Articles about social media

Building The Writing Cooperative: How Internet Strangers Developed a Writing Community

by Justin Cox Jun 18, 2018

The Writing Cooperative is an online writing community with over 100,000 followers on Medium and 2,200 members on Slack. Despite its massive size, The Writing Cooperative started with just two people who never met. This is the story of how it all began.

The 10 Best Facebook Groups for Writers

by Kathy Edens Jun 06, 2018

NOTE: After getting a ton of amazing feedback from users, we updated this page for 2018.Check it out here: Our Favorite Facebook Groups for Writers - updated for 2018

Pivot to Promotion: What to Do After Writing an Epic Piece

by Gregory Heilers Jun 01, 2018

Four years into my professional content marketing career, and a year into running a joint venture agency, it has finally dawned on me. How well an article is written is trumped EVERY SINGLE TIME by the quality of the promotion tactics backing it. Before your pencil-gnashing breaks that thing in two – let me explain!

9 Ways to Network on Twitter

by Kate Peers May 09, 2018

Twitter is a great way to follow commissioning editors, contact fellow writers and search for case studies. Here we show you nine ways to network on Twitter.

How to Use Facebook Advertising to Beat the Algorithm and Ensure Your Posts Are Seen

by Kate Peers Apr 30, 2018

Facebook can be used effectively to reach your target audience when using ad spend. This can increase sales, direct traffic to your website and get your work read by thousands of people.

The Little-Known Secret to a Successful Freelance Business

by Abidemi Sanusi Mar 26, 2018

The truth is, it’s possible to ‘win’; to have a profitable writing business. You just need one thing. Yes, just the one.

Can you guess what that thing is?

If Your Client is Any of These Five Types, You’re Better Off with None

by Warren Fowler Mar 14, 2018

Freelance writers need to be prepared for clients with all sorts of annoying traits and awkward demands, but there are some that simply aren't worth your time. Here are five types of clients that you need to avoid.

How to Create Your Best Writer’s Life

by Kathy Edens Mar 12, 2018

Writing is a business like any other. You’re creating a product you hope customers will buy and fall in love with. That way, you can continue creating new products people want. Regardless if you’re a fiction writer or a copywriter, you run your own business. And you must approach it like a business if you want to be successful.

Fiction writers who understand the publishing industry and what readers want will thrive. Copywriters who can engage and compel readers to act will succeed. Both must become master marketers to promote their business and make money.

Here are the building blocks of a solid business that will help you create your best writer’s life.

Have You Considered Syndicating Your Blogs?

by Kathy Edens Mar 06, 2018

Syndication is giving other parties on the internet permission to post a copy of your already-published content, in part or in whole, on their website. You’ll get an attribution back to the original content on your website. But what does this trade-off mean, and is syndicating your blog posts worth it?

Why I’m Not Writing This from the Beach

by Kathy Edens Feb 08, 2018

The Writer’s Life is fantastic, isn’t it? Nothing better than setting your own hours, working when you want, and taking time off when you need it. It’s all bliss, rainbows, and unicorns.

Not that I want to shatter your illusions, but there are five good reasons why I’m not writing this from the beach. Here's the truth about freelance writing and vacations.

"-isms": How to Cover a Controversial Topic with Sensitivity

by Kathy Edens Feb 08, 2018

Race, politics, gender, religion, money, sexual orientation… are they taboo subjects to avoid? If you’re like me, conflict avoidance is your modus operandi; smile brightly and move on. At some point, however, you may need to write about a controversial topic—so how can you do it with sensitivity?

Style Guide: Why You Need One & How to Create It

by Kathy Edens Feb 05, 2018

Every brand needs content, lots of it. When you have several cooks in the kitchen, resulting meals can look and taste quite different from each other. For your brand’s reputation and image, you need to make sure all written communications follow your style guide.

Link Building with Like-Minded Bloggers

by Rachel Doran Feb 05, 2018

When you do it the right way, link building is one of the best ways to boost your following.

If search engine algorithms notice more and more links going back to your web page, your web page will start to take priority on relevant searches. And if your links are attached to engaging, helpful content, you’ll intrigue human audiences as well. When you create backlinks by engaging with like-minded bloggers, however, you’re doing more than simply putting your webpage out there.

Oops! Did You Forget to Launch Your Book? 4 Marketing Steps to Take Right Now

by Jordan Ring Jan 17, 2018

“Why isn’t anyone buying my book? Is it not good enough? Am I a terrible writer? "Should I give up forever?"

Of course not. It's just that you didn't launch your book. You didn't ceremoniously rocket it out into the world so that everyone noticed it.

It's not too late! Here's what you need to know:

Why Writers Must Use the Toilet Paper Test on Professional Content Topics

by Kathy Edens Jan 16, 2018

Everyone has an opinion on the proper way toilet paper should unspool. But the chances of alienating or damaging the relationship with your readers over this subject is very low.

Choosing a topic with low-level controversy doesn’t mean something ridiculous or banal. It does mean choosing something with differing opinions that you can support with facts and/or experiences. Find a topic that is timely, interesting, and relevant to your audience without being offensive.

Why 2018 is the Year for Writers

by Kathy Edens Jan 08, 2018

In 2018, people will consume more content than ever before. Books in any form are the gateway to learning and knowledge. The most successful business men and women set aside time daily for reading both non-fiction and fiction.

To tap into the new wave of opportunities for writers in 2018, here are 4 trends to watch.

5 Principles of a Perfect Instagram Caption to Boost Sales

by Hugh Beaulac Dec 07, 2017

While Facebook is the most popular social network, the Instagram community has grown to 700 million users. As such, more and more writers are adding Instagram posts to their portfolio. Whether you are trying to promote your book, build your profile, boost sales for your product, or sell some kind of service, there's a one-size-fits-all method to write a perfect Instagram caption.

Should you be using Quora to promote your blog and your writing?

by Lilach Bullock Dec 01, 2017

Quora is, arguably, the biggest question & answer website in the world. Bloggers, marketers, and social influencers have all taken notice and are using the popular platform to promote their content, as well as themselves. In this blog post, I want to show you how you can use Quora to promote your blog and your writing.

Don’t be Afraid to Spend a Little Money Investing in Your Writing

by Richard Bertin Nov 26, 2017

If you are an aspiring writer, chances are you’ve read the same advice from countless productivity blogs on how to become a better writer such as keeping a journal, writing each day, and minimizing distractions. However, there’s one piece of advice I’ve yet to hear and I think is very helpful to embrace: don’t fear investing money into your writing.

Counterintuitive Advice for Engaging Your Target Audience

by Kathy Edens Nov 22, 2017

Not everything about audience building is as cut and dried as the experts would like you to believe. In fact, here's decidedly counterintuitive advice for engaging your target audience.