Debate: Write for Residual Income or Write Copy for Clients?

After reading very disturbing comments on a Suite101 review, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about this topic in more detail.

Photo by Razvan Caliman (flickr)

Specifically, why would some people work their asses off writing for web content sites only to get a small return? Many copywriters seem to think this way, as it just doesn’t make sense to them why someone would work for pennies and accept low pay. They seem to think that other freelance writers out there, often the ones just stepping in the door, aren’t getting what they’re worth and therefore are the reason why the rest of the world believes that freelance writing is a low paying job. When people believe this, why would clients spend over $1,000 for a direct mail package? What’s the purpose of wasting so much money for a brochure when writers shouldn’t be charged so much? (more…)

Demand Studios Holiday Club

Demand Studios is apparently hosting a Holiday Club event! They’re giving away $500 to one copy editor and one writer Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. For specifics, here’s a copy of the email:

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eHow Writing Platform Switch: Good or Bad?

For the past year, eHow has been continuously changing their eHow writing platform so that users have to get used to the new set of rules again and again. It first started with their article sweeps, where thousands of eHow articles were removed if they didn’t meet eHow’s new guidelines. This created a lot of frustration in the eHow community and some members lost as much as 50 articles to the sweeps. Other eHow members had their whole article library wiped out. Luckily, I only had about 10 articles deleted during the time. Freelance writers began disappearing, upset with all the hard work and effort spent in articles that just got tossed down the drain without a second thought. A few dedicated writers, including myself, continued to write for eHow.

However, the problems didn’t stop there. The eHow website started shutting down at random times of the day, articles stopped publishing, and pictures stopped uploading. Several more eHow writers left, deciding to find more stable sources of income and not wanting to deal with any more issues from the eHow writing platform. Again, many hopeful eHow freelance writers remained, thinking that all of eHow’s problems will soon be fixed. After all, they were still getting paid and they had already invested months, and in many cases, years of time into eHow.

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Rejected Demand Studios Application: Secrets to Another Chance (Bonus)

This is the Bonus Part of the series Become a Successful Demand Studios Writer.

Usually if you get your Demand Studios application rejected, you won’t have another chance to submit another application for approval. That’s why many freelance writers suggest that you make sure your writer’s resume and writing samples are nothing but perfect when you submit your first Demand Studios application. However, what if you did submit a perfect application, or one you thought was flawless, and you still received that rejection notice? Are there no other options for you as a Demand Studios writer?

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Demand Studios Strategies: Living off of Demand Studios Income (Part 6)

This is Part 6 of the series Become a Successful Demand Studios Writer.

Because Demand Studios pays higher than most of the other upfront pay content websites, the company offers freelance writers a chance to make full-time Demand Studios income working from home. However, making full-time income as a Demand Studios writer isn’t easy, especially for those just learning the ropes. It requires time, constant writing, constant rewrites, and patience. As you get more experienced, you’ll learn what makes a Demand Studios writer successful and what dooms a Demand Studios writer to fail. Read about my journey toward full-time income on the Demand Studios Work Challenge.

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Increasing Your Performance as a Demand Studios Writer (Part 5)

This is Part 5 of the series Become a Successful Demand Studios Writer.

Demand Studios can be a tough company to work for. After dealing with those crappy copy editors, you know first hand how difficult Demand Studios can be. After writing for the company for several months, you may wonder how you can increase your Demand Studios writing assignment count or what determines the score that goes on your scorecard after the completion of each article. In order to be successful and increase your performance as a Demand Studios writer, it takes time to get used to their strict guidelines, and you need to continuous apply the following tips in your writing before you submit a finished article.

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What Writing Samples Should be used for Demand Studios?

I mentioned how to get writing samples to use for your Demand Studios application. However, Demand Studios also has preferences over certain types of writing samples more than others when determining whether a freelance writer is a good match for their company. To impress Demand Studios into hiring you, make sure that all of the writing samples you use in your resume, portfolio, and as an attachment have all of the requirements below.

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Before Writing for Demand Studios (Part 2)

This is Part 2 of the series Become a Successful Demand Studios Writer.

When viewing an income opportunity like Demand Studios, many freelance writers want to submit an application and start writing for Demand Studios right away. If you rush, chances are you’ll get rejected. I was one of these individuals. And while I’m not proud to admit defeat, I sure learned my lesson. There’s nothing worst than to receive a rejection letter in your email inbox after waiting days and building anticipation. It’s like sitting there for months waiting to hear if you got accepted to your favorite college, only to receive an apology that you weren’t what they were looking for.

Well my job is to help you not to get rejected. Sound too negative? Let me try a different approach. My goal is to help you succeed at writing for Demand Studios. But before we send in our application, we need to prepare. If you love writing, you’ll most likely enjoy this section.

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Writing Qualities of a Demand Studios Writer (Part 1)

This is Part 1 of the series Become a Successful Demand Studios Writer.

Many freelance writers have the passion for writing but not the writing qualities that will drive them toward success. This is also true if you’re applying to be a Demand Studios writer. Sometimes these qualities need to be worked for and learned, while at other times these writing qualities are naturally given. Whichever case you may fall under, it’s important that these writing qualities are put into practice throughout your writing career and not just thrown on an empty shelf to collect dust. After all, what good are they to you if they are just left in the shadows? (more…)

Become a Successful Demand Studios Writer

After typing out a rather long post on how to be successful as a Demand Studios writer, I realized that it would probably be better to expand on the topic and make it a series since I had so much to cover. As a result, I have for you my introductory post to the series Become a Successful Demand Studios Writer. If you’re unfamiliar with Demand Studios, you should read my Demand Studios review.

Most serious freelance writers have thought about becoming a Demand Studios writer at some point. Since 2006, Demand Media, the operating company of Demand Studios, set forth and became increasingly popular on the Web. You might have heard of eHow, Livestrong, or Golflink. These are only a few companies owned by Demand Media. As a Demand Studios writer, you’ll be asked to write articles for these companies and others owned by Demand Media. However, like most big companies, Demand Media has high expectations and strict guidelines. They like to recruit only the most experienced freelance writers to fill their enormous article library. For this reason, Demand Studios should be treated as any other full-time or part-time job you’ve had in the past. If, for some reason, they don’t think you’ll benefit the company as a writer or you’re not exactly what they’re looking for, you most likely won’t get accepted after you submit your application.

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