Here we have a Guest Post from Crystal Weisgram a writer and marketer from the USA. If you are interested in Crystal writing and marketing for you please contact us to work out a very reasonably priced campaign.
The world of the writer is one of delight, creativity, and sometimes constant frustration. I have been writing since I was a teenager and have always dreams of writing the great American novel, as all writers do, but the reality is that novel may never produce a payday. Therefore I turned to more profitable work and I must honestly admit I do love my job. But the harsh reality is even in this job that I love so very much, there is a change in the wind.
The Problem
The problem that presents itself in this industry is the push for quick results over quality product. Many webmasters are looking for the fastest possible turn around on submissions and this is resulting in blogs that are basically spin offs on what is already posted on the internet filled with questionable linked websites. This is resulting search engines changing their requirements for statistics and posting results. To optimize search results webmasters needs strong results in the search engine. Google’s Matt Cutts, head of their Webspam team, urges webmasters and bloggers towards quality over short cuts, spotty work, and quick turnaround. So as it is in many aspects of life, the few are spoiling it for others. There are many of us writers out here who are working hard to produce genuine content.
The Solutions
The answer to these problems seem self-explanatory to me but let’s go over them. First as a webmaster you want to higher quality creative dedicated writers who have unique product to submit. Anyone can look up topics on Wiki and re-write content but it takes a genuine author to incorporate real life experience with scholarly research in order to create unique content. Some of my favorite articles are the ones that pushed me to write them. Like the one that had me in tears as I learned about the little ski resort in Pakistan that has been bombed over and over by the Taliban and Allied forces. All I could think about was my favorite childhood book, “The Little Engine that could”. I kept seeing this ski resort as the little resort that could, if the fighting would just stop.
The freelance writer, such as myself, is the answer to quality over spammy. Most of us specialize in certain subjects over others and when deciding who to hire, you should look for someone who matches the needs of your website. For example you do not want to hire a mother of 4 from Spain to write about professional football in America since she has probably never played the sport. The freelance writer will offer expertise not only in writing but also in target subjects. This will result in content that is engaging, valuable, and unique.
Know Your Content
Another aspect for the blogger and webmaster is to know your content. Do not hire a writer without introducing them to your subject matter and giving them a direction of what they will be writing about. Writing blind is difficult for anyone. Just try to remember all those times in school you tried to write about an assignment you had no interest in. On the occasions that my employer asks me to write about a subject I am not familiar with; I turn to my friends that have experience with the subject matter. I have a car guy, a few photography friends, and others that help educate me when I need experience. I never write without a knowledge base. I prefer subjects that I have real life experience with because that is where my best writing comes from but when all else fails I research.
As the writer, you want to know your content. Make sure you know the subject as well as the voice the webmaster wants. Most want either the first person journal type style or the 3rd person professional approach. There are other styles of voice available as well, so make sure you know what expected. Reviewing RSS feeds, and posted content on the website to get a better understanding as well.
Introduce yourself to the blogging community and the webmaster through interaction with the website and sample submissions. You cannot stand on your reputation alone in this business (unless you are J. K. Rowling or George R.R. Martin). Therefore, you need to show your ability through your craft. The best way to do this is to create a portfolio. Choose your best articles, and keep them on hand. Getting your work accepted is based on how strong your skills are. The webmaster needs to know that your work will stand for itself and not be rejected. This business is about the quality product that will stand up against scrutiny. For the blog to turn a profit the search engine needs to promote the site and spam or poor quality will not work.
Introduce yourself and customize your author bio. This is important not only to you but also the website hosting your work. When you are hired the webmaster is looking for someone who will fit into the realm of the website. In turn as a webmaster the customize biography of the writer will draw new hits to your site and increase your value in the search engine optimization.
Being a guest blogger should never be simply an advertisement that encourages spam. Both as writer and webmaster there are responsibilities. As the writer never submit subpar material. Do your editing, check of misspelled or misused words, and triple check your grammar. Check your sources, write from experience, and use quality research. Offer to re-write material if you were not on target with your resulting content and always agree to promote postings via social networks. Reply to comments, follow with the blog owner, and use positive communication with the webmaster. Be the best guest blogger you can be. We are all responsible for this industry; if we want it to survive then we must put in the energy to keep it going.
