Blog & Web Writing Gigs for August 19, 2009
August 19, 2009 by Jennifer
Filed under Blogging Jobs
A fair amount of decent paying gigs today, although I swear people are getting less and less clear when writing these things. It’s not that hard – Location? Pay? Hours? Duties? That works. I think maybe people are trying to be too fancy. In any case, no tip today but I do think this post is worth a read – Don’t Ignore the Hidden Job Market for Freelancers.
Anywhere gigs:
Established website seeks Editor in Chief - AND Blogger/Editor Needed for Pet Loving Startup - pay issues sounds super iffy on both gigs so approach with care
Intern for Green Social Website - some pay, not sure how much.
Blog Writer for Employment Website
Copyeditor for BlackDoctor.org
Editor w/ Internal Communications Exp.
Freelance Writer – Web Content and Printed Brochure (work from home) - (Orange County) – NOTE: Says work from home and also says location Orange County – um…
Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee business needs print and web writers
Need a writer to rewrite, edit and correct the content of a solar energy web site
Location specific gigs:
Are you a tech geek? Apply for Associate Tech Editor @ HuffPost - (NYC)
Coordinator, Digital Communications Fanscape – Los Angeles, CA
News reporter for web - near Austin TX
Junior Content Editor - (Bellevue, WA)
Real Estate writers – San Diego
Editor - (Vienna, VA)
UrbanDaddy Editorial Assistant - (Flatiron, NY)
ECONOMICS JOURNALIST – Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. – Washington, District of Columbia
Seeking News Editor – Hartford, CT area
Celebrity/Entertainment Writer – AOL – says NYC but might be telecommute friendly (?)
LA Celebrity News Bureau Chief For Online Site – HollywoodLife.com – L.A.
Fashion Editor and Beauty Editor for Celeb Site – HollywoodLife.com – NY
Sigma Chi Corporation – Seeking Enthusiastic Online Specialist – Evanston, Illinois
Seeking savvy Web producer in D.C. – The Washington Times
Managing Editor for Major New Site - San Francisco
News Editor - (Philadelphia)
Creative Circle: Web Editor/ writing skills: Long-term Freelance! - (San Gabriel Valley)
ManagingEditor, start up, local family travel website - this job says telecommute but also says L.A. only. Really?
Blog & Web Writing Gigs for August 17, 2009
August 17, 2009 by Jennifer
Filed under Blogging Jobs
Jobs are back, although it does seem slim around the web re: anywhere gigs. Still, there’s some decent gigs today so check them out.
Job tip o’ the day: Now that I’m back we’ll be resuming our how to get a blogging job series. If you haven’t been following along, you can get up to speed by reading the following…
- How to get blogging jobs and web writing jobs – getting started
- Finding blog gigs – starting out with no clips
- How to get a blogging job – advice from b5media’s hiring editor
- How to get a blogging job – advice from Deb Ng of FWJ
- Maybe you’re not getting jobs because you just can’t write
- How to bomb out all the time when looking for work
Anywhere gigs:
Feature writer at voyage tv
Green Technical Writers and Editors Sought
Freelance blogger knowledgeable and interested in fashion, jewelry, accessories, etc.
Foodie/Writer/Designer/web savvy?
Location specific gigs:
Excellent writer/copy editor - (Raleigh)
Writer – Blogger, PR and Social Media Outreach – Shoreview, MN
Seeking savvy Web producer – D.C
SEO Creative Editor - (Santa Monica)
Social Media Contributor – Westlake Village, CA
New Media Assistant Editor position at Citysearch – West Hollywood
Communications Editor/Mac Technical Expert - (berkeley)
Front Page Producer – Yahoo Content Carousel – Sunnyvale, California
Web editor/manager – Chelsea Green Publishing, White River Junction, VT
Blog Herald is Hiring International Contributors -Priority will be given to applicants from Asian countries, the Middle East and Africa
Web Content Manager – La Jolla, CA
Free People Fashion Blogger/Communications Assistant and Free People Lifestyle Blogger/Communications Assistant – Philadelphia, PA
Blogging & Web Writing Gigs for July 25, 2009
July 25, 2009 by Jennifer
Filed under Blogging Jobs
First off sorry no jobs yesterday – what with packing to move and work, it’s a little nuts around here.
Secondly, congrats to Marye, who scored a KILLER gig via a job posting I listed here at Blogging For A Living AND actually tweeted to me about it so I knew. It’s double nice in this case because Marye’s a good friend, but even if I don’t personally know you, it feels much more productive when I hear someone gets a fly gig. So, if you score a gig from one of these lists leave a comment, tweet, or email and let me know. I like to hear about your successes. It makes it seem much more worth it when I’m lackadaisically browsing the job boards at 5am.
Anywhere gigs:
Blogger and online campaigner full time for the Global Campaign for Climate Action – oooooo! Cool!
Blogger/Social Media – Part Time
French Property & Lifestyle Newsletter Writer
Editor/Writer – Dowser
Looking for Guys to Blog About Dating
Business & Finance Bloggers Needed – low pay alert – I suppose if you work fast it might be okish.
Freelance Writer- Parenting – AOL
Origami and Paper Craft writer – Love To Know
Blogger on lux travel and goods
Social Networking/New Media Manager for Energy Services Firm - (TriBeCa) NOT sure if this is telecommute friendly or not.
Content Writer- eco-vacation topic
Blogging job for techie mommies – As always be leery of pay at places advertising for “mommies” – just obnoxious; although, in this case, it does look like they really are looking for a mama’s perspective.
Freelance Technology Marketing Writer
SEO Content Writers (Freelancers)
Location specific gigs:
New Media Operations Manager – Aflac, Columbus, GA
Fashion Website Content Writer/Blogger/Facebook Promoter - (East San Diego)
geeksugar Associate Editor — Sugar Inc. - (downtown SF / civic / van ness)
Healthy Living Blogger – Santa Ana
Community Manager – SelectMinds – NY
Communications Coordinator – Canopy, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Grassroots Communications Coordinator – RESULTS Educational Fund – DC
Professional Communications Writer - (McLean, VA)
Digital Editor, Martha Stewart Weddings – Martha Stewart Living Omnimeida – NY – wow – bling position!
Blogging & Web Writing Gigs for July 22, 2009
July 22, 2009 by Jennifer
Filed under Blogging Jobs
Well, it looks like I was wrong about gigs picking up mid-week. Still not much out there. However, just because it’s not on a job board doesn’t make a gig invisible. Deb has put together two new excellent resources…
You can get a gig – you just need to keep your chin up and keep on truckin’.
Anywhere gigs:
Parent community blogger – too low of pay IMO BUT also super PT
2 positions – Article Writer/Web Content Writer
Environmental Website writer – I’ve seen this job posted WAY too much, it’s making me think they pay for crap or don’t pay. Get it now because it’s the last time I’ll be posting it unless I hear from some folks who have been hired and paid by them.
Quiz Writers Wanted: Part-Time
Bloggers needed - low pay if they really want a ‘page’ but I think they might be looking for ‘posts’ not full pages.
Website Content Writer Needed ASAP-Project
Seeking writer with a passion for food
Location specific gigs:
Producer, Internet Media – Travelzoo – L.A.
Social Media Coordinator for Houston Press
Medical Writer – Marketing Communications - (San Diego)
Social media/marketing manager for Dell – Austin, TX
Writer wanted - (Toronto)
Reporter/Blogger- Organic Healthy Living – Santa Ana (this job looks cool!)
Social Media Manager – Confidential, Santa Ana, CA
Web Editor – Jet Propulsion Laboratory – Pasadena, CA
Marketing writer/Ghostwriter for Blog (SOMA / south beach)
Social Media Manager – EMC Corporation, Pleasanton, CA
New Media Marketing Specialist – UBM International Media – Princeton
Freelance Travel Writers Needed - (London)
Web Editor – Dolan Media Company – Portland, OR
Writer With Investigative Skills Needed – Website for Multinational Software Vendor – Ardmore, PA
Web Producer – RadarOnline.com – L.A.
Host Needed for Green TV Show - (Los Angeles) – it is a writing gig btw
Consumer Marketing Manager – Food Network – NY
Web Writer - (Central London)
Community Manager - (Santa Monica)
BEAUTY WRITER - (Los Angeles, CA)
Writer for web articles needed - (Vancouver, BC)
Finding blog gigs – starting out with no clips
If you want to work as a blogger or web writer and by work, I mean make a living, then you have to start somewhere. Of all the email questions I get, “How do I actually get started without a portfolio” is probably the most common question. It’s true that clients want to see clips but most don’t care what sort of clips they care more that you wrote the clips well.
Are there clips in your past?
If you honestly feel you have zip in the way of a portfolio, the first thing to do is take another look at your past. Did you write anything useful in college, and by useful I mean tech paper, proposals, or serious research pieces. Have you ever written copy, proposals, care plans, or company newsletters at work? What written requirements have all your past jobs had? Are you such a wiz at writing resumes and cover letters that people come to you for help? Most people who want to write for a living have some sort of useful clips in their past. If you think you don’t you may not be looking hard enough. Once you find some clips you can place them on a website or if a client allows send them by email when you apply.
Do you have a blog?
I’m always a little surprised at people who want to blog for a living who say, “I’ve got no clips,” to which I say, “What about your blog,” to which they say, “What blog?” Sigh. If you want to blog or write for the web, then start a blog.
What sort of blog…?
Start a useful blog, one that offers real info that readers can use. You don’t have to choose a niche, but if you have a niche in mind that you’d like to eventually write for, i.e. you’d like to be a travel blogger or travel web writer for pay, it’s naturally smart to start a travel-minded blog. If you’re not sure which platform to choose I’d start with Wordpress. 90% of my clients use Wordpress. I’ve had a few use TypePad, a couple use (gulp) Drupal, and some use a few other random platforms. Note that I’ve never ever had a client who uses Google Blogger although Deb and I both started out on Blogger blogs and we’re ok. For more tips read choosing a blog platform.
If you don’t want to start a blog but want clips should you try sites like Associated Content, other article marketing site, or cheap-o places like e-How through Demand Studios?:
I’m gonna say no. First of all it doesn’t make you look all that credible. A published piece at a content site where anyone can publish a piece is not the same as a piece written for a paying site or even a blog post that lends to your niche credibility. I’ve had my own pieces stolen and plagiarized at some of these sites and I’m sure others have as well which takes away from the credibility. Also, Deb recently told me that “Colleges don’t allow AC to be used as a source for papers because much of the writing isn’t more than other Google stuff regurgitated.” I didn’t know this, but it makes sense. If you don’t believe me start running content site pieces through copyscape and you”ll see how many pieces are copied in part or entirely.
If you’re going to work for free, better choices include guest posting at an already popular blog, or contacting an editor of a blog network or reputable website and writing one to three free piece. Another credible route to go would be to offer some free pieces to a non-profit for their website or even for a print newsletter. Then you get clips and look nice too.
If you see a job NOW that you want and don’t have your clips set up yet…
So your blog is brand new, you haven’t found any clips from your past, and you see a blogging gig you’d like to apply for. First of all you may not get the gig without the clips to back you up (hence starting a blog or guest posting asap). It’s possible, just a little more tricky. Hopefully the job is writing about something you have life experience in. If you don’t have a genuine interest and background in a topic, it’s unlikely you’ll get the gig clip-free. Next you can offer to provide a sample. I don’t usually advocate new sample for writers, but if you don’t have clips, this is your only option. A writing client is not going to hire you without seeing how you write.
Can you think of any other useful ways to build up clips if you’re new to writing?
More place to find free blog images
To finish out this image kick I’m on, here are some more places to find free blog images, just in case you didn’t find what you were looking for in 10 places to find free blog images that you won’t get sued for using.
In that post linked above, someone left a comment tip about using Every Stock Photo to find images so we’ll start there. The reader notes, “It searches Flickr CC-licensed images, Stock Xchange, and few others. It’s nice to quickly find what you are looking for.” I half agree. While I like Every Stock Photo, it’s too many clicks for me. You visit the site, type in a search, look for an image, then once you find the image you need, you have to visit that image’s specific web page to find out about image copyright. (i.e it could be attribute, no alteration, etc.). It just takes more time than I have. That said, if you’re hard up, and have some time, you’re bound to find the image you need here.
Other places to find free blog images – BTW If it’s posted, it means I’ve found at least one useful image there at some point… Read more
General image mistakes bloggers make
I got into an image frenzy here at NBT to kick off the year. In case you missed it, catch up by reading:
- Kick off 2009 with more useful blog images
- 10 places to find free blog images that you won’t get sued for using
- Alignment Mistakes Bloggers Make When Using Blog Images
Today – a few more image mistakes that blogger make…
Read more
Alignment Mistakes Bloggers Make When Using Blog Images
To kick off the month we’ve been looking at image use on blogs. So far; you can catch up with kick off 2009 with more useful blog images and 10 places to find free blog images that you won’t get sued for using.
I’m a little bit of a visual snob (I like pretty). However, beauty is subjective, and in the end, I don’t need pretty to stay at a blog. I come for the writing first. That said, when I hit a blog, and the images are all screwy, it makes me want to run and never return. Some blog image mistakes overshadow the content, and that’s when image mistakes become a full blown blog problem.
Common image alignment mistakes I’ve seen bloggers make far too often:
No one wants to see this:
text lined up next to a left aligned image with no space to set the image off.
This is super annoying. My eye goes right to the image, and won’t move. I miss any important text because all I can think is why the flip can’t they align the darn image.
EVEN if you get a decent border set up, I’d think long and hard before placing an image to the left. Of course, image placement depends on your personal blog design, but I think that most folks are used to reading left to right. In this case the image forces you to have to stop and think about the reading.
Also, since I left aligned the image, look at how the end text looks. It looks terrible. You’ve got text hanging down below the image, and then the line right after the image looks like it’s floating from nowhere. Yikes.
Read more
10 places to find free blog images that you won’t get sued for using
In the post, kick off 2009 with more useful blog images I promised to be back with some good places to find free blog images. I’ve also included a guide with each place so you’ll know if the image site is worth your time, or a major energy drain.
1. Stock.xchng is my favorite basic free image site. It’s not always chock full of what you need, and because the site offers free images, your blog will have images that possibly many other blog do, but overall, it’s a great random stock image site.
Ease of use: A+ = Head to their advanced search option, type in a keyword, click on not restricted (i.e. free), and off you go. At stock.xchng you can also hold your mouse over an image to enlarge it; which might seem like a petty feature, but when you’re working fast, it’s lame to have to click an image to see it large. Not all image sites offer this. PLUS images come in various sizes so less editing may be needed. Lastly, you need to register to download images, but it’s a one time deal.
Read more
Kick off 2009 with more useful blog images
January 2, 2009 by Jennifer
Filed under Blog Tips, Blog Traffic
As I’ve complained about before, I’ve had clients who actually tell me to use Google Images to locate appropriate post images in order to “amp my posts”. I refuse, because online suicide is not a blogging goal of mine. I agree though that images are a nice blog addition. I personally don’t think that every single post needs an image, but if the image does one of the following, it’s a good plan:
- Adds something to your post – nostalgia, humor, beauty, or clearly shows your post theme.
- Highlights your post topic – for say product reviews. Product review posts that lack images are annoying, because people like to see what you’re talking about.
- Makes the post – there are times when an image is almost all you need for a post. This works best on fashion, architecture, decor, and other art minded blogs, but you can also make it work for you at another type of blog. Quotes spring to mind. I rarely post a quote, but if I find one, and it matches a current theme, I might post it along with an appropriate image.
Images do have some major benefits: Read more
