How to be a copywriter

WHY EXCLAMATION MARKS ARE NOT YOUR FRIEND

I’ll let you in on a little secret. One of the biggest giveaways that a client has written their own copy, without hiring a copywriter, is the over-use of exclamation marks. The world’s most over-used punctuation mark has a lot to answer…

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6 REASONS YOU ALWAYS FALL FOR CLICK-BAIT (AND THE SECRET FORMULAS PUBLISHERS WON’T WANT YOU TO SEE)

Content & Strategy

Sometimes we can’t help ourselves. Even if we have no interest in the subject, we find ourselves clicking irresistible links. But what is it that makes headlines from sites like Buzzfeed so compelling?Unless you spend your whole time online…

Why The Post And Pray Method Doesn’t Work (And What To Do Instead)

Content & Strategy

I did a Google Search of “post and pray method” hoping to find some witty definition, but apparently the staffing industry has cornered the market (or at least the search market) on that phrase. So I’ll have to take a stab at my own (hopefully…

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Why Freelance Writers Should Avoid Content Mills

Freelancing

On the surface, content mills seem like a great idea for struggling freelance writers, especially those who are trying to break into the market. No experience necessary! Get paid weekly! Earn as much as you want! But if you want to make a living…

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5 Places to Find Photos for Your Spec Ads

Advertising

When you’re creating spec ads, whether on your own or with a design partner (recommended!), you’ll need to find images to use. And, since it’s bad karma to steal other people’s pictures, you’ll need good places to find them. Read on…

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Before You Say “I Quit!” Don’t Make This Common Freelance Mistake

Freelancing

Back when I was still employed with my old employer, I itched for the day when I could finally say, “I quit!” I dreamed up scenarios of how I’d type up my resignation letter, hand it in, and leave the salt mines for good. I even wondered…

Should You Let Others Syndicate Your Blog Content?

Work Habits

When you publish great content on your blog, others will want to share it with their communities. They may even ask if they can syndicate some or all of your posts to their blogs. However, as a marketer, do you want your company’s posts on…

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How to Explode Your Freelance Writing Income with Copywriting and Copyblogging

Content & Strategy Copywriting Skills

Copywriting and copyblogging are two highly lucrative writing fields yet too many freelance writers continue to "grind it out" at small-time blogs, "mom-and-pop" businesses and non-profits. In some cases, these freelance writers assume that…

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Five Tips for Creating Client-Friendly Webcopy

Advertising Content & Strategy Copywriting Skills

Use the 5 tips below to analyze, plan, and make some needed changes to your webcopy.1. The “You” MessageHave a look at your webcopy now. How often do you refer to your prospective clients? How often do you talk about you? Consider…