What every web writer needs to know about submitting copy to a web designer

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When you work as a web writer, you’re part of a team … whether you realize it or not.

There’s your client, editors, project managers, proofreaders, and web designers. And, you all work together to make a project happen. How easy or hard you make the project for everyone else can have a big impact on whether or not you get hired again. Your end-client may love your writing, but if the project manager says you were difficult to work with, chances are that future projects with that client will go to a new writer.

The web designer is a key player whose life you want to make as easy as possible. When you format your copy to make it look beautiful, but do it without thinking about the web designer’s job, then the web designer has to go through and either reformat the whole thing or fix the formatting you’ve done so it displays properly for the Web.

Think about how much easier you’ll make life for a web designer if you submit copy that she has to alter very little in order to place it online.

You may be wondering, “Why should I care?”

For two reasons. Because the web designer could affect whether you get repeat work … and she could provide you with valuable referrals. Making life easier for your web designer puts you in a strong position to land bigger projects and more of them.

Formatting Made Easy

Fortunately, Word has built-in formatting tools that can make your copy look how you’d like and yet communicate everything necessary to the web designer — without introducing errors into your copy. When used correctly, much of Word’s formatting will transfer almost seamlessly into HTML when placed into the visual editor of most content managers like WordPress.

Unfortunately, Read more »

Motivate Yourself Now: Confessions of a Fake Valedictorian

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Dear Web Writer,

I’ve confessed just about everything else here at the Reality Blog, so I may as well share this — especially since it could give you a confidence boost so you move forward, faster, in your writing career.

I’m really not as smart as a lot of people think I am.

Why do I think they think I’m smart? For one thing, I graduated first in my class from high school. So, most folks who knew me then and know me now are under the misconception that I’m brainy.

And for another thing, I’ve excelled as a freelance writer to the point where I make a healthy income working part-time hours.

Am I naturally smart? I wish! So many things would be easier if I had innate intelligence!

Yet that’s not the case at all. I actually had proof of this back in high school, when several schoolmates surpassed me — by a lot — on tests like the SATs and ACTs. (That even includes my now-husband, but then-rival, Craig!)

The one thing I did right back then was to aim high across all challenges. High enough to be recognized, but not necessarily as high as was possible.

That meant making sure I got at least a 90% grade average in all my classes. At our school, an “A” was an “A” and it didn’t matter whether you averaged 90% or 99%.

I guess I never felt the need to get “perfect” grades and aim any higher, because like I said — an “A” was an “A.” Plus, being able to relax my efforts in subjects that came easily to me (like lovely English) freed up time to work harder in classes that challenged me (like rotten Chemistry).

Why Web Writers Needn’t Be “Perfect”

What’s interesting is that Read more »

Creating an Effective Website for Your B2B Writing Services

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Apr
12
12:00 pm

Date: April 12th, 2012

Time: 12pm, Eastern Time

Topic: B2B websites

Presenter: Steve Slaunwhite

One question that many web writers have is how to create an effective website for their services. As a follow up to Steve’s recent event on White Papers, Wealthy Web Writer wanted to share a previously recorded event where Steve reveals his tips and insights for setting up and maintaining a successful website for your B2B writing services.

The event playback is now available.

Enjoy!

This event is reserved content for Wealthy Web Writer platinum members. To access this event, please log in or become a member today.

5 Self-Promotion Techniques Every Entry-Level Web Writer Should be Using

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Apr
18
3:00 pm

Date: April 18th

Time: 3pm, Eastern Time

Topic: Self-Promotion

Presenter: Heather Robson

Whether you’re new to web writing or an established freelancer, self promotion is just one of those things that you’ve got to do. But, it doesn’t have to be intimidating. It can even be fun. In today’s event Managing Editor, Heather Robson, shares five self-promotion strategies that are easy to use, effective, and even enjoyable.

You’ll learn:

  • Why you must have an online presence and the easiest way to make that happen immediately.
  • Three effective networking tools you already have in your arsenal and how to leverage them.
  • An easy way to identify clients who have an immediate need for your services.
  • Instant credibility boosters you can start using immediately.
  • And, much more.

Join us and find out how you can become a self-promotion dynamo almost overnight.

This event is reserved content for Wealthy Web Writer platinum members. To join this event, please log in or become a member today.

15 Minutes to Fame: Your Project Notebook

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Do you keep a project notebook?

When you’re a web writer, there’s a lot on your plate. And, nearly every web writer I’ve ever met is always ready and willing to add a little bit more … whether you’re building a new income stream, taking on a new marketing strategy, or lining up work with a new client.

All that can add up to a sense of overwhelm, which can lead to procrastination, frustration, and stress … not to mention missed deadlines.

But, a project notebook can help prevent all that. A project notebook helps you to make realistic plans and set sensible timelines for your various projects. It’s also a place where you can create a running list of milestones, tasks, and questions, so you always know which step to take next.

More often than not, procrastination is the result of uncertainty. You get behind because you aren’t sure what to do next. A project notebook creates certainty and that helps you stay on top of things. I actually keep two project notebooks — one for projects I’ve set for myself and one for client projects.

When I decide I want to move forward with a project, one of the first things I do is pull out my project notebook so I can create a project map. My project map includes my deadline, major milestones, steps I need to take, actions I need others to take, and major questions I need answered. Then, whenever I’ve scheduled time to work on a specific project, I open up my project map and I can immediately see exactly what I need to do next.

My project map isn’t set in stone. I update it regularly as the project progresses and new questions come up or I identify new tasks that I hadn’t Read more »

Websites, videos, emails, and more!

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Company: Lexia
Location: Concord, Massachusetts
Overview: Copywriter; Full Time

Description
As the copywriter, you’ll be responsible for creating consistent, branded messages across a variety of media, including website content, video scripts, and email messages.

Requirements
You should be a seasoned copywriter with experience managing freelancers. A background writing for the educational industry is preferred.

Apply Now

5 Ways You Can Become A Celebrity Expert Through Guest Posting

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At last year’s AWAI Bootcamp, Dan Kennedy revealed that one of the best ways to increase your value (and your income) was to be perceived not just as an expert, but as a “celebrity” within your industry.

It’s a savvy marketing strategy.

If you are a celebrity in the eyes of your target market, you are the first person they think of — AND they’re usually willing to pay more to work with YOU.

So how can you create celebrity status for you and your business, and win clients and fans?

With guest appearances.

What’s a guest appearance in the world of web writing, you ask? Guest posting.

You may already be familiar with guest posting — the practice of writing articles and blog posts for other people’s websites.

It’s like taking your business on a virtual promotional tour. While the idea of guest posting is relatively simple, there are a few advanced techniques that can help you make the most of this marketing strategy.

Don’t Wait For The Book To Go On Tour

Unlike a book tour, which kicks off after the book is written, you don’t have to wait for a big promotional event. In fact, guest posting works best as a long-term strategy. And, you should start using it as soon as possible, and keep using it on a regular basis.

Some writers make the mistake of guest posting only when they have something specific to sell, such as a course or an e-book, or when client work is scarce. However, sporadically releasing a few guest posts won’t be as effective as distributing content steadily over a few months.

Pick The Right Spotlight (And Be Prepared)

Guest posting can help you build a base of followers, fans, and clients … IF you submit content to the right Read more »

Member Spotlight: Susanna Perkins On Following Through With A BIG Goal

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Dear Web Writer,

“If you know enough to answer someone else’s question, you know enough.”

That’s the wise advice given to us by Susanna Perkins, Wealthy Web Writer’s own Roving Reporter.

Susanna gave us a GREAT interview (see below). But I’ll be honest — it’s taken me much longer than usual to write up the interview simply because I got so caught up in reading Susanna’s website.

That’s because she’s a web writer who’s clearly making it happen. By that, I mean she set a goal (to live overseas), and is following through on that goal, aided in no small way by her web writing.

In fact, Susanna is in the process this very week of choosing a new home — in Panama! (Her website, by the way, is appropriately titled “Future Expats Forum.”)

In my book, she’s got a really great sense of herself, which — let’s face it — not all of us have, at least at the beginning of our freelance careers.

I’m delighted to share Susanna’s candid interview about overcoming self-doubt as a web writer. She’s faced some pretty tough obstacles, and yet overcame them. Now, she’s in the process of building her passive income streams (the thing that most of us, including me, keep saying we’re going to do but haven’t yet).

Enjoy her great perspective on building her expertise and growing her belief in her skills.

To your web-writing success,

Mindy

P.S. Reading this will put a smile on your face, as it did mine. I’m not kidding when I say I’m giddy with excitement to hear about Susanna’s forthcoming success.

If you have any questions or comments for her, post them below, and we’ll make sure she sees them.

Introducing: Susanna Perkins, WWW Founding Member

Why Did You Become a Web Read more »