Angela Booth's Writing Blog

Monetize your Web site series at Pro Write

The first of the "Monetize Your Site" series of articles is online at Pro Write.

Here's an excerpt:

In this series, we'll look at ways in which you can monetize your Web sites. In this first article, we'll discuss the Web publishing revolution. "Revolution" is an apt word. The vast majority of writers don't yet understand this revolution, which is based on Web publishing — creating Web sites.

Because I know that many of you don't have a site yet — or have only one site — in the series we'll look at ways in which you can create Web sites easily and simply AND monetize them. But first we need to discuss the concept.

If you're wondering WHY you would want to go to the trouble of creating your own Web sites, and steering your own canoe so to speak when it comes to getting paid for your writing, the answer is — the Web publishing revolution.

There's a MASS of material at Pro Write to help you to build your writing career: workshops and ebooks which will ensure that you're a pro writer earning a pro's income.

Don't forget that Skype VOIP coaching is part of your membership. We're the only writers' site which offers free one-on-one coaching.

Enjoy. :-)

Technorati Tags: Pro Write

The (secret-to-many writers) Web publishing revolution

In response to a lack of understanding about Web publishing, I'm writing a new series of articles for Pro Write about monetizing your Web sites -- about the Web publishing revolution.

The first article in the series will be online shortly.

The Web publishing revolution is a deep dark secret to many (most?) writers, it seems.

I've been posting on this blog recently about online writing, how you can make money as a writer by:

* writing for the online market (HUGE, hidden);

* creating your own Web sites and monetizing them. (An alien concept for many writers. :-))

I couldn't believe the HUH??? expressions I'm getting from writers in response to my Web publishing/ online writing posts. :-)

Then I took time to mull it over. Why can't (most) writers recognize what's in front of their noses -- or on their computer screens, anyway? I think it's because many writers see one way of writing -- for others -- and don't realize that they can make MUCH more money writing for themselves by creating Web sites and monetizing them. And also, they have no idea about the amount of money that Web publishers make, ARE MAKING, essentially by writing -- by monetizing Web sites.

Hence, the new Pro Write series. I'll post a little more about the series once the first article is online.

Technorati Tags: Web publishing

This month’s CSB: Accessing the global freelance marketplace

I’ll be posting this month’s issue of Creative Small Biz (CSB) shortly. The focus is on the global freelancing marketplace. If you’re not a subscriber to CSB, subscription is free.

Here’s the editorial:

There's never been a better time to be a creative freelancer. The global outsourcing marketplace operates 24x7, right around the world.

This month's excellent article "The Freelancers' Field Guide To Contract Work" explains how to bid on outsourced jobs which suit your abilities, and build your freelance career.

Remember too, that you can develop a portfolio Web site to position your abilities, and a blog to showcase your expertise. As a creative freelancer you're an entrepreneur, and you need to market each and every day.

Don't know how to get started? All businesses need copy, and our own e-course "Writing Words that Sell: Freelance Copywriting" shows you how to develop your own copywriting business.

Enjoy. :-)

Technorati Tags: get started copywriting, writing

Free writing phone consults/ chats now included with your Pro Write membership

VOIP Internet phone services make it easy to stay in touch with people all over the world.

Skype's free, so we're now offering free Internet phone writing coaching/ consults with your Pro Write membership.

New (free) online marketing ebook from Seth Godin

Check out the inimitable Seth Godin's new ebook Knock Knock which tells you "how to use the new online marketing tools to make any website work more effectively." It's a 6 meg download, so be prepared if you're on dialup.

Great no-nonsense advice in the book. Tip: Look at your own site in the light of page four. Does it measure up?

And what do you mean, you don't have a Web site? Start a blog. A blog makes much more sense for time-poor and cash-poor writers.

If you're trying to work out what to put on your site, here's my article "Your Creative Web Site", written way back in 2003. (One point -- the article mentions the DE forum, which is no longer extant. We deleted it when the site was revamped.) You can however get help on Pro Write's forums.

Next issue of YEW: Word fun

I'll be posting the next issue of Your EveryDay Write shortly. If you're new to YEW visit the site to subscribe -- it's free.

Note: unless you're a member of Pro Write, you won't have access to the archives. For the free Yahoo subs, it's a one-time mailing only, on the 30th of each month.

Here's a sample of the writing prompts and tips in YEW:

<<< Writing Prompt>>>

You're writing an Agatha Christie-style mystery. You want to create a female character as your amateur detective.

Write down these three words: Gift, Sleep, Premonition.

You can write the words as a list, or cluster them.

See more on clustering here

Now write 50 more words, as quickly as you can, without thinking too much about it. I usually write the words all over a blank sheet of paper, using different colours and doodling on the page to help me to get into a relaxed, day-dreaming state.

Is your novel's character starting to come into focus? Write 100 words describing your amateur detective.


<<< Writing Tip >>>

==> Word associations maximize your brain-power <==

When a piece of writing seems boring, consider using word associations to spark it up. When you select words and write a list of associations, you're maximizing your brain power.

Want to give this a try?

Pick a file on your computer – this can be a letter, an email message, a story, an article --- anything.

Choose any three words you've used in the document, and copy them to the end of the file. Now free-associate. I like to do this on paper, but it's up to you how you do it. Write 50 to 100 words of associations.

Sometime before you get to the end of this process, you'll get an urge to write. Obey the urge.

Write at least 100 words of your inspiration. Note: your inspiration may seem unrelated to the themes that you were exploring in your word associations. That's fine --- it's part of the magic of this process. When you've finished writing your inspiration --- which may be as short as a couple of sentences or several pages long --- copy this into the original document.

The results will amaze you. :-)

New issue of YEW has gone out to subscribers

If you're a member of Your EveryDay Write, look for the latest issue in your Inbox.

Here's a snippet:

This Month’s Theme: Renewed Creativity

This month, have fun while you write, for renewed creativity.

Creativity is closely tied to fun, so: IF YOU’RE NOT HAVING FUN, YOU CAN’T BE CREATIVE.

YEW is published once a month. The free Yahoo version is not archived -- the archives are on Pro Write. (A good reason to join, if you're not a member. :-))

Technorati Tags: Pro Write

June's issue of YEW is… late

Unfortunately June's issue of our Your EveryDay Write ezine is late. My apologies. A combination of a new computer system (I LOVE my Mac) and the pressure of work. I'm working on the issue right now, so expect to see get your issue if you're a member of YEW's Yahoo group shortly. If you're not a member, you can subscribe (it's free) here.

 

Pro Write subscribers will find the issue online. Please note: Pro Write subscribers have access to YEW's complete archive, for Yahoo Group members, it's a one-time mailing, without archives.

 

Here's one of the writing prompts from the issue:

Listing can help you to make your writing more visual. Think about a place in your town or city that you know well. Maybe it's a bookstore, or the local coffeeshop.

 

Close your eyes, and see the place in your mind's eye. Now make a list of 20 things you can visualize. What can you see?

 

Using your list, write 200 words about the place you've chosen.

 

Enjoy. :-)

Making money by writing for free

Interesting article on Blogcritics: "free content ~ at what cost?"

Of course, it had struck me before, but when talking it over with a good friend just yesterday (and for over three hours or so in which we discussed, among this, many other things, the idea seemed even more important than ever. The concept is this: How does a serious writer go about making any money by writing articles for the Internet and specifically, the very many (and I note, some very good sites) that ask for free and demand excellent content. Such sites are discussed here, and while some may be worth the time and effort, others may certainly not be and it’s important to know which is which.

The answer of course is that you can't make money writing for free, and you shouldn't be writing "for free" if somewhere in the back of your mind you're hoping to be paid. If you want to be paid, write for markets WHICH PAY -- and there are MILLIONS of those, heaven help us.

Visit Pro Write to learn how to make money from your writing skills.

Technorati Tags: Pro Write, Publishing, writers low pay

Writers are catching on to the blog thing

pro write - professional writing secrets...:

I've just Googled: "writer writing blog" and was amazed in the number of new writers' blogs.

Not sure how to start your own blog? Workshop Twelve — "Blog Your Writing" will get you started.

Need help? Ask for it on Pro Write's forums.

Technorati Tags: Pro Write, writing