Writing for the
Web - Isn't it Your Time To Get Started?
By John Alexander
Be encouraged - Here are a Few Tips to Ponder if you Want To Write for the Web
This is the year of the writer.
If you have heard me say that before maybe you wonder why I say that?
Literally with a little practice, nearly anyone who has a message to share can be published today online and even within major publications.
Before I explain this further, I'd also like to encourage those out there who already know deep down that they are writers.
How many times have you heard people say, "I wish I could become a writer."
It's always amazing that when I talk to these types of folks, they express the wish to write, but something or someone has discouraged them or prevented them from ever trying to get started.
For some people, they often have written something. But perhaps no one has ever encouraged them or taught them about the high demand for well written material.
For these types of people, I don't need to tell you that you can write because you already know it - the trouble is just getting a start. Then for some new writers, there is nearly a fear to show someone what they've written, as if to say that if their work gets published - "Now the whole world will be able to read what I think" and it generates a certain fear of
critical opinions etc. If this is you, then relax.
I think at some point, every published writer has had a point when they started, that they may have a similar
thought
and ultimately took the plunge with their first project.
What type of writing is in demand today?
There is a demand for fresh articles in the form of:
- Tutorials
or "How to" articles
- Technical
writing
(for those with technical experience)
- SEO copywriting
- News
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Product reviews
- Interviews
and the list goes on and on. |
- Educational style columns
- Opinions
- Thousands of Blog categories
- Updates about your industries
changes
- Motivational
- Inspirational stories
- E-books
|
You name it and there is likely a demand for it especially thanks to the Internet and the digital age.
Anyone who has a message to share and if you can write useful, engaging content
to share those messages then with even only a little practice you can build your online business presence.
Okay, let's also talk for a minute about the old style of writing
(for those who may still be doing things old school.)
For those who have been doing things the same way for years and
you may wonder about making that jump to the digital age
consider the benefits we have this year compared to the older
format. Gone are the days when you had post a letter in the
mail, with a query letter and a self addressed return envelope
(which often required postage too) to an editor. You waited
sometimes for a few weeks to see if they'd like your latest
article (often getting a rejection letter.)
There are some still doing this old school style of course, but why spend money on postage when many publications all have resources online.
They tell you what types of submissions they are looking for
as well as give you their author guidelines right up front.
The main benefit in the way things are done today (for the
online publishers) is the savings in your time (since
communication is by e-mail) savings in postage and the range
of demand for good writers has excelled.
Just think of all the companies out their with Blogs that need
support along with every category under the sun from social
blogs to very topic specific ones.
Whether you are just getting started or whether you are experienced, but just have not tried working with the Internet, you need to make the
jump to the digital age. For those of you who wonder why I'm
writing this, it is for those who still have not made the
jump. Thanks to everything available online and through Social
Media, the opportunity abounds for those who already write.
I know there are always some new readers who say, "but I am
just not a writer. What about me?" |
|
Guess what? You are not alone.
I know, because I use to say and think exactly the same thing to myself years ago.
But guess what?
If you begin to listen to the encouraging voices around you
(particularly if you become friends with a writer) the most of
the time, it's just getting started. Some may think to
themselves, so what do I write about?
The best rule here if your getting started, is to write about
something you know or something that you enjoy writing about.
If you are creating your own original work, from your own
insights and experience, then you will never run dry of ideas.
When I first started, I chose to write a lot about keyword
research and eventually about keyword forensics and user
behavior in search. Some of older articles are listed here on
the topic of working
with keywords in Wordtracker.
Before long, I was actually invited to join Wordtracker
support for a while to answer keyword related questions for
their customers. Then a few of my articles were published by
Wordtracker right
on their Web site. Needless to say, Wordtracker is now
publishing many other articles in the years since they started
building up their help section, but in the early days there
were a lot of questions people needed help with.
So let's get back to you and choosing your topics. In short,
Internet Marketing legend Michael Campbell puts it quite
nicely when he says, "You should always pick your topic
or subject matter based on something that you are passionate
about." Michael's advice on copy writing for the Web and
particularly effective sales copy is always excellent and in
our first projects, Michael would drop into our Workshops and
share some awesome information in the early SEO Workshops we
conducted in Vancouver.
There has never been more opportunities to get started with
your writing than there are today, right now.
Even if you tend to feel critical of your own effort (lots of people are there own worst critics) remember that you will become a better writer just by reason of practice.
Each time you write something, you'll gain a little experience
a little more momentum and then nothing will be able to keep
you from forging ahead. Like anything else in life, by practice you can improve the value your content delivers.
You will build your own style of information delivery "which is referred to as your voice."
I encourage you to make a start.
Don't listen to the wrong voices (that tell you that you can never do it.)
But begin to listen to the positive voices around you and consider making friends with other writers
who already know it's possible and are successfully writing. The best way to learn a new skill or
refine one is to learn from someone who already is successfully doing the job.
In a few days, I'll add a link to this page so if you check back, you'll be able to read an
Interview I recently was asked to do on the topic of "article marketing and "writing for the Web."
In the meantime, be greatly encouraged to make a start. Make it your goal to create
useful content that is tailored to your audience. Make it relevant
so that your customers will welcome your content as a helpful resource
and you'll be on your way.
If you already are writing on business related topics,
then a few good places to start getting published are:
http://www.EvanCarmichael.com
http://www.ezinearticles.com
http://goarticles.com
For those of you who will be joining us at
our upcoming SEO mastery Workshop on Feb. 23-25 in San
Antonio, I'll be sharing a lot more about writing for the Web
along with all the freshest SEO skills. If you missed
last weeks article it's here :
SEO
Copywriting and Article Writing - Your Gateway to Higher
Traffic and New Readers
If you can't make it to
the Workshop, be sure to at least check back here next week
for a new link to
my most recent Interview in which I share even more tips on writing for the Web.
NOTE: I'll add the link as soon it becomes
available early next week.
About John Alexander
John Alexander is Co-director of Training at Search
Engine Workshops offering live, SEO Workshops with his
partner SEO educator Robin Nobles, author of the very first
comprehensive online search engine marketing courses. John
has
taught SEO skills to people from 87 different countries world
wide. John is also Director of Search
Engine Academy with localized Search Engine Academy
training centers where the Complete SEO Mastery Workshop and 6
Month Mentoring program is taught locally to business
owners and individuals in
communities across North America and and
Internationally in Asia and Australia.
