 Category :: Article Writing Articles |
Author :: Matthew C. Keegan  |
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| Article Title :: Shifting Deadlines |
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| As a writer who works on multiple projects at any given time, I attempt to pin down a deadline from my clients even if one is not stated. Why? Because, the "I am in no hurry for these" statements invariably becomes, "are you done with the articles?" How embarrassing is that if I make the assumption that a project could be put off, especially if my client wants it now?
I have learned to do the following: as soon as I get a project I ask for a specific timeline for when the job should be completed. If the client wants to receive proofs by a certain time, they will. I will also ask them to return to me the reworked article by a certain time too, especially if the "final copy (read full article) |
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| Category :: Article Writing Articles |
Author :: Matthew C. Keegan |
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| Article Title :: Managing Your Business Wisely |
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| If you are a writer, especially one who charges for your services, having a business plan in place is essential. Never mind that a business plan can help you run your business more effectively, but a plan should be one that passes IRS scrutiny as well as meets all state and local government requirements.
Sometimes it is nearly impossible to figure out what steps you should take in order to even meet the myriad requirements. You are an excellent writer; that doesn't mean you are an expert at business administration!
My local technical/community college is offering on Tuesday nights this year to help business owners. Some of the topics they are offering include: (read full article) |
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| Category :: Article Writing Articles |
Author :: Matthew C. Keegan |
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| Article Title :: Maintaining Article Integrity |
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| Inasmuch as I enjoy writing, I do not enjoy participating in schemes to create “templated” articles for other "authors" to use or misuse to their delight. Or, at the very least, to profit from my hard work!
On occasion, I am asked by a client to take someone else's article, make some changes, and make it their article. Quite frankly, this smacks of plagiarism...I won't do it, so please don't ask!
Instead, if there is a general idea in a particular article that strikes a responsive chord in you, I would be interested in taking a look at the article and see if it inspires me to create original work. The key, of course, is original work, not a (read full article) |
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| Category :: Article Writing Articles |
Author :: Matthew C. Keegan |
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| Article Title :: Writing Articles: Pinpoint Accuracy |
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| This may not be a politically correct analogy, but if you were to shoot off a cruise missile from 200 miles away you would want it to hit your target, am I correct? The same can be said for an article writer -- the substance of any article is very important, but an article misses the mark if it doesn't do what you intend it to do: that is, bring about a call to some sort of action, i.e., buy my product, sign up for my newsletter, etc.
Most web based articles are very precise. They have to be. Start off with an attention grabbing opening, followed up by three or four main points, and then tightly wrapped up with a conclusion that invites the reader to take some specific sort of a (read full article) |
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| Category :: Article Writing Articles |
Author :: Matthew C. Keegan |
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| Article Title :: The Source, Of Course |
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| Writing “net friendly” articles does not mean we can automatically leave out any mention of our sources. There is a tendency for many writers to simply write their material and not cite their sources, particularly when it is obvious that a source has been quoted somewhere within the body of the article.
Generally, what I do when it comes time to mentioning sources for an internet article, I attempt to first find that information on the internet and, if it is there, I simply provide anchor links in my article back to that source. In addition, I try to link directly to the page where the information is listed instead of pointing someone to the siteÂ’s inde (read full article) |
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| Category :: Article Writing Articles |
Author :: Matthew C. Keegan |
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| Article Title :: Article Writing and Clients: When Things Do Not Work Out |
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| In each of my business relationships, I expect that mutual respect and trust be essential ingredients in my association with the other individual. If one or both traits do not exist, then the relationship shouldnÂ’t proceed any further.
So, what do you do when you have an uncomfortable or odd feeling about working for someone, but you canÂ’t put your finger on it? Should you continue the business relationship or move on?
I really cannot answer these questions for you, but I have learned that in my many years of working for or with people that it is simply fine just to move on. In other words, if I believe that a business relationship is not mutually satisfying (read full article) |
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| Category :: Article Writing Articles |
Author :: Matthew C. Keegan |
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| Article Title :: Edit or Rewrite: Either Way it is Work for You! |
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| As a freelance writer, some of my least favorite projects are those where the client wants me to rewrite an existing article. I have since learned that this type of statement, “It’ll only involve a little editing,” usually really means, “You’ll have to rewrite the entire article in order for it to make sense.” My advice to you, the freelancer, is try to determine in advance just how much “editing” you will have to do, otherwise be prepared to initiate a time consuming rewrite that won’t pay for itself.
My first sizable rewriting job was one I now call, “my blunder from down under.” By down under, I certainly don’t mean Australia  (read full article) |
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| Category :: Article Writing Articles |
Author :: Matthew C. Keegan |
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| Article Title :: Freelance Writer: Find One Today! |
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| Finding a freelance writer can be a daunting task, especially for the person who requires the skills of a capable writer, but does not know where to begin to look for one. Not everyone who says they are a freelance writer is one either. Sure, they may work freelance, but they are not skilled as a writer. LetÂ’s explore some ways you can find a freelance writer who meets your exact specifications.
Internet Search -- Using internet search engine Google you can enter a few key words and see what shows up in your search results. Within your search parameters, enter “freelance writer” in quotes. Between the ads that show up marketing freelance writers [above (read full article) |
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| Category :: Article Writing Articles |
Author :: Matthew C. Keegan |
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| Article Title :: Ripping Apart An Existing Article |
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| Occasionally, I get a request from a client to take their existing articles and rewrite each one with a fresh “voice” or style. I usually look at these types of projects with a bit of suspicion, as I wonder if the articles are owned by the client or swiped from someone else. I only proceed if I am confident that the articles are, indeed, the intellectual property of the person possessing them.
Once I get the articles in hand, I look over each one carefully to see what must be done to whip them into shape. I must tell you I have received some of the worst written rubbish from gleeful clients expecting me to improve upon their initial poor efforts. LetÂ’s just say that (read full article) |
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| Category :: Article Writing Articles |
Author :: Simon Gelfand |
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| Article Title :: Why use Article Writing Software? |
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| We all know why we write articles, we all know it takes a long time and we all know that each article directory expects the article to be in it own special format.
Wouldn't you like to make your life a whole lot easier? As an owner of an articles directory I some times see 10 articles per day from the same author. I know that using article writing software will make his life managing the software a whole lot easier.
So every now and again a product comes on the market that's perfect for article writers. One such product just came across our desk, and it's so handy, yet so cheap that we had to tell you about it.
It's called Article Notepad (read full article) |
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