Writers’ Block?

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It’s Coming, but is Your Business Ready?

google-penguinNobody likes to read bad web pages, yet many businesses get so caught up trying to optimize their site that they forget about the importance of quality content— but Google’s ferocious site-grading algorithms should be making businesses think twice.

Continuing its work to improve the Internet and user experience, Google recently released its new Panda 4.0 update and announced that Penguin 3.0 is on the way. These Google algorithms – including Panda, Penguin, Platypus, and Hummingbird – analyze websites and modify search rankings based on the quality and strength of site content. More specifically, the algorithms target sites that use spam and “black hat” SEO tactics like keyword stuffing, text advertisements, and link schemes, and subsequently lower the sites’ rankings.

So what can businesses do to prepare for these ever-improving algorithms and ensure their site isn’t negatively affected? From analyzing traffic to diversifying anchor text and evaluating links, here are some incredibly useful tips to help improve your website’s content, search rankings, and appeal. Read more…

Copy Editing Tips that Work

(from CrushedTees.com)

(from CrushedTees.com)

Whether you are writing a blog post, a webinar script, or a landing page, the power of your content depends on the strength of your authorial voice as well as the persuasiveness of your words. In order to create content, of any kind, that serves its purpose well by informing or persuading your audience, it’s critical to edit your text to make it clear and correct. Here are 15 Copy Editing Tips in three distinct stages  – including self-evaluation and a lot of cut -and-paste – for you to consider. Read more.

Editing: It’s Not Just for Spelling, You Know

Editing and publicationYes, spelling, grammar, and punctuation are some of the things that editors address, but that’s just the beginning. In fact, there are four main types of editing: developmental editing, line editing, copy editing, and proofreading. Sometimes you might just need a fresh pair of eyes to catch those copy mistakes that your weary and long-worked eyes cannot, while other times you require more careful line edits, global revisions, or developmental guidance. Read more…

But no matter what your editing needs are, from proofreading to developmental editing, contact me and I can help.

As a professional writer and editor, I offer all types of editing services, for nearly any kind of text. Do you need a thorough review of your journal article, including proper formatting (APA, CSE, MLA), reference and in-text citation review and cross-checks, and formatting tailored to meet the requirements of your intended publication? Contact me. Perhaps you need someone to make your newsletter, proposal, or resume shine, or maybe you seek a little guidance and help making those last revisions to your new novel? Contact me.

There’s no text or genre I cant’ help you improve, including:

I love to read and edit, and you need someone to be sure that your text is of a quality that aptly reflects the hard work you’ve already put into it. So, let’s work together! Contact me today for a free consultation and estimate, and get WordWise.

So Many Blog Ideas, So Little Time

blog ideas

Image credit: Shutterstock

Maintaining and developing content for a blog can be tough. It’s natural to run out of ideas, and sometimes we all need a little help – writer’s block can be very frustrating! Whether you are running it yourself or you hire an experienced blog writer to manage your blog marketing, developing new and unique topics is challenging. So, here’s some help:

1. When trying to come up with a topic for your next blog post, one strategy is to think about specific areas of your industry that you might discuss, evaluate, or even demonstrate with images or presentations. You might create a poll and blog the results, share and comment on recent news in your industry, or list some industry resources you’ve found valuable.

2. Your business and customers, too, are key– they are who the blog is for, after all– so don’t be afraid to do a little self-promotion in your blogs. Blogging is a marketing tool, right? So, other ideas are to discuss what sets you apart from the rest, answer some FAQs potential clients might have, or provide some customer testimonials to showcase your history of satisfied clients and proven results. Topics like these that exemplify your expertise can be extremely effective.

3. Finally, don’t be afraid to get a little personal in your blog posts. Not only will it add a touch of personality to aid your brand and image, but it’s a great way to share who you are – and people like to buy things from people they know. For example, you could talk about a book you’re reading, some challenges you’ve faced, or what you love about what you do. A content marketer with creative writing skills can help you make these their best.

Effective blogging as a marketing tool results requires consistent effort over time– just a blog here and there won’t work. It’s about quantity as much as quality, so don’t let a little thing like having no ideas stop you from posting today! In a guest blog for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), small business expert Anita Campbell expands offers some of the examples above  as part of her list of 36 great blog ideas to help you when you’re stumped. Read more…

Do you have any other ideas that you’d like to share? I’d love to hear them! Please comment below.

 

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#growth

Leverage the power of words.

Leverage the power of words.

As I grow my new business, I find I’m increasingly excited by so many fresh ideas and the field of Content Marketing overall. I’ve always had an innate talent for language – and the art of using words to produce the most powerful effect or persuasion – but it’s especially rewarding to be able to apply it more now in my career. I’ve long known I was WordWise, but I’m finding that I’m also increasingly MarketingWise, BrandingWise, and PRWise… and I’m just getting started.

“There is no rule on how to write. Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly: sometimes it’s like drilling rock and then blasting it out with charges.”

— Ernest Hemingway