readily. You can even place an easy to reference online resume page on your website to save your potential clients more time. Query, submit, query, submit.. To keep your name out there, you need to be actively querying new outlets, as well as submitting to existing clients. For instance, if you have signed up with two sites that allow freelancers to submit work, keep those sites active. But in addition, query for other work and sign up for additional sites as often as possible. It is always better to have an overload of opportunities you can pass on to your writer friends than to have none at all. Publish, publish, publish. Like querying and submitting, do what you can to make sure you are publishing as often as possible. The more your name gets seen in writing, the more potential clients will see you. If one venue is not publishing your submissions as fast as they say they will, don't be afraid to pull them for publication elsewhere if beneficial. Always have multiple clients and venues available. It is perfectly valid to post the most often with the venue or client that will publish your writing most often. Just be sure you do still have some variety where possible, as variety keeps your name spread around and keeps you learning varied experiences. To make the most money in online writing, you need to be sure that if things are slow or undesirable with one venue or client, you still have other revenue possibilities. Be yourself. When you see a successful writer, it is easy to fall into line and try to mimic what they are doing. There is only one of each individual. The better strategy is to use some of their techniques and apply them to yourself. Be smart, but also be original and unique. Be you. If you think about the people you look up to in web writing, most likely you will be able to say that there is no one quite like them. The writers that are honest with and about themselves -- and in their experience are most likely to succeed. Copycats will eventually show their true colors -- usually in their work. Be flexible and choose appropriate work. Clients can sometimes be particular about what they want. It is normal to make suggestions you feel will be helpful. But the end result should always be something your clients are satisfied with. To avoid conflicts in this area, choose topics and workloads suited to your personal experience and preferences and leave the other work for someone else. Be adaptable. The world of web writing can be largely unpredictable as far as what works at the moment. Smart web writers stay prepared for changes to occur and adapt with the changes instead of running from them. Because the world and the web are ever-changing, it is important to stay up to date with the best current strategies and marketable skills. Those writers who are willing to go the extra mile in preparation are the ones that will continue to succeed now and into the future. Resources: Why all Web Writers Need a Website: www.articlewriterforhire.com/1/post/2012/07/why-all-web-writers-need-a-website.html Why all Web Writers Need an Online Resume Page: www.articlewriterforhire.com/1/post/2012/07/why-all-web-writers-need-an-online-resume-page.html I originally published this content on Article Writer For Hire: www.articlewriterforhire.com/1/post/2013/02/how-to-make-the-most-money-in-web-writing.html ![]() by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer You work hard on a project only to have it rejected by several publishers. Most writers have been there before -- times over. Producing content can also produce rejections by the handful at times. One of the hard lessons of staying successful in web writing is learning how to deal with rejection. When your work is rejected for publication, how do you react? Use the rejection to gain knowledge. Is there a reason the venue wouldn't publish your work? Did you gear it toward their audience and follow all of their guidelines? Is your grammar and spelling up to par? Does the content work for the web? Have too many people written on the topic from the same angle? These questions and more are some of the things you can ask yourself to figure out where you may have gone wrong with the content. There is something to be learned from every rejection. Sometimes it can be applied right away to a resubmission and other times you'll have to use it for future reference. One rejection is not the end. One venue is rejecting your work and you're ready to give up? Seriously? If I had given up on my first rejection, I'd probably still be working some dead-end job in retail, as that's where I have much of my work experience. There's nothing wrong with those positions but they are no longer for me. If you want to succeed in web writing, you can't let a tiny rejection distract you. They will happen -- and if you write often, they will happen often. It doesn't always mean you suck as a writer. It can mean that, but most of the time, it just means you need to either learn how to provide your client's needs or find another client (or several) that would be better suited to your writing style. Content is not universal. Just because one venue is not interested does not mean that no one will be. Your work is not necessarily crap because it doesn't fit in with one web publisher's ideal. Again, it might be crap. But if you know in your heart that it isn't, don't stop trying. If you enjoy the work and find it to be something of quality for the web world, chances are there is someone else who feels the same. If all else fails, publish it yourself, such as on a blog. No, this is not a last resort or a place to throw crap. If you comprise your blog of quality content, it will be seen as a quality blog. Use the rejection as motivation. Once you see what can be learned from the rejection and decide what you wish to do with the web content, get it done. Prove that your work truly is worth publishing and make it happen. This is not so much to get revenge on those who didn't publish you (their reasons could be valid and have nothing to do with you). This is to motivate yourself to do what you know you can do. Use all that frustration energy and put it into making your writing work for you. Photo Credit: Tilemahos Efthimiadis via Flickr.com www.flickr.com/photos/telemax/7035075623/sizes/l/ I originally published this content on Article Writer For Hire: http://www.articlewriterforhire.com/1/post/2013/02/web-writing-motivation-dealing-with-rejection.html |
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
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