You are here: Home / Archives for Making Money on the Internet

Freelance Writing Clients Discover How to Use Twitter … Confusion Ends

August 5, 2011 By 2 Comments
Image representing Twitter as depicted in Crun...

Image via CrunchBase

 

Are you confused on how to effectively use Twitter for business? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Twitter is one of the easiest social media websites to use. However, it can take a while to build a Twitter following, especially when you’re a small business owner because you probably do everything yourself. The good news is you can hire a freelance writer to write your blog posts and articles and take care of your social media while you focus on marketing and selling products and or services.

Using Twitter doesn’t have to make your head hurt. It’s one of the easiest social media websites to use. There are no ‘bells and whistles’ which makes it more appealing. You can say what you want to say and say it in 140 characters or less. There’s no worrying about your mom, spouse, etc. wanting to ‘chat’ with you while you’re trying to grow your business. Sometimes the ‘chat’ feature (Facebook) can be distracting when family and friends see you’re online but don’t realize you’re working. Twitter is one of the most ‘balls to the walls’ social media websites on the internet.

How to Effectively Use Twitter

1. Sign up with Polldaddy, create a poll or survey, and tweet it.

2. Ask questions to gain insight about followers.

3. Tweet blog posts and other relevant links.

4. Some experts believe it’s best to ‘tweet‘ at 5 pm EST; post one to four tweets per hour.

5. Tweet during the midweek and weekend.

6. Write and post attention grabbing tweets.

7. If you’re an ‘expert’ in your field, show it by sharing your opinions about your industry.

8. Share tips and tricks. What works for you? What works for your customers?

9. If you’ve developed a ‘new tool’ for customers, share it!

10. If you hire a freelance writer to review your product (social media or writing software, writing app, etc.) and write about it, share the review on Twitter.

Rebecca

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Clients, Freelance Writers, Freelance Writing, Social Media, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

How to Make Your eBook Stand Out

July 18, 2011 By 1 Comment
iPad Display Item

Image via Wikipedia

If you wrote or plan to write an eBook, follow the guidelines outlined below on how to make your eBook stand out. Having and providing readers with great content is half the battle. I know you’ve heard this before, but sales and marketing are part of the equation. Publishing is a business! Remember, you’re not in the business of selling books. You’re in the business of sales and marketing and solving problems.

How to Make Your eBook Stand Out

1. Write an eBook that readers want to read. What problems do people have? What solutions can you offer them? Research and dig to find what people need help with. Of course, if you’ve experienced a problem or got through a difficult time, you can best believe that others have experienced what you did. Write about it!

Make sure your eBook has been edited and proofed before you publish it. Hire an editor

2. Reach out for help. Get together with a group of 2-4 five writers and critique each others’ work. Make sure constructive criticism is the name of the game. Hire an editor (you’ll want to do this anyway) to review your work. Also, check out web-based writing communities such as CritiqueCircle, WritersBBS, My Writers Circle, and other critique groups.

3. Purchase an ISBN number. This is how retailers track the sales of your book.

4. Cover design. Go big, or go home! Make a statement by having a cover design that literally (I know I used literally) stands out. Use bold colors and graphics. You want to grab the attention of readers. However, make sure readers can understand what your eBook is about by creating a ‘targeted’ book cover. This is known as the 2-second test. If they can’t tell what your book is about by looking at the cover, a re-design is necessary. Hire a professional graphic designer or use the services provided by your self-publisher. This way you’ll look like your belong at Barnes and Noble and ‘mom and pop’ bookstores.

5. Think beyond the ink. Thanks to technologies such as the iPad, you can include graphs, illustrations, and video clips. Reading devices will evolve throughout the years. Visit BookBaby and learn about their available special formatting options.

6. No more Word. Alas, you’ll have to convert your Word or Text file to make sure it’s compatible to eReaders. The main file extensions are:

1. EPUB (.epub). Is the most popular and standard format. It allows DRM. Major retailers use this except Amazon.

2. Mobipocket (.mobi). Users can add a blank page within the text for notes, bookmarks, corrections, and drawings. Very cool!

3. Kindle (.azw). This is Amazon’s proprietary format based on mobipocket. It comes with its own digital rights management protections.

The good news is you can use Adobe InDesign (love this) to convert your book to an EPUB eBook. Visit JimAndZetta or ePub Conversion and get assistance with the conversion. Another alternative is to have your distributor/self-publisher convert your eBook for you.

7. Sales and marketing. The most dreaded step for some writers; others embrace the joy of sales and marketing.

Sell eBook here:

1. Apple iBookstore for iPad

2. Amazon (Kindle)

3. Barnes and Noble (Nook)

4. Reader Store (Sony Reader)

5. Google eBookstore (multiple readers)

Use the following marketing tips to spread the word about your eBook:

● Social Media. You’ve heard this before but it begs repeating. Open a Facebook Fan page and actually interact with your fans. Get to know them don’t make it all about YOU because this will deter readers. Hold a contest, say “Thank You” once in a while, chat with your fans, and allow them to have discussions about your eBook. Create a separate Twitter account. You may consider opening a MySpace account since the website is undergoing major changes.

● Create a website. Create a ‘special’ website for your eBook. Blog about it and be open to feedback from readers. You may consider creating a forum on the blog to allow readers to discuss your eBook.

● Schedule a book signing and or readings. Readers love to meet authors. I should know. I volunteered at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Arizona and witnessed many book signings. It’s exciting for readers to meet and speak with authors. You may consider reading your book and having the audience discuss it. You’ll receive a lot of feedback and insight.

● Get to know other writers. Start a group where writers can meet and discuss writing topics such as eBooks. You could always create an online group or find one on the internet.

● Attend conferences and trade shows. Be where the industry is. Networking and making connections can take you and your writing to the next level.

Writing and selling an eBook has transformed through the years. Digitally distributing your eBook is yet another adventure you get to experience within the world of publishing. If you ever feel that self-publishing isn’t for you or worth it, remember that great writers such as William Blake, Walt Whitman, Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, T.S. Elliot, John Milton, and many others self-publishing their writing at one point or another. Imagine how many more readers they would have reached through eBook readers. Write on, write from the heart!

Rebecca

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Authors, Networking, Overcoming Obstacles, Publishing, Social Media, Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Freelance Writers Find Paying Markets Here

May 6, 2011 By 1 Comment
Traditional freelance writer work system.

Image via Wikipedia

Most freelance writers want to write for magazines or newspapers? The key is to find paying markets — emphasis on paying. Writers must be discerning when it comes to agreeing to write for publications. If the editor or publisher ‘hems and haws’ about paying you and avoids discussing the contract, run as fast as you can. Chances are the publisher has burned writers by not paying them. Take it from me; I know all too well how this works. Lesson learned!

Investigate publications before your pitch them your article ideas. How fast do they pay freelance writers? What is their turnaround time for invoices? Have they burned other freelance writers by not paying them? It’s important to work with publications that are well known and have the utmost integrity. Otherwise, you could waste your time writing for unsavory organizations that don’t deserve you or your writing.

Paying Markets for Freelance Writers

1. Wooden Horse Publishing. They provide writers with information on U.S. and Canada trade magazines.

2. Funds for Writers. Find writing opportunities that pay $350 and up.

3. WritersWeekly. The most popular place to find writing opportunities.

4. Writers Market. WritersMarket can help you find and retain success! You can find places to sell your writing, stay on top of the publishing industry, get advice on what to charge for your freelance writing, and much more.

5. Brain, Child: The Magazine for Thinking Mothers. This publication was found in 1999 by two moms who had babies under a year old. If you’re a freelance writer and a parent, check out this opportunity today. Do not send your article or pitch as an attachment!

6. Family Circle. Here’s another magazine that focuses on teens, family, food, style, and more!

7. Parade Magazine. Did you know that Parade is 95% freelance written?

8. The Writer. A monthly magazine for today’s writer.

9. The Writer’s Journal. Most of the magazine is written by staff writers, but they do accept articles from freelance writers.

10. Writer’s Digest. You’re probably familiar with this publication, but I included in case ‘new’ freelance writers aren’t aware of the magazine.

11. Woman’s Own. A UK lifestyle magazine for women 25-45.

12. Women’s eNews. A prize-winning nonprofit daily Internet-based news service supported by its readers, events, foundations and resale of its content.

I hope you take advantage of these paying markets! You may want to dedicate two or more hours per day (or the weekend) to finding paying markets. Read and re-read the writer’s guidelines and insist on a contract. If a publication doesn’t want to provide you with a contract that’s a red flag! You deserve to get paid for your writing. Good luck!

Rebecca

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Clients, Freelance Writers, Freelance Writing, Publishing, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Use Facebook and Twitter to Develop Social Ties for Your Book or Film

May 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I read an article in Daily Variety about filmmaker Richard Cunningham who created a “fictionalized” Twitter account for one of his character’s from his short film “Year Zero” which was featured at the Tribeca Film Festival. This isn’t a bad idea. If you wrote a book, screenplay, or teleplay, consider creating a Twitter account for the protagonist and antagonist (or both). It’s a great way to engage readers and followers of your work. They can interact with the character(s) and get to know them better. Take advantage of social media platforms. They’re a fast and easy way to interact with your audience or readers.

Creating a fictionalized Twitter account for one of your characters or an interactive game on Facebook is the next big thing in marketing. In the Daily Variety article Fest Fosters Social Ties, Marc Schiller, CEO and founder of the digital marketing firm Electric Artists says, “Filmmakers have to engage and inspire their audience and make them feel a part of the film with an intimacy and closeness that allows them to be true advocates of their success.” Filmmakers are chronicling the production of their films on Twitter. Audience members can follow a filmmaker every step of the way. Authors can do the same with characters from their books. It’s quite exciting!

Authors, screenwriters, and filmmakers can hold a contest, soliciting poster art, book illustrations, and song submissions from fans. It’s the ultimate experience for any fan of a book or movie. To see their artwork, illustrations, or songs become a part of a book or movie is a dream come true — they won’t forget.

As an aspiring author and screenwriter, I love it when authors and filmmakers engage their fans. It’s a bit disappointing when you “Like” your favorite author or filmmaker on Facebook and they don’t interact with you. I’ve experienced this recently and am considering “Unliking” Facebook Fan Pages. After all, there are plenty of interns or experienced social media experts (and firms) who can take over social media activities. There’s really no excuse not to engage with your fans. After all, fans are the ones buying books and tickets to movies along with merchandising that’s created from these endeavors.

Marc Schiller, a moderator of the Tribeca Talks panel on social media called “Amplify the Message” says, “It’s not enough to create a Twitter or Facebook account. Artists must engage with their audience and fans.”

The Daily Variety article Fest Fosters Social Ties really hit home with me. I finished my non-fiction book for teens and have a couple of short films that I’d like to have made; the feature film is next on the list. I’ll take what I learned from the article and apply it to my social media outlets. I actually want to engage with fans — I enjoy meeting new people. If fans take the time to buy and read my books and watch my movies, I can take the time to interact with them (great feedback) and provide them with a memorable experience. After all, what’s the point of being in the arts and entertainment business or publishing industry if you’re not willing to meet your fans?

Rebecca

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Publishing, Screenwriting, Search Engine Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Formula for Success: Find It, Like It, Buy It

October 26, 2009 By 1 Comment

globe with magnifying glass1

Many small business owners are not making money on the internet. They have a website, but it’s sitting in cyberspace among other websites. Your website is part of the equation to making money online, but there are many factors involved. For example, do you engage in social media? If you don’t, you could be missing out on money making opportunities.

Making money on the internet comes down to the following formula: Find It, Like It, and Buy It. Your customers find you (website), like your product or service, and buy it. That’s it! The formula is very simple. So why do many small businesses and owners make little or no money online? There are threes reasons: businesses don’t not have a proper website, they don’t know how to market to their target audience or they don’t know who their target market is, and they don’t take the right action.

3 Keys to Making Money on the Internet

1. The right website goes along way. You can have a beautiful website and it may not receive any traffic. SEO (search engine optimization) concepts can boost traffic to your website. Hire a freelance writer who knows and understands how to write for the web. It’s different from writing for print. Paragraphs are shorter, to the point, and filled with keywords (not too many — that’s keyword stuffing). When a prospective buyer types a keyword or keyword phrase into Google, your website will come appear in the search. Many small businesses like to be on the first page, preferably in the #1 spot! This could be done, if you use the right keywords and have a strong web presence.

Make sure your website is easy to navigate. Adding Adobe Flash to your website is fine as long as you don’t go overboard. Remember that peoples’ web browsers load at various speeds. A slow loading website will not do well. Visitors will click off and find another website.

2. Know how to market to your audience and know your target market. You may be targeting the wrong people. Hire a marketing person who can help you determine your target market. This way it will be easier to market your products and or services to them.

3. Take the right action. What action are you taking? Are you involved in social media? Do you network? Are you offering great deals and discounts? What sets your product/service apart from the competition? Without knowing the answers to these questions, you could be expending a lot of time and energy on the wrong action! Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are easy to join. Spend sometime developing an “online presence” and get to know people within your industry. You could also offer articles or a blog on your website or have a link to a blog. People love FREE information and will consider you to an authority or expert in your field.

Join networking groups with “like minded” people who want to grow their business. Establish relationships with others first then do business. How can you help them? Surrounding yourself with positive, industrious people who are serious business people will gain your referrals and vice versa.

What’s the formula?

Find it, like it, and buy it is the formula for making money on the internet! You can have the most boring website without a lot of “Flash” and perform better than your competition. It’s about presentation and what you offer that your competition doesn’t. This includes great customer service in addition to quality products and services. Before you set out to make money on the internet, make sure you go the right formula for success!

Rebecca

What has been your experience with making money on the internet?

Bonus!

Develop your niche market…sometimes the most boring products sell!

Filed Under: Networking, Overcoming Obstacles, Search Engine Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: , , , , ,
« Previous Page