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How to Get More Fans & Followers on Your Write W.A.V.E. Media Content

1/30/2016

 
by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
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Image © Hurca!; Flickr.com
Does your Write W.A.V.E. Media (WWM) content need some extra love? Do you keep checking your fans and followers on social media in hopes that more people will appear? If they haven't yet, you're probably going about things the wrong way - or you just got started and haven't given people time to find you yet. There are many different ways to get more fans and followers. The methods I find the best might surprise you.

Just be you. My number one rule in gaining fans and followers is to just be yourself. This should radiate in the comments you leave, in the content you publish, in your forum posts, and on social sites outside of WWM. There is no model form that everyone should fit into. Readers like to see the real person behind the writing.

Don't seek fans. Huh? Yes, that's right. If you want to gain the trust of your readers and writer friends, don't look at them as fans. Certainly don't seek out people, hoping they will like your Facebook page or subscribe. So, why is my fan base so large if I don't seek out fans? I consider my readers and fellow writers to be my friends. Some are closer than others of course. But, I do not go around saying "Please be my fan" or "Please subscribe to my work". Instead, I make friends and it doesn't bother me if they choose not to read my work. Not everyone is interested in the same things.

Fans and followers don't necessarily equate to high page views. Most large amounts of page views do not come from having fans and followers. They actually come via the search engines. So, why create those connections, then? Well, just for the sake of having like-minded friends and even for networking purposes. This is not to say their views don't count for anything. They absolutely do. Every view counts. But please don't look at your friends as page view insurance. Treat them as you would any other friend. There are real people behind those computer screens - not just numbers to add to your fan tally.

Don't expect people to subscribe or fan you just because you follow them. Sometimes people will fan you back or follow your work if you do the same with theirs. But don't get hurt feelings if they don't - and as mentioned above, don't ask. They simply just may not enjoy your topics or they may just be too busy to read more often. If someone has good content, I am going to read it whether they read mine or not. I never want anyone to feel pressured to read my work just because I read something of theirs. Of course, I appreciate every view I get. But, the most valuable and rewarding fans and subscribers are those that truly are interested in what you have to say.

Promote. Now, this may seem to contradict not seeking fans. In fact, it doesn't. It's alright to promote your work. Just do it where appropriate. For instance, don't spam message all your Facebook friends asking for reciprocal subscribing or liking of pages. It would be much more effective (and polite) to post a parenting article link on your profile, fan page, or even on a parenting site where that's allowed. There are ways to find a targeted audience that will be more interested and less irritated with you. Social sites are a great way to get the word out about your work. Just be sure to post other things and not just links to your work. Friends may be interested in your work. But, if that’s all you ever post, it may be considered spam.

Go about your daily routine. Just doing everything you normally do on WWM will eventually lead to fans over time. Comment on articles you enjoy. Subscribe to the topics and writers you enjoy. Find their blogs outside the WWM sites, as well. Visit the forums and participate in whatever interests you. People will naturally be curious about you and possibly check out your work, too. If they like what they see, they may even subscribe.

By following the advice above, you will soon find yourself gaining more than just fans. You'll be gaining valuable friendships - something much more important than a tally number.

"Writing about Writing": Book Review "Writer for Hire" by Kelly James-Enger

1/14/2016

 
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by Joshua Packard, Fullness of Happy

This is one of those ironic pieces of writing in which I will write about something written about writing.  Basically, I am writing a review of a book written about writing.  I am going to start reading more books, articles, etc. that are written about writing and the craft, the processes and practices, the industry of writing, and how to write better and how to share what we write better.

I received a copy of the book "Writer for Hire: 101 Secrets to Freelance Success" by Kelly James-Enger from my brother as a Christmas gift.  I personally am not earning money as a freelance writer at the moment, but I know other people who do earn livings as freelance writers, and it is a form of employment that I am interested in pursuing in the future.  Not only have I become more interested in writing, and possibly earning some income by writing, but I also bought a copy of the book for one of my freelance writing friends, and I hope it helps him in his employment as a writer.

The book is written like a series of secrets and tips, to help with all the facets and issues relating to successfully writing, planning, finding, and getting paid for various writing jobs.  The author gives instruction on how to find writing work, how to approach clients and make proposals for pieces, how to manage time, set fees and pay agreements, determine rights to reprint and republish, and all kinds of other issues and details relating to making a successful career in freelance writing.  I have no personal experience with trying to make a career out of writing, but I think if I do in the future, I will use many of these tips, secrets, suggestions, guidelines, practices and processes that James-Enger shares in this book.  I will possibly look up and purchase some of her other books as well.

Overall, I think anyone considering or already engaged in the field of freelance writing will benefit from the information in this book.  At the very least, it gave me an idea of what the writing industry is like, and what it takes to make a decent living as a freelance author.  It has also piqued my interest in reading more books about the craft and subject of writing, and has engaged my desire to write more frequently and about more subjects.

This book can be purchased here on Amazon.

Resolving Writer's Apathy

12/1/2015

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by Amelia Phoenix Desertsong, Writer's Advocate
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Have you ever felt as apathetic as this camel towards writing? I know I have. So how do we resolve that? (Image © Pixabay, Public Domain)
At one time or another, writer's apathy has dragged me down. The usual tips and tricks won't work. Well, there's one way I always manage to resolve that apathy. It's taking a word or phrase and breaking down its meanings to better understand the true meaning of a word's implications and connotations.

This is when I'll write something like a definition essay. In this case, the word resolve has been on my mind recently. Interestingly enough, one definition of resolve does mean to break down something.

According to Oxford Dictionaries, resolve can be either a noun or a verb. In its noun form, it simply means “a firm determination to do something.” When I think of resolve in this way, it tends to lead to dents forming in the wall and slight concussions to my brain. Simply resolving to resolve in that way often leads to a loss of sanity when it comes to overcoming writer's apathy.

As a verb, resolve becomes a fair bit more juicy, with three potential definitions.


1. Settle or find a solution to a problem, dispute or contentious matter.

Trying to resolve writer's apathy diplomatically has always been a much too temporary fix for me. It usually involves rewarding myself somehow. My writing doesn't work well when it's forced into a routine. There needs to be some force behind it.

Settling rarely works for me either. In my writing, I feel I always have to be going somewhere. Sort of like a stream of consciousness, I have to let the ideas fall where they may and not force any sort of structure on them.

For those that wish me to write more regularly, I resolve to simply let the mercurial nature of my words remain. I don't wish to find myself forcing out syllable after stressed syllable just to meet a deadline.



2. Decide firmly on a course of action

Well, then, it seems I have come to resolve one way out of writer's apathy. Be apathetic to conventional wisdom when it comes to forcing the words. Sure, it works for some people, but many of us are not "some people."

Sure, I can grind out a few hundred words a day. But even then, my writing sometime leaves me feeling quite unfulfilled.   Perhaps it's time I resolve to resolve what I'm looking to actually get out of my writing, huh?


Conveniently, the Oxford Dictionaries' third definition fits this train (wreck) of thought perfectly...


3. Separate or cause to be separated into components

So let's resolve writer's apathy by this definition.

  • I don't care about what I'm writing
  • I don't care who I'm writing for
  • I don't care if I write at all.

Ouch.

Sadly, that is pretty much writer's apathy when it comes to me. It typically follows this beaten path. Usually, I begin with losing interest in a topic I've been assigned or even one I resolved to write for myself. I then find myself losing focus when it comes to who I'm writing for. I end up many times simply writing for my own sake to keep myself productive. After a bit of that, I simply don't care to write at all.

Sometimes, there are various degrees of fatigue and manners of unavoidable circumstances that contribute to writer's apathy. But it typically follows the same pattern for me. Wow, I feel somewhat pathetic resolving my dilemma in that way. But I believe most of us writers have been there.

So let's circle back to our first verbal definition. How do we find solutions to these three components? What sort of esoteric abstract chemist’s madness can we resolve here?

(First, a quick aside. The Middle English origins of the word resolve in fact derives from the sense of dissolving or disintegrating something… or to solve a problem… the more common definition.  In Latin resolver means something like expressing intensive force to loosen something. So we are delving into the very root of this word it would seem.)


Find something to care about and stick to it.

Even if the topic itself is something you couldn't care less about, finding a way to resolve it in such a way that it makes you care about the prose you're producing can go a long way to beating the apathy upfront.



Know your audience, even if that audience is purely meant to be yourself.

Sure, understanding your audience is one of the major pillars of being a good writer - or something like that. But sadly you're not always going to care about what the audience of a particular assignment really wants. You're just going to write it your way and tweak it if necessary later if it's requested.

But going out of a comfort zone can be a healthy dose of medicine for the apathetic writer. You need to care about your growth as a communicator of ideas and the growth of those reading your work as well. Plant seeds of knowledge. You can't make readers care, but if you care about what you are writing, it shows in the work.



"Just write" sounds good in theory, but is it in practice?

It's a cruel irony in writing that the only way to improve is to write, even if it blows chunks. Whenever I force myself to write something, it may appear OK to readers, but it's probably just another piece of content in their eyes. Keep in mind as you write that the better your writing is, the more that you help your reader visualize your ideas, you are doing them a great service.

Reading is the best proven way to expand the human mind. Make sure that the words your readers are resolving in their minds are worth their valuable time on this earth. Otherwise eventually the apathy will set in, and could even, heavens forbid, lead to even the promise of a paycheck not being enough motivation to turn out anything resembling your best work.



So, what is my resolution to overcome writer's apathy? Just write... but resolve what I resolve to write in such a way to break it down and find a new perspective on the topic at hand. That may just be the trick for resolving such horrible writing apathy once and for all.

Afterwords

When I resolve to write these definition types of essays, I often wonder what may be lost in translation for my non-English readers. The very “rich” nature of my native language opens itself up to a wide array of definition essay style prosaic pieces. In other words, so many English words have so many different official and unofficial definitions that the angles to take can be many.

But I believe the way in which I am choosing to resolve these essays makes it easy to follow my foray into the English definitions and how I personally interpret them. Definition essays work for any language. Sometimes, you just have to dig a bit deeper.


What does the word resolve mean to you? I'm always curious to see how things translate. Perhaps this sort of definition discovery is what every writer needs once in awhile, to question the very words we use every day and put them in perspective, no matter what language we may use.

~ Amelia <3

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With YCN, Bubblews, Helium, & Squidoo Gone, Where Should Writers Post?

11/17/2015

 
by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
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Shutdown Message by Bubblews.com; Screenshot by Lyn Lomasi
First Helium, then Squidoo, then Yahoo Contributor Network (YCN), and now Bubblews.com -- these extremely popular online venues for writers have all shut down, some with warning, others not so much. With so many writing platforms closing their doors in the past few years, what are online freelance writers to do? What should they write and where can web writers post content now? Is there anything left? Fortunately for writers, there are still many options available, even though it may seem there aren’t.

The Recent Closure of Bubblews, Among Others


Just the other day, writers went to Bubblews.com, only to see this message: “Greetings,
After being up and running for almost 3 years now we regrettably need to inform you that we will be shutting Bubblews.com down. The climate for display advertising has drastically changed and made it impossible for us to sustain the business model and operations. We want to thank everyone that was a part of this journey. We wish you all the very best. –Bubblews”

Prior to that, it was YCN, Squidoo, and Helium. At least those sites gave warning beforehand and there was some time for writers to gather up their content and decide what to do with it. Allegedly, this wasn’t the case at Bubblews. It seems to have just closed without preparing writers or giving them the chance to save anything. Though, with all the problems surrounding Bubblews (such as not paying many writers), even without seeing a warning, most aren’t surprised in the least.

Where Can Writers Post Content for Pay Now?

Some writers have been scrambling trying to figure out what to do. Not to worry, though. All is really not lost. There are, in fact, many other venues still in the mix. Write W.A.V.E. Media has a good list of gigs that is updated regularly. In fact, writers can also submit guest posts or apply to be a blogger. Both options allow earning via ad revenue, among other benefits. Your non-exclusive content (that which you previously published at other venues and still hold rights to) is welcome.

There are benefits to guest posting, as well as starting your own blog. Many successful writers choose to do both, as the audiences will vary and it gets your name and links in multiple places. Some sites, like Write W.A.V.E. Media, allow links to your other work, which is great for promotion and backlinks. These sites can get your name out there and even recommend you to additional clientele. Because some of these sites accept non-exclusive content, this helps you continue earning more from the work you’ve already done.

If you don’t already have a writing website, you should try starting one. This can be an excellent way to gain new clients just from search. It also gives you a way to share your writer’s resume with those who are interested and a hub to link back to from guest posts. It helps you look much more professional when you have your own dot com.

You can also sell reprints from your own site, link to sale pages for them from guest posts, and even sell them on sites like constant-content.com. These are far from the only options out there. Writers just need to be a little more persistent in searching for and finding what works for them.

If you have any questions about writing, finding and keeping clients, creating a website, web traffic, or web community management, you can always Ask Lyn Lomasi.

Blogging for Write W.A.V.E. Media: Why Should You?

9/27/2015

 
by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
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We need you to write for us. But why should you? What makes us different from any other company out there? For your convenience, we have listed some of the benefits cited from writing for us.

More control over your earnings

We leave ad placement within your content solely up to each writer (not inclusive of any ads we may already have on any given venue). This means that you get to choose which ads are placed with your content and you manage the account surrounding those ads. We do this to ensure that Our Writers get their ad view counts from someone other than us, in an effort to keep trust.

More control over your content
Any content published on our venues remains your perpetual property. We simply ask you for display rights to place it on any of our sites. Those who go through the Blogger Application process and get approved have access to their designated categories and can post, edit, and delete their own content as they please.

Extra exposure just for being you

When we notice a writer who’s doing an awesome job at providing quality content on the topics that interest them, we give them even more exposure. That means more promotion and more recommendations simply for being you! This is a great opportunity for those promoting causes and ideal near and dear to them, such as animal rescue, LGBTQ rights, homelessness awareness, and many more. The subject is up to you. The exposure is up to us.

We network you

Our Writers are featured across our network of sites, as well as in various social venues. We feature them on our facebook and twitter pages, in emails to prospective clients, and in many other ways. We even allow links to your other content, within reason according to our Submission Guidelines. Our main goal is to spread the word about quality writers and help them find work they deserve.

We teach you

We don't just post your content and profile and ignore you. We offer our blog as a learning tool. But we also will answer questions from writers directly -- things that help you succeed in what you do. This not only ensures Our Writers always produce the best content for us. More importantly, it helps them become better writers overall. Again, our main goal is to tell the world about you and help you get contracts and gigs you deserve.

We want you to have other clients

Say what? Yes, that is correct. Our goal is not to be your only venue of choice. In order to truly know the ins and outs of the writing game, we believe that all web writers should submit to multiple clients and venues. This provides you with a range of experiences that adds to your overall quality as a web writer. In fact, we prefer that you do not use us as a sole source for your writing needs for this purpose. Diversification equates to knowledge and experience.

Ultimately, it is up to each individual which venue or venues will suit their personal needs. We hope this guide has helped in your decision.

Blogging for Write W.A.V.E. Media: How to Get Started

9/27/2015

 
by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
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Image © freeblogphotos; Flickr.com
Are you unsure exactly what direction you should take with us as a writer? Not quite understanding how things operate? This simple guide should navigate you through the beginning steps. If you have questions beyond that, please use our Contact Us form or join the Facebook group, WWM Blogging & Beyond.

Step One: Read, read, read!! -- Before submitting any content or applying, be sure to read all about us and how we work. The Submission Guidelines should be your very first stop to make sure you can write in the free-form styles we are looking for and follow rules. After that, take a look at Our Sites to view content and get an idea of what type of work we accept. We promise you we are very open-minded, but we do of course need to have some grammar and style rules, like any reputable publication should.

Step Two: Decide your goals -- Which of our options best fits your needs? Do you want to write for us on occasion or just once? The Guest Submissions page is probably what you are looking for. We love to hear from a variety of people and this is a good way to get your message heard on one or more occasional issues. Are you looking for a contracted gig? Please check out Gigs With Us and Other Gigs. Perhaps you are looking for a flexible blogging platform with an established audience. Check out our Blogger Application to determine if that may be your answer. We all have unique needs and once you determine what you are looking for, that helps us both decide where to go.

Step Three: Wait and Learn -- At this point, you should know what you would like to do and you will likely be waiting to hear back from us. We generally don't take that long. But we have some experience with that waiting game writers experience. We know it's tough -- even when it's a short time. While you're waiting, brush up on the Submission Guidelines, follow our Blog, browse Our Sites, or chat it up with fellow writers on the Write W.A.V.E. Media Facebook page. We have found as writers that the best way to conquer the waiting game is to read, learn, write, edit, rinse, and repeat.

Good luck!

We look forward to working with you!

That Keyboard Can Be Hazardous To Your Health

6/4/2015

 
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Image courtesy of wikimedia.com
by Dennis Townsend, Contributing Writer

First of all, I’d like to thank everyone for their concerns and well wishes in regards to my latest health scare, and I assure you that while an acute myocardial infraction is nothing to sneeze at, I was fortunate that I live very close to a fire station with great paramedics. And I was also blessed to have one of our city’s premier cardiologist on duty when I arrived at the hospital. But they all tell me that it was my fast thinking in realizing that I was having a heart attack and calling 911. Always remember that all that glitters is not gold, and all chest pains are not “gas”. As my cardiologist was quick to tell me “time waits for no one”, so pay close attention to your health. Well, I feel pretty good, but lifestyle changes are in order and fortunately there was no damage to my heart muscle. With that said, I have come to the conclusion that writers put their health in jeopardy by sitting for long periods of time as medical studies have proven. And that combined with stressing out over lack of ideas, or spending a lot of time with no time outs cultivating ideas that requires a lot of research is a recipe for disaster. But as writers, research is “par for the course"most of the time when you're not sitting in your "think tank."

If you are one who makes a living as a writer, then stress is your middle name. There’s always a deadline to meet, or a certain quota to achieve, but the most stressful thing you have to contend with is wondering if  your article or post will be interesting and cut the mustard with your readers, and if it does, can you continue to hold your followers attention? "Content"… that is the backbone of any writer, and to be placed under the gun constantly is no picnic because you have a tendency to not eat or sleep or go outside for a breath of fresh air in the name of content.Your brain starts turning to mush, and your backside starts to feel like you just took a 500 mile trip in an Army Jeep nonstop. Somehow a writer must establish some boundaries and and maintain some sort of discipline. I write as a hobby, and I enjoy it, and even though I don’t depend on my writings to make a living I still must remember to push myself away from the keyboard a little more often. In this day and age, the keyboard is mightier than the sword.

And believe it or not, writing becomes a lot more enjoyable if you take some time for a “keyboard time-out” during the day. Ideas require a fresh mind and body and as I have said before, carry a small notepad with you for those “light bulb” moments. There has been a lot of debates and studies about health problems associated with people who sit all day at their jobs and it all comes down to blood circulation. While I never stress out worrying about making a deadline, lack of exercise and sporadic eating habits put my body in the same dangerous category as a stressed out deadline writer. Lesson learned.

The last few months have taught me that first and foremost, listen to your body and take time out to smell the roses. That advise is not only meant for those of us who hammer the keyboard day in, and day out, but it’s also for anyone else who finds themselves pulling their hair out by the roots. Your doctor can prescribe many things for your health, but ultimately, it’s up to you to write your own prescription to relax and enjoy life. From now on, I will.

     

DLTPONCHO33

Web Community Managers: Dealing With Spam

2/11/2015

 
by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
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Image by Judith E. Bell via Flickr.com
Part of managing an online community includes keeping it as spam-free as possible. In order to do this, you’ll need to be clear and consistent with members. This doesn’t mean you have to be mean. In fact, as a community manager, you should have team spirit. Following these simple actions can help you keep control of spam in your community, while still being a team leader and friend.

Set Guidelines

If members are unaware of what they should and shouldn’t do it’s easy for things to get out of hand. Set clear guidelines that people can understand and access easily. This will help members to understand what they should and shouldn’t be doing. Some people may break the rules anyway. However, most people will follow the rules if they are visible and made clear.

Have Security Measures in Place

Do you know what you’re going to do if someone gets out of control in your community? Have you set up an easy plan for banning people or contacting authorities (if necessary)? While these actions should be as minimal as possible (on an as needed basis), you do need to have a security plan in place. Your community should have security plans for banning, spam control, hacking, and more. These can all occur separately or together. Therefore, you should be prepared as such. 

Remove Violations as Quickly as Possible


When a member violates a rule, act as quickly as possible. This keeps things clear, safe, and secure for all members. It also lets violators know you won’t tolerate their spammy behavior. The longer spam is left up, the more it can bother legitimate members and encourage the behavior from other possible violators. Let people know you are serious about avoiding spam in your community. When violations are removed, it is wise to let community members know the reasons why it was removed and point to the violating rule, where possible.

Stick to the Rules When Punishing Spammers


Follow the same rules for all members and for all types of spam. This way, most people will feel they are being treated fairly. Sometimes people can feel actions are unfair. But if you treat all actions as streamlined as possible, it can help avoid these feelings. It’s important to let people know you are serious about violations. But you still want your members to feel like they are part of a team and they need to know that you appreciate and respect them all. You simply have to follow the rules to keep the community safe and desirable for everyone.

Why Your Website Needs Responsive Design

2/11/2015

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by Dale Shadbegian, 118Group.com
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Image by adactio via Flickr.com
Many websites are lacking a feature that they desperately need in today’s environment. if you don’t know what responsive design is, chances are your website doesn't have it. The problem is that websites without it will be seen by less people. There are several questions people often ask about responsive design. Here are some of the most common, along with reasons why your website needs responsive design.

What is Responsive Website Design?

Responsive website design is exactly what it sounds like. It’s when a website responds appropriately to the device it’s being accessed from. A website properly coded to do this will display at the appropriate screen resolution or size, whether it’s pulled up on a tablet, desktop, smart phone, laptop, or other internet-capable device. For example, if you were to pull up a website on your smart phone, it should show you the same things you see on your laptop, but at an appropriate size and resolution for the phone.

Can’t I Just Program the Screen Sizes In?

While this was a good solution in the past, it’s no longer this simple. There are so many varying screen sizes now. This makes it more sensible to have someone who knows what they’re doing program a responsive script into your website. Some people may have larger and wider screens for desktop computers. Some may have both small and large screens on smart phones and these can vary greatly in size and shape. This makes it hard to program in every possible resolution.

Why Should I Bother Redesigning My Website?

In order to cater to the largest possible audience, it makes more business sense to have a website that will show for as many people as possible. Responsive design helps ensure that screen resolution issues will be minimal to none. By taking the time to have your site redesigned now, you’ll be possibly setting yourself up to earn more in the future. Without this capability, your website may not earn as much it has the potential to.

What Can Responsive Design Do For My Website?

When your readers can properly see images, videos, text, and other interactive content without running into issues, they are more likely to return. However, users who have trouble accessing a website properly upon the first load are less likely to try accessing it again. Responsive design can help ensure that the majority of your users can view the content in the best way possible for their given devices.

How Can I Make My Site More Responsive?


While some may be capable of doing this on their own, if you don’t have experience, it is best to leave it to a professional web designer. Someone more experienced in the field will be able to properly design and program the script that fits your specific website. The benefits of responsive design far outweigh the risks of not having a site that is accessible to a large audience. Contact 118group.com today for a quote on responsive design services.

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Best Article Writing Tips from Career Professionals

1/27/2015

 

Freelance Writers Share Their Best Advice

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
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When getting started in writing, it can be very useful to consult the pros. But perhaps you haven't met any yet and are just looking for some quick hints before networking with other writers. Maybe you just want some extra hints or a reminders to keep you going. I recently asked a group of my writing peers to share the best writing advice or tips they ever received. What are some of the best tips you've heard?

"Do your homework before jumping in. If you write an article without knowing what a company expects, you set yourself up for failure and will be discouraged. There are an infinite amount of resources of available, take time to read them so you know what the company wants." - Amy Brantley in Bryson City, North Carolina

"Don't write for only one site or client. That way, if the site or client stops requiring your services, you have other sources of revenue." - Sandra Petersen in Two harbors, Minnesota

"Write about things you are passionate about. Your readers will be able to tell, if it is something you really believe in." - Brett Day in Moore, Oklahoma

"The best writing advice I received when I first started writing, was to make my articles reusable, as most of my work will never go out of style, I can promote at will, to maximize page views." - Cheri Majors in Covina, CA

"Rewrite! Edit! Refine! Restructure! Delete! Spend as much time editing as you do writing. Editing, to me, is a ruthless process of removing anything that gets in the way of saying what I want to say." - Tsu Dho Nimh in Phoenix, Arizona

"'Write what you know.' It sounds corny, but as a Montessori educator, it has helped me find a niche in an area where there hasn't yet been a lot published." Andrea Coventry in Rochester, NY

"The best advice I received and initially scoffed at was "write what you know." Time and again, the work bears this out. Writing on topics that you have an intimate knowledge of shows in ways no amount of research can make up for and the rewards or pay supports this." - Theresa Leschmann in Southern Illinois

"The best advice I received when I began writing was not to take criticism personally. Now I take it with a grain of salt and see what I can learn from it. It's made me a better writer even though I'm still improving my skills." - Laurie Childree in Dothan, Alabama

"Learn what SEO techniques are, and how to use them in writing articles. This especially applies to article titles; I used to write 'Game Review: Title' until I learned SEO methods." - Lori May in Wheat Ridge, Colorado

"I never knew I could write until my college friends asked why I didn't. Feedback, positive or negative is always helpful. I'm a good writer but I'm a great re-writer." - Jeff Rogers in Honolulu, Hawaii

"Break the rules. When I started knowing what you shouldn't do in terms of approaching editors and the like, I had a tougher time. In the beginning, I could not be deterred. If you have no clips, work for free in areas you want to be an expert in. Donate your words to causes that mean something to you. Then, know your worth and be able to walk away from a job." - Kim Remesch in Baltimore, Maryland    


*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network

How to Get Private Clients as a Freelance Writer

1/27/2015

 
by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
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Image (c) Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved
There are many different online sites to write for, many of which I love utilizing. However, freelance writers also have the amazing opportunity of acquiring private clients. There are so many different ways to do this. I will share some of my most successful methods.

Get Your Name Out There

Start a blog. Submit articles to various websites. Websites that give you a profile page can work very well for this. You basically want to establish one or more areas where there are many examples of your work to showcase. The more the better, but this can still be beneficial to beginners as well.


Be sure that wherever you do this, there is a way for potential clients to contact you. You don’t want to put out your email address all over the web, unless you like spam emails. However, there are ways to set up contact forms that you can link to or post as a widget on any blog or website with a little html. Don’t worry newbies, it’s just a little copy/paste stuff – you don’t have to know what it means to use it. Visit EmailMeForm for an example of what I’m talking about.

Start a Website

Start up your own website. It doesn’t really cost that much to start a website. There are many websites that will host yours for free and domain names are pretty cheap and easy to obtain. If you know how to write code (html, Java, CSS…), you can start from scratch and completely build the site layouts and everything yourself. Or, if you either have no clue what I just said or are lazy, there are sites out there that have ready-made templates and you just plug stuff into it where you want it.


Anyway, I noticed that once I started my own website, it was easier to implement other methods of finding clients. Either they come to my site through a search for me or for a freelance writer. Also, there are other ways to use the site to my advantage as a freelance writer, which I will mention below.

Post On Freelance and Job Boards

Throw your name out there on freelance and job boards. Show your writing skills in what you post. If you have a website, your ad or resume does tend to look more professional. If your website also displays or links to samples of your work, you have an even better chance of being contacted.

Post On Craigslist

Craigslist also is a great place to post a resume if you’re looking for private writing gigs. Just like with the job board thing, having a website to reference makes your resume or posting look more professional. When clients can actually see what you are doing for a living via a website, they can have more faith in your abilities and that’s what you want.


Print Up and Distribute Business Cards

If you want freelance writing to be your career, treat it like one. Print up some business cards and keep them with you at all times. You never know when you’ll have that opportune moment to pass one out. Also, you never know who will need a professional writer. Give extra copies to close friends and family that don’t mind helping out. They can pass them on to others who might be able to use your services. Network with businesses that may need the type of writing that you do. At the right moment, let them know what you do and present them with your business card. Business cards show professionalism and a business card that displays a website is even better.


Do a Web Search

Search for phrases such as "online writing gigs", "submission guidelines," "get paid to write," and "article submissions." I spend a ton of time doing this and you'd be surprised at how many results there are. I love coming up with new phrases to look for and seeing what I can find. After that point, it's all about contacting whoever has posted the info you find.

IRS Payment Plan or IRS Tax Settlement

1/4/2015

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By Stacey Carroll

J.K. Lasser's Your Income Tax 2015: For Preparing Your 2014 Tax Return

There is nothing worse than calculating your taxes, owing a lot of money and looking at your bank accounts and credit cards and realizing you do not have the funds to pay. It's worse if you have a low wage job or work for yourself. I fall into the latter category. I work for myself and paying income taxes falls solely on me. This results in my owing taxes to the federal government every year.

Filing And Owing

I file my taxes on time every year regardless of my ability to pay. The penalties for not filing are worse than not paying, and the IRS recommends that taxpayers file a tax return whether they have the funds to pay or not.

Failure to file a return can result in the IRS filling out a substitute tax return for you. The substitute return will not include every deduction and credit. Typically, they only include the earned income and the single exemption that every taxpayer can claim. This results in owing more taxes than you actually owe. Because of this scenario, I make sure to file my taxes by the April deadline every year.

Inability To Pay

Tax bills are often several hundred or several thousand dollars. I never have that much money in any of my bank accounts. Thankfully, the IRS offers several ways to pay, including payment plans and tax bill settlements.

Payment Plans

The IRS offers affordable payment plans for as low as $25 a month. In order to set up a payment plan, I had to call the IRS and request one. During the conversation, the woman asked me how much I could pay a month. I said $25 since I already knew the lowest amount they would accept. The catch to the IRS payment plans is that the entire balance must be paid by the tax filing deadline of the next year. If I still owe money to the IRS and I owe more money after filing, my payment plan could be deemed void, which would require calling the IRS again.

IRS Tax Settlement

An IRS tax settlement is called an "Offer in Compromise" and works similar to a traditional debt settlement agreement. The individual or business must complete and submit one of two lengthy forms; either IRS Form 433-A or Form 433-B and pay a $150 application fee. Along with the application fee, taxpayers must also submit a money order or a cashier's check for 20 percent of their offer. If approved, the remaining amount must be paid in five or fewer payments to the IRS.

Individuals that qualify for low income do not have to submit any money with the application. However, when I looked over the paperwork, I realized I needed to include all of my bank statements, investment accounts and assets as well as business expenses and liabilities. This option would have required me to hire a tax professional to fill out all the forms and ensure the calculations were correct. Since my bill wasn't thousands of dollars, I decided against this route.

My Payment Plan

I worked out an agreement with the IRS to pay them $25 a month until my tax debt is paid off. My total tax bill amounted to just over $600. Unfortunately, $25 a month will not pay off my tax bill by April 15, 2013. This means that before April 15th, I need to call the IRS and pay the remainder of my tax bill. If I fail to pay off my 2012 tax debt before April 15th, I risk losing my payment plan and having to renegotiate with the IRS.

Not Communicating

If I had chosen not to communicate my financial hardship with the IRS, the IRS could have placed tax levies against my home. They could have frozen all of my bank accounts, issued wage garnishments against my income and taken my car and any other personal property they deemed valuable enough to sell to cover my tax debt.

How to Pay Zero Taxes 2015: Your Guide to Every Tax Break the IRS Allows
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The Truth About Free Government Grants

12/11/2014

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by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
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Free government grants do exist, but the government does not refer to them as such. They simply call them grants because, after all, that is what they are. Gurus, companies, and others out to make a quick dollar will try to reel you in and get you to buy their information on free grants. Do not give in to them. This information is already free and readily available to the public by The United States Government. You should never have to pay to receive this information.

Why would someone want to pay for something that is free? Better yet, why should they have to?

The United States Government already has topic-specific websites in place full of this information, as well as 1-800 numbers to call if you choose to gain the information that way instead.

Not only have the sellers of this "top-secret information" lied to the public by claiming that you must buy their programs, books, or other products to receive this information, but they have also led innocent people to believe that most of these grants are available to an individual person. While there are specific grants that are available to individuals, most grants are reserved for small businesses and non-profit organizations.

An individual person is not likely to get a grant to pay off a mortgage. Statements like this are simply made by these companies to get you to purchase their products. They tell you that unless you purchase what they are offering, you cannot find out about these grants. Well, in a sense they are correct, but not in the way you are led to think. That statement is correct because once you purchase their product, you will find out what they say about it. However, you will likely be disappointed when you contact the government agencies they mention. The reason for the upset is simple. The government will tell you that what you are asking for does not exist.

While the government does give farming, housing, business, college, education, and house building grants, these grants are given to non-profit organizations that help people. They are not given to individuals.

While individual grants do exist, the types of grants more commonly given to individuals is different than our expectations based upon what we are seeing and hearing in these ads.

An individual grant falls more along the lines of food stamp programs, section 8 vouchers, FAFSA, job training (not college; these are small courses designed to help those who have never worked or those who haven't worked in a long time transition into the working world), nursing traineeships, Head Start program, welfare/TANF/AFDC, scholarships, free vaccinations, and other such programs.

As you can see, while free government grants do exist, we are oftentimes misled as to what exactly they are.

For more information from the United States Government, please refer to the links below:

  • Grants.gov
  • StudentAidEd.gov
  • SBA.gov (Small Business Administration)
  • Benefits.gov (Government Benefits)
  • Search for Grant Opportunities on Grants.Gov

*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network

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Choosing a Debt Recovery Agency for Your Business

12/11/2014

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by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer
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If your company has one or more clients with an outstanding debt, you may be considering hiring a debt recovery agency. Doing so could be beneficial to your company. Before choosing one, there are some things you should know about using a debt recovery agent for your business.

What is Debt Recovery?

Debt recovery is the process of collecting monies owed from clients for goods or services. Debt recovery collections are used when a client either refuses to pay monies owed or cannot pay due to financial constraints.

What is a Debt Recovery Agency Used For?

A debt recovery agency is used by businesses (and sometimes private parties) to recover debts owed by clients. These debts might be for services performed or for goods sold to the client. The debt recovery agency takes over correspondence with delinquent account holders. It is their job to get these clients to pay the debt. Debt recovery agencies provide services such as billing and invoicing, legal services, recovery, collection services and judgment recovery.

How to Choose the Right Debt Recovery Agency

The first thing to remember in choosing a debt recovery agency to work with your business is to look into multiple agencies. A simple way to find multiple sources is by using a company that provides matching services for business-to-business transactions. By researching the practices, services and prices of multiple companies, you can better ensure that your company has made a good choice and is getting a fair deal. If you simply go with the first debt recovery agency you see, you might not be getting a fair price or full potential in services, but you won't know if you haven't looked into other debt recovery collection companies.

Ask questions of each debt recovery collections company and observe their debt recovery in action if possible. Are they fair and ethical with clients? Do they or are they willing to practice business in the same manner as your company when handling your clients? Are they following the law in their debt recovery process? Do not be afraid to examine each debt recovery agency. This will help you determine which one is right for your company and its needs. If you go with business-to-business matching services, this process will be much smoother, as companies will be matched to yours, based on specific criteria.


*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network


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How Do Debt Collection Agencies Work?

12/10/2014

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by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer
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If your business needs to recover client debts, you may be considering hiring a collection agency. Before deciding whether you'll use one or not, you need to know how debt collection agencies work. There are various fees involved in utilizing debt collection agencies, as well as various reasons a business would benefit from using one.



How do Debt Collection Agencies Work?


Debt collection agencies are entities hired by businesses to recover debts owed for goods or services. Debt collection agencies often have a proven track record of getting results and are considered experts in debt recovery. Debt collection agencies work exclusively on debt recovery, allowing you to concentrate on the more pleasant aspects of your business.

Why Use Debt Collection Agencies?


A business may choose to use debt collection agencies for a variety of reasons. One reason is their proven track record of success in debt recovery. Sometimes clients will respond more readily to a debt collector than to the business they are dealing with. When a debt owed has gone to collections, the client knows that it is one step closer to being reported as debt on their credit report, if it hasn't been already. This prompts many to pay immediately. Also, most people want to avoid court, which is where some companies will take them if the debt cannot be settled through collection agencies.

What Type of Fee Structure Do Debt Collection Agencies Follow?

There are various fee structures depending on the particular debt collection agency used, as well as the dollar amount of the debt. For smaller debts, it would be wise to choose between collection agencies that will charge a flat fee rate. For larger debts, you may want to choose from debt collection agencies that will take a percentage from the debt upon collection or will directly purchase the delinquent account from your business.

Choosing Between Debt Collection Agencies

When choosing between debt collection agencies, ask a lot of questions to make sure you understand how each of the debt collection agencies work. You want to choose a company that is open to following your company's practice in dealing with clients. Also, you want to choose a company that has a proven track record for success as well as professionalism in dealing with clients. The company must also follow ethical collections practices, which are laid out by the law. This is why it's important to review multiple debt collection agencies before making the final decision.


*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network

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Favorite Business Lunch Restaurants in Houston

12/10/2014

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by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer
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Business lunch spots are a must in any city. Houston, one of America's largest cities, is certainly no exception. But, in a city so large and full of options, how do you find the best dining spot for your business solution?

Whatever option you choose, be sure that it fits your business needs. For instance, if you are meeting your boss about an important client, you don't want to choose a fast food restaurant. You would choose something more upscale and formal.

Below I have compiled a list and overview of what I consider to be the best business lunch spots in Houston. There are a variety of options, so no matter your lunchtime business need, these suggestions should be able to help you out.

Texas Land & Cattle


If you're looking for a steakhouse, Texas Land & Cattle could be your choice. There are many menu options at this popular steakhouse. You don't have to be restricted to steak here. You can also find many chicken dishes, as well as specialty salads. The only qualms some have about this restaurant is the lack of choice for vegetarians. It seems the only menu item available for a vegetarian is a salad. While this is a steakhouse, it is still a great spot for either one-on-one lunch meetings or group meetings. Group dining is available here. Texas Land & Cattle is at the average price range for steakhouses.

Pappasito's Cantina


Pappasito's is the ideal business lunch location for a variety of business needs. Pappasito's is a Tex-Mex restaurant, boasting a variety of flavorful menu options. Not only is this a great sit-down restaurant for one-on-one business lunches, it's also perfect for larger parties. There is even a separate area that can be rented out for private parties or meetings - and a Mariachi band will play for you as well. The prices are fair and the food is exceptional. If Mexican food isn't your thing, the same company chain (Pappa's Restaurants) also has Pappadeux Seafood Kitchen, Pappa's Bros. Steakhouse, Pappa's BBQ, Pappa's Seafood House, Pappa's Greek Kitchen (Yia Yia Mary's), Pappa's Burger and Pappa's Grill. All of these are favorites among Houstonians. These restaurants have various locations around the Houston area.

Taco Cabana


If you enjoy Tex-Mex, but aren't looking for the restaurant feel, Taco Cabana might be your choice. You can dine-in or get your food to go. Taco Cabana also has a drive-thru if you and your business partners prefer to take your lunch back to the office or elsewhere. If you choose to eat at Taco Cabana, expect to order your food at the counter and choose your own seating area. Once your order number is called, you'll need to go to the counter to pick up your order. There is also a salsa station so that you can add the salsas of your choice to your food tray. Taco Cabana has many locations all over Houston.

Olive Garden

Olive Garden is an Italian restaurant that is famous for its salad. The lunch menu has items you would expect to see at an Italian restaurant, such as lasagna, filled pastas, soups, salads, pizza and chicken scampi. There are many more delectable foods to choose from, including a wine menu and dessert. This restaurant is great for one-on-one business meetings or average-sized groups. If your party is a fairly large size, you should call ahead to alert the staff.

Chili's

Chili's is a traditional American-style bar and grill restaurant. Here you can get most traditional American foods, such as hot wings, salads, burgers, nachos and also some specialties exclusive to Chili's. Southwest Eggrolls are a favorite among many Chili's patrons. There is also an alcoholic beverage menu. These items can be ordered from a table or from the bar. If your business meeting is casual, Chili's is an excellent place to go for lunch. You can expect to pay an average of about $9 per entree. However, some are less and some are more.

P.F. Chang's


P.F. Chang's is a bistro-style Chinese restaurant. Here you can find traditional Chinese food, such as lettuce wraps, peking dumplings, wontons, spring rolls, spare ribs, wonton soup, lo mein and more. At P.F. Chang's, you will find menu options for vegetarians as well as meat eaters. This is a more formal dining experience than the previously-mentioned restaurants, which makes it perfect for important business meetings. You’ll get your meal served to you in courses. Expect to pay above average prices for this meal.


*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network

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How to Incorporate Social Media into Your Small Business

12/10/2014

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by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer
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There often comes a point in time when a small business needs to offer a solution for effective communication. This could be communication between employees. It might even be communication between clients, customers or the general public. This is when social media comes into play. A small business may choose to use social media for only one of these groups. Yet another may choose to make social media accessible to all.

What is Social Media?

Social media is the combination of technology and social interaction. Generally, social media is that which is accessed through various Internet tools. The purpose of social media is to have interaction between a group of people involved with the company either directly or indirectly. Each company's specific use will differ.

Social Media Platforms to Consider

Blogging is one social media platform that has become popular for the small business. It allows a company to keep everyone updated on what is going on. Those who read the blog may also leave comments, which create more opportunity for open communication. Another social media platform that a small business might find useful is an online forum where users can post and reply to messages.

Networking websites (like Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus) are also great for a small business to join, as they can help existing people affiliated with the business to communicate, as well as draw in new people and ideas. These are only some of the many social media platforms a small business may consider.


Getting Started With Social Media

The first part of incorporating social media into a small business is deciding whether it will be run from the company's own website or whether various existing websites or platforms would be utilized. If a small business already has a website, it is wise to see which types of social media would be easy to implement into that site's design. This will make it more readily accessible to those who will utilize it.

If that option does not work, the decision should then be made as to whether the small business will pay for its social media or utilize free services. For instance, there are various websites that offer free blogging accounts, free forums and other types of social media. There are also websites and services that may charge a fee to the small business for specialized social media services.


Choosing the Right Social Media

A small business should make its social media decisions based upon the needs of the business, its clients and its customers as well as those of the employees. For instance, let's say a company is looking for simpler communication between its employees when they are not at work. That small business could create a password-protected Internet forum for employees to post and reply to messages at their own convenience.

Yet another small business may want to instead create an Internet forum for interaction between its customers or clients to allow them to relate to each other, as well as to get a feel for what they are looking for. Still another small business may not even have a need for an Internet forum, but prefer to operate an interactive news source instead.

It is important to wisely choose social media and how it will be used. A poor choice in this area could waste time and money that could have been utilized for a more effective social media plan.


*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network

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Benefits of Hiring a Debt Collector for Your Business

12/8/2014

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by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer
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As a business owner, you may find yourself in a situation where a client or customer is refusing to pay or ignoring inquiries. It may go something like this:                        

"Mary, when I spoke to you last week, you said you would pay me Thursday. It is Sunday, and I still see no evidence of a payment."

"I'm sorry, Charles. I tried to get a payment in, but I just can't right now. Can I have another extension?"

"Mary, I've already given you three extensions. I cannot afford to wait for this payment any longer."

If you have been in a scenario like this, you are not alone. Unfortunately, it’s fairly common. Thankfully, a debt collector can help take away some of the stress involved.

What is a Debt Collector?

A Debt collector often is hired by businesses and sometimes private parties to help collect debts that are owed by patrons of the business. There are many ways that a business can benefit from the services of a debt collector. Some of the benefits are obvious, such as the collection of the debt. However, there are many subtle benefits as well.

What Types of Services can Debt Collectors Provide?

A debt collector can handle the job of contacting your clients when they are delinquent in their financial obligations to you. Phone calls, bills and other correspondence related to the financial obligations of your delinquent clients can be handled by a debt collector.

What are the Benefits of Hiring a Debt Collector?

It can be difficult to collect a debt. Clients may give any number of excuses or reasons as to why they have not satisfied their financial obligation to you. If you know your clients well, this can pose a problem. It can be difficult not to sympathize with clients you have established a long term business relationship with. A debt collector will not have the disadvantage of knowing your clients as well as you do. Debt collectors are simply there to collect debts.

Debt collection agencies often will keep track of all correspondence with your clients. In some instances this will not be needed, because hearing from a debt collector often is enough incentive for many people to go ahead and make the payment. But in some situations, people either just will not be able to pay or will flat out refuse to pay. In some of those cases, it may go to court. The records that a debt collector will keep can provide evidence in the case of your business.

How Do I Choose a Debt Collector?

When choosing a debt collector, you should learn about their track record. It's important to look into multiple entities. Choose a debt collector that best suits your business needs. A good debt collector will be willing to handle collection matters legally, as well as in a way that benefits your company and follows its policy.

*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network

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What is POS Software? 

12/7/2014

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by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer
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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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Should You Buy a Used POS System?

12/6/2014

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by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer
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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

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Do You Need a POS Cash Drawer?

12/6/2014

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by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer
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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

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First Person: Why Networking is Essential to Building a Business

12/5/2014

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by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer
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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.


Industry clients can help you satisfy your own clients

Talking to those who seek the services or products you provide can help you gain insights into dealing with your own clients. Of course, you will discuss things with your own clients. But networking with others, whether they become clients or not, can give you a different perspective. They may also help you come up with innovative new ideas.

Network with your audience to keep them satisfied

I am a journalist, which means that I need to keep readers happy. I also own several websites. Much of what I do revolves around content, be it creation, editing, publishing, and even mentoring. It's highly important that I keep up with what my audience is interested in. If I don't know what they want, I could easily lose that audience. Another website or article is just a click away from mine. For this reason, I like to keep an open dialogue with my audience. I will network through social sites and answer questions wherever my work is displayed. I consider my readers to be my friends. This is one thing I have done from the beginning just for the enjoyment. But I quickly learned it was also good business practice.

Where can you network with everyone?


There are many possibilities when it comes to networking. You can join organizations especially geared toward your business. There are also focus groups (online and off), business forums, and seminars. Online forums are a great way to discuss ideas, network with customers, and clients, and even find training materials. Social venues, such as facebook and Twitter can be invaluable. They can allow the space to network with clients, gain clients, network with peers, and even offer customer service. For those leery of adding just anyone to their facebook friends, you don't have to. Set up a public facebook page for business purposes. There are many possibilities. Where you network is not as important as keeping it up and having a variety of sources.

The recommendation to expand networking came near the beginning of my career as a journalist. I firmly believe it is a large reason for many of my successes thus far. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and share things with peers, audience, clients, and customers. When you open up to them, they will be willing to open up to you as well. Everyone has something to teach someone else about every business and networking makes that possible.

*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network
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Managing Late or Missed Deadlines when More Are Ahead

12/5/2014

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Tips from an Overachiever

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer
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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.

Prioritize Immediate Tasks

Look through your work and decide which assignments could be held off and which need to be done right away. When figuring this out, consider what each client is using the assignments for as well as how they will feel about the tardiness. If the client absolutely needs them right away and will not be happy without them, those need to come first. It's not good to have any late assignments, but if you find yourself in this position, know the wants and needs of your clients and prioritize immediate tasks based on that.

Turn in Close Deadlines Before Certain Late Assignments

If you have deadlines very close and you also have late assignments, write the articles on deadline first if possible. This helps ensure you will not also be late for those assignments. Better to be late for only a few articles than add several more. It's easy to get in a pattern of being late when you write for a living because more and more work keeps coming in.


Make an Action Plan

If you are habitually turning assignments in late, either you have unavoidable life issues or you just need to rework the schedule - possibly both. As a mom of multiple children, I often have things come up that keep me from my work. This is one of the major reasons I decided to freelance for a living. I love writing and I can be at home with my kids and make money. But of course, as a mom, the kids must always come first. This can sometimes be bad for business. Therefore, each time it starts to look like things aren't working, I must make an action plan. This may mean reorganizing the schedule, but it also may mean recommending another writer to certain clients. It's important to realize the point at which you just cannot handle anymore work.

Break as Needed

You can't work 24 hours. OK, yes, it's possible. Sadly, I speak from experience. I've done it - more than once. But it's not wise and I would never recommend it. In fact, on one of such binges, I once published a private message as an article that I could not delete myself. Very bad idea. The message was not anything special or revealing and the issue was resolved by staff of that particular venue, but it was embarrassing and unnecessary. Had I gotten some rest, it likely would not have happened at all. Take breaks when you're tired, no matter how many deadlines are in front of you. No deadline is worth risking your health over. Clients will appreciate the quality work that comes from you being well-rested.


*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network
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Should Employees Network During Business Hours?

12/2/2014

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Are Social Networks a Good or Bad Idea While on the Job?

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer
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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.

Multitasking is a desirable trait. Networking via social sites while on the job shows the higher-ups that you can do more than one thing at a time. This is beneficial because most positions require a great deal of multitasking and switching back and forth from varied assignments. For instance, a manager might interact with customers, direct employees, answer emails and phone calls, solve issues, and much more
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
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Benefits of Electronic Point of Sale (POS) Equipment

11/28/2014

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


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