Online writing is already a booming business, and so many writers are making a lot of money from it. Be it freelance content writing, copywriting, blogging, or creating e-books, everyone seems to want a piece of it. But if you are new to online writing, you may wonder where to start and how to reap its benefits.
Looking for advice, you would most probably ask someone who is already making money from writing—either an old friend or a renowned writer on social media. Writer friends or colleagues have many ways of telling one how to become a writer, including what courses to take.
However, they won’t tell you whether the courses they suggest are useful to you and your writing aspirations. It’s up to you to figure out what course will help you launch your online writing career. But with a myriad of online writing courses popping up every day, the fear of analysis paralysis is always present.
So how do you choose a writing course that is best for you?
That is the question this post will answer. I will offer you all you need to know so that you don’t waste money on a course that will not deliver value.
Continue readingA reporter’s role is sometimes seen as a lowly occupation, but the truth is that a journalist must be multi-disciplined. The smaller the publication, the wider the range of skills needed. And these skills can be applied to other kinds of writing.
Whether you’re just setting out as a writer or have years of experience behind you, I recommend taking a job or internship at a regional newspaper.
While major publications may ask for a journalism degree, a small-town paper is likely to take you on if you can string words together while making coffee for the boss.
I was already an established freelance writer when I decided to take a job at my local newspaper, hoping to expand my skills. In fact, I was in my 50s, making me probably the oldest “cub reporter” in the business.
My predecessor had enrolled in a university course in journalism, hoping to further her career. Within weeks, she’d returned home, asking for her old job back.
“I’d done it all before,” she complained.
She clearly didn’t recognize what a valuable training course the role of junior reporter was. Unluckily for her, I’d already been appointed to her former post and I was learning the same skills she had while drawing a salary.
Continue readingDo you know what vanity metrics and analytics are?
Have you ever opened up a tracking program (like Google Analytics or Fathom or Clicky) and stared at all the data – unsure what is the most important?
If your answer is anything even vaguely related to “Hell to the frickin’ yes!”, then you are not alone.
These days, you can find metrics and statistics to validate or invalidate anything.
Continue readingEven after engaging in a few video calls or virtual hangouts, I admit I am still nervous to speak in front of a webcam. In most cases, especially before a call, I will Google desperately for ways to engage better, but everything falls flat immediately when the conversation begins. Even my usual mantra doesn’t help!
I believe I have some kind of social anxiety that makes me turn down any conversation or interaction via a webcam. Or maybe it’s imposter syndrome, making me hide behind emails.
Camera shyness is a typical thing for most people, especially millennials. One survey found that 73% of millennials still prefer to communicate through email and aren’t comfortable with web conferencing. Many, like me, are struggling with social phobia.
That leads to live videos, virtual communication, and virtual hangouts being immensely underutilized by the millennial workforce.
If you provide writing services, chances are you will need to speak to prospective clients, sources, and other writers through platforms such as Skype, Zoom, and Google Meet.
While each person may have valid reasons to avoid virtual interactions or online interactive events, such connections can offer you additional skill sets that you can draw from in your career and business.
Let’s look at ways virtual interactions and hangouts can help you in your work. From realizing the power of web meetings to fighting writer’s block using virtual technology, modern solutions have a lot to offer to a writer.
Continue reading