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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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May 26, 2026
Run-on sentences can be your friend. Fragments, too.
You’ve been schooled in the evils of run-on sentences since the day you wrote more than one “and” in an essay.
The biggest objection from your teachers? Run-ons are grammatically incorrect. They lack acceptable punctuation.
They’re just not right, according to your high school language arts instructor...
Continue reading "Run-on sentences can be your friend. Fragments, too."
May 25, 2026
The most important factor in choosing a content writing niche is ...Early in my writing journey I learned that I could transfer my article writing skills to the content writing niche.
Early in my writing journey I learned that I could transfer my article writing skills to the content writing niche.
So I took a copywriting course.
Yet as I completed the lessons and read the forums and participated in discussions, I realized that I really didn’t fit in.
Other students and instructors repeatedly talked about working in well-paying niches like the financial market, health market, and tech market. Companies in those niches have bigger budgets. Therefore, they hire more freelancers and pay larger fees.
However, I was ...
May 24, 2026
The best social media comments do THIS
On Twitter, a well-known Christian leader took a stand on an issue.
The comments from other users swung widely from kindness (“Yes!”) to neutrality (“I respect your position”) to downright vitriol (“You are a hypocritical, evil person. I’m unfollowing you.”)
But the comments I respected most were those that ...
May 23, 2026
How to create dialogue with ... your reader?
When you ask your reader a question, you invite her to interact with you.
Jesus used this technique. Scripture records 307 questions Jesus asked listeners.
His questions ran the gamut ...
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May 22, 2026
Is this grant right for your cause? How to find out.
A grant proposal is a lengthy project with lots of elements. Before you invest your time in writing a grant application, you want to know that you’ve maximized your chances.
One of the easiest ways to increase your odds is to apply for grants that are a good fit for you and your cause. In fact, misalignment is one of the biggest reasons that grant applications are rejected outright..
Continue reading "Is this grant right for your cause? How to find out."
May 21, 2026
6 ways to capture ideas for writing projects
Capturing ideas is a crucial step in the writing process.
You haven’t truly adopted the “ideas-are-everywhere” mindset of a writer until you figure out a way to capture the ones that come your way.
You need to find a way to remember them. Your ideas can be one of your most valuable resources because they are unique to you...
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May 20, 2026
Nonprofit writer wanted
“A nonprofit writer? I didn’t know there was such a thing.”
“Is there really writing work available with nonprofits?”
“Writing for nonprofits sounds fulfilling, but can you make any money?”
I had the same questions when I started my writing journey. Most of my fellow writing students sought high-paying writing jobs with large corporations. I hesitated to go in that direction.
To be honest, I was intimidated. I had no marketing or business background.
But as I sought to get writing work, I discovered I possessed another — though different — commodity.
I had a desire to help those who help others.
That’s when I learned about the immense opportunity ...
May 19, 2026
3 types of newsletters: Which should you write?
There are three types of newsletters: the company newsletter, the consumer newsletter, and the organization newsletter.
Which one works for you? That depends...
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May 18, 2026
The key to writing powerful endings
I admit it: as I write my first draft, I'm tempted to simply summarize at the end. Sure, I made a promise to Jane Reader in my opening - with a hook - and then delivered on that promise in the body of my content. Now what?
Here is the tipping point: I want Jane to remember what she read. That’s why the key to writing powerful endings is ...
May 17, 2026
How to make a writing pitch that lands you the gig
A pitch is an email in which you present your story idea to an editor.
Your plan, as you pitch, is to explain your idea in such a compelling way that leaves no doubt you’re the one to write the story.
My friend Gayle once shared with me her story of a successful pitch to a parenting magazine. Gayle used ...
Continue reading "How to make a writing pitch that lands you the gig"
May 16, 2026
What's the difference between a feature article and profile article?
A profile article is a feature article that focuses on an individual person.
But a profile is not a straight-up biography or news update. Instead, a profile pinpoints a special trait, characteristic, newsworthy accomplishment, or distinction in that individual.
It’s up to the writer to identify ...
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May 15, 2026
Write a personalized post faster - without AI? Yes, please
You want to build your blog.
Your problem: organizing your ideas. And writing a post when you have just spurts of time.
Sure, you could use AI. And that post would sound jilted and sterile like tens of thousands of others that flood the internet with no traction.
But what if you could write a blog post faster -- one that reflects your personality and includes individual touches that make the algorithms sing?
Yes, it's possible ...
Continue reading "Write a personalized post faster - without AI? Yes, please"
May 14, 2026
Should you specialize in a writing niche?
Should you specialize in a freelance content writing niche?
It’s a question that plagues plenty of writers.
A niche is a small, focused subject. For instance, gardening is a large topic. Japanese water gardening is a niche – a specialized subset of gardening.
The freelancing temptation, particularly when you’re starting out, is to be a generalist – a writer who will take on any project in any industry. Generalists get to work on a variety of writing projects and build their skills.
There’s a lot to be said for that. But ...
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May 13, 2026
What is SEO content writing? A quick tutorial
“What is SEO content writing?”
It’s a question I hear a lot – and not just from writing newcomers.
SEO content writing can feel like a mysterious mix of marketing, tech, and writing skills.
Your fears may be especially acute if you’re not technically-minded. Search engines are driven by a mass of algorithms that continually shift, right? It’s easy to be intimidated by those incessant changes. The complexities make even the most avid tech geek’s mind swim.
But there’s good news behind all those bytes, and it’s this ...
Continue reading "What is SEO content writing? A quick tutorial"
May 12, 2026
Lead, Lede, Hook: How to write an introduction
When I first started writing seriously, I had to learn how to write an introduction for different kinds of writing projects.
And I was confused.
As a new freelancer, I understood right away the importance of the first few words of a piece.
But everybody called it different things. My writing instructor (a former journalist) called it ...
Continue reading "Lead, Lede, Hook: How to write an introduction"
May 11, 2026
How to build a writing sample portfolio
“How do I build a writing sample portfolio?” a new writer asked. “People won’t hire me without first seeing my work. But I can’t get clips unless I write.”
It’s one of the questions I hear most often. And it’s a problem I faced, too, when I first started writing. A potential client always asks that pesky question: “Do you have any clips?”
Surprise: you ...
May 10, 2026
How writer's guidelines help you write quality content
I stared at the email. “Please review our writers guidelines. Your submission does not meet our publication’s requirements. We do not accept personal experience articles.”
I had broken a freelancer’s cardinal rule. I did not study the publisher’s writer guidelines thoroughly before ...
Continue reading "How writer's guidelines help you write quality content"
May 09, 2026
Why your book needs front matter
Books are divided into three parts—front matter, the body, and back matter.
A book’s front matter is everything between the cover and page one: title page, copyright page, testimonials, dedication, epigraph, list of figures, forward, preface, acknowledgments, introduction, and table of contents.
Why does your book need front matter? Because it ...
May 08, 2026
Don't have a marketing plan? Do it on 1 page.
A simple 1-page marketing plan can do more for your freelance writing business than any course or template. It's the secret to steady work, better clients, and less stress.
Follow these steps to create your own 1-page marketing plan. This document is ...
Continue reading "Don't have a marketing plan? Do it on 1 page."
May 07, 2026
Point of View (POV) explained for content writers
Point of View (POV) is the position you take as a writer while you narrate your content. It’s your lens, like a camera.
You explain the events or information from your view (first person), directly to another individual (second person), or as an observer (third person) ...
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May 06, 2026
A site owner explains do's and don'ts of guest posting
Every week, I receive emails from writers who want to submit posts on one of my websites.
If you want to build momentum as a writer, guest posting is a powerful tactic. Instead of waiting months or years to grow your own site, you can get instant access to an existing audience … build your portfolio … earn credibility by association in your niche.
But before you shoot off your next guest post pitch, increase your chances of success when you understand what site owners need...
Continue reading "A site owner explains do's and don'ts of guest posting"
May 05, 2026
Writing a winning grant application starts with ... reading?
A successful grant proposal starts with the grant application.
As in reading the application carefully before you write one word.
I know, I know. A grant proposal can be a lengthy project with lots of elements and you want to get to them right away. Surely the funder is simply waiting to hear about your ...
Continue reading "Writing a winning grant application starts with ... reading?"
May 04, 2026
Writing headlines FAQs
While every writing task is important, writing headlines is crucial. A headline is your introduction, first impression, opening line, and sales pitch all rolled into one.
That’s plenty intimidating. But never fear!
Here you’ll find plenty of practical information to help you learn to write compelling headlines including ...
May 03, 2026
Ask questions. Jesus posed 307 of them!
When you ask your reader a question, you invite her to interact with you.
Jesus used this technique. Scripture records 307 questions Jesus asked listeners.
His questions ran the gamut ...
May 02, 2026
The checklist - a BFF for preventing carelessness
Boeing’s B-17 bomber aircraft was developed in the 1930s and was later used by the United States in World War II against German targets.
Beyond its notoriety in combat, the B-17 has left another lasting mark in the aviation industry: the pre-flight checklist.
During the aircraft’s test flight ...
Continue reading "The checklist - a BFF for preventing carelessness"
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