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Word Wise Blog: Content Writing Made Easy
Award-winning writer Kathy Widenhouse has helped hundreds of nonprofits and writers produce successful content , with 750K+ views for her writing tutorials. She is the author of 9 books. See more of Kathy’s content here.
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Jul 14, 2025
How to write a thesis statement (and why you need one)
Don’t think you need to know how to write a thesis statement? Or maybe you wonder if you really need to write one for your project.
It’s tempting to think of a “thesis statement” as squarely plunked into the domain of those in academia.
Wrongo. I write a thesis statement for nearly every piece of content that I peck out on my keyboard.
No, I’m not going all nerdy...
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Jul 13, 2025
What's the difference between an article topic and a slant?
Your story, article, or post becomes memorable when takes a large topic and zeroes in on one unique angle of that topic.
The ancient Indian parable, “The Blind Men and the Elephant,” describes this process...
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Jul 12, 2025
What content should you uinclude in your email newsletter?
I could hear the team member’s frustration on the conference call as we discussed content for the upcoming newsletter. “But there’s a new staff member and some changes to the board of directors,” she said. “That’s the most important news we’ve got going on! We’ve got to lead with it in the newsletter.”
Her words rang in the beat of silence that followed.
Then the communications director’s voice ...
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Jul 11, 2025
Free mini-bourse: Why build your blog?
Use this free online course, Why Build Your Blog, and in less than 15 minutes understand six great reasons to build your blog ...
Plus, you'll have identified YOUR unique "why" for building your blog...
Jul 10, 2025
Most successful blogs avoid these mistakes
Successful blogs can be measured by data. That includes numbers of page views, returning visitors, new visitors, email subscribers, SERP results, bounce rate, time spent on site, comments, and social shares … to name a few metrics. You can also measure your blog’s success by another concrete number: how much money it makes.
But a blog’s success can be tracked with less objective methods, too.
Maybe your blog doesn’t get many hits or make much money, but it ...
Continue reading "Most successful blogs avoid these mistakes"
Jul 09, 2025
Writing a book outline is easier than you think
Writing a book outline is easier than you think.
Outlining a nonfiction book is a distinctively different process when compared with fiction. A novel or short story centers around character development, conflict, and resolution. A nonfiction book, on the other hand, solves a problem for your reader.
Which makes writing your nonfiction book outline simple...
Continue reading "Writing a book outline is easier than you think"
Jul 08, 2025
Star-Chain-Hook: A simple persuasive writing formula
Star-Chain-Hook is a simple but easy-to-use content writing formula.
Its brevity makes this delightful little formula ideal for email and other short-form content.
Like other writing formulas, this one provides a handy outline or template for you to follow. But Star-Chain-Hook is unique among persuasive formulas because ...
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Jul 07, 2025
Keywords in SEO: a simple tutorial
What are keywords in SEO? Why are keywords important for online writing and why should you care about search engine optimization, anyway? Search terms … broad keywords … primary keywords and secondary keywords … long tail keywords …
To be honest, you may be confused with all the jargon. If you’re a bit like me, you want to say, “I just care about the writing. Please give me a pass on all that technical mumbo jumbo...”
Jul 06, 2025
Why this underused format is so powerful
It’s easy to dismiss a direct mail postcard as impersonal. Particularly these days, when social media marketing pushes us to engage readers.
But if you want to get a message out fast – or reinforce one you’ve already sent – then use postcards.
They are short. And they ...
Jul 05, 2025
Should you create email list segments?
An email segment is a specific group of subscribers on your email list.
They have particular trait or characteristic in common. Maybe they participated in one of your events and you want to invite them to the next one. Or perhaps these readers have requested a particular download on your website – one that shows they are ...
Jul 04, 2025
How to find the main idea for ANY piece of content
The writing process is easier when you whittle down your main idea – the single most important thing to tell your readers – before you begin to create your content.
But that one idea can be elusive, don't you think?
Not anymore. You simply need to process through your ideas by ...
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Jul 03, 2025
The very first step to take when you're writing a book
“I need book writing help!”
I hear that all the time. Writing a book can seem overwhelming. Where should you begin? What should you do first?
When you break the process into smaller steps, writing a book can be a reality. One step is manageable. Do a few steps and soon, you’ll be on your way.
And the very first step is short and sweet ...
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Jul 02, 2025
Find more freelance writing jobs with this offbeat strategy
“How do I find freelance writing jobs?”“I can’t find writing clients. Help!”“Where can I look for freelance content writing jobs for beginners?”I hear these questions every week from new writers and members of my online writing groups.
Yet very few writers use an approach that has poured dozens of clients into my funnel. And I write in a niche that isn’t known for its big budgets and abundant paychecks: nonprofits. Even so, I’ve had plenty of ...
Continue reading "Find more freelance writing jobs with this offbeat strategy"
Jul 01, 2025
How to write a reminder email that works
I write email reminders for lots of reasons:
As a follow up to a pitch.
To jog a reader's memory about an upcoming meeting.
When a few days have passed and I need a response from a vendor.
When I'm approaching a deadline and need a piece of information to finish a project.
But I feel all cringy when I have to write a reminder email for this simple reason: I don't want to be a pest ...
Jun 30, 2025
6 things to know if you want to make a living with your words
Is the writing life simply limited to the evenings-and-weekends wannabe novelist or the byline-hungry journalist?
For many years, that’s what I thought.
I was wrong. I didn't know these 6 truths about writing for a living ...
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Jun 29, 2025
The simple, underused (but timeless) promo tool
It’s easy to dismiss a direct mail postcard as impersonal. Particularly these days, when social media marketing pushes us to engage readers.
But if you want to get a message out fast – or reinforce one you’ve already sent – then use ...
Continue reading "The simple, underused (but timeless) promo tool"
Jun 28, 2025
THe little secret no one tells you about your first draft
The first draft process goes a bit like this: you’ve got a white-hot idea. You’ve accumulated awesome content to support it. You’re excited about the project!
But then you can’t seem to get your idea onto paper...
Continue reading "THe little secret no one tells you about your first draft"
Jun 27, 2025
Crunched for time? Yes, you can STILL blog (or complete any other writing project)
The main problem, most writers say, is time. They don’t have time to write consistently.
But the truth is this: if you have 20 minutes, then you can build your blog or write your book or build a freelance writing biz ...
Jun 26, 2025
How to write a job description
Why write a job description for positions in your business, nonprofit, or ministry?
Simple: you want to get things done.
Good job descriptions are especially helpful for smaller organizations because ...
Jun 25, 2025
Basic copywriting: what it is and why you need it
Basic copywriting is text that persuades. It’s the practice of writing text (called copy) with the goal of persuading someone to take a specific action—like buying a product, signing up for a service, or clicking a link.
It’s essential for any business, whether you’re large or small. Copywriters use the written word to promote your cause, service, or product.
But good, basic copywriting doesn’t just “sell” ...
Continue reading "Basic copywriting: what it is and why you need it"
Jun 24, 2025
Simple tip for writing better headlines: 3 + 3
The traditional view among writers is that a short headline is better. (Disclaimer: longer headlines are gaining traction in social media.)
Web usability guru Jakob Nielsen champions writing better headlines by using a short, snappy format...
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Jun 23, 2025
Simple tip for finding online freelance writing jobs
I use a simple tip for finding online freelance writing jobs.
This tip works for writers no matter why you’re looking for work.
For instance, you may want to get paying gigs. Or maybe you’re looking for guest posting opportunities so you can become recognized as an authority in your niche or drive traffic to your site. Or you may be looking for online writing jobs to establish your writing credentials and get publishing clips.
Regardless of your motivation, this tip works...
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Jun 22, 2025
Do you write differently when you write for free?
Writing for free or writing to get paid: does the paycheck or lack thereof affect how you go about your writing process?
I was immersed as a volunteer with an organization when the leader asked me to write some content for free.
I didn’t mind comping my services. The organization was first-class and well run. In fact, my family had benefited from its work...
Continue reading "Do you write differently when you write for free?"
Jun 21, 2025
The simple rule to follow when you're researching content
Plenty of trial and error have taught my husband a simple rule to follow when planning a project: order extra supplies. If he estimates that he needs eight 2 x 4s for a project, he gets ten. If measurements show he’ll need at least fifty ceramic tiles for the bathroom floor, he orders sixty.
His “Get Some Extra” rule saves him effort, time, and money. The padding prevents frustration from the inevitable...
Continue reading "The simple rule to follow when you're researching content"
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