Alina Bradford 8/2/19 Alina Bradford 8/2/19

5 Tips for Starting a Home-Based Online Writing Business

It is important that you know how to succeed as an online writer, as it takes more than just a way with words to succeed in this (increasingly competitive) industry. So, if you are thinking of making the leap and starting your own online writing business, read on for a few tips.

It is easy to see why so many people are quitting their 9-5 jobs and embarking on an online writing career. Freelance work provides great flexibility and puts you in control of your earnings, but this is also a unique and challenging way of working that is not for everyone. It is important that you know how to succeed as an online writer, as it takes more than just a way with words to succeed in this (increasingly competitive) industry. So, if you are thinking of making the leap and starting your own online writing business, read on for a few tips.

1. Create a Routine

One of the perks of working remotely is that it provides great flexibility, but this can also be a curse, particularly for those that struggle with self-motivation. Creating a routine and sticking to it is vital for success and will ensure that you are able to get what you need done each day. It will also make it easier for clients to know when to contact you.

2. Avoid Cabin Fever

It is very easy to suffer from cabin fever if you work from home, and you will want to avoid this at all costs. This means that you should make an effort to leave the house each day, whether this is going to the gym, meeting friends for lunch, visiting a client or socializing in the evening. Many freelancers also like working from a laptop so that they have the option of working somewhere other than home.

3. Separate Home & Work

Following this, it can be hard to separate your home and work life when you start an online home-based writing career. Having a home office is one good way of doing this, but you can also help to separate the two by sticking to your routine (as above) and implementing an action to start and end the working day - a walk around the block is a smart idea because this also helps you to avoid cabin fever.

4. Have Reliable Transport

Leading on from this, it is helpful to have a reliable automobile when you are a freelance writer, since it will be helpful for getting out and meeting clients. Although you will be primarily working from home, you may also have to commute occasionally and run errands. A versatile and reliable vehicle like a Land Rover Defender 110 would be a good investment.

5. Avoid Burnout

There is a temptation to take on as much work as you possibly can when you are a freelance writer so that you can maximize your earnings. While you certainly should work hard each day, you should avoid taking on too much work as this can lead to burnout and reduce the quality of your work. Take on a manageable amount and make sure that you are taking regular breaks and leading a healthy lifestyle (which can be easy to neglect when working from home).

A home-based freelance writing career can be highly rewarding, but you must also know how to work efficiently and thrive in an industry that is becoming increasingly competitive.

Alina Bradford 7/31/19 Alina Bradford 7/31/19

Fancy Starting a Vlog? Here's What You Need to Know

Vlogging can be a great way to feature your expertise in a niche, or you can use your skill as a vlogger as an added benefit to choosing you over other freelance writers. Here’s how to get started.

A vlog essentially means a virtual log, and is fast becoming a new way of blogging. (Okay, it's not that new, but it's becoming mainstream.) You essentially record yourself and post it onto the internet, which people watch. There are dozens of virtual logs out there, and essentially comes in the form of something sat facing the camera and talking about things that are pertinent to them. It can be a great way to feature your expertise in a niche, or you can use your skill as a vlogger as an added benefit to choosing you over other freelance writers.

If you fancied starting one, then good for you! There are certain things you need to make it a success. These tips can help you get started. You may have already thought about some of these, but if not use them and apply them to your setup.

Supplies

There are certain things you need to do before starting your Vlog. First you need a camera to record yourself. You need to find the best vlogging camera for you. If you can’t afford one then you could use your phone if the camera is good enough. At least make sure your phone camera is over 12 megapixels. Otherwise the video will look grainy.

You also need to think about what kind of platform you want your vlog to rest on. YouTube is extremely popular, but you may want to post it on your blog to make it more accessible. Youtube is easier to access, but you are making more of a statement by posting it from your own website. Facebook Live, Instagram Live and Snapchat are all good options, too.

Choose Your Niche

You need to ensure you have some form of niche. Something that makes you stand out will pull people in. Check on the more popular vlogs and see what they are doing that attracts success. You need to do the same thing, but with a spin.

What are you an authority on? What are you good at? What makes you unique?

Get Viewers

Now that you have your vlog setup you need to start attracting people to it. They need to know it exists to give it a chance. You can help by shouting about it. Okay, not literally.

Comment on similar videos linking back to your own.
Tell people on social media, friends included.
Offer to guest star in other people's videos that share the same topic.

The more people that know the more they will talk about it and you can’t beat word of mouth as the main pulling point for your new videos.

Take Feedback

As you post, the comments will pour in, some critical, others praising. You need to reply to the good comments and act on the bad feedback. Use suggestions to turn bad videos into good ones by listening to your critics.

Of course, there will be a lot of trolls, especially if you post on YouTube. If a person isn't offering constructive criticism that you can use, ignore them. Don't let it make you give up. You can do this!

Don’t Make Your Vlog a Slog

You’ve been uploading new videos and keeping a close eye on the view counter. You keep refreshing the pages, but the view counter for your videos just aren’t going up. The only person who seems to be increasing the view count is you, and that’s only because you keep refreshing the page to check the view count. Ha!

This is a disastrously common scenario for many vloggers out there. The fact is, vlogs are a dime a dozen - or maybe even a dime a hundred these days - and, while it remains an exciting medium, you really need something that will make you stand out from the crowd.

And on that note, let’s dive into the first common mistake that new vloggers make...

There’s Nothing Special About Your Vlog

A lot of vloggers aren’t really saying anything new or offering anything particularly funny or wise. They’re simply regurgitating what more popular vloggers are saying. While this may have worked for a few people who managed to get rich while basically ripping off the likes of PewDiePie, by and large the rip-off artists are called out as such right away and fail to grab an audience.

There needs to be something about your vlog that really compels people to watch more. Here's some ideas:

Do you have a funny voice that makes your friends howl with laughter? Use it! A good example is Chelcie Lynn. She creates characters and videos them living their lives. The results are hilarious.
Do you have a unique way of seeing the world? Make sure that shines through. Don't stifle it in the name of fitting in. My favorite example of letting your freak flag fly is Chris Crocker. He's funny, poignant and adorable, all wrapped up in one package.
Do you like putting a spin on an old classic? BUG Bradford (my kiddo) makes parodies of TV shows and songs. While she's not a pro yet, a rendition of one song has gotten close to 30,000 views.

Your Editing Isn’t Any Good

Never, never, never underestimate the importance of good editing. The best vloggers out there tend to have great editing skills they use to make their videos funnier, clearer and more enjoyable. In fact, many of these vloggers find that the real creation of their videos is in the editing, not the filming. Resources like Training Connection may be able to help you.

The Videos Are Too Long - or Not Long Enough

People love to talk cynically about how ruined our attention span supposedly is. While the damage the internet has wrought upon our attention spans is a myth, it’s important that your vlog isn’t longer than it needs to be.

Of course, it depends what your niche is. A video that’s too short may not grab people at all. The sweet spot for many viewers seems to be somewhere along the four to seven minute mark, especially if you lean more towards comedy. Social commentary may take on longer forms; for example, a historical and economic video about Brexit will actually attract more viewers if it’s over twenty minutes!

You’re Not Interacting with Your Audience

The best way to engage your audience, beside making great vlogs, is to actually engage with them. This is why you need respond to reasonable comments on your videos, as well as use social media to converse with followers.

Twitter is a particularly good platform for vloggers. You can also use social media to follow and interact with bigger vloggers who may end up paying attention to your videos and giving you a wider audience.

Alina Bradford 7/30/19 Alina Bradford 7/30/19

Speedy Writing Tips for Beginners

I must admit. I’m a speedy writer. Not to say I don’t work hard to get stories in by their deadline, research new markets and craft queries. I just don’t like wasting time. I want to get it done and move onto the part I love, the actual writing.

There are many sites made specifically to aid writers on their quest for information, resources, and education. Below are some of the best to help you save time and get writing.

Reference at Your Fingertips

Everyone knows that you need a good dictionary, thesaurus and encyclopedia, but thumbing through these can waste huge masses of time. Besides, why buy these reference books when you can easily access them on the web? This saves time and money! Wordsmyth has a dictionary and thesaurus that are quick and easy to use. All you have to do is type your word into the box on the left-hand side of the screen. The site will give you the correct spelling, synonyms, definition, and a list of related words.

Merriam and Webster Online not only has a dictionary and thesaurus, but also Encyclopedia Britannica. This site also helps you with research related to the words you look up by providing helpful links.

Another great reference site is Writer’s Market.com. The digital version of this long time writer’s staple offers instant access to thousands of editors and agents just for $5.99 a month. This is a great time saver because it is constantly being updated. No more getting returned query letters because of address changes or business mergers.

Speedy Research

Doing research is one of the biggest time eaters there is for writers. Going to the library can take up a whole day. And typing random terms into search engines can be just as time consuming. Finding several surefire research sites is the best way to maximize writing time. The key is to stay focused on your topic. Say you are looking for information on the best places to go salmon fishing. You find several great articles on salmon fishing, but a few pop up about salmon recipes. Even if you are tempted, don’t stray over to other topics that may pique you interest. Stay focused! It saves precious time that you need to write your story.

Profnet lets you ask technical questions of experts and look up previously answered questions on anything from Ancient Egypt to Oklahoma injury settlements. For more, Game Press is another site that lets you connect with experts in the field of gaming.

Need really detailed information like statistics or government documents for your story? Don’t shlep to your local government agency. Turn to sites like Fedstats or Firstgov.gov. Fedstats has links to statistical data, statistical profiles of states, counties, cities, congressional districts, and federal judicial districts, while Firstgov.gov has just about any other kind of information you could want related to government agencies and policies.

Do you want to have just one website bookmarked where you can find all the research help you could ever need? Refdesk.com is the ultimate online guide to internet research. The site includes links to expert advice, reference facilities and news, as well as help and advice columns.

Saving time by using the internet is a great way to add more minutes to writing your story. Just remember to actually write.

Here’s everything you need to start a successful freelance writing business.

Alina Bradford 7/30/19 Alina Bradford 7/30/19

First Impressions Count: Why Your Website Matters

If you're still feeling unsure of why your business' website is so important, here's why it's a valuable tool that you shouldn't ignore.

Having any website has to be better than no website at all, right? Wrong! Yes, a website is essential for writers, but not any old website will do. You pour your heart and soul into your writing business, so why would you want to downgrade it by plastering your business' name on a website that's not up to scratch?

There is no point in having a website, simply for the sake of having a website. Your website needs to perform a lot of tasks, so it needs to be done right. If you're still feeling unsure of why your business' website is so important, here's why it's a valuable tool that you shouldn't ignore.

First Impressions Really Do Count

Whether you are a new freelance writer or a well-known expert, people are going to want to do a little research before taking the plunge and hiring you. Guess where most people go to find out the information that they need? Yep, you guessed it, the internet. If you don't have a website, well, the chances are that your competitors will benefit. Nowadays, product research and purchase decisions are mainly carried out online, so don't miss your opportunity to get your business noticed. Don’t rely on a Facebook page. There’s only so much information you can give your potential clients there and it’s hard to show off your brand on a FB page.

How do you create a good impression? Here are some tips from Jorden Makelle:

Make Things Easy

Want to make your business stand out from your competitors? If so, your website can help. A well-designed website which looks great and provides your customers with all the information they need to make an informed purchase is vital. Creating a website which performs all of these tasks can be tricky. Your website needs to be professional and perform a variety of functions, including being easy to read on a phone or laptop. Therefore, it's a good idea to enlist the help of a web design company to guide you through the whole process and make your ideas a reality.

Having a great website performs another vital function; it helps to build up your brand. Keep your website consistent with the rest of your business' branding, and you will have the perfect medium for boosting your brand recognition and building up brand loyalty among your customers.

Multitasking Made Easier

Here are some more ways that you can add further value to your website:

Use your website as a way of making sales by adding an online shop, complete with content packages. For example, one content package could be a quote for a month’s worth of blog posts for X amount. Clients like content packages because they know exactly how much they will be spending and what they’re getting.

Introduce a blog section to help build a stronger connection to your customers and provide them with lots of useful information that will keep them coming back for more. Be sure to focus on your niche.

Include a FAQ page, so that you can address any queries or possible issues that may be preventing potential customers from purchasing your services.

Your website is the ideal platform to use as a way of bringing together various elements of your business. If it is designed right, your website can work at multitasking your branding, marketing, sales and promotion.

Alina Bradford 7/29/19 Alina Bradford 7/29/19

Best High-Paying Freelance Gigs of the Week: July 29, 2019

Here’s this week’s work-from-home freelance writing jobs.

How’s everything going in your business? Have you gotten any new gigs recently? If not, or you need more, here’s help. Here’s this week’s work-from-home freelance writing jobs. These gigs pay at least $50 a piece, offer a full-time salary, or pay more than $25 an hour. Each one is labeled as a remote job, virtual job or work-from-home job, which means you can do the work from anywhere.

Also, here are 30+ sites that pay writers for articles, so be sure to check that out.

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 $50 a peice or over $25 an hour, please contact me and I will include your gig in next week’s post.

Visual Arts News

Pay: $100 to $150

More information:

Visual Arts News is now accepting pitches on the theme of architecture now until September 19th for our Spring 2020 issue. Check out our website for more information: visualartsnews.ca/about-us/

How to pitch:

Subject line: PITCH Visual Arts News

Email body: (200-300 words) What you want to cover and why it would be of interest to Visual Arts News, your angle and the format (review, profile, interview, feature). Include links to the artist’s website, the gallery website, and pertinent exhibition info (dates, location, curator, images etc.).

New writers, please also describe who you are and why your voice is a good fit for our publication. Please also attach your CV along with 2-3 writing samples to reviews, articles, or essays.

Send all materials by email to: editor@visualartsnews.ca.

All editorial decisions are made at the discretion of the Editorial Committee. If you are also submitting photos, please ensure they are 300dpi and a minimum of four inches wide. To be considered, proposals must be received by the issue’s stipulated deadline noted above.

Writer’s fees range from $100 to $150 per article, payable upon acceptance from the editor. All texts are submitted on a conditional basis. While the editor will work with authors to clarify their writing, texts are not considered accepted until the editor accepts the final draft. There is no “kill fee” for a declined text.

Editorial Policy:

Visual Arts News is the only magazine dedicated to contemporary visual art in Atlantic Canada. Although our focus is Atlantic Canadian art and artists, we also accept stories about national and international art and events that we believe are of interest to our readership.

Written in a clear and sophisticated style by some of the most talented arts writers in the region, Visual Arts News reflects the diversity of geographic and cultural communities in Atlantic Canada. The magazine is committed to providing balanced, engaging information about visual arts and artists. Our Editorial Committee is responsible for content selection, and the Editor assigns writers to each story. Although we are a non-profit organization supported in part by advertising, we recognize the importance of maintaining a clear separation between our independent editorial content and any advertising materials found in the magazine. Visual Arts News cannot guarantee editorial content or placement to advertisers.

Freelance Blogger

Pay: $50

More information: Empire Resume

GoSite

Pay: $150-250

More information: Mediabistro

Full-Time Writer and Part-Time Writer Needed for Reality TV News Site

Pay: This will be a full-time position that will pay between $3,000 to $5,000 each month, at a rate of $25 per story

More information: Mediabistro

JTA

Pay: $150-300

More information:

The JTA is in the market for fascinating pieces that will spark conversation between Jews around the world. Whether it aims to delight, inspire, entertain or inform, an ideal op-ed provides something new and of value to anyone who reads it.

That might sound like a tall order, but if you’re feeling up to the task, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Read what we’ve published before.

The best way to get a sense of the op-eds JTA is interested in publishing is to read our Opinion pages. It should go without saying, but don’t pitch us a story someone else has already written for us.

Submit compelling, timely, thesis-driven pieces with a Jewish angle.

JTA is a Jewish news site, and as such, the most relevant pieces for us will relate directly to a developing news story of interest to the global Jewish community or an emerging issue that deserves wider coverage. In addition to op-eds tied to the news cycle, we’re also interested in pieces that offer fresh solutions to familiar or persistent challenges in Jewish communal, political, social and religious life. A piece that is thesis-driven is written to advance an idea, not an ideology, event, or organization.

Stake a bold claim and back it up with evidence.

Before you pitch an op-ed, ask yourself: Why am I qualified to tell the story I want to tell?

We love first-person pieces, and the best ones focus on the writer’s personal experience and how it intersects with or sheds light on a dilemma in the broader social, religious and/or political arena.

If you don’t have a unique experience or insight that makes you the best person to tell the story, you’ll need to be willing to do the work. Come armed with expert interviews, data and other sources to back up your claim. Make sure to source and hyperlink all of your claims, and ensure that there’s a clear connection between the evidence you bring and the opinion you present. Opinion journalism is still journalism.

Approach old ideas in a fresh and engaging way.

It’s not enough to just pitch a story with your opinions about anti-Semitism, Israel, identity politics or the Holocaust. While these are all topics our readers are interested in, new op-eds should provide something that hasn’t been said before.

Write with Jewish diversity in mind.

You know the old saying: Two Jews, three opinions. Our readers span the globe and all have different ideas about politics, Israel, religion and Jewish life. Ideally, op-ed writers will be able to add a unique voice to the mix and speak to all of our readers in a compelling way, whether those readers agree with your opinions or not.

Pay: $500 - 750

More information: DCG

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Alina Bradford 7/26/19 Alina Bradford 7/26/19

Smart Ways to Sell Your Knowledge

If you want to start making money from your expertise, you make it a great side gig online or by offering education and instruction in person.

A great ways to make money is by passing on your skills or knowledge to others. You can sell your knowledge in a variety of ways, teaching people directly or creating materials for them to learn from. If you want to start making money from your expertise, you can create a great side gig online or by offering education and instruction in person.

Coach or Tutor Others

One option for imparting your knowledge on others is to offer coaching, tutoring, or teaching. For some skills, the best way to do this could be hands-on or face-to-face instruction. There are other skills that you might teach through video conferencing or perhaps by recording video tutorials. You could charge for access, or make money from sponsorships and advertising.

Create an Ebook

Not all skills require spoken instruction. A book can often be a great way of teaching something, and you can include resources such as images, graphs, or worksheets. An ebook is inexpensive to create and can be downloaded by anyone who wants to buy it, making it easier to produce than a physical book. For my ebooks, I upload to Amazon Publishing.

Offer Online Courses

Courses are another product or service you can offer online. You can deliver them in a variety of ways, from a series of videos to interactive learning software. Using a learning management system is one way to deliver online courses. I like the Skillshare platform for teaching video tutorials. It’s easy and you make pretty good money.

Here’s more about software you can use to teach:

eLearning Industry The Best 20 Learning Management Systems based on Customer Experience Infographic 2019 Edition

Alina Bradford 7/25/19 Alina Bradford 7/25/19

5 Top Tips To Consider When Writing For A Global Audience

Here are 5 top tips when it comes to communicating to global audiences through your writing.

Guest Post by Jennifer Ranking

English is the most common language spoken around the world. Whether you’re travelling to the Middle-East or to Europe, it’s likely that a fair number of local people will have English as a second language if not their first. But in business, if you’re looking to expand and grow then it’s important that you’re able to cater to all audiences which is writing for a global audience does have a different set of skills, even if you feel you’ve mastered the language of business. Here are 5 top tips when it comes to communicating to global audiences through your writing.

1. Grammar is correct

Grammar is essential when it comes to writing and it can instantly change the context of a sentence depending on how you use it. This is why it’s extremely common for many language classes and courses to focus heavily on grammar. If your writing isn’t grammatically correct, many of your readers are going to find it difficult to understand what you’re trying to say and soon become unfamiliar with common language patterns.

2. Keep your sentences short

Think of your sentences as like a long task. The more you break it down into sections, the more likely you are to understand its complexities. The shorter you can make your sentences in your writing, the reader will find it far easier to understand the points that you’re making and appear less intimidating. If you find your work is filled with long sentences, review it and see if you can split them up into sentences of about 20.

3. Minimise the use of abstract nouns

By definition, an abstract noun is “a word that refers to a state, event, quality, concept or feeling”. This means that it’s a word that’s something you can’t physically see. For example, abstract nouns are words such as meeting, anger or research. They’re something that aren’t really there. You can understand that this can become quite confusing for a reader who doesn’t have English as their first language so try to minimise these where you can.

4. Be careful with ‘helping’ verbs

Examples of modal verbs include the following; ‘shall’, ‘should’, ‘will’, ‘would’, ‘may’, ‘might’, ‘can’, ‘could’ and ‘must’. It’s strange to think that these types of words are only really used by speakers most familiar with the English language. They essentially provide a different context to the task or situation being applied to the sentence. For example, there is a major difference between saying that you ‘may’ submit your application for a UK visa compared to an application stating that you ‘must’ submit your application by the given date. ‘May’ implies that you have an option to and it won’t be an issue, whereas ‘must’ implies that it has to be done otherwise there’s no further option.

This can be confusing for non-native speakers, which is why you have to be assertive with your writing.

5. Avoid phrasing in the negative

Double negatives are also a term use that can be extremely confusing for readers. An example of a double negative can be “I don't want nothing.” You may be implying that you don’t want anything, but saying “I don’t want nothing” suggests that you want something.

It’s important to note that although in the English language double negatives can lead to a positive, in other languages they can simply emphasise the negative. For example, someone from Spain may see a phrase such as ‘not unlikely’ as ‘very unlikely’, compared to some who speaks English who would see it as ‘likely’. It’s examples like these which can appear very confusing to global audiences.

When it comes to any aspect as well as writing, it’s always important to know and understand your audience. What may seem a normality to some, will be alien and confusing to others. Know your audience before you begin and you’re far more likely to be successful.

Alina Bradford 7/24/19 Alina Bradford 7/24/19

Are You a Sex and the City Writer or a Dragnet Blogger?

Your style of writing is important. It is what will make people follow your blogs and search for your guest posts. When you're deciding what your brand's voice will be, there is one thing you need to be clear on: Are you a Sex and the City writer or a Dragnet writer? Confused? Let me explain.

The Sex and the City Writer

Lovers of the iconic HBO series Sex and the City swooned at the thought of being Carrie, the main character. Carrie Bradshaw would sit at her laptop in her fantastic rent-controlled New York apartment, sip coffee or Cosmopolitans and type out juicy stories about sex and the Big Apple. Eventually, Carrie's fantastic stories earned her a spot at Vogue writing 500-word articles for $4 per word.

All of this is swoon-worthy, until you actually think about Carrie as a writer. She puts not only the most personal information about herself into her column, but she also writes about her friend's sex lives, her boyfriend's hang-ups and, once, about a politician's kinks. All of this is put out there every week for all of New York to read. She has no secrets, her friends have no secrets and everyone she runs into's secrets are often revealed, too.

[bctt tweet="Your #writing style is important. Are you a Carrie Bradshaw or a Friday? Find out."]

This may seem far fetched. No writer actually does that, right?

Actually, writers write like Carrie every single day. Some get paid like they are writing for Vogue and some get paid very little. They take some personal story or a story about someone they know and turn it into an article that gets right to the heartstrings of a reader.

Once upon a time, these types of writers called confession writers. Today, they are called bloggers or personal narrative writers.

Do you have the cajones to be a writer that delves into your personal life? Though I've dreamed of being Carrie more times than I care to admit, I just could never coax myself into the Carrie way of life. When sitting down to write a personal experience I would always wonder, "Will my mom read this? Or my kids?" Those thoughts put a stop to my more personal narratives. Maybe you don't have the same inhibitions, though. If not, you could create some amazing prose that others will love to read. And if they love to read your stories, they will keep coming back, gaining you site traffic and conversions.

Dragnet Writers

If you have problems putting yourself in the spotlight you may be a Dragnet writer. For those that don't remember Dragnet from a time before CSI or never got a chance to watch some reruns, I'll give you the gist. The star of the show was Detective Sergeant Joe Friday. Friday was a laced up, no-nonsense type of guy who only concerned himself with the facts and how they pertained to his case. No funny business, you see.

While writing straightforward posts and articles may not be as flashy as steamy tell-alls, it allows you to get in there and present the facts to the reader in a quick one-two punch that gets the job done. The writer doesn't need to get sentimental or provocative or provide any personal information. If you like to present "Just the facts, ma'am," then writing the Dragnet way may be the path you take with your brand writing.

Straddling the Fence

Why not mix the two? Dragnet in the City, anyone?

Of course, both of these types of writers are very drastic examples. There is a happy medium for those who don't want to lean too far in either direction. These writers pepper their fact-filled articles and blog posts with a personal story to add a little personality to their writing. This type of writing walks the fine line between confessional writing and news writing. You'll often see these types of articles on DIY sites, in home and style magazines and on sites like Huffington Post.

Don't know what type of writer you would like to be? Then you need to start writing to find out what writing style you are more comfortable with! It will probably take some time, but sooner or later your inner Carrie or Friday will emerge.

Want to learn how to make money from your writing? I offer a great course that will get you on your way. Click here for more info.

Alina Bradford 7/22/19 Alina Bradford 7/22/19

Best High-Paying Freelance Gigs of the Week: July 22, 2019

Don’t miss these gigs.

Here’s this week’s work-from-home freelance writing jobs. These gigs pay at least $50 a piece, offer a full-time salary, or pay more than $25 an hour. Each one is labeled as a remote job, virtual job or work-from-home job, which means you can do the work from anywhere.

Also, here are 30+ sites that pay writers for articles, so be sure to check that out.

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 $50 a peice or over $25 an hour, please contact me and I will include your gig in next week’s post.

Wine & Country Magazine

Pay: $75-175 per article

More information: Indeed

Digital Travel Platform Needs Experiential Storytellers

Pay: $50 - 100

More information: Craigslist

Automotive Writers

Pay: $250 to $500

More information: AllFreelanceWriting

Adventure Cyclist

Pay: 25 to 50 cents per word

More information: Adventure Cyclist Submissions

American Educator

Pay: $300

More information: American Educator Submissions

Looking for Ideas

Pay: $1 per word

More information: FFWD is a new publication, and we’re always looking for story ideas

Feel you have something to add to the dialogue around online video? Want to write for FFWD? We’d love to hear your pitches.

What is FFWD?

Think of it like The Economist for online video (meaning at the minute YouTube, Twitch and TikTok), looking at the bigger trends and putting them into all-important context, explaining to readers what their wider impact is for society and how this shifts the way we work, earn money, and spend our time.

The publication will lead the conversation on things that I and others who know this space say are going to become big, while also acknowledging that perhaps trying to see outside of the online video bubble can be hard.

We won’t just up content daily for the sake of it, and focusing on fringe creators in a facile way. Stories need to be more in-depth than the current state of coverage of online video.

What do you want?

We’re running three stories (between 1,000–1,500 words) a week.

The best way to describe it is that the weekly reporting takes on big themes and trends in the online video space and look intelligently at its broader impact; when something warrants it and we have something useful to say, we’ll do a contextualising story on events as and when they happen, while also always taking the conversation on; or starting a whole new conversation.

If something breaks during the week, we’ll be looking for smart takes that go beyond what mainstream publications are doing, explaining why this is important.

Pay: Fulltime

More information: Virtual Vocations

Alina Bradford 7/19/19 Alina Bradford 7/19/19

8 Beginning Blogger Mistakes to Avoid

Guest post by Jamie from Start Blogging Online

Your blog is a platform to voice out your opinions and thoughts. It is also a vehicle to raise money. There are advertisers willing to pay popular bloggers to place their ads on the site. It is a win-win situation. Relying on your blog alone to be popular is a big blogging mistake. Before you reach a point where you become an authority in a particular niche you have to build your name first.

Try writing for other blogs as a guest blogger to build your name. This will increase your online visibility. Be sure to add a link to your own blog. Of course, you have to reserve your best write-ups for your own blog.

The infographic below shows other mistakes bloggers makes when running a blog site. Avoid these mistakes so your site becomes popular in no time. It takes a lot to reach a certain level of popularity, but it can be done.

8 Beginning Blogger Mistakes to Avoid (SBO)

Alina Bradford 7/18/19 Alina Bradford 7/18/19

16 Ways to Get Visitors to Stay on Your Site Longer

Longer stays = higher search engine ranking.

It is estimated that there are 1.18 billion websites online right now. 152 million of those sites are blogs and over three million posts are written each day for them. Getting your site noticed when it is literally one in a billion is quite difficult. Think of a search engine as a gatekeeper. Getting to the top of a search engine’s list of results is key. The longer people stay on your site, the better your ranking will be. Here’s how to keep them engaged.

First, Make Your Content Awesome

The algorithms used to calculate search results change, but one thing doesn't: Stick to creating informative, reliable information that's interesting and you're sure to rank. You have to make sure that when living, breathing people come to your site, they find something that they want to read or watch and stay awhile. One of the things search engines look for are sites that keep visitors from clicking away. The longer visitors stay on your site, the better it ranks.

Creating interesting, original and unique content is actually the fun part of having your own website because it can be about whatever you want. Remember: it has to be good enough to set your site apart from a billion others.

Keep them Engaged

Other than interesting content, there are a few other things that can keep visitors on your site longer. Here are the other 15 tips:

Give them another place to go on your site by offering related post links in your copy and in the sidebar.
Make your internal links a bright color so they catch people's attention. My links are pink!
Post videos within your written content.
Add photos. Two to three photos in a post breaks up text and makes it seem more interesting.
Add headers, bullets and numbered lists to your post. These also make your post look more interesting and helpful at first glance, preventing people from clicking away.
Give your posts tags that link to collections of similar content.
Make sure your site's menu is easy to use so readers can find more of your content.
Make all external links open a new window or browser tab instead of leading the visitors off your page.
Put your most interesting information "above the fold." Often, if a visitor doesn't see the information they want without scrolling, they click back to the search results.
Make a gallery post that gets visitors to click through pages using interesting photographs.
Be sure that your site loads quickly. Most people don't wait around for more than a few seconds for a page to finish loading and NO ONE will click around a slow website.
Give your visitors a search box so they can quickly find information that they want to read on your site.
Use a font that is easy to read, like Times New Roman or Georgia.
Don't use big words. Remember, if you don't make everything as easy as possible, people will click away from your site.
Provide longer articles packed with great information.

Alina Bradford 7/17/19 Alina Bradford 7/17/19

Software Solutions for Your Home Business

While every business needs software to carry out everything from accounting to marketing, it often feels there’s too much choice out there. In this section, we’re taking a look at some packages that will get you to where you need to be in your business and that deliver just the results you need to take your business up to the next level. Talk to your Managed Services provider (if you have one) about integrating some of this software into your next upgrade.

HubSpot

Quite simply this is all you need when you need marketing done right. You can rely on HubSpot to make marketing personal, to take your message and deliver it right in front of your carefully selected customer base with clever designs and smart ideas on how to get your emails opened.

You’ll also be able to adapt and change as you go along with marketing analytics and insights that tell you what’s working and what needs greater fine tuning.

Asana

When you have teams that collaborate together frequently, you need software that can help make that a seamless operation and ensure nothing falls through the net.

Asana works by keeping everyone on track with team access to shared calendars, task lists and the ability to comment and tick off shared tasks as you go along. You can be confident that nothing will be missed off the list when it comes to that next big project.

QuickBooks

This is an all-in-one system that takes the hassle out of keeping up with your accounts. It is ideal for small businesses and is straightforward to set up and get running.

Use QuickBooks to pay your vendors, keep track of your expenses and create invoices. Take the pressure off your filing by scanning receipts and important documents, knowing they’re all in one place when it comes to figuring out your taxes.

Zoho

Looking for software that does it all? Then take a look at Zoho. With more than 40 apps in its suite, this package promises you mail, accounting, CRM and invoicing. Perhaps a little too much for some business, it certainly has its advantages when it comes to having everything under one roof and allowing your team access to shared documents.

Alina Bradford 7/15/19 Alina Bradford 7/15/19

Best High-Paying Freelance Gigs of the Week: July 15, 2019

Get your weekly dose of gigs.

Happy Prime Day. Are you planning on grabbing some deals over at Amazon? I found a couple deals that would interest writers. This HP printer, for example, is only $19 and this Chromebook laptop is 50% off.

While you’re looking for deals, don’t forget to go gig searching, too. Here’s this week’s work-from-home freelance writing jobs. These gigs pay at least $50 a piece, offer a full-time salary, or pay more than $25 an hour. Each one is labeled as a remote job, virtual job or work-from-home job, which means you can do the work from anywhere.

Also, here are 30+ sites that pay writers for articles, so be sure to check that out.

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 $50 a peice or over $25 an hour, please contact me and I will include your gig in next week’s post.

Investing.com

Pays: $150

More information: Investing.com Writer’s Guidelines

Instructional Writer

Pay: $25/hour

More information: Craigslist

Eating Well

Pay: up to $1 per word

More information: Eating Well Writer Guidelines

Short Story Writing for Children

Pay: $60 per 800 words

More information: Craigslist

Family Magazine

Pay: $1 to $2 per word

More information: Guidelines

Writer for Matriarchal Culture Magazine

Pay: $100 - 250

More information: Craigslist

Freelance Consumer Technology Writers

Marketing Copywriter / Graphical Producer

Pay: Full-time

More information: LinkedIn

Prism is looking for pitches

Pay: 40 cent per word

More information:

We’re eager to read essays, articles, and op-eds featuring voices not currently centered in traditional media. We have two verticals on voting rights and criminal justice; while we seek stories that fit into those verticals, we also seek pitches more generally related to Prism’s focus on reflective democracy and spotlighting marginalized voices.
We are eager to read inspiring stories about movement leaders and activists; the intersection of climate justice, gender justice, and social justice; the unique impact current policies have on marginalized people; and other stories from perspectives not typically spotlighted in traditional media. Everything from powerful first-person essays to investigative pieces to analysis is welcome. We are also looking for multiple-story arcs—deep dives that hit and follow a story from multiple angles. No poetry or fiction, please. To get an idea of what kinds of stories we’re looking for, please read some published Prism pieces here: https://www.dailykos.com/blog/OurPrism and get a feel for articles that move us by checking out what we share on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ourprisms
To submit a pitch, please email: pitch@ourprism.org and attach two writing samples. Pay is 40 cents per word. We also consider high-quality comics, graphic stories, or other illustrated works and pay a range of $150-$500.

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.

Alina Bradford 7/10/19 Alina Bradford 7/10/19

10 Easy Ways Writers Can Get a Dose of Vitamin N(ature) in Just 10 Minutes

Here’s how to get outside and get health benefits, even on the busiest of days.

As writers, most of us don’t get outside enough, and that could be a bad thing. A growing body of scientific evidence proves getting outside (i.e. being an “outsider”) is good for our health and well-being. Exploring and appreciating nature – in our own backyards, community parks and school yards – reduces stress, improves memory, boosts heart health, and offers a host of other benefits for our minds and bodies.

“Having a living landscape of grass, trees, shrubs and flowering plants is good. Using this outdoor space to reap the health benefits it offers is even better,” said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), whose Foundation created TurfMutt an environmental education and stewardship program that teaches the value and benefits of the outdoors. “Getting outside, even for just 10 minutes, can do much to boost your mood, productivity, and quality of life.”

On its 10th Anniversary, TurfMutt shares 10 easy ways you can enjoy nature in under 10 minutes.

Take a walk. Lace up your athletic shoes and head out for a walk around the block or to your neighborhood park. While you’re out, commit to turning off your cell phone and enjoying the natural setting around you (it’s just 10 minutes, after all!).

Get your kids moving. A rousing game of tag or hide and seek in the family yard is a great way to counter computer and screen time.

Play with your dog. A dog’s favorite “room” of the house is your family yard. Take inspiration from your pooch and spend a few minutes outside playing Frisbee or fetch.

Clean up your outdoor living room. Make simple work of yard chores by breaking them up into smaller chunks. Ten minutes is enough time to put a serious dent in weeding a flower bed, sweeping off the back patio, or picking up debris from your lawn.

Plant something. It is spring planting season, so take 10 minutes to dig a hole and introduce a new plant or get started on your vegetable garden or flower beds.

Dine al fresco. Taking a meal outside is one of the easiest – and most nourishing – ways to enjoy the outdoor space around you. Have breakfast with the backyard birds. Lunch at a park near your office. Enjoy your coffee break under a shade tree.

Study or read a book. Take the “work” out of homework by moving study or reading sessions to your backyard or community green space.

Swap a (short) commute for walking or biking. Do you typically use your car to run down to the mailbox, to a nearby convenience store, or to run other nearby daily errands? If it’s not too far, take a short walk or ride your bike instead.

Meet outside. Fresh air can be a catalyst for fresh ideas, so take your next brainstorming session for work outdoors. Need to have a heart-to-heart with your child? Scientists have discovered that communication between parents and children is more connected when conducted outside.

Sit back and relax. Sometimes the best thing to do is absolutely nothing at all. Spend some time in a hammock, spread a blanket out on the grass, or take a meditation break outside to soak up the nature around you.

Learn More. For more information on the benefits of our living landscapes and how to be an outsider, visit www.SaveLivingLandscapes.com. For more about the TurfMutt program, go to www.TurfMutt.com.

Alina Bradford 7/9/19 Alina Bradford 7/9/19

FlexJobs Identifies 15 Common Flexible Side Jobs for Professionals to Boost Income

Here are some side gigs you might want to consider.

Despite a healthy economy and strong labor market, many U.S. workers still rely on side jobs for additional income outside of their primary career. In fact, one-third of Americans say they need supplemental income to pay for their regular living expenses and nearly half of millennials currently participate in the gig economy. To highlight the variety of side jobs available to professionals, FlexJobs has identified 15 of the most common flexible side jobs that can be used to supplement income in addition to one’s full-time job.

“Whether it’s to boost their income, increase savings, pay off debt, pursue passion projects, or gain experience in a new industry, there are many interesting opportunities for professionals interested in pursuing part-time gigs,” said Sara Sutton, CEO & Founder of FlexJobs. “Taking a second job obviously means spending more time and energy on work, but many side jobs can now also be done from home, making it a much more manageable arrangement for workers,” Sutton concluded.

A side gig or side hustle is defined as a job that allows workers to earn extra cash while working flexible hours that accommodates a full-time job or daily responsibilities. Below are 15 common side gigs, many of which also offer remote work options.

Millennials, mid-career professionals, and older workers can all benefit from incorporating a “side hustle” into their work life. Tips on how to land a side gig include understanding one’s transferable professional skills, honing in one’s skills and passions, and networking.

Alina Bradford 7/8/19 Alina Bradford 7/8/19

Best High-Paying Freelance Gigs of the Week: July 8, 2019

Here’s this week’s new, awesome work-from-home freelance writing jobs.

Did you enjoy that long Independance Day weekend? I sure did. I bet you’re raring to get to work, though. Here’s this week’s new, awesome work-from-home freelance writing jobs. These gigs pay at least $50 a piece, offer a full-time salary, or pay more than $25 an hour. Each one is labeled as a remote job, virtual job or work-from-home job, which means you can do the work from anywhere.

Pay: $200

More Information:

Ethos magazine is a quarterly print magazine which tells the stories of ethical, sustainable and value-driven businesses from around the world.
If you'd like to appear in Ethos issue 11, which goes to print in August 2019, please email Ethos editor, Lucy at lucy@ethospaper.com with your story pitch. Your pitch should include a short synopsis (maximum 200 words).
So, if you know of a business that's doing things differently, then we look forward to hearing from you. Our new writer's competition is open to writers from around the world, for fledgling writers looking to get their work published in print. The deadline for entries is the 12 July at 17:00 GMT.

Creative Educational Writer

Pay: Full-Time

More Information: LinkedIn

Freelance Writer for Video Essay Production Channel

Pay: Full-Time

More Information:

We are now accepting applications for talented Freelance Writers to write video essay scripts on the following subjects: The Matrix, Quentin Tarantino, The Big Bang Theory, Stranger Things, Buffy, Ozark, and How I Met Your Mother. We're looking for surprising, unexpected takes that can be backed up with solid evidence. You should be able to come up with a strong, original argument that takes a stance, and then to translate that argument into an accessible, entertaining style. It's key to be able to write for a speaker, to make thoughts flow naturally in a conversational voice, while also understanding how to pack a lot of substance in and create a tight structure for a video essay. You will work collaboratively with our senior editorial team to turn scripts around quickly. **PLEASE READ APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND EMAIL APPLICATIONS DIRECTLY TO US.**
To apply:
To be considered, please submit one or more pitches for a video essay script on one of the subjects listed above, as well as a resume, brief cover letter and a writing sample that shows your ability to write analytically on film and TV (this can be a sample elaborating on one of your pitches, or an existing sample of past writing). We encourage you to watch the videos on our YouTube channel to get a sense of our voice before you submit your sample and pitch. **Please email applications to: insights@the-take.com rather than submitting them through MediaBistro. WE WILL ONLY CONSIDER APPLICANTS WHO EMAIL US DIRECTLY WITH THE REQUIRED MATERIALS.**
I agree that: (1) my submission may include ideas, stories, or concepts which may be similar or identical to content created by The Take or in other user submissions; (2) my submission and its contents along with related intellectual property rights will become The Take's property, without compensation to me; (3) The Take will review submissions in its own discretion, and will contact me if it wishes to work with me to develop my submission; and (4) my submission is submitted without the expectation of confidentiality.

UK Esports Writer

Pay: £18K–£20K a year

More Information: Hitmaker

Offsite Copywriter

Pay: $38/hr

More Information: Glassdoor

Content Writer

Pay: Full-Time

More Information:

Headquarters: 100% Remote
URL: https://www.onthegosystems.com/
OnTheGoSystems needs a Content Writer for the Marketing Team
Our company develops and sells premium WordPress plugins. We need an experienced content writer familiar with the WordPress ecosystem whose native language is English and who can work efficiently as part of a remote Team.
Duties & Responsibilities
• Contacting the owners of other sites to work on contributed content
• Writing creative blog posts and articles to be promoted to our audience and partner websites, generating quality traffic & leads to our landing pages.
• Creating high-converting copy for our newsletters and different landing pages.
• Crafting promotional content to post on social sites
• Writing compelling meta descriptions
• Engage with team members to source information for experience-based strategy blog posts & Newsletters
• Write content for ad-hoc projects as needed
• Contribute to content strategy and traffic-driving initiatives Skills/Attributes Required
• At least 3 years of content writing experience for B2C and B2B companies targeting marketing, growth and business strategy
• Experienced using WordPress for content creation
• Experience writing for different sites and working with different editors
• Deep understanding of digital content best practices
• Copywriting chops and knowledge on how to craft content to get a reader to take action; experience with creating super compelling headlines while avoiding click baits
• Proven experience growing blogs with your content
• Knowledge of SEO best practices, content marketing experience is a plus
• You work well independently and you meet deadlines
• Technical background with emphasis on online tools
• Familiarity with remote workplace tools You will be part of a wonderful multi-cultural team of people spread all over the World.
This position is open ONLY for candidates located in European time zone, or similar.
Apply now and tell us why you are the ideal person. We will get lots of applications, so make sure to stand out from the rest.
To apply: https://www.onthegosystems.com/jobs/#content-writer

Remote Tech News Writer

Pay: Full-Time

More Information: LinkedIn

Telecommute Kansas City Chiefs Writer

Pay: Full-Time

More Information: LinkedIn

Discover Magazine

Pay: $2 per word

More Information: Submission Form

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.

Site Contributor 7/4/19 Site Contributor 7/4/19

3 Tips for Helping You Protect the Privacy of Your Home-Based Business

Many people make mistakes when setting up their home office. Of course, it is important that you take privacy concerns into account whenever you work from your own house.

Running a business from home can be a great way to make money and stay relatively close to your kids. It can also be an effective way to save time and money on your commute and other incidental costs that you may face as a worker. Unfortunately though, many people make mistakes when setting up their home office. Of course, it is important that you take privacy concerns into account whenever you work from your own house.

A Virtual Office

Perhaps the best way to preserve the privacy of your company and those associated with it is to obtain a virtual office. A virtual office is great for having in-person meetings. Alternatively, you can hold those meetings via video chat or from some other remote location if that is more convenient for those involved. Virtual offices provide you with an address and phone number, which means that clients will not know where you live. It also helps your company to appear larger and more established than it may actually be at the moment.

Source: Alliance Virtual Offices

Secure Your Network

The use of a secured network can help keep unauthorized people or entities from accessing trade secrets or other sensitive information. In some cases, it can be best to use a virtual private network (VPN), which will come with its own IP address. Ultimately, it will help to create a remote location and make it harder for people to determine where you live.

Source: NordVPN

Create a Corporate Entity

Creating a corporate entity can help to blur the lines between you and your business. You can choose to designate anyone you want as the manager of the company, and it may be possible to designate a P.O. Box as the address where the company is located. You can also choose to create a name to do business as, which may further help to protect your privacy.

If you want to be especially secretive about who you actually are, consider creating a holding company. If anyone wants to learn more about your business, he or she will first find information about the holding company, which can be relatively vague. Of course, you will need to be sure that your clients know who you are and how to get in touch with you.

Source: BlueShore Financial

Protecting your privacy should be among your top priorities as a business owner regardless of where your company is located. However, if you are going to run a business from your home, it is critical that hackers and other nefarious individuals cannot gain access to your private life.

Alina Bradford 7/3/19 Alina Bradford 7/3/19

7 Ways for Online Students to Improve Their Writing Skills

If you’re considering taking online classes, here are some top tips you can use to improve your writing skills and your grades.

Online degree programs are becoming more popular than ever before, with more and more students ditching campus-based lectures in favor of the more flexible and self-led options that come with studying online. When it comes to succeeding with an online degree program, the importance of excellent writing skills cannot be emphasized enough. This is because unlike campus-based classes that offer credit for oral participation, online programs tend to rely more heavily on written work when it comes to assessment and grading purposes.

A study conducted in 2014 found that college students spend a huge eight to ten hours per day using smartphones, with the majority of usage including texting, social media and email. As a result, students’ academic writing skills are suffering with them being so used to ‘text speak’ and other abbreviations. If you’re considering taking online classes, here are some top tips you can use to improve your writing skills and your grades.

#1. Understand Writing Style Expectations:

It’s crucial that you understand the writing style expectations for each type of assignment that you are going to be completing. For example, an essay will require a more formal, academic tone, while if you’ve been tasked with discussion forum posts, these will usually encourage a more informal and conversational writing style. Journal and reflective assignments may often allow for sentence fragments.

As a student, your ability to write appropriately for the context of each assignment will have a positive impact on your overall class performance. If you’re in doubt about the writing style needed, formal writing is the best choice.

#2. Use Tools and Apps to Help:

It can be easy to make grammar mistakes if you aren’t studying for an English-heavy degree; for example, if you’re taking an MS in Operations Management then chances are, getting your grammar and sentence structure perfect probably hasn’t been a huge priority so far.

Today, technology has made it easier than ever for students to improve their writing skills. Whether it’s grammar, spelling, or sentence structure, using tools such as Grammarly can make a massive difference to the final finish of your paper or project, helping you polish your writing and learn from small mistakes that you may have not noticed previously.

#3. Give Yourself Time:

When you’re studying for an online class, it can be all too easy to procrastinate and put off your work, especially when you’re dealing with the distractions of being at home on a day to day basis. One of the biggest contributors to simple mistakes in students’ writing is rushing. If you leave yourself too little time to spare before your assignment is due, then you’re more likely to make spelling and grammar mistakes that you may have noticed and corrected if you had given yourself enough time to do so. Making a point of starting as early as possible and giving yourself a lot of time to spare can make a huge difference to your overall performance.

#4. Have Someone Proofread:

No matter how much you study and learn to improve your spelling, grammar and writing skills, it’s always harder to spot mistakes in your own work. When you’ve spent hours writing something, it can be easy to overlook mistakes when you re-read it – simply because your brain is so used to it how it is.

Because of this, it is a wise idea to consider having a trusted friend, relative or another student proofread your work before you submit it. If you can, have somebody proofread who is skilled at writing so that they can also give you valuable feedback on your work that you can put to use in the future.

#5. Take Additional Classes:

If you’re seriously interested in improving your writing skills, then you may want to consider the idea of taking some additional classes. For online students, the good news is that there are plenty of online options to choose from which can easily be fitted in alongside your online bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Many online schools will offer additional online classes that you can take to improve your skills in various areas including writing, or you could look for a separate institution offering online programs that you can choose from. Or, if you’d rather learn in a physical setting when it comes to writing, see if there is anything available at your local library, community college, or the college that you are attending online if it is in a commutable distance.

I recommend Skillshare. You get a ton of different classes for one low price.

#6. Dedicate One Device to Academic Writing:

With so many different smartphone and tablet options available today, there’s no denying that technology has made it easier than ever for students to learn, research, and write assignments for their degree. When you’re studying online, you may be accessing your learning materials on a wide range of different devices, and as a result, completing your assignments on different devices too.

Cloud applications such as Google Drive have made it easy for students to start an assignment on their laptop, for example, while being able to pick it back up later on using their tablet or smartphone if needed. However, doing this can risk you losing your focus on academic writing. It’s a good idea to commit yourself to using one device. For example, you could limit your smartphone to social media use and use a laptop for any learning and academic writing.

#7. Ask Questions:

Don’t forget that as an online student, your tutors are there to offer help and guidance for anything that you might need. If you have any questions about your writing performance or would like your tutor to leave you writing-specific feedback that you will be able to apply to your work in the future, then feel free to ask.

As an online student, taking steps to improve your academic writing performance will have a positive effect on your entire degree.

Alina Bradford 7/2/19 Alina Bradford 7/2/19

I Made it to 10,000 Followers on Instagram!

I want to do a little dance, yall, and toot my own horn for a minute. Plus, you get a gift!

I want to do a little dance, yall, and toot my own horn for a minute. I made it to more than 10,000 followers on Instagram today. I went from around 2,000 to over 10,000 in just six months and I’m super pumped. As you may know, when you reach 10,000 followers you can add links to your posts, which is exciting. It also mean that I can share my writing tips with a huge audience.

An even bigger deal for me is that I grew my following without buying followers, unlike some of influencers and companies. Yup, they’re all targeted, curated followers. Yay, me!

If you’re dying to know how I did it, I’m working up a little ebook to explain my methods with a step-by-step plan so you can do it, too. So keep an eye out for that.

Also, in celebration of my achievement, and in celebration of Independence Day here in the US, I’m having a sale. The No-Fluff Freelance Writing Starter Pack is now just $15 ($10 off)! That's the price of just one of my books.

The pack teaches you how I make $100 to $200 an hour at home as a freelance writer. It includes my two books, a social media marketing guide for writers, invoice template, contract template and more.

This sale is over July 5th, so if you haven’t already gotten your hands on it, grab yours now.

Learn more

Alina Bradford 7/1/19 Alina Bradford 7/1/19

Best High-Paying Freelance Gigs of the Week: July 1, 2019

New month, new awesome work-from-home freelance writing jobs! These gigs pay at least $100 a piece, offer a full-time salary, or pay more than $50 an hour. Each one is labeled as a remote job, virtual job or work-from-home job, which means you can do the work from home.

New month, new awesome work-from-home freelance writing jobs! These gigs pay at least $50 a piece, offer a full-time salary, or pay more than $25 an hour. Each one is labeled as a remote job, virtual job or work-from-home job, which means you can do the work from anywhere.

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

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.

Pay: $50 an hour

More information: Glassdoor

Sales Email Writer

Pay: Full-time

More information: The Sales Developers We're looking for an ambitious writer who can turn a phrase, stay concise, and compel readers to action. Here's how it works: • Our account manager (AM) meets with a client to understand their campaign goals. • The AM passes all the info + any marketing materials to you. • You use our messaging framework combined with your mad writing skills to create compelling sales copy. Our framework includes email templates, cold call scripts, voicemail scripts, and social media message templates. But all you have to do is nail the value proposition and offer. The framework does the rest. If you think you've got what it takes, send an introductory email like you're pitching us on why you're a great fit. Be sure to use the best techniques you've got to grab attention and leave us wanting more! To apply: careers@thesalesdevelopers.com

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