Posts Tagged ‘Freelance’

Did it ever cross your mind that maybe those amazing authors whose work gets lapped up by the New Yorker can’t write or spell nearly as well as those five-star reviews suggest? Or that editors often miss crucial spelling errors and word omissions that can make a work seem amateurish? If so, you’re thinking of the realm of the mystical proofreader who often makes published material look perfect and impeccable.

Proofreaders are the final line of defense before publication of material. Even though their lot is often lumped in with that of copywriters and editors, they are in fact a different breed altogether. After initial editing for clarity and coherence, and typesetting of a manuscript, the publishers rely on freelance proofreaders to check for formatting, spelling and manuscript errors/omissions. Freelance proofreaders hone an impeccable sense of grammar, and their spelling is second to none. More importantly, they pay attention to minuscule details. They carefully read every line and cross-reference with the original manuscript. Proofreaders make all the difference between a perfect run and a thousand disseminated copies of an error-riddled manuscript. Elsewhere, proof-readers pore over web content, brochures, and just about anything that requires error-checking.

Error-correction requires one of two things, depending on for whom and for what medium the finished product is being generated. Don’t panic, however, as the requirements to become a successful freelance proofreading are not nearly as prolific as one might imagine.

If one is proofreading for hard copy, such as a book, then the publisher requires you to know the correct “mark-up” conventions, as dictated by the chosen Style Manual of the employer. Consult the Chicago Manual of Style as a baseline for all other Style Manuals. Many big publishers will have their own bastardized style format which they will introduce to you during the process of undertaking a proof-reading position. Corrections you mark for would be implemented or reviewed by another party and the final manuscript would move to the next stage of publication.

However, if you find yourself employed within a less formal setting, then you are both the one to mark and correct a manuscript. Manuals of style are much less important here, and you may find that your role cross-pollinates somewhat with that of a freelance copywriter, as text may require rewrites under your guidance.

Gaining work to proofread and write may be initially difficult, as your abilities remain unproven. A few good ways to build an impressive CV include finding part-time work with a facility that already provides proof reading services, and a degree or diploma with a focus on formal editing will help (but this is by no means necessary) to impress skeptical clients. Forming relationships with established copywriters and proof-readers (as well as SEO technicians), will lead to trickle-down benefits as overflow from their successes comes to you. As always, the local community (particularly restaurants and other service-type establishments) is a viable source of income and networking, and offers gigs to rewrite menus and advertising content.

Volunteer positions on websites and an online blog that showcases your writing and/or abilities can also be helpful. Never forget to take advantage of unorthodox opportunities like contacting websites and organizations about poorly written or extremely typo-riddled print. Offer to produce new copy and give them a sample of a rewritten passage from their published text as proof of your viability. While this may not work all the time, you may just impress enough to get your foot in the door, and that’s all you need.

While your job description may be radically different depending on the expectations of those who employ you, with the proviso that you bring high-level language skills and a beady editor’s eye for detail to the table, appreciation for your work skills is assured. Here your best hope for steady employment lies with being fluid and adaptable. Ready yourself to fill roles wherever and whenever they pop up, and you’re sure to succeed.

Do an Internet search on “hiring a freelance writer” or anything similar, and you will find millions of links to job boards, freelance writer sites, message boards and all sorts of other trails to lead you to various sources. You will find freelance writers, no doubt about that, but what kind of writer are they? Are they fluent in English (American English is very different than British English), do they do the work themselves or outsource it? Do they charge per piece or per word? What is their turnaround time? How do they handle revisions?

These are things you may not have considered, other than price.

Most people and companies that hire freelance writers have learned these lessons the hard way. So, in an effort to save you some money, as well as time, I am going to give you some pointers!

* When you contact a freelance writer for the first time, or post a project on a job board, give the details of what you are looking for! One writer may be terrific at SEO and keyword content, but if you want more of an opinion or humor piece this writer may not be ideal for you! If you give the details (topic, keywords, length) upfront, the writer will be able to assess your needs and quote you a price accordingly. I turn down projects on a regular basis – not because I like turning down money, but rather because if it is a topic totally foreign to me, or one I think will be better written by a specialist in that area, I will tell you. I would rather refer you to another writer and be remembered as the writer who was professional and you want to come back to do a different project with in the future, then take the project and do a horrible job, earn a lousy reputation and have a dissatisfied customer!

* How do you intend to pay your freelance writer? I, along with most freelancers, prefer Paypal. Many established, reputable writers will require a deposit. Don’t let this scare you. My deposit has been as low as $5 and as high as $2000. I am most likely to charge a deposit if I have not worked with you in the past, if it is a large project or if you failed to pay me for a previous job (in which case the total amount is due upfront). If you are a company which pays only by check, make sure you give the company contact information to the writer you choose to hire.

* Should you pay by the word or by the piece? It depends on the individual writer. I do both, depending on the client and my mood. Most of my work though, is by the word – and I charge between 10 cents and 30 cents per word. This is not uncommon for a quality freelance writer who is experienced, educated and takes pride in their work. If you have a budget, give a word limit (which you should anyways, otherwise you’ll either end up with a thesis or a five sentence article!)

* Why should you pay $50 for an article, when you can buy one for $1.50? Once you have purchased a $1.50 article, you will have your answer. Quite often, super low rates are a sign of overseas outsourcing (meaning your article will sound as though its been written by a foreigner and the grammar, while perhaps technically correct, feels “weird”) or it is a new freelance writer who has no clue what they are doing. I can say that, because I’ve been there. You want a writer who knows what they are doing, knows how to provide superior customer service and meet a deadline and knows how to write clearly.

* Ask about revisions! Many writers charge a fee for any revisions you request. I do not, unless you want a totally new piece written. But if the changes you want made are relatively simple, and are not going to take all day, they are included in my price.

* RIGHTS! Unless you SPECIFICALLY state in a contract that you as the buyer retain all copyright to the work, the writer is allowed to sell the work to someone else. If this is important to you, make sure you specify rights privileges in your contract!

I hope these tips give you some guideline on what to expect when you hire a freelance writer. I am always happy to answer questions (even if you don’t hire me!). I can be reached through my website – http://debbie.panell.googlepages.com/home

Take care, and good luck in your search for a freelance writer!

Within the Learning Center of the freelancer job database website, MyTino (beta 1.1), are tips for all of your freelance and outsourcing needs, including a glossary, current outsourcing trends, and even stories of success aimed to inspire. One story, for instance, is that of a nurse with a passion to draw, victim of a sudden tragic precedent set by an ailing family member. Determined to help better the health of her love, she focused her studies on nursing (as opposed to art) —when people asked her of her studies, her response, often, was simply hesitation preceding withdrawal: neglecting to respond entirely. She joined MyTino she seeking a profitable job. Eventually, she was let down. Though only technically, however, as she was not discouraged at all (she used her initial failure as an opportunity to grow, she’d obtained valuable experience that would’ve otherwise been left unknown). After sustaining her growth, she sought her prized Web Designer job and received not-only it, but, a flowing stream of jobs, steady. Naturally, she closed by thanking MyTino. There are quite a few success stories in MyTino’s vault, within the Learning Center; they’re all different.

MyTino is a service that enables companies to contract professional web-experts to complete tasks that are more easily suited for them, the freelancers. For both the freelancer and the purchaser of the service, MyTino acts as an intermediary, providing for safe, secure transactions and business environments. To help expedite the process of growth before a user enters the market, the Learning Center is tailored for ease and excellence of use. The learning center is should be one of the first stops for any wary new users of MyTino or for any users that needs to refer their questions somewhere. The Glossary, located within the Learning Center, provides essential definitions for the user to understand the freelance market from all aspects of it. If you prefer to learn from the experiences of others or learn directly, or any combination of the two: MyTino’s Learning Center is able to serve you. 

Included with MyTino’s tips regarding outsourcing are quality measures of advice, naming just a few, there are: online translation services cost efficient SEO, and qualities of a good business freelance writer. On the website, just above that advice, are the trends in outsourcing that, similarly, serve as advice for users of the site. That includes a guide to outsourcing online, a brief report that suggests beneficial reasons to outsource (in one delving it even details the benefit for productivity in if you’re living in an economy with a slow economic downturn, a recession). MyTino’s learning center also serves as a virtual world guide to the liquid-sphere virtual world that has become of freelancers and the marketplace. With language being a definite necessity to our culture, freelancers have an opportunity to get taught directly how the market works and runs, and then they are provided with endless opportunity to evolve their abilities. That’s presuming they are not already a superior candidate.

There are many popular casino-style games, but nothing matches the growth and popularity of poker and how poker influences society. Poker writing covers limitless topics in the gaming world; and poker writing can be a blend of journalism, feature writing, sports writing, entertainment writing, travel writing, food writing, technical writing, and so on, depending on what you choose to write.

WHAT DOES FREELANCE POKER WRITING INCLUDE?

You might think “freelance poker writing” is exactly that: writing about poker games. You might also think poker writing is about writing for one specific market: poker magazines. This might have been true years ago, but not so today. The expanding market of online and offline poker and gaming magazines is one small fragment, out of dozens of paying markets, to find freelance work. The Internet has spawned many online writing opportunities, such as blogging, writing for poker and gaming websites, self-publishing, and writing SEO articles for companies and affiliates. And “poker writing” is more than writing about the games of poker. Poker writing encompasses the influences of poker, such as entertainment, technology, psychology, law, lifestyle, money, travel, and so on. Writing about poker and gaming, along with their influences on society, is limitless.

Many successful freelance writers tap into an arsenal of online and offline media outlets to sell their work, not just to poker and gaming magazines. Their recipe for success is simple: they write varied topics related to poker and gaming that don’t just fit into a specific poker magazine, but also fit (with some reslanting) into many other non-poker magazines and media outlets (i.e. trade magazines, regional magazines, newsletters, tourism guides, newspapers, websites, blogs, ebooks, etc.) that cover varied subjects (such as gambling, gaming, professional sports, sports betting, travel, lifestyle, women’s issues, money, finance, real estate, hobbies, and so on).

WHY POKER IS ON THE MINDS OF SO MANY PEOPLE

To write about poker, you need to know why it is on the minds of so many people. Why all the excitement? What do players see in a little game of cards? Many people fall in love with playing poker because it challenges the mind; poker games are thrilling and competitive; and let’s face it, we love the winnings. The winnings in poker games, even online, can trail with many zeros. What other game can you play with a $40 entry fee and win a couple of hundred thousand dollars, or as with WSOP winners, several million? It’s what lures the crowds to the game. Once players begin to play, everyone is a legend in their own mind. The enticement and excitement of winning drives players to want to play more. Typically, players just play more and more once they discover Texas Hold’em.

Even if you aren’t playing poker for the money, you will quickly become aware of the jackpots of money that poker players play for online and offline. Many people play poker because of the great challenges of the mind. Amarillo Slim (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amarillo_Slim), another legendary poker player once said, “Poker is a game of people….It’s not the hand I hold, it’s the people that I play with.” Most of the older players do play with dollar signs glinting in their eyes. On the other hand, if you read some of the articles written about Slim in the past, you’ll discover he enjoyed beating his opponents as much as anyone else.

Guru.com, CraigsList.com and Elance.com showcase job postings for many different freelance opportunities. If you have the skills to write on gambling, specifically poker, then you’ll never be short on writing gigs.

In fact, a search on a handful of job boards produced many writing opportunities, from blog posting, to writing articles on poker games and strategies.

POKER WRITING OPPORTUNITIES

If you want to write about poker and gaming, the opportunities are there. If you are educated about poker and you can write well, the opportunities will be endless. However, you have to be better than average to earn a decent income as freelance poker writer. You must know your “stuff” in this field.

Writing about poker and its players requires you to learn about the games of poker and about the players whom people want to read. For instance, Doyle Brunson and Amarillo “Slim” Preston are two old timers who many consider two of the last living legends of the game. However, Brunson pulls a crowd more so than Preston. People look for articles, books and information on Doyle Brunson because he is still an active player in Las Vegas. Furthermore, Brunson lives where poker rooms are on every corner, whereas Amarillo Slim lives in, well, you guessed it-Texas!

A freelance poker writer has many opportunities. For starters, a poker writer can write from home because of the online games and tournaments. The online poker rooms (the ones offering the large satellite tournaments) are newsworthy as are many of the sit and go tournaments that offer large purses. Writers find ample topics and stories to pull from in this capacity alone. People want to read what’s going on in the online poker rooms. As a new writer, you need to write as much as you can on the subject of poker no matter where people play it.

In addition to the newsworthy opportunities online, web content is a huge marketplace for freelance writers. Writers who can write content-rich articles related to poker and gambling are in high demand.

To succeed as a poker writer, you will need to find your niche. However, you don’t necessarily have to stay within your niche market. Many writers will write on poker and cover online and offline games. They’ll cover the World Poker Tour for an offline gambling magazine one day and write an informative “How to Spot a Poker Cheat” article the next day for an online website. Poker writers like the ability to remain diverse but it pays to have a niche.

For example, there are several writers on Elance.com who write web content for gaming websites but still pick up a couple of writing gigs offline in magazines and for newspaper articles. Respectively, several notorious authors and professional poker players write primarily as book authors and authorities on their game but occasionally they will snatch a writing column for an online poker website.

Don’t fool yourself into thinking the gigs you have online will allow the offline writing jobs to fall in your lap. You have to keep your options open. You will need to apply for most of the work you get, even after you become well-known within the industry. However, if you’re good, you’ll very seldom face competition for the writing jobs you want.

When you become established in your niche, clients, editors and colleagues will willingly generate referrals for you. In fact, if you are well-informed and can stand out as a leading authority on poker, you can create your own jobs if jobs don’t randomly come your way. You’ll be able to query an editor with ideas and convince the editor to publish your articles. You may be able to query a book publisher with a manuscript idea and have it accepted for publication.

In addition, the offline writing jobs on assignment are often lucrative. Most of the writing jobs on assignment will allow you to live like a high roller, or at the very least, a low roller with some great perks. Poker writers normally stay where the action takes place, which is commonly in a casino. If you’re covering a World Poker Tour event, you’ll likely stay in upgraded casino accommodations; after all, the casino knows you are writing on the event and they’ll likely want you to plug their plush rooms and their many amenities.

On assignment writing jobs will enable you to eat in marvelous dining restaurants, stay among the upper echelon of poker players in suites or upgraded rooms and enjoy hosted parties among poker players. Writing on assignment as a poker writer enables writers to stay in some of the most elegant resorts in the world while enjoying the lifestyle of the pampered poker player. And trust it when you see it in magazines and hear about it online, these professional players are pampered.

Before you obtain your first job assignment as a poker writer, you need to learn all you can about poker. Read everything there is to read. Listen to everything and anything you can on the subject. Flip on the TV set and watch some live game coverage and learn the terminology. Poker tournaments and poker coverage are constantly on TV, especially in the evenings and on weekends.

PERKS OF A FREELANCE POKER WRITER

Poker writers who travel to some of the casino destinations hosting world events such as the WSOP (http://www.worldseriesofpoker.com) or the WPT (World Poker Tour – http://www.worldpokertour.com ) find they can enjoy a lifestyle many freelance writers dream about. Not every freelance writer can endure the schedule of these writers. However, if you are a writer who can face the unpredictable scheduling of events in the World Series of Poker, have a great personality and excellent people skills, then your chances to live a jet-set lifestyle in the world of poker is better than what many writers might think.

Life is better as a poker writer than it is in most areas of writing. You will be rubbing shoulders with people in Sin City and many other casino destinations where money is no object. Remember, money is no object to a great number of poker players. Stakes are always high. With that in mind, remember who you are and where you are. Remember to capture the story, and not the party.

You will get a free ride pass as a poker writer if you can achieve a name for yourself in the poker world. You will have the things only high rollers can get just because the right people want YOU to remember their name. Naturally, this will only happen after you become recognized as a poker authority. If you strive to achieve it, you will know what the inside of the suites at the MGM and Paris Las Vegas look like because you’ll be staying in them. You won’t walk or hail a cab in Vegas. You’ll be riding in a limo, free of charge. Best of all, when you are on a job, you will drink and eat what you want and never see a bill. Welcome to success. Revel in it and know you’ve worked hard for it.

The Software Development, programming or complete IT world is set to change. Big companies are getting bigger and small companies are either getting smaller or getting out of the IT business. Now a days small and medium level buyers have started looking for cheaper options for outsource work like outsourcing Pakistan and others for offshore web development or freelance graphic designer etc. and so the life of employees working in Software Services companies is gradually going towards instability.

The availability of freelancing jobs are also on the rise in the world market. If a programmer or any software expert, is ready to put in some extra hours to use his/her skills and experience, as a freelance graphic designer, freelance flash work, offshore web development or having any kind of specialty then the chances of survival in the industry becomes much bigger. Freelancing is becoming a potential option, too good to be ignored, helping freelancers to earn money and buyers a value for their money as well, http://www.ewises.com is planning to outsource work in some ways, which can help programmers to reap the benefits to outsource projects as a freelancer.

http://www.ewises.com has allowed freelance programmer, developers and designers to focus on offshore web development or outsource to Pakistan. Instead of going out looking for jobs, and clients who have projects in hand and ready to hear what freelancer can do for them. Freelancers are ready to outsource projects. The Web Agent http://www.ewises.com mostly Outsource to Pakistan and the services are cheap and best.

The type of jobs could be different every time. Some of them could be Development of a new project or testing an existing project or enhancing an already available proprietary or open source code or writing content etc. If any buyer required a freelance graphic Designer, freelance flash work, offshore web development, all services available and outsource to Pakistan,

Of course the first medium of choice for programmers is freelancing through the web. Because offline marketing is so tedious and will also need a lot of resources. So the obvious choice will be freelancing web Agent with the following qualities.

1. Freelancer has a lot of projects to choose from.

2. Web Agent pays the programmers regularly and sincerely after completion of a project.

3. Web Agent charges nominal commissions.

4. Web Agent resolves disputes (if any) by interfacing between the freelancer and buyers.

5. Web Agent has secure payment facilities

http://www.ewises.com is also offering opportunities for programmers. This could be in the form of compensation for writing content /article/sample projects etc. Outsource your freelance projects to a freelance programmer and designers at the prices you want to pay. http://www.ewises.com offers, freelance programmers and graphic designers, jobs that they can choose to work from. Contact us for your freelance projects or freelance websites and find the freelance programmers, graphic designers, web designers, and web developers.

Freelancers outsourcing Pakistan search and choose the right project, which matches their skill sets, for this they write a neat and complete introduction about what they or their group of people can offer. This intro could include the freelancer’s past experience, any excellence records/rewards, qualifications which buyers think makes them the right person for the job etc. during all activities any freelancer shouldn’t try to by-pass the site’s rules as the buyer could develop distrust on the provider. One has to be prompt in replying to the queries raised by the buyer with clear answers. Though the messages can bounce back and forth for a while, this approach can really develop confidence with the buyer to choose the provider.

Freelancing Responsibilities :

After winning the project, it is essential to complete the project on time. If there is any delay or the project is planned to be for longer duration, the buyer should be kept updated with regular status reports. After completion of the project it is vital to request the buyer to give feedback about the work. These references will help freelancers in getting more projects easily.

Contact us for outsource work, outsourcing Pakistan freelancers, or required a freelance graphic Designer for your freelance projects or freelance websites and find the freelance programmers, graphic designers, web designers, and web developers.

Copywriting is nothing but using words to promote a person, business, opinion or ideas. This may be used as plaint text, as a radio or television advertisement or in other Medias. The reason for writing this marketing copy or promotional text is to catch the customers or readers to act to buy a product or to subscriber to a certain view point. Copy writing is getting across the perfect message, with the perfect words.

Copywriting includes body copy, slogans, headlines, direct mail pieces, taglines, jingle lyrics, World Wide Web and internet content, television and other written material incorporated into advertising media. Copywriters can contribute words and ideas to print ads, mail order catalogs, bill boards, commercials, brochures, postcards, online sites, e-mail, letters and other advertising media.

Copywriting may also refer to writing, Web creation and wording that is used to achieve higher rankings in search engines… It is also referred as content writing, it includes the strategic, placement and repetition of keywords, keyword phrases on web pages.. As search-engine algorithms get smarter every day, this SEO copywriting is about writing for human visitors as well as for search engines, about offering fluent and readable content written in an SEO-wise manner.

Opportunity for Freelance Copywriters

So many copywriters are working as regular employees within organizations such as Advertising Agencies, Public relations, firms, web developers, company advertising departments, large stores, broadcasters and cable providers, newspapers and magazine… Copy writers can also work independently on contract basis from the home itself.

A copywriter usually is a part of a creative team and works. He may work with art directors as partner in advertising agencies. He is ultimately responsible for the advertisement’s verbal or textual content, which often includes receiving the copy information from the client.

They are similar to technical writers, and the careers may overlap. However technical writing is dedicated to informing readers rather than forcing them. For example, copywriter can write an Advertisement to sell a car, but a technical writer writes the operator’s manual explaining how to use it since he is technically skilled.

There is wide scope for copy writers in internet services writing web content, ads, commercial emails and other online media. Simultaneously the Internet has made it easier for employers, copywriters and art directors to find each other. Whereas professional freelance copywriters were once rare (except those between full-time jobs), today freelancing is a more viable job option, particularly in certain copywriting specialties and markets. Many web sites has provide freelance copywriting projects and other writing projects like http://www.net4manpower.com . Which is one of the best freelancing website to provide freelance projects to freelancer’s with 100% secure payments.

Many entrepreneurs, small and private businesses, and individual affiliates, hire freelance writers for SEO writing (also known as “search engine optimization” writing). SEO writing involves writing keyword-rich articles to rank the client’s website higher in search engines and generate more website traffic. SEO articles are less informative and less entertaining than articles you would write for magazines.

If you want to see examples of SEO articles, browse through any of the online article distribution directories. You will notice many of the SEO articles range in length between 500 and 700 words and paragraphs often repeat with selected keywords.

My friend, Peter Callahan, likes to write sports-related material for the Internet. Many writers, like Peter, write material to inform, entertain and educate readers. Some writers understand clients hire them to write web content for web pages (SEO writing) to ensure higher search engine placement. In many cases, these writers still provide quality-written work for SEO. However, if a client requests the writer to provide keyword-stuffed articles with a certain (keyword) density, then the writer is at the mercy of the client. Crafting keyword-stuffed sentences into a well-written article is hard. Still, both article types – magazine-quality articles and SEO articles – pay the bills. If you become a freelance writer who can swing to one type and then back to the next, then you will receive steady paychecks. The commodity you need will be time.

Here are a few things you should know if you decide to write magazine-quality articles or SEO content for websites:

1. Web content will likely range from 100-1000 words depending on what your client wants.

2. It will either be keyword-enriched or informative. Ask your client what his goals are and what he wants to accomplish with his articles.

3. Topics will range around keywords in most cases.

4. If quantity is worth more than quality to your client, then make sure you protect yourself. Don’t use your name. Use a pen name. There’s nothing worse than to ghostwrite a lot of keyword-stuffed articles aimed at search engines, and then to hit a major book deal and find your client had (accidentally) attached your byline to those non-informative, (almost) meaningless keyword-stuffed articles. Publishers will frown on this.

5. Topics for web content are wide-ranging.

WRITING SEO ARTICLES

Writers who write SEO content are in high demand. These writers often have 20+ jobs waiting in line for them at a time because clients will wait on them to do the job right.

SEO writing is an excellent way to break into freelance writing but it will not make you a recognized writer. Most of what you will write will be from the technical angle of search engine optimization.

A client in search of SEO material will submit a list of keywords focused on a specific term or category. The writer uses these keywords and writes keyword-stuffed articles using variations of these keywords

Usually clients who want SEO writing will request a certain number of words per article. If a client hires you to write a large batch of articles, you will want to range the lengths from 150 words to 1000 words. From my experience, SEO articles shouldn’t go beyond 525 words.

Writing SEO content is a wonderful way to make some great money but it won’t do anything great for you as a writer. In fact, SEO article writing can often hinder your talents if you stay with it long enough because it simply isn’t the best work out there to help you prove yourself as a freelance writer.

If you decide to write keyword-stuffed articles, you’ll need to know more than just the topic. You’ll need to write articles using specific keywords to help your clients rank higher on search engines, most specifically, Google.com. By doing this more people will see your client’s website and go to the site more frequently.

As an SEO writer, you will need to know the rules for density rates and so forth. This can be done by doing a search on “keyword density checkers” or “free keyword density checkers.” Find one that is user friendly. Run your articles through these density checkers to determine their keyword density. Clients will want to see articles with varying density. To ensure the best possible articles for SEO content, always use various keywords.

With the Internet adding more and more web pages, you can make a lot of money in web content. However, just because you are a talented writer doesn’t mean you will pick up the knack for writing SEO articles successfully. You will need to research SEO writing thoroughly to do it correctly.

Affiliates often hire writers to write content for their websites. If you want to break into writing for the web, you must know the ins and outs of writing SEO content. We aren’t going to visit those concepts here because you can find many books on the subject. You can also visit many free websites that teach you how to write for search engines.

Here are some tips to write effective SEO content:

TIP # 1: The keyword or keyword phrase should always be in the first line of every paragraph.

TIP # 2: If you are doing keyword articles as a ghostwriter, make sure you have a contract with your client stating he will not use your byline. You don’t want magazine editors or loyal readers to recognize you for writing non-informative keyword-stuffed articles. At the same time, SEO writing is a necessary skill if you want to make a lot of money in writing web content.

TIP # 3: Use Google’s keyword tool to see what keywords connect with other keywords or phrases. You can take Google’s keyword suggestions and use them in your article so your client’s website will rank higher in search engines. Google’s tool enables you to capture some of the keywords associated with a phrase, as requested by the client. If you learn to research which words can pull the most “hits” on the search engines, you’ll become more valuable to your client.

TIP # 4: Take the keyword phrase and use it in several variations.

TIP # 5: When a client hires you to write web content, ask what the client’s goals are because he may want SEO articles, or he may want informative, well-written articles, or he may want both.

FINDING SEO WRITING GIGS

1) Most clients who need SEO writers post their needs on Elance.com, Guru.com and GetAFreelancer.com, and let writers bid for the projects. Clients will tell you how many articles they require; the word length; the topics; keywords; and sometimes the keyword-density.

2) SEO has become an enormously popular type of writing and the demand is huge. Because of the huge demand, we now have many established SEO writing companies, instead of individual freelancers, that provide these same services. These SEO writing companies always recruit outside freelance writers. If you want to write SEO copy and don’t want to bid on SEO projects, then do a search on Google for SEO writing companies and contact the persons in charge for a freelance position.

3) Search Google News for press releases announcing new websites. Visit these new websites and contact the person in charge. These new websites always need SEO writing.

4) Search through the Elance Service Providers at Elance.com and contact freelance graphic designers and see if you can pair up your skills with theirs.

5) Search the search engines, jobbanks, such as FreelanceWriting.com, and advertise your skills as an SEO writer on your own website.

As a freelance writer, there are plenty of common websites known for making money on the Internet.  However, the experience at some of the popular freelance writing sites has been negative for a lot of writers.  The economy is shifting towards SEO stuffed keywords for pennies per word, which is based solely on the request from buyers to simply write words that match a set of keywords, so the value of a freelance writer has slowly fallen.  It’s also a common complaint from businesses that are looking for quality web content from professional writers.

For businesses that wish to look professional to readers, there is still a need for quality writing from seasoned freelance writers who create interesting web content.  The problem for writers and clients looking for a professional relationship is the ability to sift through freelance writing sites for professionals.  Below are some less marketed sites that connect writers with businesses in need of quality web content.

ePubster

ePubster is a content site with article writing job boards that connect writers with businesses.  They have a screening process for writers, so businesses are promised better, high quality content.  They also proofread and check articles for plagiarism, so it saves the client the hassle of reviewing articles. There is no bidding, and jobs are taken by writers and placed in their queue.  ePubster requires submission of the article within three days, so freelance writers can schedule their work accordingly without the hassle of bidding wars.  They also offer writers a percentage of featured articles that buyers can have displayed on ePubster’s front page.  Writers are given 85% of the job price and 30% of a featured article submission.

Constant Content

Constant content is a place where writers can sell articles for either exclusive use or open-end use.  Buyers browse articles to purchase from several writers.  The great advantage to this site is that writers set their own price and write on topics of their choosing.  Constant Content also has a place where buyers can submit their job request for writers.  An email is sent to the freelance writer for notification.  The disadvantage is that the client has the option not to accept the article, so payment is not guaranteed.

Textbrokers

Textbrokers is a great site for freelance writers who are just getting started.  Their payout is not very lucrative, but it’s a great place to get started writing articles.  Textbrokers rate their writers, and clients are able to specify what level of writer they require for the project.  Freelance writers are rated from one to five, but level five is reserved for published writers.  There is also no bidding process that makes it more convenient for the writer, but clients are given the option for revisions by rejecting articles.

People and companies prefer to work with marketing professionals they trust. Public Relations, or PR as it is dubbed, is key to speeding up that trust. Moreover, it’s an affordable route to gaining visibility and reaching the masses within your industry. Therefore, you boost the likelihood of heightening recognition of and increasing demand for your freelance copywriting services. Also, proper application of PR provides an advantage for you over other copywriters who do not understand how to use it effectively.

Become a good writer. The best way to become a good writer is to read omnivorously, absorbing the quality prose crafted by authors across the years. Acquire a copy of Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style, a perennial favorite among writers and editors; most questions of grammar, punctuation, and usage are found in its pages.

Expand – If you are working as a blogger, freelance writer, or web designer and you can no longer handle the bulk of the jobs coming in, it is time to outsource. Job postings are an effective way to get talented people to work on your project. Also, if you sell products on auction sites such as eBay, trying out other sites will improve your products’ exposure.

You must keep the receipt issued by the keno writer so that you can claim the prize. The computer randomly picks twenty numbers and the winner is the player with the maximum number of matches. You cannot predict the outcome of the computer as it is a random selection and every number has an equal chance of occurrence. So do not fall for keno winning systems that help you predict the numbers.

To push your success even further, you have to think outside of the box; you have to come up with fresh ideas to get backlinks. Marketers either do not know about or choose to ignore advertising as a progressive method of link building. Using advertising to build backlinks has multiple benefits. You are able to build quality backlinks while also driving targeted traffic to your site. All the rules remain the same.

Make sure that your content is not overly repetitive or redundant. If all your blog entries are similar, your readers are not going to bother coming back. Even if you write for a business with a very specific service, you can present information in different ways. Consider posting top ten lists or how-to guides in order to keep your content from seeming monotonous.

To extend your stay in the United States, you should file Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Non-immigrant Status, with USCIS before your visa expires. If you are unsure of your current departure date, check the date on Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, to find out how long you are allowed to stay in the country. USCIS recommend that you apply to extend your stay at least 45 days before your authorized stay expires, but the USCIS Service Center must receive your Form I-539 application by the day your authorized stay expires.

If you don’t take the time to figure out keywords for every article, blog post and updated page on your site, you’re really missing out on traffic. A skilled SEO writer can help you choose keywords if you don’t know how, or have to time to devote to the process.

Blogging is a great way to get your message out to the masses. Whether you are an upcoming company peddling their wares to new customers or only want to use yourself to advertise for other companies, blogging can help you get there. Blogging has been very successful for many but even more fail because they make the small but costly mistakes that don’t allow them to get off the ground.

Being a freelancer simply mean you work for yourself and provide a service or talent which can be outsourced. There are a number of services which can be outsourced, such services include programming, writing, web design, search engine optimization, etc. Services such as these usually can be accomplished from a remote location without the need of a local onsite presence. This being the case makes freelancing very appealing as a provider and as a buyer.

It’s almost obvious how providers benefit from freelancing and opportunities of freelance jobs. Without having the need to arrive onsite this mean freelance providers can work from home or remote and save on travel expenses. It also means the freelance provider is not restricted to only local opportunities. With the ability to reach the globe through the Internet it would seem being a freelance provider is a wise career move. If a freelance provider is able to make a name for themselves then the opportunities can become endless. Making a name in your target market takes time and dedication. You should continue to grow your talent and skills as this will set the stage for your freelancing career path. When freelancing there are many ways to find freelance jobs. One of the best methods of finding and securing freelance opportunities is by being a member of freelance job boards, such as RemoteGurus.com, GetAFreelancer.com, and Elance.com. These freelance job boards are commonly frequented by those seeking outsourced talent, but the catch 22 is that these job boards are also frequented by competitors who are also competing for the same freelance jobs. These freelance job boards operate in a reverse auction style, buyers post jobs and projects while freelance providers bid on the jobs and projects in hopes to be selected as the winning bidder. Since its a competitive platform as a freelancer you must be competitive with your rates. Using these job boards you will most likely have to shortchange yourself in order to win bids, but the trade-off is you will most likely continue to find and get new work. The freelance job boards are great for building your brand and visibility as a freelance. As you continue to build a name for yourself and your popularity on the boards grow your reputation will begin to precede itself. The freelance job boards are designed with a rating system which allow buyers who you perform work for to rate your talent and services, the more ratings and the higher the rating the more likely you will land new projects consistently. Having high number of positive ratings also mean you will more likely be able to bid higher (without shortchanging yourself) on the projects with a good chance of winning the project. The key is keep a reputable name and your business will continue to grow in time.

Buyers benefit in a number of ways by outsourcing their jobs and projects to talented professionals. For a small business owner or home-based worker, outsourcing to remote freelancers is an ideal solution. Outsourcing to remote and telecommuting professionals mean you do not need to have an onsite physical address or rent additional office space, you immediately save on overhead expenses. Using reverse auction-styled job boards such RemoteGurus.com, GetAFreelancer.com, and Elance.com you will be able to evaluate your freelance provider before accepting them as the winning bidder. You will have access to view their rating history and user profile, you should use such information to your advantage — it’s called doing your homework. These type of job boards help you find freelance providers in a controlled environment and helps lower the risk of getting ripped off. These type of job boards allow the buyer to place money into escrow before releasing the funds to the freelance provider. Escrow simply allow you and the freelance provider to have a fair and positive experience without being taken for a ride. The buyer cannot cancel payment once in escrow, they can only send (approve) the payment to be released to the freelance provider. The provider has the option to cancel payment once in escrow (canceling payment will return the funds to the buyer — leaving the provider unpaid), but the freelance provider cannot send (approve) the payment. By both parties sharing this responsibility it puts control into each party hand. If the project is not completed to your satisfaction then as the buyer you simply do not release the funds to the provider out of escrow. This protects you from getting screwed out of money. In most cases if the provider did not complete the job to satisfaction they will cancel the payment and all funds return to you (the buyer). If for any reason there is a dispute then you can involve the project board owner to handle the dispute and return your funds to your account. It’s really a win-win situation.

In conclusion, as a freelance provider you will be well on your way to being a sought after freelancer if you use the freelance job boards as your springboard for growing your name and brand. My advice is to bid low and sell yourself short in the beginning just to get jobs, projects, and experience. Once you have built your name and rating then you can start increasing your bids and asking for the going rate. Work for reviews in the beginning and you will be on your way to working for money. As for buyers, as long as you do your homework and check provider reviews then use escrow for payments, you will increase buyer protection for yourself. Using freelance job boards you can find quality, professional, and affordable freelance providers who are competent and reliable. Best of luck to you.