WritingThoughts

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Why Online Content Is Such a Big Deal for Businesses

January 2nd, 2014 · Comments Off on Why Online Content Is Such a Big Deal for Businesses

Content Marketing Concept

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Why bother to publish content online?

Chances are you might be asking yourself this very question.

After all, you already have a website and you do get some customer inquiries through it. What’s the big deal about content, anyway?

Adding online content, such as blog posts and articles, is a bigger deal than you might think. In this post, I’ll explain why.

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Comments Off on Why Online Content Is Such a Big Deal for BusinessesTags: content marketing · Web Content

10 Online Content Marketing Mistakes Businesses Make

December 26th, 2013 · 2 Comments

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Are you counting on your web copy for leads and conversions?

If you are, you’ll want to pay close attention to this post. Not every business that publishes copy online gets it right. You won’t attract customers unless you really understand content marketing.

In this post I’ll list ten common content mistakes.

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→ 2 CommentsTags: content marketing · Web Content

Three Pieces of Information Your Copywriter Needs to Do a Good Job

December 9th, 2013 · 2 Comments

Copywriter paper hole

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In many ways, copywriters are the unsung heroes of the marketing world. Well-written content can mean the difference between a successful marketing campaign and an utter failure.

But copywriters can’t do a good job unless they have the right information. And it’s up to the client to provide that crucial information.

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→ 2 CommentsTags: Featured · Small Business · Web Content

10 More Words to Cut from Your Writing

November 18th, 2013 · Comments Off on 10 More Words to Cut from Your Writing

word-cut

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By Shanna Mallon

“In the digital age, short writing is king,”

says Roy Peter Clark, president of journalism think tank the Poynter Institute and author of How to Write Short: Word Craft for Fast Times.

People don’t have attention spans for fluff. They don’t want to read language that’s verbose. That’s why, today more than ever, concise online writing is key.

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Comments Off on 10 More Words to Cut from Your WritingTags: Guest Posts · Writing Tips

Why Original Ideas Often Fail

October 28th, 2013 · 2 Comments

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Clients want them. The search engines want them. Social media wants them. The Internet is all about original ideas, or so it would seem.

Yet often, the most popular articles and blog posts are not those with unique ideas. What gives? Why don’t original ideas generate more shares?

In this post, I’ll discuss my thoughts and experiences on why posts and articles with original ideas are not more popular.

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→ 2 CommentsTags: Web Content · Writing Tips

FAQ: What Voice Should I Use?

October 1st, 2013 · Comments Off on FAQ: What Voice Should I Use?

voice

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Clients are often confused about voice. I often get the question “what voice should I use on my web pages and blog?”

Like the answer to so many questions, the answer to this question is…it depends. It depends on who your intended audience is.

It seems that there’s a lot of confusion about voice. The voice you use on your web pages and blog should be the voice that your intended audience is most comfortable reading.

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Comments Off on FAQ: What Voice Should I Use?Tags: Frequently Asked Questions · Writing Tips

Book Review: Promote Yourself

September 2nd, 2013 · Comments Off on Book Review: Promote Yourself

Marketing your freelancing business is important. I’ve been writing posts that stress the importance of marketing for over five years now. Perhaps that’s why I was given the chance to review Dan Schawbel’s new book, Promote Yourself: The New Rules For Career Success.

Dan is also the author of Me 2.0 and the Managing Partner of Millennial Branding, a Gen Y research and consulting firm.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book, but was not paid to write this post. I am not an affiliate for either of Dan’s books.

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Comments Off on Book Review: Promote YourselfTags: Reviews

Book Review: Chicken Soup for the Writer’s Soul

August 19th, 2013 · 4 Comments

Portion of fresh Noodle Soup

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Writing can be a thankless job. Often, your immediate family doesn’t get it. Even if you do a fantastic job, no one seems to notice. It can feel like you’re all alone.

Really, that’s what Chicken Soup for the Soul, Inspiration for Writers (not an affiliate link) is all about. It lists common challenges many writers face.

Disclosure:
I received a review copy of this book, but was not paid to write this post. I am not an affiliate for this book.
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→ 4 CommentsTags: Inspiration · Reviews

How to Reach the Right Audience for Your Content

June 13th, 2013 · 7 Comments

target-audience

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Good content isn’t good content unless it reaches the right people.

Audience relevance, along with quality web content and social media engagement, is an important part of an effective content marketing strategy.

The best content out there is like a finely tuned instrument–it hits all of the right notes with its target audience.

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→ 7 CommentsTags: Web Content

What Is Quality Web Content? 7 Characteristics that Indicate Quality

May 30th, 2013 · 6 Comments

Hand drawing Content flow chart with white chalk on blackboard.

©iStock.com/IvelinRadkov

Along with social media engagement, quality web content is one of the vital elements of effective content marketing. Yet many small businesses get content wrong.

Most small businesses think that just because they publish often or publish extra long pieces, it’s enough. They’re wrong and that mistake could be costing them clients.

In this post, we’ll explore what really makes quality web content.

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→ 6 CommentsTags: Web Content · Writing Tips