Strong writers weed it out — and fix it — “Don’t write in passive voice!” Editors whip out their notorious red pens, mark through passive passages, and jot “Rewrite!” in the margins for one simple reason: passive construction is weak. So if you want to write better, you first need to recognize when you fall into the passive trap. Then…

Take advantage of online real estate to promote your writing — An email signature does more than give readers your contact information. A professional email signature is a way to engage your readers. …

Weave in power words to pull in readers to your content — It’s no secret: writing headlines is an important skill for any writer. And I’m talking about headlines of all kinds: the title of an article, the subject line of an email, the teaser on an envelope, the header on a web page, the post title to a blog, and even…

Forget the “how” for now. Instead, focus on feasibility. — “Build a niche site. You can make a lot of money.” If you’re a writer, you’ve probably heard about the opportunity you can have in creating a website that caters to a small segment of readers with a common, narrow interest. A niche site offers quality information and resources about…

Use this simple 5-step writing process to complete more content — Understanding the writing process is a key to writing faster and better. And we all want that! It’s true that mystery cloaks the creative element of putting words on paper. But creativity, I’ve discovered, is rarely conjured up. And if you wait for creativity to strike, you may never complete…

The underserved nonprofit sector offers plenty of short- and long-term opportunities for writers — If you’re looking for beginner freelance writing jobs — or if you’re looking for a freelance writing niche — consider writing for nonprofits. Opportunities for freelance writing jobs with nonprofits are more abundant than you may think. It’s an underserved sector. See what I mean by a quick comparison with…

These frequently asked questions and answers about electronic publishing might be just what you need to get started — If you’re considering writing an ebook — but you’re nervous about dipping your toe into electronic publishing — then consider this. When it comes to writing ebooks, there are many advantages for a writer: creative freedom, faster time to publication, a global market, higher royalty share, and low risk. You…

For the freelancer, professionalism is just as important as writing skills — A pro writer has a basic handle on the writing craft. If you have put yourself out there as a professional writer for hire (or you’re planning to do so), you’ve acquired basic writing abilities so you can do your job. …

Follow these 3 simple steps to jumpstart a new writing project quickly — Writing faster and better — we all want that. But words may not flow freely every time you sit down at the keyboard. I know that’s the case for me, even after years of writing. Over the years I discovered a simple process for jumpstarting a new writing project. It’s…