I'm working on an ebook about writing for the web, and I'd love your input! What are the biggest challenges you face in writing articles for online pubs? Is it balancing SEO and storytelling? Finding decent-paying markets? Or something else? I'd love to get your take on this topic so I can be sure to cover those issues in my ebook and on the blog.
For me personally, one of the biggest challenges is managing information overload, a topic that I examined a few years ago (click the link to see how I deal with it). What's your take?
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
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8 comments:
The biggest challenge for me goes along with information overload, but in the area of what to do to market yourself. With SO MANY web writers, what are the true ways to market your writing. Do you still go to print material too? Or do you spread yourself thin with all the writing sites in hopes of getting a following? those are my biggest points right now
One obstacle I run into is finding contact information on websites. Although I have had an article published by querying the general "info@website.com," I wish there was an easier way to find editors names and email addresses. Especially their names - I hate to leave their name out, but sometimes there is no phone number and just a general email address. Any tips would be appreciated!
This is a great topic for an ebook, Susan. One of my biggest challenges in writing for the web has been the significant decline in quality, decent-paying postings. It used to be easy to find appealing, paying gigs with legitimate (and even popular) companies. With the increase in content mills and bidding sites like eLance, oDesk, etc., it's harder to find those extra gigs.
Definitely finding decent paying markets. I have a web gig that I thought was crappy pay until someone else offered me a different web gig for even crappier pay.
I agree with the others that a huge problem is the drop in the perceived value of writing. The more common it becomes to blog, the more general becomes the perception that just anyone can "write."
Sure, we're a mostly literate society. But that's only the beginning of what professional writers actually bring to our work.
I think this drop is based in the whole issue of what "free information" actually means. The free movement of information throughout the web (and, by extension, the world) is a fascinating artifact of the technology. But that doesn't mean the work of researching, organizing, and communicating information clearly, succinctly, and with intelligence no longer has value.
Far from it.
I do believe the perception will eventually swing back into realm of reality---the truth about how much work it takes to be a writer, including the years invested in learning our skills---and when it does our expertise will regain its perceived value.
But right now those of us who write for a living are competing with a whole lot of amateurs willing to take bottom dollar for bylines.
Take advantage of all free email newsletters at the start. Once you sign up for them you get information and markets sent to you with no extra effort. After a while you might start to see repeats but you can always unsubscribe later if you feel you aren't learning anything new.
I believe the biggest challenge in writing for the internet is in being able to stand out because of the 'information overload'. To do so involves two components; to write something that is original and to be able to promote this product.
Originality and Marketability.
If you can find that one topic that has not been exploited properly and develop it, it will stand out and a following can be created.
If you are familiar with the many ways of marketing on the internet; from traffic exchanges to safelists to "search engine friendly" writing platforms to established writing sites like Helium, that following will become larger and more dedicated.
You are then in a position of prominence to stand out above the clutter and be read.
@Jules - I've seen a lot of writers choose a niche (or niches) and promote that across multiple platforms. Say you have a writer who's really passionate about women's health. She might write a book, a blog, magazine articles, and do radio/TV interviews. But it all ties into her area of interest, so it's strategic.
@Anonymous: I agree that can be a challenge! One of the components of my ebook is a directory of online markets, so I've been scouring various sources to track down as much info as I can.
Beth and the rest of you raise excellent points, which should be good fodder for upcoming posts and the ebook. :)
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