Word Wise Blog: Content Writing Made Easy
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Word Wise is for busy people who want to write more (or need to), but don't have a lot of time.
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Jul 06, 2022
Avoid 5 of the biggest freelance writer mistakes
Once you’ve dipped your toe into the freelance writing waters, what’s next? One of the biggest freelance writer mistakes is on the horizon. The mistake creeps into a freelancer’s radar in a subtle way.
It is the danger of ...
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Jul 05, 2022
10 words to use when writing headlines
It’s no secret that writing headlines is an important skill for any writer.
And I’m talking about headlines of all kinds: the title of an article, the subject line of an email, the teaser on an envelope, the header on a web page, the post title to a blog – even the caption to an image.
Each of these functions as a headline – that is, text that introduces.
A strong headline is important because ...
Jul 04, 2022
5 magic words that open the door for your nonprofit
These 5 magic words can open doors and get readers to support your cause:
“Here’s how you can help.”
These five words empower your readers to take action. Some writers refer to those words as ...
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Jul 03, 2022
The Subhead: Use it to make content skimmable
A subhead allows readers to scan, making subheads obligatory in today’s skimmable content.
The Bible, too, offers subheads in many of today’s translations. However, these subheads are not part of the original text (with the exception of the Psalms) ...
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Jul 02, 2022
The Email Forward: Quality content motivates readers ...
An email forward indicates success. Your reader saw a piece of information, decided that it would be valuable to a friend or colleague, and shared it.
As a user, you may hesitate to hit “email forward” because inboxes are flooded.
But as a publisher, you can help readers ...
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Jul 01, 2022
Getting started writing a book: a free guide
You're getting started writing a book. But exactly WHERE do you start?
Use this free, e-book writing guide, Write Your Book Now: A Step-By-Step Guide to Writing a Book and Getting It to Publication to get started and answer all your first questions ...
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Jun 30, 2022
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 staff, volunteers, and boards wear so many hats. By putting down a job description on paper ...
Jun 29, 2022
Social media basics for writers
Social media is part of our lives. And it can be a tremendous tool for writers.
But when I asked my browser, “What is social media?” so I could learn more about using social media in my writing business, the answers made me feel ignorant.
I read phrases like...
Jun 28, 2022
Write a tagline for your blog or biz in 3 simple steps
“I need insight on writing a tagline,” wrote a member of my online writing group. “Does my blog really need one?” Great question.
But first, let’s get some clarity. A tagline is a ...
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Jun 27, 2022
Use these 3 strategies to find time to write
“How do I find time to write?” It’s a question I hear all the time from writers and those who want to be one.
I admit it … finding time to write has been one my key struggles in the writing business. Freelancing and writing to be published involve a whole lot more than actual writing. I have to set aside ...
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Jun 26, 2022
The Headline: Do the little things well
The title, the headline, the email subject line: how do you go about writing them?
Maybe you dash them off quickly, like an afterthought, once you're done with the heavy lifting in the rest of the content.
It was in one of my earliest assignments that my first writing instructor called me out about this very issue.
"How many headlines did you write ...
Jun 25, 2022
The Anchor Client: Consistent Work Leads to More Work
Hiram had an anchor client – a customer who provided steady, predictable work.
His anchor client was Solomon, who hired Hiram to provide cedar and cypress to build a temple. Solomon paid Hiram for the timber with wheat and olive oil. The steady work allowed Hiram to feed his people.
This business relationship between ...
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Jun 24, 2022
Yes, use an online word count tool. Here's why
Why use an online word count tool? Especially when Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages offer a built-in word count function.
Putting aside convenience, I’ve found other reasons to use a more robust word count tool ...
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Jun 23, 2022
2 tips for beginning freelance writers
Snagging freelance writing jobs for beginners is a multi-step process.
But don’t be overwhelmed and don’t get discouraged. There is a need for freelance writers in nonprofits, ministries, and small businesses. You can take one step at a time to help meet that need.
In this site I share those steps with you ...
Jun 22, 2022
Should you build a niche website? Take the quiz to find out
“Build a niche website. You can make a lot of money.” If you’re a writer, you’ve probably heard about the opportunity you can have in creating a website that caters to a small segment of readers with a common, narrow interest.
A niche site offers quality information and resources about a ...
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Jun 21, 2022
3 kinds of persuasive stories to use in your content
Persuasive stories are one of the most powerful copywriting techniques in a copywriter’s toolbox.
As you set about writing to persuade, it’s easy to get wrapped up in focusing on the mechanics ...
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Jun 20, 2022
Is writing a blog worth it?
Is writing a blog worth it? You can start a blog for less than the price of a cup of coffee.
But is it worth your time?
Before you jump in, you want to consider the return on the investment of your precious minutes...
Jun 19, 2022
The Query Letter: Submit it 100 Times
You’ve sent out a query letter. Or two. Or twenty – for the same article or book idea.
And now with plenty of rejections lining your walls or crickets in your inbox, you may be tempted to give up.
Don’t!
“If you are serious about ...
Jun 18, 2022
The Niche Website: Build one around a narrow topic
The Savvy Backpacker is a good example of a niche site – a blog or website that caters to a small segment of readers who share a common, narrow interest.
When James (aka The Savvy Backpacker) made his first solo trip to Europe, he found an absence of helpful information about backpacking on a budget. Afterwards, friends asked him for advice. So James built a niche website. There, he offers all kinds of useful content about trip planning, packing, where to stay, how to travel – even how to use ATMs in Europe and how to buy a SIM card on the cheap ...
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Jun 17, 2022
What is a devotional?
There are lots of different kinds of inspirational writing: sermons, Bible studies, articles, books, blog posts ...
So when it comes to writing a devotional, it’s helpful to have clarity. The word has become a catch-all term among people of faith ...
Jun 16, 2022
How to use the AIDA formula to write great content
The AIDA formula is widely-used model in copywriting, particularly by copywriters in sales letters and nonprofit leaders in appeal letters.
But I find it handy for writing all kinds of content, especially for writing articles, web pages, and blog posts.
I'll explain how in just a sec. But first, a bit of background ...
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Jun 15, 2022
What to put in an email signature
An email signature does more than give readers your contact information. A professional email signature is a way to engage your readers. Depending what you choose to include, you can give readers the chance to follow you on social media … view one of your videos … check out your books on Amazon … or even simply pick up the phone and call you.
Here’s the kicker: an email signature is best when ...
Jun 14, 2022
Should you write an ebook? 5 reasons to consider it
An eBook is an “electronic book.”
Why should you write an eBook? Because they’re everywhere – and with good reason.
eBooks are a remarkably efficient and flexible way to get your message out to readers and build your readership.
What’s particularly encouraging is what they help you to avoid, which is the laborious process of traditional publishing...
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Jun 13, 2022
Tips for writing a P.S. with punch
Should you include a PS (a postscript) as part of your project – and if so, how should you write it?
Way back when people wrote letters without access to Wite Out, erasers, or the Delete key, a postscript was a handy way to add a piece of news or a tidbit at the bottom of the letter without rewriting the whole thing. The origins of the Latin name post scriptum, meaning “written after,” explain it all.
Fast forward to today when ...
Jun 12, 2022
The Writing Goal: Have you defined it?
A 25-hour day! It happens once a year in the U.S. on the first Sunday in November, when clocks move back one hour from Daylight Savings Time.
It used to be my favorite day. I had wiggle room to write more content, answer more email, outline more blog posts, pitch more prospective clients … I could get more done ...
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