This year has been the toughest for me. The company I worked with recently closed due to financial instability. With this kind of economy, there is only a slim chance of finding a company that really hires. I had several failed attempts to get a copy editor job and was slowly losing hope.
Then I tried my luck to find a freelance copy editor job at the internet. I don’t really know if it is possible to have a work at home copy editing job but still there’s no risk in trying. Finding this credible freelance site that actually hires copy editors and offers a guaranteed payment is just what I need. I was really delighted and relieved during that time that I immediately registered myself there though I had no clue on what to expect on this freelance copy editor job.
After getting into this freelance copy editing site, I was overwhelmed and realized that there is so much copy editor jobs that are waiting to be done. I lurked around and found several jobs that I know I could do well and finish at the given time. And in just hours, I was given a chance to do a copy editing task and put my best unto it. Luckily, my client liked the fruits of my hard work and continuously gave me opportunities to do copy editing projects with him.
Now, I am earning more than I thought I could ever before thanks to this freelance copy editor job board. There is really no limit on how much we can earn and everything is all up to you. Every cent is paid and I do receive my payments immediately and instantly and haven’t encountered any problems with regards to my financial account. And there were really no stress at all and I get to work at my own preference whenever and wherever I want to. I never really imagined that copy editor jobs are just right at my fingertips!
When the Internet was first introduced, its use was commonly focused on spreading information to the rest of the world. But now, the Internet is capable of providing a steady income at the convenience of your own home. It was then that the concept of freelance writing jobs was born.
Considering the number of writers on the Web practicing their trade, not all of them can brag of success and profit. In fact, many of these individuals fail to understand the factors involved in freelance writing jobs; thus, they only get mediocre success that is not enough to achieve the goal of making a sizeable income.
Computer Savvy
The first factor that affects freelance writing jobs is how literate you are when it comes to computers. You need to be familiar with the tools of the trade and how it can affect the success of your venture. For starters, freelance writing jobs require familiarization with word processing software available today. Word processing can be easily described as an electronic pen and paper that allows you to write content easily and then edit to clean it up without spending much time and effort.
Another way is to look for the information you need on the World Wide Web. If you are not familiar with the topic assigned to you, then you need to look for one on the Internet that will help you create quality content that will please your client. For starters, you might want to make use of Internet-based tools, such as search engines, plagiarism checking tools, and so on.
Quality Content
It is very important that you always turn up quality work if you want to stay longer in this type of business. In truth, freelance writing jobs are ideal for writers that can provide quality and informative content consistently. If you are still quite new in the writing business, then you might find it difficult to come up with quality content that your client might like. If such is the case; it is advisable to scour the Internet for other works with similar topics. Never plagiarize. Don’t copy them word for word; but instead, read through their content and understand how they are constructed so you can have ideas on how to come up with your own.
Deadline
Aside from quality work, freelance writing jobs require prompt submission. Avoid angering your bosses by submitting quality articles way past the designated date, or time, of submission. If you miss a deadline, then it is a sign of sloppy, unprofessional work ethic — and that would reflect badly on your reputation.
Freelance writing jobs could be a reliable source of income if you’re doing the proper steps. Good luck in your writing endeavors!
Today’s world of internet marketing and home based businesses focuses more on content development and marketing, increasing the need for editing day by day. Developing a presentable piece requires lot of hard work and the process of editing plays a critical role. In internet marketing, editing helps to publish quality content and to increase page ranking for the website and hence it is essential to know the different types of editing services available in the market.
Importance of Editing
Editing is making correction in your writing for any typo, spelling and grammar mistakes that yields a good content. Editing allows the writer to reach the readers and to converse certain thoughts or emotions. Editors and publishers always look for a clean precise content; only with such professional writing you can prove yourself and your products to the readers and make them decide on working with you. If your content is not precise and clear, then it creates a bad impression to the readers and such unprofessional writing might make the consumer to look for another product.
There are certain types of editing services available in the market which might suit your needs. The following editing processes make you understand and choose the best editing service for your business.
Copy Editor
Copy editing is one of the editing processes, which normalizes the whole script. A copy editor usually verifies the script for names, location and references. This process is simple and suitable to those who look for cleaning up grammar, spelling and typo mistakes. The copy editor specialists l go through the content line by line and correct them for improper word choice, redundancies, and puzzling sentences.
Content Editing
Content editing is the most effective editing process as it focuses on professionalism and provides the writers good support and resolution. The content editors specialize on revision process and analyzing the overall work and give suggestions. They also examine the flow and transition of the story and correct the sentences for clarity and readability.
Substantive Editor
This type of editor can be suitable for those writers who write books, magazines and stories. A substantive editor can evaluate the content of your book to determine its marketability and general petition. The substantive editor who is suitable to former acquisition editing and literacy agents is well qualified and skilled for this job.
Given the state of today’s economy, many people are looking for work. Other than the regular crowd of job-seekers, the recent graduates, the job-changers, and the youth seeking jobs while they go to school, the job market is being flooded with people who have been laid off.
Companies with positions to fill have many applicants from which to choose. What this means is that your cover letter and resume are very important.
Your cover letter, in particular, is often your first interview with a company, the first chance for a hiring agent to get to know you. A good resume cover letter can help you make a good impression and get an interview. A weak cover letter might cause your resume to be placed in the reject pile.
Cover Letter Content and Organization
Paragraph One:
Introduce yourself and state your intentions. This 1 to 2-sentence paragraph tells the reviewer who you are and why you are submitting your cover letter and resume. For companies with multiple job openings, this paragraph also tells the reviewer which pile to put your resume in. Your name is at the bottom of the letter in the signature line, so you don’t need to repeat it here. Instead, describe the type of person you are.
Example: As an experienced sales and marketing professional, I am interested in the position of regional sales manager with the XYZ Company.
Paragraph Two:
Summarize your qualifications for the position. Focus on your abilities, not your specific skills. (Abilities are personal characteristics; skills are specific behaviors you can perform. You can learn skills, if needed, but abilities tell what kind of person you are.) The description of your abilities lets the reviewer know if you will be able to learn the skills and how you will perform in a professional environment. However, be careful of using “buzz words” without illustration. You can briefly address your professional history in this paragraph as a way to illustrate your abilities. 3 to 4 sentences should be sufficient.
Example: I am a creative, yet focused, professional with strong managerial skills. My knowledge of system integration, coupled with my leadership abilities, has enabled me to identify and enact efficiencies in even the most complicated organizational environments. For example, in my most recent position, I created new quality control processes and instructed inter-departmental teams on their use. Although I am a “company man,” I am also an individual thinker, seeking new opportunities for the company to reach target markets and surpass financial goals.
Paragraph Three:
In this paragraph, you answer this question: “Why are you applying for this position?” In answering this question, you address two issues. First, describe how this position fits your abilities and interests. In a sense, you are saying that this position is appropriate for who you are now. Second, describe how this position will help you advance your career goals. This tells the reviewer that you have a strong interest in the position and will do what you can to succeed and grow. Again, 3 to 4 sentences will be enough.
Example: The leadership and marketing perspective required for a regional sales manager align with my abilities and experiences. I am enthusiastic about expanding my broad knowledge of the market and diverse populations, two aspects of this position I find particularly exciting. Furthermore, this position will assist me to advance into progressively higher responsibilities, and it will provide the satisfaction I earn by succeeding in new and challenging responsibilities.
Paragraph Four:
The final paragraph is short, 1 – 2 sentences only. In this paragraph, you bring your resume cover letter to a close by thanking the reviewer and by calling for action. You say “thank you” because that is polite and professional. (After all, the person has read this far and deserves your gratitude.) The action step is essential. Here you answer the question “What’s next?” Will you call the person? Do you want the person to contact you? Do you want to set up an interview? State the action as the final sentence.
Example: Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss how I can support the mission of the XYZ Company.
Other Considerations for Your Resume Cover Letter
Delivery:
Paper, e-mail, or fax. Call the personnel agent (or other contact) to ask how to send the resume and cover letter. Although e-mail is very popular, don’t assume—ask. Fax is not recommended unless specifically requested. You cannot control the quality at the other end. Also, if the company wants a paper copy, send it by mail. If you are sending your cover letter by e-mail, send it as an attachment as a PDF file.
Fonts:
Times New Roman or other serif font. This looks professional, and it is easier to read than a non-serif font, such as Arial.
Letterhead:
Yes. Use a letterhead if you have one. However, don’t use one that is overly stylistic, i.e., too cute.
Layout and format:
Use a standard business letter format, complete with date and recipient’s address. Remember to use a colon, not a comma, after the recipient’s name in the greeting. Use 1-inch margins for the letter content.
Recipient:
The phrase “To Whom It May Concern” is not appropriate. Send it to a person by name or by position. For example, send it to “Dear Thomas Hardy” or send it to “Dear Sales Division Director.” Using the name is preferred, but the second option is acceptable if you cannot find the person’s name after a serious attempt.
Paper:
(This only applies if you send the cover letter and resume by mail.) Use the same type paper for the cover letter and the resume. Choose professional, strong, slightly-off white paper. The paper should be easy to read, so avoid paper with background graphics, watermarks, or obvious design elements. The content, not the paper, will promote your qualifications.
Length:
Neither longer nor shorter are preferred. The appropriateness of the content is more important than the length of the letter. With that said, though, 1/2 to 3/4 page should be enough, even if you use a letterhead. If you go over 3/4 page, see what you can cut or condense. Concise writing is persuasive, vigorous writing.
Writing Mechanics:
Spelling, punctuation, grammar, and word usage should be perfect. Reviewers will respond positively to well-written content, consciously or unconsciously. On the other hand, errors in writing mechanics create an immediate poor impression of your professionalism.
Assistance:
Get it if you need it. Some job seekers need someone to write the letter for them. Others need editing for clarity, organization, and persuasiveness. And some simply need help proofreading to ensure perfect use of mechanics.
The advice above is based on our work with successful job-seekers. Many cover letter formats are available, and many people and organizations offer recommendations, so don’t take this advice as the final, definitive word on the subject. Find what works best for you. Finally, if you are currently looking for a job, or if you foresee the need in the near future, I wish you well. This is a tough time, but jobs are available. Don’t get discouraged. You can do it!
Extending your copywriting and editorial services to clients is possible with the use of effective promotional tools like business cards. Business cards connect potential clients to you and also serve as an extension of your brand. Remember that your business cards project an image to clients, so you should create your cards in the most professional and presentable way.
Information: Give your clients many ways to reach you by including your contact number, email, website, and mailing address on your business cards. An outdated business card is a surefire way to lose potential clients. So, make sure to provide accurate and complete contact information for your client’s reference.
Proofread: Before heading to online business card printing, you must proofread your business card’s content to ensure its accuracy. Proofreading also lets you avoid costly mistakes. Imagine the money and time that you will waste for re-printing your cards. So, do yourself a favor and double-check your business card’s information before having them printed.
Quantity: Bring sufficient copies of your business cards anywhere you go, so you’ll always be prepared for random client interactions. Think long-term when reproducing your cards, because having enough copies is very beneficial for your future business transactions. Reproducing cards in bulk is very convenient with online business card printing services.
Distribution: Let your business cards perform their job by handing them to potential clients. Your cards should not get stuck inside your wallet; distribute them to the right people. Remember that business cards perform best with proper execution and utilization. So, you must ensure the quality and content of your cards to make them work to your advantage. Having them printed by an online business card printing company also lets you present your cards with confidence.
As a freelance writer, I am often required to interview various officials and experts to get to the heart of a story. Face-to-face interviews are always ideal when doing research for an article, but sometimes it simply isn’t possible due to time constraints or geography. Phone interviews can be equally effective though, if you plan ahead.
Here are a few phone interviewing tips that have helped me along the way:
- Schedule the interview in advance, but plan to be ready when you make the initial call in case your subject has time to talk when you phone.
- Plan most of your questions in advance, and provide them to your subject via e-mail when possible. This may not always be appropriate, particularly in the case of an investigative report, but it is quite helpful when interviewing for a business or personal profile. This helps your interview subject prepare for the call. You can always ad lib as other questions arise during your conversation.
- Tell the interviewee who you are writing for, what the article is about, the general premise of the article, and when it is planned for publication. Let him know that this information might change and, if so, you’ll provide him with status updates. This is particularly helpful if your editor pushes your story from the April issue to the June issue, for example.
- Record your phone conversation. Get permission from the interviewee, and assure her that the recording is only for your notes and will not be shared with anyone else. Even if you take stellar notes, it is good to be able to go back to the original conversation to clarify items or to jot down notes or quotes that you may have missed.
- Allow yourself to pause as you jot down notes and quotes. You’ll find that your interviewee will likely fill the silence, answering questions you haven’t even asked yet or providing information you hadn’t considered.
- I conclude every interview with this question: “Is there anything I should have asked you but didn’t?” This is different than the typical “do you have anything to add?” question, and can prompt the interviewee to really think about what he wishes he had said but that didn’t come up during our conversation.
- Get permission to follow-up if you have additional questions, and let the interviewee know how to reach you if he or she has information to add or back-up documentation to provide.
- Thank the interviewee in writing. E-mail is the trend these days, but I prefer sending a handwritten thank you note along with my business card.
- Unless your editor requests it, do not provide an advance copy of your article to your interview subject for review. Some publications allow this, but many do not.
By following these tips, you can ensure a successful phone interview with even the most difficult of subjects.
The Copywriter’s Handbook, Third Edition: A Step-By-Step Guide To Writing Copy That Sells
- Format: Kindle Edition
- File Size: 763 KB
- Print Length: 368 pages
- Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0805078045
The classic guide to copywriting, now in an entirely updated third edition!
This is a book for everyone who writes or approves copy: copywriters, account executives, creative directors, freelance writers, advertising managers . . . even entrepreneurs and brand managers. It reveals dozens of copywriting techniques that can help you write ads, commercials, and direct mail that are clear, persuasive, and get more attention–and sell more products.
Among the tips revealed are:
- eight headlines that work–and how to use them
- eleven ways to make your copy more readable
- fifteen ways to open a sales letter
- the nine characteristics of successful print ads
- how to build a successful freelance copywriting practice
- fifteen techniques to ensure your e-mail marketing message is opened
This thoroughly revised third edition includes all new essential information for mastering copywriting in the Internet era, including advice on Web- and e-mail-based copywriting, multimedia presentations, and Internet research and source documentation, as well as updated resources. Now more indispensable than ever, The Copywriter’s Handbook remains the ultimate guide for people who write or work with copy.
Unlock the secret of Job Hunting, from discovering your own personal profile, where to find those unadvertised jobs, what potential employers are really looking for and how to write effective covering letters and CVs!
Your Writing Companion – Writing Advice and Instruction
With writing instruction gleaned from three exceptional writing guides, Your Writing Companion comprises top writing instruction from the expert editors and communication specialists of Precise Edit.
What you get:
- 8 days of instruction from 300 Days of Better Writing (paperback and Kindle);
- 5 top strategies from Bang! Writing with Impact (Kindle); and
- 1 essential chapter from Precise Edit Training Manual (Kindle)
- 2 most confusing word pairs from Which Word Do I Use? (Kindle)
What people say about our writing guides:
- “a choice pick” (Midwest Book Review)
- “excellent compilation of expert advice” (Pam H. Sunshine Valley Writers Group)
- “an incredible and inexpensive tool writers of all abilities should possess” (G. Hawk)
- “serious value to anyone who wants the edge that polished communications can bring” (W. Reichard)
- “excellent reference for any writer” (Pauline)
- “good advice that many writers should read!” (W.W.)
- “an essential writing guide and desktop reference (M. Witkowski)
