It’s been a few weeks since I started my full time job. One thing I’ve realized is that it is making me a better writer! I spend most of my time at that job writing for various clients and also company blogs and websites.
I didn’t realize it, but my writing style was stuck in the past (the Ghost of SEO Past more like!) I had developed habits that were detrimental to online content writing. Among the worst of them is that I was “over-optimizing” the content – something I didn’t even realize I was doing.
Spend More Time on Each Piece
So, it has forced me to step back and take more time with my writing. In the past, I had a lot or pride in the fact that I could write a 500 word article in around 15 minutes.
Now, a 500 word article takes me about an hour because I really want to make it good. I am getting paid to do a great job at this company, and that is my goal. As my writing improves, the clients at my job are happy.
I am also finding that the elusive “five star rating” at iWriter is no longer “elusive”. By slowing down, I’ve gotten more five star ratings than I ever have! Just by paying attention to what I am doing, I have been able progress there.
What I would do if I were you: Slow down! Speed is a good thing, it can help you make more money. Slowing down and really taking the time to write well will benefit you over the long term more than speed will.
Set Goals for Writing Success
Setting goals is absolutely essential. So, I think you should stop what you are doing right now and set a few of your own. Did you set your goals yet? If so, please share them with me in the comments! I want to hear them so that we can encourage each other.
My goal right now is to make it to the upper level in iWriter so that I can make more money. Even though I have a decent full time job, I find that I sometimes overspend. When this happens, I need a reliable place to get extra work that can pay my bills. iWriter seems to have a lot of potential.
Also, another goal of mine is to use my writing skills to create useful content that you guys will enjoy and learn from. Meanwhile, I am going to keep practicing my craft! If you feel inspired, please leave a note in the comments about what you want to learn about and I’ll write a post on that topic in the future.
What do you think? What do you want to learn about?
Action Step – Sign Up for iWriter
Sites like iWriter receive mixed reviews amongst professional writers and frankly, most don’t seem to like them. Well, I’ve been a writer for over a decade and I can tell you that I think they have some value. The most obvious is that you can use them to fill in any income gaps you may be faced with between paychecks.
The second is that you have the ability to “earn while you learn” at a site like this. Learning how to write killer content is vital to succeeding online. Getting paid while you figure out what works and what doesn’t is a great scenario. You can apply this skill to nearly any venture you may be faced with. If you haven’t yet, go sign up for iWriter and get started!
I am never one to bash the content mills…I have earned too much of my income from them to bite the hand that feeds me, lol! iWriter was one of the very first places I wrote for when I started writing. I was thrilled at the less-than-a-penny per word rate when I first started, but as I learned more, I really expected to earn more.
I guess I got burned one too many times at iWriter by unscrupulous clients who requested extremely detailed, complicated pieces of work, then rejected it as being “spun” or otherwise not original. I was furious at being accused of stealing someone else’s content, and I was so tired of “almost” reaching the Elite level, but being knocked back by random low ratings. I havent’ written for them in a long time, but I’m glad I did. The experience taught me that not all places are the same, not all clients are the same, and it taught me to value myself a little more.
I’m a terrible one for goals…I make way too many, then get down when I can’t get them all accomplished. I think I confuse my “goals” list with my “to do” list, which probably isn’t the best thing!
I have to stay really focused in order to achieve my goals. It’s all too easy to get distracted, and I do the same thing as you! I always put too many things on it. You’re so right! Goals aren’t the same things as to do’s!
There are some shady bids that pop and here and there. A few writers I know have started reporting them and I believe iwriter has either banned them or even given them a warning. I think that they really are a good company. A few people lately have been trying to get away with paying for a certain word count, and then asking for more words in the project description. As if the standard articles aren’t cheap enough!
All the content sites still have value. I do see writers often getting trapped there, however. But under certain circumstances, they’re worth the effort.