How to Write When Kids are Home for the Summer

There’s no greater fear for a work-at-home parent than when the school year comes to a close. Kids spend the days fighting, asking for popsicles and moaning about how bored they are, which makes for a miserable writing environment.

I’ve been there! Here's some tips for writing during the summer break:

• Take your kids to an indoor playground, like the ones at McDonald's, and let them play while you work using a laptop, your phone or a notebook.

• Write during naps.

• Set the kids loose in the backyard while you work at a picnic table or in a lawn chair.

• Write after the kids go to bed.

• Grab a waterproof notebook and jot down ideas while everyone plays at the local splash pad.

• Hire a babysitter to take the kids to the park for a few hours each day.

• Make your child a mini office (a little table and chair) and give them paperwork to fill out (coloring pages) while you work.

• Get older kids to help you with your research. One summer I “hired” my teen to help me research interesting animal facts for an article I was writing. She loved it and she made some spending money.

• Set up a reading time every afternoon where all the little bits have to read a book while mom or dad writes.

• Take advantage of library story times and activities. While the kids are entertained you can sit back in a chair and type away on your phone or laptop.

Potential Writing Gig Site: What is Presto Media?

Presto Media is a site that brings in freelance writers to write articles and blogs for their clients. This potential gig site can be compared to Scripted, Verblio and Textbroker in how it works overall, but there are some differences. Here’s what Presto Media says in their ads:

Presto Media is a digital agency that provides content to digital publications. We manage the client relationship and provide editorial support to writers.

All you have to do is write good articles based on the topics we give you!

Assignments include a ton of editorial direction and help from our staff. Most require at least one photo. Some opportunities offer a byline, others are ghostwriting. Pay per article is between $15 and $100, depending on the length and requirements.

Applicants will be required to pass an English competency test. You will have two attempts. If you fail both, you will have an opportunity to complete the application anyway, though the odds of being hired will be lower.

At the end of the test, please provide us with portfolio links or clips if you have them, and a paragraph cover letter wherein you describe your experience and tell us the TOP 3 categories you write in (e.g., celebrity, DIY, law, technology, etc.). APPLICANTS WHO DO NOT COMPLETE THIS STEP WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

If selected, you will receive an onboarding link with training materials, paperwork, and a quiz. Once everything is complete, you will be granted access to our platform where you will be able to claim assignments.

To apply, visit this link: https://apply.presto.media/

Whatever your background, if your writing is good and you can adapt to our style, we’ll be happy to have you.

We’ll try to respond to every applicant as soon as we’re able. Make sure you whitelist @presto.media in your email client, or check your spam folder for onboarding emails if accepted. You can also email hiring@presto.media to check in on the status of your application.

Art by Carlotta Notaro

Okay, sounds pretty decent. They pay between $15 to $100 an article. I imagine the $15 articles are around 300 words while the $100 articles are more in the thousands. It’s not great pay but if you’re just starting out or you’re really fast, you may find the site worth your while since the website says you can write as much as you like. So there isn’t a cap on what you can make. Also, assignment earnings are paid out every 1st and 15th of the month.

From the reviews online, like on Glassdoor, some people love the site and some hate it. There’s no harm in giving it a try if you’re curious. Here’s the signup form for Presto Media.

Need help finding higher paying gigs? My No-Fluff Freelance Writing Starter Pack teaches you how I make $100 to $200 an hour at home as a freelance writer. Get it now for just $25.

Best High-Paying Freelance Gigs of the Week: June 24, 2019

Hey No-Fluffers! I’ve rounded up the best high-paying freelance gigs of the week. These gigs pay at least $100 a piece, offer a full-time salary, or pay more than $50 an hour. They are classified as remote jobs, virtual jobs or work-from-home jobs, which means you can do them from home.

Note: I don’t know anything about these positions other than what I post. I weed out the seedy looking ones, but it is your job to be diligent when applying. Also, please don’t message me with questions about the postings. If a link doesn’t work the posting has probably been taken down because the gig has been filled. If you have a gig for freelance writers that pays at least $100 a peice or over $50 an hour, please contact me and I will include your gig in next week’s post.

Writers for People 50 and Over

Pay: $1 per word

More information: AARP

Marketing Copywriter / Graphical Producer

Pay: Full-time

More information: LinkedIn

Global Issues Writer

Pay: $350 per 1,000 word article

More information: (sourced from Pitchwiz) ZEKE: The Magazine for Global Documentary is seeking writers for its upcoming fall issue. Each issue of ZEKE presents three photo-driven stories on global issues that are accompanied by 1,000-word essays exploring each issue in greater depth.

ZEKE is published twice a year in print and digital by the Social Documentary Network. Past issues have explored global warming, refugees and migration, sexual violence, life and war in Ukraine, maternal health in Africa, the wars in Iraq and Syria, and other issues of global concern.

Writers must have journalism experience or experience interviewing experts and incorporating testimony in final piece. The essays are not opinion pieces but rather are information-driven and drawn from reliable sources.

We will be ready to assign actual articles by June 27 and would need three week turn around for first draft. Compensation is $350 per 1,000 word article.

To view past issues of ZEKE magazine, click here: https://www.zekemagazine.com/read

Interested candidates should send letter, resume, and writing samples to:

glenn@socialdocumentary.net

Scribe/Ghostwriter

Pay: $60-$70 an hour

More information: Book in a Box

American Forests Writer

Pays: Up to $2000 for features

More information: American Forest

Freelance Writer to Simplify Legalese

Pay: Full-time

More information: We’re looking for reliable, talented freelance writers who love writing about a wide range of topics, including legal topics. Most of our work is on legal topics. All topics related to legal are entry-level and not at an academic level. You’ll be writing about everything from why a certain legal contract is required for a business to writing a checklist article of best tools to use for an e-commerce store to increase sales. About The Work We understand the value of quality content. We’re not looking for plain text articles, but well-researched articles to educate our readers: articles with images, links, quotes from research papers, expert’s quotes etc. Our articles are often 1000+ words, generally around 2,000 words. Some articles are beyond 10,000 words.

We’re not looking to game search engines, but rather educate our customers about the legal contracts they’re searching for. We aim to be a teacher to our customers. We are looking for writers available for a minimum of one day/week. We have as much work as you can handle. We don’t micromanage. We are very clear on what we want for every article. We provide topics with a proposed structure including due dates and the minimum required length. There is sometimes communication back and forth during the revision session. But for the most part: you write the article, turn it in, we review and ask for edits if necessary and then publish it. Writers get paid every other week, in US dollars by PayPal. Depending on where we’ll publish your work, and for as much as we can, we’ll show your bio byline to give you author credits.

Job Requirements

• Native English speaker with strong writing skills. We can make an exception on this if you have English Proficiency qualification.

• Exceptional online research skills

• Well organized and reliable

• Some degree of technical proficiency (using Google Docs, taking screenshots) It’s a major plus if you have any of the following:

• Legal degree or paralegal experience

How Do We Work?

We work remotely. We don’t need to sync time zones. We work over Google Docs and email.

How To Apply?

Send an email to office@legalcom.group with:

• A 4-5 sentence introduction explaining why you think you would be a good fit

• 3 URLs showcasing your work related to internet laws or technology

• Your freelance writing rates (per word, please!) Please format your subject line as follows: “Your Name | Freelance Writer | WeWorkRemotely” (example: John Doe | Freelance Writer | WeWorkRemotely). The subject line format is important, otherwise our editor won’t get your email.

Legal Writer (Telecommute/Work From Home) - Washington

Pay: Full-time

More information: LinkedIn

Looking for Canadian Writers

Pay: $250 CDN

More information: FRIENDS' editorial platform provides a space for writers to examine and comment on Canadian media, culture, and democracy. Submission Guidelines.

What We Publish

We publish original essays, op eds, and feature articles up to 1,000 words in length, in both English and French, that offer a distinctly Canadian take on media-related issues and help readers understand the state of journalism and storytelling in our country and how the changing landscape affects our democracy, culture, and daily life. We look for fresh, sharp, original thinking. Topics that interest us include, but are not limited to:

The link between democracy and the media (for examples, view our Dalton Camp Award–winning articles↗︎).

• The value of public broadcasting, the role of public broadcasting in a healthy democratic society, and the future of public broadcasting.

• The impact of the media crisis on a cause you know well.

• How other countries are managing the media crisis.

• The impact of local journalism on individual communities, especially Indigenous and minority communities.

• Fake news and corruption in the media.

• How digital media is shifting the cultural landscape.

• Cultural policy in the internet age.

• What Canadian content means and what importance it has on our national identity.

• How foreign media giants (including Google and Facebook) behave, the role they play in creating Canadian content, and how (much) they should be regulated.

Submissions

We welcome pitches from all writers, no matter your background or level of experience, and particularly encourage submissions from traditionally underrepresented communities and voices. All articles are subject to an editorial review process. We pay $250 CDN upon publication.

Please do not submit completed articles, or previously published work. Instead, send a succinct description of your intended topic, approach, and format, note why you’re the right person to write the piece, and include writing samples or links to recent work, if applicable.

We welcome pitches in English or French. Finished articles will be translated and published in both English and French.

All pitches should be sent to editor Mary Dickie at mary@friends.ca

Freelance Writer for Articles & Short Booklets

Pay: $.10 per word, with typical articles ranging from 1200-2000 words (or $120-200 per article)

More information: Craigslist

Military Family Writers

Pay: $70-200

More information: (Source) AmeriForce Media, publisher of Military Families and The Reserve & National Guard, strives to build relationships with writers and photographers, while elevating the stories of today’s military community.

Please read all of the information below before submitting your pitch to ensure your idea is a good fit for our editorial needs. We also recommend that writers take the time to learn our voice by subscribing for free to the following:

Subscribe: Military Families
Let’s get social: Facebook

The DOs of pitching AmeriForce Media

▪ DO specify what platform of ours that you are pitching, and whether you think it’s a better fit for print or digital.

▪ DO briefly summarize your story idea in no more than two paragraphs.

▪ DO tell us who (if applicable) you would interview for the story. We prefer stories to have at least two credible sources.

▪ DO include 1-2 links of your previously published work.

▪ DO pitch us stories that connect to larger themes and issues that think outside the box.

▪ DO pitch us ideas that we have not already published.

▪ DO grammar and spell check before hitting submit.

Pay rates

Payment for stories varies with estimated ranges of $75 USD to $200 USD.

Download our PITCH GUIDE for expanded details.

Ready to connect? How to pitch AmeriForce Media

Submit your pitch by clicking here: PITCH US. We try to respond to every submission, but please allow 2 to 4 weeks for a response.

Call for Pitches: Reporting the Caribbean and the Environment

Pay: $500 and $2,000

More information: NACLA

Freelance Content Writer

Pay: $200-300

More information: Thomasnet

Technical Writer

Pay: Full-time

More information: Red Hat

Jr- Mid Level Writer & Communications Contractor

Pay: Full-time

More information: As a Writer and Communications Contractor for the Global Field Enablement Team, this role will support the Engagement and Communications Sr. Manager with developing internal field communications and field enablement campaigns targeted to a technical sales audience. This position will help create emails, announcements, write-ups, presentation designs, email formatting, asset creation, and system updates. The person will research, write, prepare copy and visuals, gain the appropriate reviews, organize distribution lists, design layout, send, publish online content, and reinforce through different internal social media channels.

Please email your Resume in Word format, Visa status, Availability to start and Hourly Rate expectations at anuradha@openmindtechno.com

Position Title: Jr- Mid Level Writer and Communications Contractor

100% Remote ( Anywhere in US) - FT 40 hours a week required

Duration: 6 months ( extendable)

Ideal Candidate:

• The candidate s actual resume should be a great example of their writing/design

• Looking for someone with about 5-8 years professional experience.

• The goal is to find a someone who can grow and evolve with the role and the organization.

• Junior- to mid-level candidates with high quality writing samples.

Responsibilities:

• Support Engagement and Communications Sr. Manager with duties as needed and assigned

• Work with various constituencies to prepare copy for internal field communications

• Research content, ask questions about the content, present options for visualizations of content, and develop first and final drafts

• Communicate professionally with stakeholders

• Write audience-targeted communications (technical sales audience)

• Validate audience distribution lists as needed

• Perform administrative tasks to promote and execute communications in the systems (Newsletter software, Internal Social Media, Portal)

Requirements :

• Advanced writer (can write copy, synthesize ideas, write in various styles and voices)

• Advanced editor (can edit copy and images for mistakes in grammar, punctuation, formatting)

• Experience in corporate graphic design and following style guidelines

• Experience working with employee or enablement communications

• Experience working in software industry

• Has a portfolio of writing samples

• Knowledge of writing and visual best practices (such as designing using the right canvas size and generating images for the appropriate resolution for communications)

• Ability to prioritize and plan effectively

• Open to feedback

• High energy, enthusiasm, and passion for the business

• Proven ability to effectively coordinate and work across functional teams internally and externally, in-person and virtually

• Ability to develop and work on multiple deliverables at one time for fast turnaround and rapid development

• Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure, thrive in a fast-paced environment and stay flexible through growth and change

• Adaptable to new ideas and able to find creative solutions to communication questions

Education:

• Bachelors or foreign equivalent, focus in writing or communications, or has equivalent work experience

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

Please send Resume to anuradha@openmindtechno.com for immediate response

Marketing Content Writer

Pay: Full-time

More information: Be Found Online

Social media spicy meme master / Content writer / Junior Marketing all-rounder

Pay: $40k per year plu profit share program, paid time off and more

More information: Sked Social

Boy Scouts of America Topics

Pay: $500-$1500

More information: Boy’s Life

Want to know how I find these gigs so you can search for yourself? Grab my No-Fluff Freelance Writing Starter Pack. It teaches you how I make $100 to $200 an hour at home as a freelance writer. The pack includes gig finding secrets, my two books, a social media marketing guide for writers, invoice template, contract template and more.

Enter to Win this Huge Writing Prize Pack

This contest takes no skill to win, but the prizes are big! All you have to do is follow the No-Fluff Instagram account (@nofluffwriter) between now and July 30, 2019 to be entered to win this great prize pack:

• A I-year membership to New York Times bestselling author, Jerry B. Jenkins’ private coaching community, the Writers Guild

• A Buddha Board for relaxing when you’re not writing

• The Magic of the Tiny Business by Sharon Rowe

• Imperfect Courage by Jessica Honegger

• Girl Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis

• A very jazzy golden stapler

• Writing motivation pens

• Cord wraps for keeping your electronics tidy

• A Smart Clock with Google Assistant to keep you on track with your writing deadlines

A winner will be picked randomly on July 30th and will be contacted through direct message on their Instagram account. They will have one week to respond. If one week goes by without a response and new winner will be chosen. Prize items will be mailed to the winning individual.

Potential Writing Gig Site: What is Verblio?

I ran across a content producing site the other day that I hadn’t heard of: Verblio. It seems that they hire freelance writers to write content for their clients. I was surprised to find out this site used to be called BlogMutt. I wrote for them a few times a long time ago. Small world.

What are they up to now? Here’s their job posting:

…in the mysterious land that we call the internet! Wouldn’t you like to make money writing fun and interesting blog posts? Talking about Italian coffee, finance, kayaking, and receive payments every Monday? Working with Verblio in Los Angeles The idea behind Verblio is very simple: write blog posts and get paid. You don’t have to spend hours looking for clients anymore! You can also work for Verblio if you are tired of writing the same old topics! The great thing about Verblio is that you can get a different subject every day thanks to their wide network of bloggers! There is more: Don’t you hate being on deadline? Writing under pressure kills creativity, not to mention that it feels more like a chore. That’s why there are no deadlines on Verblio! You write when you want and where you want! How much Verblio pays in Los Angeles Verblio will pay you when someone purchases your blog post. If you are a beginner, you might make around $18 per blog post. However keep in mind that the amount will increase as you get more points and take on longer posts! (Note from Alina: Points? What? The site says, “New writers complete short-form jobs to get started. By selling content and earning 5-star reviews, you'll earn access to longer and higher-paying jobs.”)You will get paid every Monday through PayPal. How do I apply for Verblio in Los Angeles? Follow this link to register. You can get to writing as soon as your profile is approved

Okay, that doesn’t sound too bad for beginning writers. Their pricing page says that they charge their clients:

• $29.95 300 words

• $59.95 for 600 words

• $99.95 for 1,000 words

• $209.95 for 1,500 words

• $345.95 for 2,000 words

How big of a slice are the writers getting out of this setup? I went over to the site and asked their live chat about the pay situation.

Here’s what they had to say:

“We pay invoices of any amount via PayPal every Monday. You are paid per post that is purchased by the customer. As you write more at Verblio, you will gain points in our system and get access to higher-paying opportunities at higher word counts. Pay starts at $10.50 for a 300-400 word post and beyond that, varies based on word length. We offer jobs from 300 to 3,000 words.

We'll be able to provide additional details on pay once you sign up.  

If you have questions about writing with Verblio, you can visit our prospective writer FAQ.”

$10.50? Ugg. You should probably pass on this one friends unless you think you can churn out a post in 15 to 30 minutes. BTW, you probably can’t and will face burnout very quickly. Go for gigs that pay you more so you can write less and avoid your brain drying up like a grape in the sun. Need help finding those gigs? My No-Fluff Freelance Writing Starter Pack teaches you how I make $100 to $200 an hour at home as a freelance writer. Get it now for just $25.

Best High-Paying Freelance Gigs of the Week: June 17, 2019

Hey No-Fluffers! Are you ready for the best high-paying freelance gigs of the week? I’m serving them up all hot and tasty. These succulent gigs pay at least $100 a piece, offer a full-time salary, or pay more than $50 an hour. Every single one of them are gigs where you can work from home. No travel or office clothes needed!

Note: I don’t know anything about these positions other than what I post. I weed out the seedy looking ones, but it is your job to be diligent when applying. Also, please don’t message me with questions about the postings. If a link doesn’t work the posting has probably been taken down because the gig has been filled. If you have a gig for freelance writers that pays at least $100 a peice or over $50 an hour, please contact me and I will include your gig in next week’s post.

Here’s this week’s remote jobs, virtual jobs, work-from-home jobs, or whatever you want to call them:

BBC CAPITAL

Pays: $600 text/$1,800 video

More information: “BBC Capital, a global features site examining the changing landscape of work and life, is gearing up for a new installment of the Generation Project. This series that looks at particular trends, case studies, and moments that are shaping work and life different generations across the globe. We’re currently looking for globally-minded text and video pitches for the first segment of the project.

There's a lot more to know about what we're looking for. Please view the full brief here, and fill out the form to submit a pitch. (Don't worry, we will review all of them—just please, please use the form.)”

Environmental Writing

Pays: $1/word and rising to $1.50 word

More information: Sierra Club

Communications Writer

Pays: work 32 hrs/wk fore up to $50 per hour

More information: Flex Jobs

Freelance Writer for Articles & Short Booklets

Pays: $120-200 per article

More information: Craigslist

Buying Guides Freelance Writer

Pays: $250-$350 per guide

More information: Insider Inc.

Freelance Content Writer - Technical Content

Pays: $200-300 per article

More information: Thomasnet

Medical Writer

Pay: Full-time salary

More information: Regulatory and Quality Solutions LLC

Resume Writer

Pays: Earn up to $3,500 a month

More information: Talent Inc.

Technical Writer

Pays: Full-time salary

More information: Sprezzatura Management Consulting

Technical Writer

Pays: Full-time salary

More information: Talentrust

SEO content writers wanted

Pays: Full-time salary

More information: iBus Media

Staff Writer

Pays: An annual salary between $33,500 and $44,000, depending upon qualifications. In addition to salary, Ballotpedia offers bonuses based on performance and a $6,500 annual benefits stipend, which may be used to pay for a full benefits package, including health, vision, and dental insurance; retirement accounts; and more. If benefits are not elected, the $6,500 stipend is taxed as regular income and added to salary.

More information: Ballotpedia

Contributing Writer, Fitt Insider

Pays: Full-time salary

More information: Fitt

Digital & Print Copywriter

Pays: Full-time salary

More information: Happy Tax

Technical Writer

Pays: Full-time salary

More information: Xapo

Content Evangelist and Writer

Pays: Full-time salary

More information: Blue Prism Group

Family/Kid Writer needed

Pays: Full-time salary

More information: Some Spider Studios

Managing Medical Writer

Pays: Full-time salary

More information: Merck

Writing for Teaching Tolerance

Pays: $1 per word

More information: Teaching Tolerance

Want to know how I find these gigs so you can search for yourself? Grab my No-Fluff Freelance Writing Starter Pack. It teaches you how I make $100 to $200 an hour at home as a freelance writer. The pack includes gig finding secrets, my two books, a social media marketing guide for writers, invoice template, contract template and more.

5 Things You Need to Invest in for Writing on the Go

If you’ve turned writing into a career, then something you’ve probably thought about is how to keep writing while you’re on the go. Perhaps you travel around the world to take pictures and get ideas for content, or maybe you work a regular day job that involves long and unproductive commutes. Whatever your ideas are, here are a few ways to help you keep writing on the go no matter where you are.

Invest in a Laptop

If you don’t already have a laptop, then you’re missing out on a wealth of opportunities. Since writing isn’t very demanding for computers, you could essentially do it from a smartphone or even a tablet with an external keyboard. However, there’s nothing as simple and productive as a basic Windows laptop with a comfortable keyboard.

Instead of focusing on specs such as hard drive space and processing power, get a laptop with fantastic battery life so you can continue working no matter where you are, and you won’t have to charge it very often which is perfect if you’re a travel blogger.

I personally love the Lenovo IdeaPad laptop powered by AMD. It has laptop or tablet functionality and Active Pen support on select models. With up to 8 hours and Rapid Charge technology with IdeaPad, I can take it anywhere and be sure that I’ll have enough battery life to carry me through. Plus, it’s small and light (only 4.63 pounds!), but has a full-size keyboard. I can slip it in my beach bag or carry on and go.

I’ve got my IdeaPad in my purse and I’m ready to go.

A Place to Save it All

Then, once you have the laptop taken care of, invest in a portable hard drive to hold all of your photos and such. I use the pocket-sized My Passport with 2 terabytes of memory. Having an external hard drive is important because it can back up all of your work and will still be okay if your laptop breaks down. Backing your work up to cloud storage is another option.

Carry Some Equipment

You’ll find that you don’t need to carry much in order to continue blogging on the move. Get a stylish business backpack to store your laptop, camera and charger and you’ll find it’s much easier to stay productive on the go. They don’t cost much, they’re extremely durable.

A Place to Work

If possible, also get something like a portable table to have a place to put your devices when there’s no desk nearby. This Tabletote Plus Portable Compact Computer Stand folds up and can be strapped to your backpack. Plus, it has enough room for your phone and your drink.

Peace and Quiet

You can’t blog while you have people shouting around you, and it’s hard to focus on your writing when all you can hear are cars and trains rushing past. Find a quiet place to type if you want to blog on the go, such as a hotel room or an empty library.

If you want to commute on the train or someplace bustling, such as a coffee shop, then consider getting a pair of headphones (wireless if possible) and play some soothing music that doesn’t have lyrics. Better yet, invest in some noise canceling headphones to get complete silence. 

Here are some more ideas on writing tool must-haves from a travel writer:

5 Examples of Awful and Awesome Email Subject Lines...and Maybe a Few Shades of Grey

Yes, my inbox is overflowing. I my defense, most of those 23,000 have been read and replied to.

I get a lot of email newsletters, PR emails, special offers, blog alerts...you name it, my email is full of it. I like to keep up-to-date on what others are doing in my industry. To be able write for my clients, I need to stay in-the-know about what's happening in other industries, too. So, when it comes to email subject lines I've seen them all. (Plus, in my almost two decades of freelance writing, I've written my fair share.)

Let me tell you something: a bunch of you guys are doing it all wrong. Let's look at some examples and I'll tell you why they miss the mark. Take note, and you’ll be able to write effective emails for clients and you’ll be able to write pitch letters that editors will actually open.

The Hand Slap

Email Subject Tips

This subject line made me curious, so I clicked. I have to give them credit for that. I also have to admit that I love crazy people. Come on, I am one.

It would have been a great subject line if it wasn't paired with a horrible intro:

Hi Alina (Yes, this marketer didn't put a comma after my name. Sigh.) Call me crazy, but I am a little surprised you still haven’t taken me up on this...

Instantly, I felt like I got an email hand slap from the online nunnery. It's like when your mom would pull you aside, call you by your full name and say, "I'm surprised at your behavior!"

Okay, so maybe it's not that bad, on reflection. Those were my first impressions, though, and that's all you've got, my friend.

The Clingy Boyfriend

I have to admit, when I saw this subject line, I panicked, thinking that I had forgotten to email someone back or said something wrong. Of course, I clicked.

This one hits in the feels.

Then, I read the email. Here's a little:

Don't be that email marketing guy. Just don't.

It went on and on. Boy, it felt like I needed to pry this email out of my inbox with a spatula!

My first thought was: Come on, people! Really? You're trying to guilt trip people into buying your products? You're better than that.

My second thought was: Clingy, needy and suffocating.

I know, I know. That sounds really harsh and awful, but I'm being honest. No person ever wants to feel like a company is coming on to them like a clingy ex, so it is no surprise that I didn't by this person's product.

A Few Good Men...and Women

Okay, I don't like a pile-on of negativity, so let's look at some people who hit the mark. I clicked. I laughed. I loved.

fifty shades of grey subject line email

Now, to understand why this is a fantastic subject line, you need a little context. This is a PR pitch about a study on how Fifty Shades of Grey is just about as well written as the majority of other books in its genre. That subject line shocked me. (I tried giving the book a try to see what people were fussing about and couldn't stand how poorly written it was. I put it down after a chapter.) This email subject certainly made me curious. The inro and the rest of the email didn't disappoint. It was email marketing perfection. (If you want to see the study, I've added the infographic to the bottom of this post.)

Al's a funny guy.

Now, I've already featured Al Ruggie in a previous article, but I just can't help but list him here, too. Here is the full email:

A great marketing email example

Okay, the subject line did scare me for a split second, but then I realized my dog was sitting right beside me. Then, I read on. The email was funny and upbeat. Everything and marketing email should be. Damn skippy I used him in that article.

great email subject for a newsletter

The Freelancer by Contently Newsletter continually has great subject lines for their newsletter emails. How do they do it? Pretty simple. Their subject asks a great question about their featured article. This week's featured article was As a Journalist, Should Writing Listicles Bother Me? The subject line tied in well with the content of the email and it asked an intriguing question that made me open the email. Bravo!

The Lesson?

People want positive messages in their inbox. No downers, no guilt. Most of all, make sure that your subject lines and your email text are cohesive. Just getting someone to click isn't going to get you a sell or a reply. What's in the email is just as important. If your emails aren't converting, take a look at your email subject line AND the copy.

Forget Multitasking! Increase Productivity with These 5 Tips

Multitasking fails us, big time. It decreases our productivity, lowers our IQs, and shrinks our brains, according to acclaimed researchers and neuroscientists around the world. The solution? A simple yet revolutionary concept: singletasking.

Multitasking at work ruins productivity.

Multitasking is Out

We are a stressed-out culture of multitaskers. With too much to do in too little time, we fruitlessly attempt to accomplish more by doing several things at once. Here's a good NPR story about how multitasking is doing us wrong.

What would happen if we tried something different?

The Alternative to Multitasking

Devora Zack has some tips for increasing your productivity.

Devora Zack, CEO of Only Connect Consulting, Inc., has a book called, "Singletasking: Get More Done -- One Thing at a Time" (Berrett-Koehler).  In it, Zack stresses that to be more productive and present... and to reclaim your life, regain control and remember what really matters, you need to cut out the multitasking. Here are practical, actionable tips, you can

Zack was kind enough to share five of her tips with me. Here are some practical, actionable tips, you can use to singletask your way to success and sanity:

1. Realize that multitasking is impossible -- Your brain is not hardwired to multitask. What you're really doing is rapidly and ineffectively switching between tasks, or what neuroscientists call task-switching.

Here are some facts about the worst multitaskers.

2. Commit to your choices -- Singletasking obliges you to do one thing at a time. This means you must stand firm and genuinely commit to your current choice.

3. Park extraneous thoughts -- By singletasking, you're equipped to set distracting thoughts aside until you can redirect your mind. One technique is to "park" other ideas in a designated place, such as a notes page on your smartphone, and then quickly return to the current endeavor.

4. Practice clustertasking -- Bunch similar tasks into segments, such as clustering your reading and replying to emails into arrival, lunch, and departure times.

5. Grow your attention span -- The average human attention span is eight seconds, one second less than a goldfish. Singletasking provides simple tools and techniques to measurably improve your focus.

Using these five tips, you can become more productive while saving your sanity at work. Try them out and tell us how they worked for you in the comments, Facebook or Twitter.

Photo credit: Wired man via photopin(license)

Photo credit: Neat slide via photopin(license)

Best High-Paying Freelance Gigs of the Week: June 10, 2019

Hey No-Fluffers! I’m back again with the best high-paying freelance gigs of the week. I’ve churned the waters of the internet to find gigs that pay at least $100 a peice, a full-time salary, or more than $50 an hour. All of these postings are looking for remote writers, too. That means you can work from home. Yay, right?!

Note: I don’t know anything about these positions other than what I post. I weed out the seedy looking ones, but it is your job to be diligent when applying. Also, please don’t message me with questions about the postings. If a link doesn’t work the posting has probably been taken down because the gig has been filled. If you have a gig for freelance writers that pays at least $100 a peice or over $50 an hour, please contact me and I will include your gig in next week’s post.

Democracy Pieces

Pay: 100 euros (comment pieces) - 5,000 euros (story grants)

More information (found on Pitchwiz):

Our journalism is grounded in the essentials of impartial, independent, fact-based enquiry. Please read a range of articles published on the site to get a sense of our approach before proposing a story idea. Please also study our editorial guidelines.

We’re looking for compelling and unreported stories on issues affecting democracy in Visegrad Group states and the Balkans. Our main focus countries are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Serbia, Romania and Slovakia.

Story proposals should be original, evidence-based and rich in context, showing new or broader insights into specific countries or the region.

Most of our analyses, features and interviews are between 800 and 1,200 words (the length is outlined when commissioned). Contributors work one-on-one with an editor, often via email or Skype.

Deadlines will be set upon commissioning.

If you have an idea for an in-depth, cross-border story you might consider applying for a special story grant. We have a limited number of grants of up to 5,000 euros, available for teams or individuals.

How to pitch

To submit a pitch for a story, email us at ReportingDemocracy@birn.eu.com. Include the word “pitch” in the subject line. To propose a more ambitious idea for a cross-border project, fill out the form on our Story Grants page.

When pitching via email, you should be able to summarise your story idea in three or four paragraphs. You should also clearly explain why your proposed piece is important. We want to know “so what”?

You’re also welcome to submit previously unpublished articles but please include a 2-4 paragraph summary of the story in the body of the email.

If you’ve never written for us, include three links to previously published work.

We try to respond to pitches within two weeks, but due to volume, we may be unable to get back to everyone. If you do not hear from us within this timeframe, we have unfortunately decided not to move ahead with your story.

Please note that our audience is international. We welcome pitches from writers around the globe. We don’t typically publish hyperlocal news. Stories should resonate with an international audience.

Portland in Color Neighborhood Writer

Pays: $500

More information (found on Pitchwiz):

We’re publishing a series of neighborhood guides by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color) writers and photographers to debut on travelportland.com in Fall 2019. We’re eager to collaborate with community members to produce thoughtful and engaging work. We seek refreshing perspectives that shift travel writing away from the white gaze and re-center the stories of people who make Portland what it is today.

For some examples of travel writing and photography we admire, please check out the works of: Bani Amor, Muchacha Fanzine issue 12: Decolonize Travel, Oriana Koren, and Jared Soares. The call for pitches will be open until June 17.

We will commission writers and photographers to produce neighborhood guides. Each neighborhood guide will be comprised of 800-1200 words covering a minimum of 4 businesses. Photographers will deliver 15-20 final images to accompany the guide. Preference given to writers and/or photographers reporting on neighborhoods they live or have lived in. We will not be accepting pitches on the following neighborhoods as Travel Portland has recently covered them: Downtown, Old Town/Chinatown, Pearl, NW Portland, Central Eastside, Division/Clinton, Lloyd, Hawthorne, Belmont.

Writers and photographers will be paid $500 each. The Portland in Color team will review, select, and notify applicants (a total of 3 writers and 3 photographers) by Friday, June 21. Before sending us your ideas, please read through the pitch guidelines below.

WRITERS

To submit your neighborhood guide pitch, please send an email to portlandincolor@gmail.com with the subject line “PITCH - Neighborhood Writer”

Please include:

At least two businesses you’re interested in covering and why

Why you’re interested in covering this neighborhood

Why you’re the right person to write about this neighborhood

Up to 3 links and/or past examples of your work

Freelance Grant Writer

Pays: $38K + bonus

More information: Writers Weekly

Real Estate Investment Writer

Pays: $150 - $750 per piece 

More information: Genuinejobs.com

Credit Cards Writer

Pays: Full-time salary, Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance. 401k 3% match after 1 yr. Flexible PTO. Competitive $$

More information: Mediabistro

Freelance Content Writer - Technical Content

Pays: $200-300 per article

More information: Thomasnet

Freelance Content Creator

Pay: Good pay for good writing. We’re not looking for someone to bang out dozens of $50 articles.

More information: Growth Machine

Remote QA/Technical Writer

Pays: Full-Time income

More information: LinkedIn

Technical Documentation Writer

Pay: Action Verb offers industry-leading salaries based on experience combined with unparalleled flexibility and other benefits to secure top talent. You’ll take off 11 company-wide holidays per year as well as 20 days of PTO for vacations. Go have fun. Don’t work all the time. We will provide you a $2,500 signing bonus to purchase a new computer, desk, or anything else that would help build or refresh your home office. We’ll update your salary annually based on your performance, as reviewed by your peers. We fully pay base plan health insurance premiums (exact plan details depend on your state of residence), and we’ll pick up the tab for 75% of your spouse or dependents if they wish to join your chosen plan. We want your family to be healthy.

More information: Files.com

Editor/Writer

Pay: Our employees are rewarded in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional benefits, and a range of work/life programs based on employment classification. Benefit offerings may include:

• Health Benefits – Health, Dental, and Vision

• Life, long-term disability, and other insurance products

• Health and Wellness Programs

• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts

• Retirement 401K program

• Profit sharing and bonus program

• Paid and unpaid leave

• Professional development

• Flexible schedules and work location

More information: LinkedIn

Technical Writer

Pay: Full-time competitive compensation, benefits & PTO

More information: LinkedIn

Content Evangelist and Writer

Pay: $80K per year

More information: Ladders

Content Editor

Pay: • Competitive full-time salary based on experience

• Bonus opportunities

• Benefits from Dexerto partners

• Future opportunities within a fast growing business

• Work remotely

More information: Hitmarker

Smartphone & App Obsessed Writer

Pay: Full-time salary

More information: LinkedIn

Medical Device Technical Writer

Pay: Full-time salary

More information: LinkedIn

Tech Writer

Pay: Full-time salary

More information: GDH

Environmental Writers

Pay: $1 word for print, $300 per story for web

More information: Sierra Club

Want to know how I find these gigs so you can search for yourself? Grab my No-Fluff Freelance Writing Starter Pack. It teaches you how I make $100 to $200 an hour at home as a freelance writer. The pack includes gig finding secrets, my two books, a social media marketing guide for writers, invoice template, contract template and more.

Running a Side Business? Here's How to Make it More Legit

Having a side business is great for bringing in extra money, especially in times where the traditional day job may not be working out as you plan.

Being prepared with a side business is a great way to add to the consistent income you get from your regular job, but it also comes with challenges of how to ensure that your customers or clients will see you as a legitimate business. Here are four things that you can do to make your side business more legit.

Forward Mail from a Virtual Office Address

Ensuring that you receive all of your correspondence sent to you for your business is not to be overlooked or underrated. Post mail will never be outdated because there’s still things like contracts and packages and physical goods that you can get delivered to your specific location. There are also exclusive coupons that come in the mail to you as a business owner.

Be sure to utilize a forwarder from a virtual address in order to get your mail. This is especially great if your business runs out of your home or a location that you'd like to keep private. By using a virtual office address, you can ensure that you'll receive all the mail that comes to you.

Hire a Virtual Receptionist

Not only will a virtual receptionist convey the legitimacy of your business, but they can also help take a lot of mundane tasks off your plate. A virtual receptionist can screen your calls and sometimes help you with other administrative tasks like email management and client management, depending on the type of receptionist you hire.

Have a Professionally Designed Website

Having your website done at a professional level will increase the legitimacy of your business. Since your website is your digital home, it's important that you put your best foot forward with it because you never know who may be looking at it.

While you don't have to go out and hire a designer, make sure to find a website option that works for your business and ensure that it has a good design and strong copy.

Create Solid Social Media Profiles  

Having a strong social media plan is just as important as your website, a virtual receptionist, and a mail forwarding service for your side business. Ensure that your social media profiles are set up in a way that engages your clients and makes them want to follow you and interact with the content that you post.

Part of this process will be creating consistency with your posts and scheduling them so that you can automate the process and not have to worry about forgetting to post daily.

All of these tips are excellent places to start when you're establishing your side business and ensuring the people see it as a valuable and viable entity.

Need help getting your freelance writing career off the ground? Grab my No-Fluff Freelance Writing Starter Pack. It teaches you how I make $100 to $200 an hour at home as a freelance writer. The pack includes gig finding secrets, my two books, a social media marketing guide for writers, invoice template, contract template and more.

Writers: What Does Google Know About You?

As an online writer, you need to know how your information is presented on the web. Here’s some things to think about, presented by NordVPN.

You might be able to keep secrets from your closest friends and family, but not from Google. If you’re thinking, for example, of secretly relocating or buying an engagement ring, Google will know. A digital privacy expert Daniel Markuson concluded a list of all the things does Google know about you.

“This tech giant gathers more information about you than you would ever share with anyone, and that can put you at risk,” says Daniel Markuson, a digital privacy expert at NordVPN.

Who you are

According to Daniel Markuson, Google collects so much data that it can even draw a pretty clear picture of your physical appearance. It knows:

• Your full name, gender, age and your phone number. You provided them voluntarily when you created your Google account.

• The way you look. By uploading pictures on Google Photos, you give Google an opportunity to use its facial recognition algorithm and find out how you look.

• The way your voice sounds. Google Assistant might be convenient, but it also records your voice and your conversations.

Your interests and preferences

“Google’s business model is based on data mining and user behavior predictions. Therefore, it uses almost every platform it has to collect information on your likes and dislikes,” explains NordVPN’s digital privacy expert. “This data creates an accurate user profile that Google can then monetize by serving you targeted ads.”

So what information does Google have?

• TV shows you like and dislike, your favorite food & drinks, your favorite music, your religion and political views, etc – all gathered through the Chrome browser, Google search engine, Youtube, and other platforms.

• Your favorite places, which are recorded by Google Maps and Waze.

• Books you read and searched on Google Books or other platforms.

• Your shopping habits. These include past and future purchases you made using Chrome or things you looked up on Google search. Google Photos can also scan brand logos and text to identify that you, for example, prefer Nike over Adidas.

• Your activity level as well as your favorite sports, thanks to Google Fit and Google Search.

According to Daniel Markuson, targeted ads and your user profile can be used to influence your decisions – not just what you buy, but which party or candidate you vote for and even what you believe to be true. It also puts you in a so-called ‘filter bubble’, which means that Google will only show you information that fits your profile. However, you can change your ad preferences by going to your settings.

Your location history

“Google is notorious for tracking your location and it does it through widely used apps such as Google Maps and Waze. However, disabling location tracking on these apps doesn’t mean that Google will stop tracking your location completely,” comments Daniel Markuson, a digital privacy expert at NordVPN. “It also uses a feature hidden deep in your settings called Web & App activity. It sends Google timestamps indicating your location whenever you use any Google-owned services or apps on any of your devices.”

Google Photos also play a big role in location tracking. The company uses AI to group your photos into albums by analyzing your photos’ metadata and geolocation. This creates an even more accurate timeline of where you’ve been.

All of this together means that Google already knows:

• Your location history since the moment you created your Google account or enabled location tracking. You can see your daily, monthly and yearly timelines by going to your account.

• Your home and work addresses. You might have voluntarily provided this information through Google Maps or Waze. Even if you didn’t, Google can identify them as your home and work based on how much time you spend there.

• Your holiday destinations based on your Google Maps location tracking and Google Photos. They can even predict your travel plans using your Google searches and the flight confirmations saved in your Gmail.

Who your friends and family are

Google doesn’t only want to know who you are, they also want to know who you interact with and who your friends and family are. Its facial recognition not only identifies your face but also the faces of your loved ones and even your pets. Google uses Gmail, your calendar and Google hangouts to identify who you talk to, how often, and when and where you meet.

Your Youtube search history

“It might seem that watching funny videos on Youtube is harmless. However, every video you’ve ever watched (or even searched for) has been noted if you did it while signed in to your Google account,” says NordVPN’s digital privacy expert. “Your video history can say as much about you as your Google search – your interests, your future plans, holiday destinations, etc.”

Google keeps the record of your Youtube watch history and your Youtube search history, which you can view by logging into your Youtube account.

All your online activity

The list above isn’t all. Google collects even more data:

• Your Google search history;

• Ads you engaged with or even just viewed;

• Your Gmail history;

• Websites you visited while using Chrome;

• Your engagement on third-party websites, which are tracked by Google Analytics. (You can opt out here.)

This information also syncs between all of your devices as long as you are signed into your Google account. You can see all your searches and app activity by going to your Web & App activity page.

What data does Google have about me?

Google collects a lot of personal data. To see how much exactly, you can head to your account and download an archive. This might take a while, since they may have as much as 20GB of data on you.

How to stop Google from collecting your data

“It’s scary to know how much Google knows about you. No company should ever hold that much information about anyone. Not only is it intrusive and violates your privacy, it also creates many cybersecurity risks,” says Daniel Markuson. “This information can be used to influence elections or end up in the hands of a hacker or a third party, which Google has been caught doing.”

However, according to NordVPN’s digital privacy expert, your online privacy and security is in your hands and you can limit or completely eliminate Google’s surveillance if you:

• Use private browsing modes such as incognito mode or private browsers;

• Adjust your Google account’s privacy settings. You can check how private your account is on Google’s Privacy Checkup or you can go to your Activity page and turn the tracking off;

• Delete your previous activity or change the settings so it would be deleted automatically after a certain period of time;

• Make sure that only trustworthy apps have access to your Google account;

• Delete your account and use privacy-oriented Google alternatives.

ABOUT NORDVPN

NordVPN is the world's most advanced VPN service provider that is more security oriented than most VPN services. It aims to become the world's easiest-to-use VPN with a strong focus on user experience. NordVPN offers double VPN encryption, malware blocking and Onion Over VPN. It apps provide a unique algorithm, allowing to automatically connect to the fastest server. The product is very user friendly, offers one of the best prices on the market, has over 5,000 servers worldwide and is P2P friendly. For more information:nordvpn.com.

Best High-Paying Freelance Gigs of the Week: June 3rd 2019

Hey No-Fluffers! Starting today, each week I’ll post the best high-paying freelance gigs of the week here, on the site. You’ll find gigs that pay at least $100 a peice or over $50 an hour and all of these postings are looking for remote writers. That means you can work from home. In the list you will find companies looking for full-time writers, publications that need pitches for articles, and sites that need content creators.

Note: I don’t know anything about these positions other than what I post. I weed out the seedy looking ones, but it is your job to be diligent when applying. Also, please don’t message me with questions about the postings. If a link doesn’t work the posting has probably been taken down because the gig has been filled. If you have a gig for freelance writers that pays at least $100 a peice or over $50 an hour, please contact me and I will include your gig in next week’s post.

Let’s get started!

Freelance GMAT Prep Writer

Pays $100 to 300 per article depending on length + experience.

More information: FreelanceWriting.com

Vegan Cooking Articles

Pays $200 and up per article

More information: How to pitch Tenderly

Copywriter - Social Media

Salary $1000.00 to $5000.00 / month

More information: Indeed

Personal Finance Writer

$150 to $450 per piece

More information: The Motley Fool

Real Estate Investment Writer

Pay ranges from $150 - $750 per piece

More information: The Motley Fool

Scribe Remote Writers

$60-$70 an hour

More information: Scribe

Biography Package Writers

Pay ranges from $600-3000 depending on the package

More information: Story Terrace

Resume Writers

Earn up to $3,500 a month

More information: Glassdoor

Technical Documentation Writer

$2,500 signing bonus + salary

Files.com

Science Writer

Full-time salary

More information: Self Decode

Freelance Journalists - Health Equity Issues

$1 per word for up to 2000 words

Review the tone, style and angle of recent stories at their online newsroom, and then direct pitches or questions to julian@coloradotrust.org.

Medical Writer

Full-time salary

More information: Envision Pharma Group

Technology Writer

Full-time salary

More information: Fit Small Business

Insurance Writer

Full-time salary

More information: Reviews.com/Red Ventures

Want to know how I find these gigs so you can search for yourself? Grab my No-Fluff Freelance Writing Starter Pack. It teaches you how I make $100 to $200 an hour at home as a freelance writer. The pack includes gig finding secrets, my two books, a social media marketing guide for writers, invoice template, contract template and more.

Fight Generic Content: How to Create Interesting Posts

I was recently critiquing a person's article, and something struck me. This article had everything going for it...in theory. It was on a great topic that would be interesting to the reader. The problem was, once you started reading, it was clear that the article was generic. It was a general dabbling into the subject and not the in-depth article the title promised. Of course, the average reader would click away from the article right away and never come back to the site.

To help you avoid this mistake, I'm going to give you a sure-fire way to determine if your content is generic with one easy step.

Image by Neil Kandalgaonkar.

How to Spot a Generic Article

Spotting a generic article is easy. All you need to do is see if you can swap your main keyword for something else.

For example, say your article was entitled: How Marketers can Use PayPal. Throughout your article, you should give examples of how marketers, specifically, can use PayPal. If you can switch out the word "marketers" and replace it with any other type of profession, then your article is generic.

How to Fix Generic Content

Fixing generic content is just as easy as spotting it. Simply go through your article and insert tips or ideas that are specific to your topic keyword.  Remember, you want people to learn or be entertained with tidbits that pertain to their interests. If they aren't learning or being entertained, then your article is nothing but search fodder.

Nothing makes me angrier than search fodder. That's articles that are created with the sole intent of drawing in hits through keyword usage. These articles are dry, useless and infuriating because they waste people's time. Not to mention, search engines are looking for helpful content more than keywords and SEO tricks these days, anyway.

[bctt tweet="Keep it classy. Make sure that your content avoids the generic label and is something special."]

ron_burgundy_ stay classy

Keep it classy. Make sure that your content avoids the generic label and is something special. Not only will your brand gain a loyal following, you'll also get more search engine love.

Want to learn how to become a successful writer? Get a copy of my book:

The Fluff-Free Freelance Writing Master Course: The only course that gives you concrete, actionable information to building a successful freelance business without any fluff.

5 Effective Online B2B Lead Generation Tactics in 2019

Lead generation has undergone a radical change in the past few years. Today, online lead generation activities are more effective when compared to traditional mail and print advertising.

Effective B2B lead generation requires a combination of inbound and outbound activities. Inbound strategy can help establish credibility, while an outbound strategy will result in attracting more qualified leads.

Here are five online inbound and outbound strategies that will help in generating qualified leads and improving brand image and credibility.

1. Social Media

Social media is one of the most effective channels for both B2B and B2C lead generation. For B2B, LinkedIn has proven a very effective channel in generating leads. The platform is a whopping 277 percent more effective than Twitter and Facebook in attracting qualified leads.

You should focus on creating posts based on keywords that your target customers will be searching for and learn how to use hashtags for attracting the right audience to your post. Also, make sure that you follow the proper etiquette when posting on social media platforms. Don’t post more than twice a day, use a professional business profile, and respect customers.

2. Generate Leads by Posting Content

Posting regular blogs on internal and syndicate sites is another effective way to generate leads. Consider hiring a professional content writing team to craft quality insightful articles. The content should be informational and not promotional if you want to attract leads.

Every piece of content should be optimized for unique, semantically related keywords that are relevant to your product or services.

The content should have a clear call to action at the end that prompts users to take action, too. The article should serve as a teaser with basic information. Then, ask the readers to contact you for further details.

3. AdWords Advertising

Online advertising is another effective way to generate leads. You should put ads on popular social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The ads can be customized to run in a particular geography. Also, you can customize the ad to target specific demography such as CEO, entrepreneurs, and other professionals.

4. Create Lead Generation Magnets

You can also attract the target market by using what marketers call a lead generation magnet. This refers to tools that are used to motivate individuals to interact with your offer. The tactic involves the exchange of contact details for a valuable piece of information.

Effective lead magnets for B2B lead generation include:

• E-books

• Whitepapers

• Free apps

• Online workshops

• Webinar demonstrations

Consider contacting professional lead generation companies to know how to use lead magnets for generating leads.

5. Email Marketing

Email is the traditional online marketing tactic that is still effective today. You should consider using marketing automation tools to efficiently capture online leads.

Market automation tools connect with the CRM software and send targeted and personalized emails automatically. Studies have shown that email marketing automation results in a 172 percent increase in revenues.

The above tactics are just some of the ways in which you can generate qualified leads through online channels. Consider incorporating the tactics listed here in your B2B marketing strategy and build your business one step at a time.

Handy Hints For Selling Online Courses

The online program and course industry is huge - and is still gathering plenty of momentum. According to reports last year it was worth $200 billion, and the chances are that figure is even higher as you read this. Put simply, if you have a particular set of skills and knowledge, there is a market for your expertise. All over the world, there are people clamoring to find out information on almost every subject under the sun, and, most importantly, they are willing to dip into their pockets to access it.

If you are knowledgeable about direct sales, online marketing, or any other form of making money on the web, the big question today isn’t whether or not you should start a course. It’s this - why haven’t you started one already?!

Here are some hints and tips on how to get started in the world of selling online programs. Read on, take everything in, and put some of this advice into action - you never know where it might take you!

teaching courses online

Don’t panic about the competition

A lot of experienced people are put off running online courses and programs, due to the massive amount of competition, but this is the last thing that should stop you. Yes, there might be a lot of rival courses in your field, but the very fact there are lots of them should tell you one important thing: that particular subject is popular!

The truth is that there will be a course or program on any subject you can possibly think of. And to be honest, if there are no other courses in that field,  I would suggest you should think of another program idea; clearly, there isn’t much of a market for it. Never see competition as a barrier - it’s just sign of a healthy market you can access

The myth of making mistakes, lack of money and bad design

Here’s another cold truth: your first course will suck, as will your advertising efforts to promote it. But, guess what? Every mistake you make will be a learning experience. You will change your course over time, developing it to ensure people get the results they want. You will start tracking your advertising, emails, and sales funnels (more on which later) with more purpose, finding out what works - and what doesn’t.

As your course gets better, your budget will increase as a result - and you can raise your prices. It means you can start putting more money into your promotion and the design of your website, as well as the content of your course. We will take a look at some of the things you can do to make improvements a little later on. But essentially, everyone has to start from somewhere, and as long as your customers feel they are getting value, you will get results.

selling programs online

The importance of self-development

You can’t afford to stand still in business, and if you want your courses and programs to be successful, you need to stay at the top of your game. Ask any successful entrepreneur from any industry, and they will all tell you the same thing: a continuing education is a key to winning in business.

You could take an advanced course in your specialist subject, and then rework some of your new knowledge into your existing program - or launch an entirely new one instead. In every area of your business, from the day-to-day running through to the devising of new programs, there will always be someone who does it better than you. Learn from these people, and your courses, programs and business as a whole will be better off as a result.

making money online

Email, copy and sales funnels

While we are on the subject of learning, educating yourself about the power of email, compelling copy and sales funnels will be vital to the success of your product. It’s a huge range of subject matter that requires further reading, but your email list will be the lifeblood of your sales. You will need to think of ways to entice people to sign up to your list - offering free (but valuable) information in e-books is a traditional method, and even a well-run blog can attract sign ups.

Copywriting is also vital. Excellent, engaging, compelling copy can make your program; bad copy will break it. The words you use to advertise your course or program have to tap into the pain points of your ideal customer and motivate them to do something about it. You need to talk to your audience in their language, not yours, and focus every point on either being a solution, to removing barriers to purchase.

And finally, there are your sales funnels. This refers to how you capture people at every stage of the buying process, prove your value to them, and slowly nudge them down the funnel until they turn from dubious visitor to willing buyer. Again, sales funnels are a vast subject which will require more reading. But make no mistake about it - learning how to create effective sales funnels can have incredible impacts on your sales.

Find a place to sell

If you don’t want to set up your own website to sell your courses, there are plenty of online universities that allow you to sell your course using their site for a piece of the profits. SkillShare, for example, pays you for the minutes that people watch your instructional videos and you can also make money from referrals, as well. Here's one of my courses on SkillShare: How to Get Started as a Writer Without Clips. (Yes, that’s a referral link.)

One of my videos on SkillShare.

Targeting

Of course, none of the online marketing tactics listed above will matter a jot if you aren’t putting it in front of the right people. It is critical to spend a long time researching your ideal customers so you can build up an accurate picture of them. Who are they? Are they male, female, or does it not matter? What companies do they work for - and in what position? Where do they hang out online, and in real life? What interests do they have outside of work?

Once you understand your customers, you can start finding out about their pain points. What is driving them mad, or making them worried? Then it’s a simple case of designing your program to equip your customers with the skills and knowledge they need to overcome their stumbling blocks. This will be your ‘value proposition,’ and it’s impossible to define if you don’t know who your ideal customer actually is.

Differentiation

OK, so the final handy hint is learning how to differentiate yourself from the competition. As we discussed at the beginning of the post, it doesn’t matter that your topic has been covered before - what is important is how you present it. It’s worth bearing in mind that people tend to learn in different ways, and if there is a gap in the market for, say, visual learners, it could give you a massive clue in the sort of direction you might take.

Your course could have a better design than your rivals, for example, making it easier for learners to navigate, explore, and answer questions. You might use proven gamification techniques in your program, too, instead of the same old textbook and answer sheet style employed by your competitors. Or, you could just provide a multi-platform course so that your customers can learn on any device they like, whether it’s a smartphone or a desktop.

Conclusion

As you can see, starting an online program might be a lot easier than you might think. And the sooner you get started, the better. It’s something you can refine over time, improve, and it will lead to you beginning to make a name for yourself. Yes, there is a lot of work involved, but if you believe in your program, it is possible to outsource to other companies to cover the areas in which you need the most help. Have I sold you on the world of infopreneurs yet?

Got questions? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below!

Free at Last From Being Free: How to Stop Writing for Free

"Should I write for free?" I hear this question a lot from new freelance writers. The answer?

Many freelance writers start off their career thinking that they should do a little free work to build up their clips so they can get paid gigs. The problem is, once you start down the free road, it's hard to take an exit. People want to keep getting free stuff as long as they can and will baulk at paying your new rates.

Well, I say tough. If they want quality work, then they need to pay. I encourage new writers not to go down the pro-bono road, if they can avoid it at all. (Here's how to get clips and gigs, even if you've never written for a client.)

If you've fallen into the free trap and want to start earning for your work, I've come up with a script that can help:

"I really enjoy working with you, but I am advancing in my career and my time is becoming limited. I can only do work for paying clients. I would love to continue working with you. My rates are XYZ, would you be able to continue with me as a paying client?"

This script gives the client no wiggle room. Either they decide to stay with you, or they set you free to make an income. This approach is non-threatening, though, so there's a good chance you'll convert the client into a paying client.

Have questions? Ask me in the comments!

The #1 Worry For Freelance Writers (And How to Solve It)

Let's face it, as a freelance writer your day may have a few more worries than those folks that have staff jobs. In particular, the number one concern for us freelancers is the work will suddenly dry up, and leave us destitute. This worry haunts our days and our nights. However, it is definitely possible to ensure a consistent workflow as a freelancer. Read on to find out more.

how to be a freelancer

Find your niche

Having a niche when you are a freelance writer is particularly crucial in securing work. Firstly a niche is a specific area that you can specialize in. It can work well for writers because we get to create work around things they are passionate about, and as we know, it's always easier to write an engaging quality piece about something that actually interests us.

Luckily, there are all sorts of fascinating niche topics that have been made accessible and in demand on the internet. This means you can successfully base your freelance writing career in areas as varied as health and fitness, wellbeing, vehicles,  art, tech or computer games, as well as pretty much anything else in between.  

Also by focusing your efforts in a certain area, it is easier as a writer to build up a name and reputation for themselves, as well as stay on top of all of the current affairs in that field. This will make your writing well informed and ensure that people think of you when they need a piece on that topic completed.

To learn more about choosing your niche, take a look at my article Yes, You Need a Niche, Freelance Writers.

Ensure your pitch is right

Next, a massive part of ensuring a consistent workflow as a freelance writer is the art of mastering the pitch. The pitch is that communication between you and your client (usually an editor) that convinces them to award the job to you and not someone else.

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Pitches usually consist of titles, lead sentences, and a brief outline of what the rest of the piece will contain. That means these things need to be full of verve and engage the reader straight away. Cut out the generics and put in with attention-grabbing specific pieces that appeal to the readership of the company you are pitching to.

To help you with this you can take a look at their previous publications to see how they title their pieces and what sort of style their articles usually take. Then match your pitch to this to increase your win rate and ensure you have as much work as possible.

For specifics on pitching to magazines, see my article How To Pitch Magazines: A Writer's Guide for Getting Published.

Manage your reputation

Did you know that your reputation is crucial to your success as a freelance writer? It truly is, especially if you want to win the higher paying articles that will provide you with enough time to research and truly craft the pieces you are writing.

Remember that is it very easy for an editor or client to Google you and get a sense of what you are about quickly. That means you need to manage your online reputation carefully to achieve the best results.

To do this ensure that you keep your non-work social media page private, and you can even employ professionals, as this reputation service case study demonstrates, to ensure that you come across as credible and reliable online. Something that can definitely help you to achieve more work and maintain that steady workflow that so many freelancers desire.

Encourage referrals  

Last of all, but certainly not least to solve the problem of getting enough work, it's vital that as a freelancer you encourage referrals from previous customers that have been pleased with your work.

Of course, this is easier said than done a lot of the time, as getting repeat business or a business to business referral often seem like something you are a freelancer have little control over.

how to get referrals as a freelancer

The answer here is a combination of incentivization and subtle reminders.

1. Get repeat work and referrals by offering discounted rates if pieces are requested within a certain space of time.

2. Remind previous clients that you are still here and ready to help them with any writing job they may need assistance with.

3. Some freelancers even take the time to send a handwritten thank you card as a way of maintaining a positive relationship with previous clients. Something that can often pay off in the long run.

It's often much easier to convince satisfied clients that they would like to use you for more work, remember. Instead of finding someone that you have never worked with before that is willing to take an unqualified chance on you.

Need step-by-step instructions on becoming a successful freelance writer? I've got you. Read my book:

The Fluff-Free Freelance Writing Master Course: The only course that gives you concrete, actionable information to building a successful freelance business without any fluff.

Writers, Don't Neglect Real World

how to start a blog

As a freelance writer, you can’t just focus on your writing and be done with it - you need to be able to advertise yourself and your services both online and off. This means that you need to know what your USP is, find your target market and hit them with a brilliant sales pitch before the competition can even have a chance.

You may not think it, but the freelance writing market is incredibly competitive and you need to have your wits about you! If you are struggling to make your name as a writer, you need to get your advertising hat on and drum up some business for yourself.

Go to Networking Events

No freelancer (that I know of!) really likes networking, but it is a necessity if you want to build a real network of contacts. You might think that networking is all about a group of people meeting to try and get work from one another and in a way you are right.

However, it is important that you go in with an open mind and think more about how you can help others than outwardly trying to score a contract.

Networking for clients

Above all, networking is about getting connected to a range of people. This means that even if a person you meet isn’t going to work with you, they may have another person to introduce you to later down the line and vice versa.

To make sure that people can get in touch with you later, always offer a business card. This is a great technique for shy people especially as swapping cards makes it easier to invite people to get in touch with you later on.  

Go to Conventions

Almost every industry has a convention at some point in the year and if you want to make the most of it, grab a stall, set yourself up and entice people over to chat about your services. Make sure that your stall fully represents you, your services and your values with examples of your writing.

getting visitors for website

To fill your space and make posters that detail your services, you website and how to get in touch. Then all you need are some banner hangers to display your posters and you are away. You should also leave business cards on the table so that people are able to just pick one up and move on.

Work Your Website

Your website is a great way to bring new business in so you need to make sure that it is fully optimised for its purpose. Write a regular blog to add content to your site and promote it via social media to draw people in.

Similarly, you should display examples of your work so that prospective customers can see what your writing style is like and the kind of niches you go for. Build up your portfolio with your strongest pieces and keep an up-to-date resume too.

As you would during a networking event or convention, make sure that personal touches come through on your website. Remember: your customers are buying into you as much as your services.

What Makes a Website Boring & How to Make Your Website Wow

We all know what a bad website looks like, but what about a boring website? These are much more common and most of us don’t pick up on the traits because, well, they’re boring. Having a boring website could put off return visitors. Here are just a few traits of a boring website that you should avoid when building your site.

Obvious template design

Wordpress has made it easy for anyone to build a website for free without coding knowledge. This has caused some people to get lazy. They choose a Wordpress template and don’t make any modifications to it. The result is a website that looks like a thousand others already out there.

It pays to spend some time playing around with design. Consider using a few plugins that will further make your website unique (but not too many, as this will cause your site to lag). Another option could be to simply hire a website designer to code one from scratch.

If you’re looking to stand out amongst your competitors, it could be worth looking for a specialist web design company. Such companies are able to cater to niches. If there are others in the area doing what you do, such a company might be able to help create a website that gives you an edge.

boring websites

Too many stock photos

Not all stock photos are boring, although many are. They’re boring because everybody uses them. These are usually royalty free images that appear at the top of the image search on Google. Try looking for photos elsewhere. Even better, pay a photographer to create unique photos that will separate your site from every other site out there.

Alternatively, no images at all

If your website is mostly text, this too could make your website look modern. A decade ago, it was alright to have websites that looked like leaflets.

Nowadays, the trend is more towards websites that look like a billboard – they’re dominated by images with a few tabs that then lead to other information. Walls of text can be off-putting, especially on company websites where people are shopping and comparing websites at a glance. These visitors don’t want to be reading through five paragraphs just to find out what your company is about.

The exception to this is blogs, which have to be text-heavy by their very design. It still makes sense to use lots of images and to possibly limit text on your homepage to previews of blog posts or titles that when clicked on reveal more.

Too much black and white

black and white images

Websites have evolved to have less gaudy colors, but some websites have taken it too far by only using black and white. This can work in some cases, but generally it takes a pop of color to add some personality.

This doesn't need to take the form of huge red banners and different coloured text – it could simply be small details here and there. Color layering can be a nightmare to get right, so take care when placing text over brightly colored backgrounds.

Complex jargon

Unless your website is for a very niche topic that only people with a certain level of know-how will look at, it’s generally a good idea to put your content in layman’s terms. Technical jargon doesn’t impress people and in most cases it sends them to sleep. Then they look for info somewhere else.

If you’re creating a website for a recruitment company, you’d be better off with a snappy description such as ‘helping to match talented people to the perfect jobs’ rather than ‘human resource sourcing and talent acquisition’.

A good test is to get your friends or family to read it and ask what they think it means – if they have no idea, you may want to simplify it.

Turn Your WWW Into WOW: Extra Tips

In order to make money from your website there are some simple rules you need to follow. When it comes to the WWW - think What-Why-Who and have a plan.

• Your website should load quickly. Watch out for memory intensive plugins or conflicting plugins that may cause it to slow or lag. This is one of the quickest ways to send your customers packing.

• Security from hackers is important.  Fortunately these days, most hosts will do automatic backups for you (although you should always keep a fairly up-to-date backup of your site offline). Additionally never pick a web host that doesn't have 24/7 live support. If or when things go bad, you will want their help immediately.

• Always use a .com.  And unless there really is no alternative don’t use a dash or hyphen in between the words in a domain name. You want to make your address as easy to remember as possible.

• Build an email list from day one. Simple rule, but easily one of the most important.

• Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest. The key here is to pick one and dominate it, stop trying to do all three.  Alternatively, hire someone to look after your social media marketing and make them responsible for the outcome.

• Don’t focus on one traffic source. Google, social media, email marketing, podcasts/videos and infographics are all important.

• Consistency is key when publishing content. Daily, weekly, monthly, you choose how often to post and stick to it.

• Make it easy for people to contact you. What is more, be open to some criticism or less than positive comments about your website. It happens that some comments will come from generally negative people, but the overall experience is that people want to help. Never retaliate to comments or emails!

• Regularly ask yourself a question. If, in 10 years (5 years, 1 year, or even 6 months), you were to look back at your actions today what would you change? Do that.

• Pay Your Way. There is an increasing trend that the people who make the most money online: they buy a high percentage of their traffic (pay for advertisements). Basically, they have learned additional skills based on lead generation and adwords. If you are not also learning these skills, you could be missing out.

• Invest in the future. Don’t presume what you are doing right now will be working in years to come. Keep innovating & educating.

• Keep It Legal. Be sure to include a policy page on your site.

• Don’t be afraid of highly competitive niche! The reason they are competitive is because there is money in that niche!

• Keep moving forward. Never give up. The biggest difference between success and failure is giving up or trudging forward.