15 writing prompts

Writers don't always grab their coffee, sit down at the computer, and start pounding out sentences. Sometimes we grab our coffee, sit at the computer, and stare blankly at the screen for what seems like eternity.

That's called writer's block--and it happens to even the best writers.

Writer's block is incredibly frustrating, and sometimes the only way to pull yourself out of a slump is to just...well, write. Writer's prompts terrific tools for helping the words move from your head to the page. Basically you're given a starting point, so there is no blank page, which is the proverbial wall (i.e., block) that holds us back.

For a few handfuls of writing prompts--15, to be exact--check out this piece on Brownstone Publication's blog.

Happy writing!

should you blog?

Instead of tracking the election today--there won't be any real news until this evening as the polls close, anyway--I've spent some time this afternoon catching up on reading favorite blogs.

Here's an article that's useful for anyone wondering whether they should start a blog, or considering why they should continue to post, even if they're not a "pro-blogger."  Great info here!


From Aliventures:
5 Great Alternative Reasons to Blog

UBC final wrap up & final thoughts

Today is the 31st and final day of the Ultimate Blog Challenge. Posting each and every day has definitely been a challenge, but it's also been a good experience. To wrap things up, here are a few random thoughts about this month.

1. I am happy to say I completed the daily posting goal, but I wish I had been able to find time to read (and comment) on more blogs. I tried to read at least a couple every day, but there were some days I wasn't able to read any. There were a lot of great posts out there, and I'm sorry I couldn't get to all of them!

2. The UBC was a great opportunity to evaluate the direction that I want to take this blog. While I won't be posting every day from here on out, I will make an effort to post more frequently than I did before (prior to October).

3. This surprised me: writing posts got easier! And I became faster at writing them! Things seemed a bit more effortless! And that's a good thing. Hey, even writers suffer from writer's block sometimes, or take longer than they'd like to construct an article!

4. I need to find a few more free images sites. I think I've exhausted morguefile.com, and some of the other supposedly "free" sites I had bookmarked weren't free, really.

5. Thank you to those who took the time to read my posts, and thanks again if you commented and/or shared. I appreciate the support! I have started following a few other participants' blogs and will do my best to keep up with them in the future. There are many awesome blogs out there chock full of great information.

If you participated in the UBC, how did you do? Were you happy with your results? Do you feel you made some new connections? What will you do next?

why businesses need blogs

In an era where it couldn't be easier to share content, it's a wonder why every business doesn't have a blog.

You've got one, right?

No?! Well, don't worry. You aren't alone. Actually, there are still a lot of businesses (and organizations) that have yet to launch a blog.
  
© Photographer: Foto_jem | Agency: Dreamstime.com


They know it's a beneficial way to grow an audience, reach customers, and share information, but for one or more reasons, they've yet to get started.

If you haven't joined the blog bandwagon, consider doing so in 2013. You'll have a couple months to get a game plan together--consider topics, decide which platform to use, figure out who will write the posts--and you can hit the ground running at the start of the new year.

One of the first steps you might take, if you are considering blogging, is to read this article: 6 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Blog.

And hearing from those who already have a blog in place might help, too. So let me ask this: if you blog for your business, why do you do it? How have you benefited from having a blog? What tips can you offer to those new to blogging? And if you'd like to share a link to your blog, please do that as well!

infographic: a history of social media

I don't claim to be a social media expert by any means, but since it's a way of marketing a business (which is part of what I help my clients do) and since it also involves content development, I think this infographic will be perfectly at home here.

Plus, it's interesting as heck--at least it is if you use email, participate on Facebook, post on Twitter, look up stuff on Wikipedia, etc.

And sorry that this takes up a majority of the right-hand column...I'm not sure how to fix that yet!




Like this infographic? Get more content marketing tips from Copyblogger.

  Source

ubc favorites list (week 4)

There are only a few more days until the Ultimate Blog Challenge wraps up, so this will be the final list of top 5 weekly blogs. The theme this time is...drumroll, please...well, there is no theme! Just random topics, but all of them are interesting. Enjoy!

Sunday Shoutout: Brick Link
For Lego collectors and parents of Lego enthusiasts.

Headline Tips
Writing headlines/titles can be tricky, and these tips will help make that job a bit easier.

Child Prodigy...Or Not
This one had me laughing out loud for at least 20 minutes. Parents especially will appreciate this!

It's Spook-tober
Super cute idea for making a Halloween card, scrapbook style.

Being Frugal Can Be Fun!
Just because I'm a bit of a cheapskate doesn't mean I think everyone needs to be, but there really are some good ideas here that anyone can use.

infographic: how much should an article cost?

In writing circles, there's a lot of discussion about how much writing services should cost. The biggest frustration for us is when a post appears on Craigslist (or another online group) asking for a 1,000 word article with compensation around $5. Unfortunately, this isn't an occasional instance--it happens a lot.

I could go on about this, but here's an infographic that explains the situation perfectly. Check it out and ask yourself, which would you rather have represent your business: a $5 article that may be plagiarized plus contain errors, or one that costs a bit more but truly benefits your business, includes original content, and is grammatically correct, error-free, all while presenting quality information?


Like this infographic? Get more online marketing tips from Expand2Web.

infographic: types of editing

In addition to writing content, I do quite a bit of editing (including proofreading for book projects for a small press). Although the following infographic targets book editing, the basic principles are the same for editing for business communications, too.

Source: Original infographic from WinePress of Words.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

overused words, part deux

Maybe you read the post on buzzwords I wrote last week. I found an article today that discussed other overused words. Well, actually it only discussed one: icon (variation, iconic)--but the author went in depth about his distaste for the words.

Probably my favorite part of this post is the discussion that follows by readers who share their own pet peeves when it comes to words or expressions that are overused or used incorrectly.

Check it out here!

Do you agree with any of the comments? Are there certain phrases or words that really bug you, too?

5 ways to heat up your blog content

We're nearing the end of October, but today felt a bit like summer at 80ish degrees. (?!) Did I mention that it's October?

I live in the Midwest, so this shouldn't be surprising. They say around these parts if you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes and it'll change. (It's practically true...this weekend it's supposed to be in the 40s!)

So anyway, thoughts of warmth have been running through my head all day, and of course I try to relate it to workstuff. Today's (semi) related thought can be applied to blogs, specifically: how might you turn up the heat on your copy and really get folks talking?

Discuss a controversial issue.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and when you publish your own stuff you've got a platform to easily share your views. So go ahead and stir up a little commotion. If the comments you receive disagree with your point of view, that's ok. Just remember that when people comment on your blog, it's proof that your words are being read! Respond to in a respectful, polite manner and you may even make some friends along the way (even if your viewpoints differ).

Solicit responses.
Asking readers to share their opinions and experiences is a great way to initiate discussion on your blog. You can ask questions throughout the text, but it's best if your question comes at the end of the post. If it's the last thing your readers see, they're more likely to respond (and less likely to forget that you asked them a question in the first place). 

Use humor. 
Who doesn't like to laugh? Even folks seeking professional, insightful advice appreciate funny stuff here and there. A clever anecdote may also help keep your readers' interest. Here's a post I read today that had me laughing...I enjoyed it so much I'd like to share it here. 

Write a great title. 
 Do you write posts with ease, but get stuck on the title? A great title (or headline when talking about articles published in other formats) is key to drawing in readers. Check out these tips for creating great titles/headlines.

Add a super image.
All that text--no matter how well it's written--is not the first thing people see when they come to your blog. Images are a powerful way to introduce your story, so take time to find a great one each time you post! Images don't have to cost an arm and a leg, either. In fact, you can obtain many for free, or very cheaply. Here's a piece that expands on this topic, plus includes links to some images sites.

So tell us...how do you keep your blog hot, hot, hot?

3 ways to fix mistakes in your (oops--published!) content

Today I noticed on my Facebook business page that a typo appeared in the “About” section. And it showed up right after I mentioned my editing services. Doh!

That’s not a very good testament for my work. However, I’m human, and humans make mistakes. Still, I know I should have been more careful. I’m kind of embarrassed about this, and I really hope nobody noticed (but I’ll bet somebody, somewhere did).

So what do you do when you find an error in your content after it’s been published? The good news is that it’s not the end of the world, and a few options for damage control are available.

Fix it (asap!) and ignore it.

Sometimes there really isn’t any point in drawing attention to the mistake, especially if it’s a minor one. If you notice a typo or misspelling in one of your blog posts or on your landing page, just get in there as soon as you can and fix it. Then shush—nobody really needs to know.

Making a change is harder if an error occurs in printed materials. Then you can either live with it or order a reprint. First, consider the type of error. If it’s a minor typo that won’t mislead your audience, you may choose to live with it until the piece needs to be updated. If it’s a major goof, however, like a misprint in price, address, or phone number, you may want to go ahead and order a corrected version. 

Admit the mistake and provide a correction.

I’ve seen folks do this often—mostly if a link is broken or information is inaccurate. It happens a lot in ezines, and is usually followed up right away by an email that provides the correct information.

When do you call attention to a mistake? I recommend doing this only if the meaning of the text might be misinterpreted, or as noted above, if a link is broken or a source’s name is misspelled. Admitting an error doesn’t make you look weak or unprofessional. Rather, it shows you’ve taken steps to correct the problem, and that you care enough to do so!

Use your story to help others.

That’s kinda what I’m doing now. I guess the general moral is one I already preach (um, again, please remember that human element!): having another set of eyes read over your words—before hitting “publish”—is the absolute best way to prevent costly mistakes!

Now, where’s my husband? I need him to review this blog post….

write faster, right now!

We've all complained about not having enough hours in a day to accomplish important tasks, right? Well, adding a few hours to each day isn't going to happen, and giving up sleep entirely won't work. Caffeine can help but, well, it'll only take you so far.

The only remaining option is to work more efficiently. This can be hard, but it's often doable.  Here's an article about how to speed up your writing. (Ideal for blog posts!)

How to Write an Article in 20 Minutes

ubc favorites list (week 3)

Whew. Three weeks down, 10 days to go for the UBC!

Here is my list of favorite articles from this week. Again, I wish I could read everyone's posts, but that's pretty much impossible.

Here are my picks for week 3. I guess there's a theme--I was drawn to blogging posts (since I've been doing so much of it, I guess) this week. Maybe next week I'll take a different turn and read completely random topics. Here we go!


5 Ingredients for a Great Blog Post

Why We Need Obstacles

Repurpose Your Content

5 Tips for Developing Fresh Content on Your Blog

Attention All Writers: What to Do When Your Mind Goes Blank

infographic: how to repurpose your content

A few people shared this infographic last week, and I believe it's too good to let lie low just yet. I'd like to share it as well. Anyone who creates content will benefit from reading this. Thanks, Ellen Britt, for creating such a useful, practical, informative infographic!



View full image Content Repurposing Strategies

are you charging what you're worth?

I really wanted to share this really cool infographic I saw the other day in this post, but I'm going to hold off until next time. Instead, I want to share this article. It's directed toward freelancers...particularly women business owners. Guys, you should read it too, and I'd love to hear what everyone thinks about the points here. I'm sure author Dianna Huff would appreciate your comments as well (and you can do so at the end of her piece).


Thanks to Ed Gandia from the International Freelance Writers Academy for sharing.

And now, here we go:

Why Low Self-Worth Drives Lower Wages for Women Freelancers--And What You Can Do About It.

so you want to hire a freelance writer...

Have you ever considered hiring someone to help write content for your marketing or informational materials? Maybe you need fresh copy or a new angle for your website or blog—or maybe you simply don’t have enough time to get it all done yourself. You decide to call in a freelance writer, tell her what you need, and ask for an estimate. She gives you one, and suddenly you feel a little short of breath.

But I don’t even want that much text on my landing page, you think. How can it possibly cost that much?

So you call in a second freelancer, tell him what you want, and ask for an estimate. He gives you one, and now you’re confused.

This actually seems really low, you muse. Does this guy know what he’s doing? Why does he work for so little money?

Welcome to working with freelancers! There is no standard fee, which can be confusing for someone new to this situation. Prices may be all over the map, depending on where you live, the type of project, and how much experience the freelancer has.

You know how much money you have to work with, so of course you need to select someone who fits your budget. But if you find a freelancer you believe is a good fit for the company and the project at hand—and if you feel the price is too high—consider what goes into the content creation process before dismissing him entirely.

Few writers attend a meeting and spout out copy that’s perfect. There’s much more to it than that! Let’s take a quick look at the steps a writer takes to craft copy that gets results:

Researching
Before a professional writer meets with you, she most likely has already done some research. She’ll visit your website and learn about your company and its services or products. She’ll get a feel for how the content is currently presented and ask if you’re happy with the style, flow, and tone.

After she gets the gig, she’ll research your competitors. She’ll see what they’re talking about and how they’re saying it. She’ll learn more about the topic she’s going to be writing about by asking questions and reading existing literature. She’ll make sure she’s got the names of products and employees accurate and she’ll interview your employees, and maybe even a few satisfied customers.

Note the actual writing process hasn’t even begun yet!

Drafting
Now’s the time to start crafting words. She’s got to get her thoughts organized by creating an outline of sorts to follow. And she’s got to look over notes and quotes to make sure she’s telling the story accurately, then turn bits and pieces of this puzzle into something readable. Drafting is actually probably the easiest part of this job! But wait, there's more....

Follow-up
Hmm…the information she needs to obtain from Department Manager XX didn’t come through. He was supposed to return her email yesterday but she hasn’t heard from him, so she has to send a follow-up email or make a phone call. This goes on for a few days until finally they manage to connect. She takes notes on their conversation and adds the new information to the draft.

Editing
Now it’s time to clean up that draft so that there are no typos or misspellings. Everything needs to flow smoothly and make sense to the target audience. Only after editing her work thoroughly should she send it your way for review.

Revising

Few writers hit the nail on the head with their first draft—we expect to make revisions after our clients look everything over and give input. So we review your comments, ask additional questions, and re-word, re-phrase, or add or delete a section here or there. Then we edit again and send it back to you for final approval.

That’s pretty much the process, and it may be repeated once more to get a final draft that everyone is happy with. So as you can see, writing quality content is much more than just writing.

For those of you who have worked with freelancers before (and it doesn’t have to be a freelance writer—designers and photographers are also hired by companies on a regular basis), what did you like about having someone separate from your company or organization handle outsourcing? What didn’t you like? What do you want freelancers to know about working with you?

 image from stockvault.net

do what you say you'll do

My mom’s birthday is on Saturday, and as I think about where to find the gift I’d like to give her, I’m reminded of last year’s unfortunate shopping experience—and I’m hoping to avoid similar frustration this time around.

Last year I wanted to give my mom, a voracious reader, a book I thought she would enjoy. The local Barnes and Noble didn’t have it in stock (and as a last-minute shopper I didn’t have time to wait for shipping), so I hopped online to check out the list of in-stock books at a certain large-scale, well-known retailer.

Booyah! I thought as I saw the title I was looking for. The website said the book was at the store’s closest location, so I headed over to the store. I trekked to the (tiny) book isle and searched and searched, but I couldn’t find it. So I flagged down an employee and asked if he could help me.

“Ummm,” he said after glancing at the shelves. “Well. I don’t think we have that book.”

“But your website said it was in stock at this location,” I said, not too happily (yet still politely).

“Yeah. Um. Well, our website is managed by a third-party. They don’t really know what we have in stock at this store.”

Really? Really? So they’re paying some company to maintain their website, which supposedly lists available products, except those products may not really be available like the website says. Like it, in effect, promises.

This makes no sense.

I left pretty upset—and for the record, this wasn’t the first time I had become aggravated with this particular store.

Since this is a humungous, super duper retailer, no matter what the website says they’re going to stay in business. All because they have locations in just about every town, and because a majority of people shop there because of low prices. So as much as the situation stinks, this company can—and clearly does—get away with being dishonest.

What if a small, local business tried this sort of thing? It would lose customers quickly. And those unhappy customers would tell their friends and even more business might be lost. The company would most likely fold if it messed up repeatedly.

But not all is lost. I took with me a business lesson, which is handy as a business owner: do what you say you’ll do. Follow up if you say you will, keep items in stock if you say you have them, honor guarantees if you offer them, etc. It’s simple, really. Providing good, honest, quality customer service is key to running a successful business. Especially if it’s a small-scale business. 

On a related note, I read another blog today that shared a story about customer service—but this story painted a much rosier picture. For a more uplifting story about providing quality service, check out Snootyvixen’s It Ain’t What You Do, It’s The Way That You Do It.

buzzwords: bad for business

Have you ever been to a meeting where the key presenter uses a bunch of business-speak? Soon these buzzwords begin to lose their meaning—many of which have vague meaning in the first place—as they are repeated. Slowly, your eyes began to glaze over as you hear, for the zillionth time, words like “leverage” and “value-added”… yaaaaawn….

After hearing them so frequently, buzzwords become boring, and their exact definitions aren’t always clear. So here’s a question: if buzzwords really are used often, why are they still confusing?

Many times buzzwords are tossed around so often within certain circles that those who use them forget that the general public—i.e., customers and clients—may never have even heard of them.

So why use them all?

Simple answer: don’t. At least don’t use them in your marketing materials. If this business-speak from your boss or a co-worker bores you (or confuses you), think about how your customers feel when they come across these terms!

If you’re writing content that’s designed to inform or educate your audience about a product or service, it’s best to stick to the basics and make sure your communication materials are easy to comprehend. Remember, people won’t buy from you if they don’t understand what you’re selling.

Think about these points as you write your next draft:

Consider your audience. 

It’s ok to use buzzwords (in moderation) in an article that will appear in a trade magazine within your field, but it’s not a good idea to use them when writing content for potential customers to review. Think about how your ideal buyer talks and thinks. You don’t have to talk down to anyone, but you should provide information they can comprehend, in a way that catches their interest.

Be clear and concise.

Useful information that readers can understand not only helps them make an informed decision; it also helps earn your trust. Penning a tips piece for your blog? Be sure to give clear directions. Writing brochure content for a new product? Don’t focus on the specs—talk about how the product will benefit the buyer.

Test the message.

Ask someone without ties to your field or office to read your copy. Do they understand what you’re saying? If so, great! If not, it’s time to revise. 

Use words as they are meant to be used. (I.e., nouns as nouns—not verbs)

We’re all guilty of this. How many topics did you Google today? Did you Facebook your aunt to tell her happy birthday? While it’s fine to swap parts of speech in casual conversation (as long as the other person knows what you’re talking about), doing so in writing risks losing your reader.

Avoid acronyms.

Abbreviations and acronyms are often industry-specific. Use them only within circles of others in your profession.

What’s your take on buzzwords? Any particular pet peeves? Anyone care to defend a favorite buzzword?

don't make these mistakes...

I receive a local publication that's typically packed with good, solid information for business owners. While some of the articles focus on issues specific to the community, many others are useful for any business-type person, regardless of their location.

The October issue of Interbusiness Issues featured an article, The Top 3 Business Writing Mistakes You're Probably Making Right Now, which I think is a very insightful read. If you handle writing duties for your business in any capacity, check out this piece. It's a short read but it's oh-so-practical.

Happy writing!

UBC favorites list (week 2)

Wow! Two weeks down for the UBC already! That means it's time to post some of my favorite links from this week by other blog authors.

This week features posts on a variety of topics. Enjoy!

Kitchen Garden Recipe Book: Garlic
Do you garden? Do you eat what you grow? Do you like garlic? Check this out!

But I'm a Doctor...
This is no, "Dammit, Jim! I'm a doctor!" line. I wish it were that funny. This is a blog about domestic violence, and since October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, it's good to help spread the word.

The Amazing Power of Joint Ventures
The title says it all. This post is right on--just check out the comment section!

Don't Be Silly
I was attracted to this post initially because it featured a cute kid-ism (and who can resist those?) but quickly caught the deeper meaning: makes sure that whatever message you send--personally or professionally, in speech or in writing--it's important to make sure you communicate clearly so that others understand what you're saying.

Why You Must Have Information Filters
This one just came out a little while ago, but it's so practical and useful (for everyone who does ANYTHING online) that I had to include it now. This post will help increase your productivity if you take it seriously.

I'm looking forward to reading more great posts next week!