1.  Journalists Know the Value of a Good Headline

Whether they’re writing news articles or online content, journalists know that a good headline is what draws readers’ attention. They understand that headlines have to be able to deliver their message in as few attention-grabbing words as possible. Since headlines that are over 70 characters long are often truncated by Google, knowing how to use brevity to your advantage is indeed a must-have skill for online content writers.

2. Journalists Know the Value of Writing for the Reader

One of the most important principles of journalism is that the significant has to be made relevant and interesting. Furthermore, journalists believe that a journalistic piece can only be deemed effective if it succeeds in enlightening and engaging its audience. Isn’t that what online content writing is all about as well? Knowing the audience and writing for them rather than for your needs is a lesson drilled into a journalist’s mind from the start. This is definitely good news for businesses looking for effective content writers.

3. Journalists Understand the Importance of Keeping it Short and Snappy

For journalists, sentences containing more than 20 words are a no-no. The ability to keep sentences concise is also something that’s appreciated by those who need quality content. That’s because short and snappy sentences are often a lot more engaging than long and dragging narratives. Journalists are trained in quickly answering the 5 Ws and 1H (who, what, when, where, why, and how), thus leaving readers satisfied with the information.

4. Journalists Understand New Topics Very Quickly

Journalists are trained to focus on a number of topics at once. Even when they specialize in a certain sector, they can easily write articles on a broad range of topics and events. They’re also used to working with deadlines, which necessitates having the ability to quickly learn about the topics they’re assigned. This ability is also valued by companies looking for a good content writer, especially if their business is involved in a variety of niches.

5. Journalists Know What They Should and Shouldn’t Say

To write effectively, you need to know what you can and cannot say. When writing blog content, for example, you need to learn how to express your opinion without unnecessarily slamming the products and services of competing businesses.

Although a background in journalism doesn’t automatically make one an expert in online content writing, it certainly gives you a lot of advantages. As long as content writing is really in your heart, it can be the perfect transition from journalistic writing.

1. Observe. The people you interact with and the things you see around you are excellent sources of ideas and inspiration. By closely observing everything that’s going on in your surroundings, you should find it easy enough to come up with a theme or topic for your next article, blog entry, novel, or whatever it is you plan to write.
2. Grammar. It goes without saying that you should learn proper grammar before you even put pen on paper. Other than learning how to use proper grammar, though, you should also learn how you can possibly break the rules of grammar in an effective manner. Learning how to manipulate the rules is what sets excellent writers apart.
3. Write. Stop planning to write and finding reasons not to. Just sit down and start writing. It doesn’t matter if you don’t feel like writing at the time; just do it. You can’t wait for your writing groove forever. You have to encourage the groove to come by actually getting down to writing. You can only develop your own writing style by writing, not by dreaming of becoming a writer.
4. Read the works of popular writers so you’ll know what people like in terms of theme, pacing, language, and tone. You may also want to read the works of multi-awarded writers so you’ll know what critics like.
5. Routine. Set up a special writing space at home and establish a schedule for your writing projects. Be sure to write only at that special place and follow your writing schedule strictly every single day. Don’t let anything disrupt your schedule unless it’s really a matter of grave importance. In time, this schedule will come naturally to you and you’ll learn to adjust your other tasks accordingly.
6. Be brave. Don’t be afraid to write poorly in the beginning. Bear in mind that a bad beginning isn’t necessarily something you have to live with for the rest of your life. You can build on that and strive to improve. Even if you have been writing for some time, there will still be bad days. You can’t let those days paralyze you. Forgive yourself for a poor performance and then strive to write better next time.

Remember that writing isn’t a skill you can allow to stagnate. You need to constantly work on improving your craft. Find writing exercises you can use for this purpose and try to work on projects that allow you to explore different writing techniques and genres. More importantly, try to write every single day to keep your mind sharp and your writing skills fresh. Finally, whether writing is a hobby or a career, you need to start out by claiming it for yourself – believe that you ARE a writer.

Who wouldn’t want their web pages to have better content? It is widely known that excellent content improves web traffic, raises revenue, and helps establish your expertise in the field. It also helps you build a wider customer base. Needless to say, every business owner wants their web content to go viral the way Gangnam Style did in 2012 and the way Harlem Shake is doing right now. You can indeed achieve so much with excellent web content. Here are a few tips on how you can improve your web content:

1. Attract with Your Titles and Headlines

Most people read web content primarily because the title caught their attention. In fact, a lot of websites have gained millions of readers simply by learning how to craft catchy headlines. You can choose light and humorous titles or straight and to-the-point headlines. What’s important is for your headlines to give the reader a gist of what the article is about. Here’s a tip: Titles that contain numbers or offer something to the reader (Top 10 Ways to… or How to…) are among the most successful.

2. Learn to Write a Lead

Newswriters are used to creating leads and you would do well to learn how to write a good lead as well. A lead is the first paragraph of an article that should answer the five Ws and one H (who, what, when, where, why, and how) for the reader. It summarizes the article’s topic with the aim of giving the busy reader everything he or she needs to know at the outset, while encouraging other readers to read further at the same time. Whether your readers have the time to read the article in its entirety or not, they’ll be sure to appreciate your effort at providing the most important details first.

3. Write in Readable Format

Many content creators become so engrossed with inserting their targeted keywords that they fail to ensure readability. Remember that in this day and age, it is a lot more important to write for the reader, rather than for search engine bots. If your articles are stuffed with keywords such that they no longer make sense, people aren’t likely to click on your links again. Bear in mind as well that a lot of online readers are skim-readers. This makes it advisable for you to break up your text into smaller chunks using bullet points and sub-headings. Huge text blocks can quickly get boring and drive readers away.

4. Use Clear and Specific Language

Remember that not everyone who reads web content is a native English speaker. Furthermore, not everyone who reads your content is an expert in your field. Keep your language as clear and simple as you can and try to avoid jargon. It also pays to be specific, as vagueness often drives readers away. If you’re talking about skincare, for example, it is better to say “the skin of a 15-year-old girl” instead of just saying “a teenager’s skin.” It is also advisable to use several short sentences instead of a single complex sentence stuffed with semi-colons and commas. You may also throw clichés out the window.

5. Use Pictures when Necessary

A picture or two can effectively jazz up otherwise boring text. In fact, a single picture can sometimes deliver a message a lot more effectively than words can. Of course, you shouldn’t swamp your content with too many pictures, as that can pose problems with SEO. Just put in enough photos to keep things interesting and break the monotony of text from time to time. You should also make sure the caption supports both the picture and the story of the article itself.

As a bonus tip, be careful not to make your content too lengthy, as online readers typically have a short attention span. Additionally, you should never forget to review your work before you publish. How can you establish your expertise in the field if you can’t even get your grammar and spelling in order? Finally, remember that online communities thrive on engagement. It is therefore advisable for you to always provide a “Comments” section and participate in the discussions arising from your post. This lets you know what adjustments you need to make and lets your readers know that you care about what they think. What better way to earn their business than to gain their trust?

1. Consider DIY Options

If you feel that the fees charged by professional writers are too high, why don’t you try some DIY options? Instead of getting someone to write your resume for you, try getting help in improving your own resume writing skills instead. Check with local universities in your area to see if they offer free or low-cost writing classes. You may also want to seek online help, usually run by non-profit organizations and community cooperatives.

2. Look for Pros

You aren’t like everyone else, so why should you settle for getting your resume done by resume factories? Factories are providers who simply make you fill-out a questionnaire and then transfer your answers onto resume templates. You would do well to check the “About Us” page on the website of a resume service provider you’re considering. A good service provider is not afraid of providing details about their company and their writers. It is also advisable for you to check a company’s BBB rating and go with those that have a rating of A or A+. Check online complaint boards as well to make sure no rip-off reports have been filed against the company you’re considering.

3. Agree to Do Interviews

As mentioned above, resume writers who rely solely on questionnaires are generally not the most reliable. A good writer or service provider will take the time to conduct an interview to get a clearer picture of your qualifications, experiences, and goals. They are also prepared to answer any question you may have about their qualifications and experiences. It would, of course, be ideal to do the interview face-to-face. However, if the service provider is based too far for a face-to-face interview, then a phone interview should suffice.

4. Ask for Samples

You’ll know a service provider is confident about the quality of their services when they’re not afraid to show you samples of their work. Don’t hesitate to ask for samples when you do the interview. After all, if you don’t like their samples, then there’s hardly any reason to hire them for the work, right? When you check the samples, make sure the service provider highlights skills and accomplishments rather than mere job descriptions. You’d also do well to check if they use advanced techniques that can effectively set your resume apart.

5. Be Clear on Pricing

It is safe to assume you won’t forget to ask about their fees during your interview with the service provider. Make sure, though, that you have a clear understanding of the pricing schedule. For example, if the service provider charges on a per-hour basis, you need to ask what the fees cover. You may also want to ask how long they expect your resume will take to complete. It is often a good idea to stay away from providers charging $25 per resume and promising next-day delivery. Good service providers usually spend hours just getting to know you and a day or two to craft and polish your resume. It is also common for a good resume writer to offer the initial consultation free of charge. Furthermore, you may want to choose a resume writer who offers revisions at no additional cost or refunds for work considered unacceptable.

Be patient in your search for the right resume writer and keep shopping around until you find the one you’re most comfortable with. Remember that your resume may be your most important career document. You surely wouldn’t want to waste your hard-earned money on a resume that doesn’t work.