Blogging & Online Writing Gigs for June 3, 2009

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Some late in the day job postings for you all. No time for a job tip today, but you might want to read today’s earlier post, Have you updated your blog lately.

Anywhere gigs:

Expat Online editor/copy writer – Aim Publishing

Social media start-up seeks part-time freelance copyeditor

Writing Gig with Blerp.com

Low pay alert & poorly written ad alert (but it says more pay might be available – I’d check to see if that’s true to make it worth it.) – Online dating advice articles

Writer Needed For Blogs and Monthly Newsletters

Hawaii Business Blogger

Local specific gigs:

Web Site Editor – BobVila.com – Boston

Web Content Writer – (Atlanta, GA)

Pop Culture Content Editor – NY, NY

Social Media Member Acquisition Manager – CafeMom – NY

Site Editor – (Seattle, WA)

TEMP Social Media Manager – Advertising Agency – Brooklyn, NY

Online Company Looking for a Content Writer – (Boston)

Editor, Health Care Trade Publication – (Dallas)

Care2 Causes – Managing Editor – Care2 – Redwood Shores, CA

Web Editor/Producer – Care2 Inc. – Redwood Shores, CA

Consulting writer for occasional writing projects on an ongoing and long-term basis – (Washington, DC (Dupont Circle))

Seeking Editor/Writer– October Research Corp. – Richfield, Ohio

Online Producer (Part-time) – A National Consumer Magazine Company – NY, NY

Have you updated your blog lately?

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the-computer-demands-a-blog
www.toothpastefordinner.com

In the last few months I’ve been neglecting my own projects in exchange for client projects. Not smart. I mean I have excuses; job cuts in the writers market, fewer jobs around, and just because I’ve been busy in general, but if you’ve got some personal projects going it’s not wise to ignore them. Why not?

If you pay for hosting for your own blogs, that’s money down the drain if you’re not making money with your blogs. While some of my blogs make a little money just sitting around, they could make a lot more if I actually worked at it.

Your blogs represent you to a point. I have my links to a couple of my own blogs in bios of mine online and in the sig line of my work email. If a potential client clicks on that link, they may not realize that it’s my blog, and mistake it for a client blog. No updates is a BAD sign of my productivity level.

It’s good practice. You can make mistakes on your own blog, play around, see what works best, and mess with ideas that you can’t screw with at client blogs. Why not use your own blogs as a learning experience?

Your blogs, when well done can drive traffic to your client’s blogs which one, clients like, and two, if you’re paid in any sort of page view revenue, can increase your paycheck.

When you don’t update you lose any traffic base you’ve built. It’s like starting all over from scratch – blah.

If you can learn to make money with your own blog, you’ve got some back-up for when client blogs go belly-up. It takes a long time to create some decent income with your own blogs. The only way to make it happen is to keep up with your blogs. While blog income is unstable there’s still a chance you’ll hit on a good niche and make some money. However, when you ignore said blogs you lose any shot at making some of your own blogging income.

So… when times get tough, are your own projects the first to lose your attention, or do you try to make time for them anyhow?

FYI – I may be back with some new blog and online writing gigs later today if time permits so stay tuned.

Blogging & Online Writing Gigs for June 2, 2009

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Not too many gigs today, but I’m a little short on time. Here’s how my first of June kicked off – my Internet provider had service outages most of the day. Swell! Yeah, it’s only the 2nd, and I’m behind for the month – lame. Which brings me to my job tip o’ the day…

Have a back-up plan: Posting ahead is always valuable, but so is having one, a back-up place you can work if say, your Internet is out for more than a day, and two have phone numbers of important people, like editors or a blogger pal who can email your editors for you. I keep one of my best blogger pal’s numbers on my phone, because in an emergency (read yesterday) I know I can call her and she’ll skype or email my editors. All in all, you need a good back-up plan for when the testy web fails you.

Anywhere gigs:

Podcasting + New Media Blogger

Educational Company seeking web & print copywriter

Freelance Food Writer/Blogger

Freelance Writer | Website Editor

Blogger with experience in fashion design trends and art

Location specific gigs:

Experienced Web Copywriter (Columbia, MD)

Online Editorial Assistant – America’s Test Kitchen – Brookline, MA USA

Executive / Senior Vice President, CafeMom.com – NY, NY

Junior Technical Writer, Blogs, Seo, Rss – Los Angeles, CA

Medical Content Copyrighter – (Irvine, CA)

Social Networking Coordinator/ Blogger – for CA Parks Company – (dublin / pleasanton / livermore)

Seeking SEO-savvy Web Editor in Los Angeles – TheLoop21.com

Web Editor – (Washington, D.C.)

Online Community Manager – L.A.

Yahoo! Search Editor – Contractor – Sunnyvale, CA

Freelance Web Copywriter – (SOMA / south beach)

Web Content Specialist – San Bruno – CA

Tech Copywriter, Creative Lab – New York – Google

Online resume mistakes you may be making

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Applying for online writing gigs is a writing talent all on its own. If you make a mistake you’re not kicking off this whole, “I can write for a living” deal very well. Because you’ll be sending your resume / work bio by email, you need to adjust it for the web. Following are some mistakes not to make when applying for an online writing gig – be it a blog or other website.

Mistakes when applying:

You cut and paste from Word or another doc. application: This can result in some funky formatting and make your email look unprofessional.

You attach your resume or bio: NEVER send attachments unless a potential client asks you to specifically do so. Most folks won’t open attachments, and some have them blocked. However, if you have pertinent clips what should you do? Cover it at the end with a quick, “Magazine clips are also available upon request.” Exchange “magazine clips” with business clips or what have you as needed.

You’re long-winded: Long winded isn’t even great on a paper resume, but it’s the kiss of death on a web resume. Web writing is partially about being succinct. If your resume / bio shows that you can’t be you’ve already gotten off on the wrong foot.

You make spelling, grammar, or other errors that ‘writers’ shouldn’t make: Come on now, I know you know this one. Don’t do it. Note though that web writing technique is different than other sorts of writing. Short blips in bullets are fine for a web resume.

You post the great resume wall of text: HIT ENTER! I’ll say it again… hit enter. I get emails from people who have questions about writing online, and that’s cool, but I don’t make it through half on them because my eyes don’t enjoy reading 60 lines+ of text in a row. Potential employers don’t want this either. Make your text skim-friendly. Note that some bold headings and bullets will help as well.

You leave the subject blank: In the subject should be the job title you’re applying for.

You use a lame-ass email: [email protected] is NOT a good email. [email protected] is also lame. If you can use an email with your name, or the name of your writing biz (if you have one).

You include too many irrelevant facts: No one cares about your ceramic dog collection or the fact that you like creating scrapbooks in your spare time. Keep to the facts which one, keeps it skim-friendly, and two, keeps it focused.

WHEN TO BREAK THE RULE ABOVE…

  • You say where you’re from (quickly) – this has landed me jobs because where you’re from is a good conversation starter.
  • The potential client ASKS for some personal info.
  • Your personal info actually relates to the gig. When I applied for a pregnancy blog I write for I did mention that I’d worked as a doula, went to college for nursing/midwifery, and went through childbirth myself, because it made me look more credible.
  • You can say it all in a few sentences. Something quick, like, “On a personal note, in my free time I like music, Frisbee, and have an insane addiction to chocolate” can add a bit of personality to an otherwise blah resume, but you need to add this at the end, and do so for gigs that seem a little more casual.

You add in your entire educational career: Fact, none of the clients I have right now asked me about my education ever, in fact, over the span of my writing career almost no clients have asked – good thing too since I’ve got degrees in math and science, not writing. Education is less highly rated in the online writing world than experience and your clips are. Sometimes a client will ask and by all means include it. OR the info may add to your credibility (like holding an RN degree when applying for a health site) but otherwise, education info only takes up space.

You don’t include links to clips: If you don’t have online clips, start a blog. If you don’t want to start a blog, start your own website and post your clips there. Clients want to see your clips.

For more tips on applying for blogging and online writing gigs read:

Coming soon we’ll look at mistakes not to make when posting your resume or bio on your personal website.

Blogging & Online Writing Gigs for May 30, 2009

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A fair amount of gigs going on yesterday and today – hopefully you find something useful here.

Bonus job tip o’ the day: Having been blogging for a good long while, I’ve built up a list of pet blog peeves. However my biggest peeve (ok, one of my biggest) is when bloggers fail to quote sources. Annoying! If you’re guilty of this it only make you look like an amateur and when potential clients visit your links, they’ll notice too and it may mean you don’t get the gig.

Anywhere gigs:

Environmental Writers Online Magazine

Environmental Writers

Green Writers Wanted

Assistant Producer, Internet Media

Nutritionist with great writing skills to create an on-line weight-loss manual for web site. – it says Houston based, but since it’s online, I’d apply even outside of Houston.

Copywriter for Investment Company

Online Marketing Writer

“New Dad” Message Board Facilitator Wanted for Parenting Site

Photographic video blogger

Copywriter for website / print brochure – (Herndon, VA)

Copywriter/Editor/web writing

Looking for blog writers

Local specific gigs:

Web Editor – TheLoop21.com – Sherman Oaks (Los Angeles)

Copywriter for E-Commerce Start-Up (Contract Basis) – (Pacific Palisades)

Online Content Manager – Women’s Travel Portal – (Midtown East) NY

Food Copy Writer with strong knowledge of Mexican Culture & Cuisine – (Manhattan On-Site)

In House-full time Copy Writer for several website and internet market – (Irwindale, CA. 91010)

ONLINE CONTENT DIRECTOR – LOS ANGELES FM STATIONS – CLEAR CHANNEL RADIO – Burbank, CA

West Coast News & Style Editor – OK! Magazine – Beverly Hills, CA USA

Online Content Director – (TriBeCa)

WEB EDITOR / WRITER – (Seattle)

Online Publications Content Specialist – (Bethesda, MD )

Writer/Editor – The RedFlash Group – Encinitas, CA USA

Online content director – NYC

Sr. Web Editor – Kaiser Permanente – Pasadena, CA

Experienced Web Copywriter (Columbia, MD)

Freelance Copywriter Wanted – Part Time – (North Chicagoland)

Online Content Editor – Gazette Communications- Cedar Rapids, Iowa

BONUS: If you’re an eco-writer, you may be able to find some gigs here (not all online); Markets for Green Writers

Blogging & Web Writing Gigs for May 18, 2009

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Deb and I have been discussing goals for this blog, and since one goal of this blog is to help folks blog or write for the web for a living we’ve been thinking that some job leads are in order. Deb will obviously still be posting writing job listings at the main gig page – Freelance Writing Jobs – but I’ll be posting some here as well. Maybe on a daily basis if there’s enough interest (and jobs). The jobs posted here will only be related to online writing, blogging, or writing gigs that use a fair amount of skills you’d pick up when blogging.

I don’t always check out the other job page, so if Deb and I double post a gig, sorry about that in advance. Also note that the online writing market has been slim lately, so leads will likely be as well. Plus, I’m not up for posting crappy gigs so if you’re looking for revenue only leads or gigs that appear to pay under $10 an hour, this is not the place for you. Hopefully once summer gets into full swing, more gigs worth our time will start appearing.

Lastly, I tend to check the job boards a couple of times a day to see what’s up.  Monday always seem slower than other days, with Craigslist kicking out the most gigs (still not lots) and other boards catching up by Tuesday. In any case, if I see anything that looks good late today, I’ll post it then.

Market Research Analyst

On-line Food Editor – French Canada – Must be bilingual in both English and French Canadian.

Freelance Writer – Tonic.com – not sure about pay on this one, they’re beating around the bush in the ad, so I’d ask straight up.

Location Specific:

Technical Article Writer – Web Hosting (Marina Del Rey)

Creative Circle: Copywriter for Web + Collateral – Medical/Pharma exp (Orange County (North))

Entry Level – Create Ad Copy, Graphics, Brochures, Sales Letters – Miami

PR Editorial Director (Philadelphia Suburbs)

Technical Writer (McLean, VA) – Web-based applications – development, design, and operations.

eCommerce Content Coordinator for Award Winning Co (Pasadena, CA)

Have a great Monday.

The New b5media Pay Structure

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As you may have heard, b5media has a new pay structure in the works, soon to be implemented. Since we aim to cover network news, following are some links if you’d like to learn more…

Tech Crunch posted all the new pay structure stats from a personal email sent out to b5 staff. Is it right to post emails like this – maybe not; in fact, I’d be kind of pissy if someone snagged my emails and posted them on the web. However, on the flip side, if you’ve thought about joining (applying for work) at b5, it’s best to have all the facts. Also, it’s a business, and business news breaking out into the world is hardly unheard of. If you’re interested read: Big Blogger Pay Cuts At b5Media

Here’s the Blog Herald coverage of the issue: B5media Revamps Pay Model, Bloggers Lose Money

Jeremy Wright responded at his own blog: Initial (3am) Response to TechCrunch

I work at b5, and honestly have no concrete comment yet. I’m still considering my own options; trying to work out the math and pay per time spent part of this new structure. That said, I’m sure I’ll be back with some thoughts soon. What I do know is that one of my favorite blogs won’t be worth writing for anymore. Meaning, I’d have to put in too much time for too little pay, which blows, seeing as how I adore this blog. On the upside, that’s not how it’ll be across the board.

Do you work at b5? Do you have an initial take on the the pay structure?

Blogging Wages: How Low Will You Go?

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We’re having an interesting discussion at the Performancing Hive forum today about wages. At Freelance Writing Jobs, it’s our policy not to post any gig paying below $10. As one employer pointed out though, a job paying $5 for a post might add up to $10 – $15 per hour if one can write a post in ten to fifteen minutes.  I can agree with that.

When deciding whether or not to accept a blogging wage, consider the following:

  • How much work is in involved in writing the post.
  • Will you be expected to research or interview?
  • Are you expected to bring in traffic and promote each post?

If you’re writing a post for fifteen minutes off the top of your head, $5 a pop might not be so terrible. If you’re expected to write a well researched piece and do a lot of heavy promotion to bring in traffic, $5 is a low wage.

Remember, for most blogging gigs more than the actual writing is expected. Many bloggers are also required to build and interact with a community and bring in traffic. Perhaps an hour’s worth or more work for each post. If that’s the case, $5 doesn’t come close.

What do you think? How low will you go?

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