The Article Writer

I like the suggestion of one of my fellow bloggers who encourages people just getting started in freelance work to produce just one article per day. Oftentimes, I have found that new writers get bogged down by the bigger picture of making a go of it full time when taking smaller steps, such as writing just one article, can be what they need to get them on a roll.

Just think of it: if you write one article per day during the week you will have written 260 articles one year later. More than likely your numbers will be far greater than that amount especially as you build up the confidence, expertise, and find your writing “voice” as time moves on.

You have to start somewhere: an article a day can stimulate your creative juices and get you on the road to a lifetime of freelance writing.

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article writer, freelance writing, freelance writer, editing, writer

PRWeb, the company that got the online press release movement started in 1997, has ended its practice of permitting the free distribution of press releases through its site. Citing the cost of managing this type of operation and, most importantly, the huge number of releases submitted for free by people who don’t appreciate the quality that goes into making a press release, PRWeb has decided to raise the bar and charge a minimum fee to get your press release listed, which is currently a $40 contribution.

Upgraded packages are also being offered for $80, $120, and $200 to help users gain a wider dissemination of releases through various media outlets.

I haven’t decided exactly what I plan on doing regarding future press releases as the added cost can make it harder to distribute press releases for a decent fee. One option is PR Leap, a competitor who is already taking advantage of the the change in PRWeb policy as outlined here.

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press releases, PRWeb, news releases, PR Leap,
free press release, paid press release, press release submission

Once in awhile I get it right — even 100% on target at that. What am I talking about? Anticipating a client’s needs to the point where I am able to convey to them what they are unable to state in words to me.

For example, a few week’s back I had a small project to work on, a series of automotive articles, and the customer wasn’t sure exactly what he wanted but he knew that there was something that he needed: fresh web content. I sensed that his budget was limited and I could almost hear him say as much, but I did not press the issue with him. Instead, after looking over his website, I decided that writing several tightly focused articles of about 400 words in length would do. No, it wasn’t the traditional copy I would have recommended but for his particular site it would be a good fit. At least that is what I had surmised.

When I pitched my proposal to the client he seemed cautiously interested, but he gave to me his go ahead despite whatever reservations he may have had. A few days later I managed to deliver the completed work to him and he accepted the project without demanding any changes. Instead, he remarked, “you knew exactly what I wanted without me being able to tell you what I wanted. How did you know?” Well, I mentioned to him that I had a lot of practice: years of working with people who were in a similar situation as he was. I added: “once you get a sense for what someone wants, then you go with it.”

No, I am no mind reader. However, anticipating a client’s needs comes with the territory. It has taken years of hard work to get to this place, but the payoffs for client and writer are very obvious.

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freelance writer, article writer, writing projects, copywriter, editor