Sat.Feb 25, 2023 - Fri.Mar 03, 2023

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New Freelance Writers Are Struggling Financially (30% Are Earning Less Than $10/hr in The First Year)

Elna Cain

This is shocking! I discovered that the true answer to how much new freelance writers make remains low – $10/hour. Writers are struggling financially, and I think I know why. And even though the report was done a few years ago, I suspect the low rate remains today. It’s not as easy as saying it’s because of AI taking over or that, collectively, businesses just don’t want to pay for writing.

Freelance 209
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How to Get Emotion on the Page: 2 Most Critical Tactics

Jane Friedman

Photo by Giulia Bertelli on Unsplash Today’s post is by regular contributor Susan DeFreitas ( @manzanitafire ), an award-winning author, editor, and book coach. Join us on March 8 for the online class The Heart of Story. The great Maya Angelou once said, “At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.

Writer 145
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How to Write a Case Study (That Actually Closes Deals)

Animalz

Blindfold a dozen marketers. Ask them to describe the guiding principles of a case study. You’ll hear the same answers again and again. Make the customer the hero of the story. Follow a recognizable format — something like problem, solution, results. Back up your claims with evidence, be it a quote, data point, or anecdote. So why are persuasive, wallet-opening case studies so darned rare?

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Don’t set your fees based on the “morning you” you see in the bathroom mirror.

Nick Ursborne

If you’re anything like me, you’re not at your most impressive when you look in the mirror each morning. This is all fine and normal, so long as you don’t mix “morning you” with “professional you”. And yes, it matters a great deal that you create a quite separate professional persona. As a freelance writer I have gone to considerable trouble to position myself as a true expert.

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Marketing Operations in 2025: A New Framework for Success

Speaker: Mike Rizzo, Founder & CEO, MarketingOps.com and Darrell Alfonso, Director of Marketing Strategy and Operations, Indeed.com

Though rarely in the spotlight, marketing operations are the backbone of the efficiency, scalability, and alignment that define top-performing marketing teams. In this exclusive webinar led by industry visionaries Mike Rizzo and Darrell Alfonso, we’re giving marketing operations the recognition they deserve! We will dive into the 7 P Model —a powerful framework designed to assess and optimize your marketing operations function.

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Is Freelance Writing Safe from AI of the Future? The Impact of Technology, Opportunities & Challenges

Elna Cain

Right now, you’re probably feeling threatened. Maybe you want to give up freelance writing before you even start. Why this feeling? It’s all about generative AI, and you are worried if freelance writing is safe from AI now and in the future. I hear ya! The impact of the new technological advancement is a central focus for many new freelance writers and copywriters – and it should be.

Freelance 188
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10 Hard Truths About Being an Entrepreneur

Ashleyn Writes

Did you know that 96% of businesses don’t make it to the 10-year mark ? Now, I haven’t celebrated my decade-iversary yet, but I have made it to seven years. I’m getting pretty close. But one thing I’ve learned in that time is that it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. With seven years of experience under my belt, I can totally see why so many businesses fail or decide not to continue on.

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Make a big splash a few times a year. Or fade from view.

Nick Ursborne

It’s hard for freelancers to maintain a high level of visibility. For the most part, our clients and prospects think about us only when they need us. Day-to-day, their attention is more likely to be focused internally, on their own company and colleagues. How do we get around this? What steps can we take to become more visible? How can we stay top of mind?

Freelance 174
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Content Marketing Goals: How Many & Which Ones

Ahrefs

First, it mistakes goals for outcomes of content marketing. Second, you shouldn’t design to hit only one of those “goals” because it can hurt content quality.

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The Nuts and Bolts of Becoming an Independent Editor

Jane Friedman

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash Today’s post comes from Book Architecture ’s Stuart Horwitz and Madison Utley, the team behind the Independent Editor Podcast. There, they provide concise, experience-based answers to the most pressing questions around making a living as a freelance editor. There are only three things you need to be a great independent editor: talent, effort, and experience.

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Business Trade Books of All Kinds — Why Not Write Yours?

Melanie Saxton

There are a hundred and one good reasons to write business trade books. Elevating your brand, highlighting your goods and services, and establishing yourself as a subject matter expert are among the top. Whether you offer flooring options, countertops, cabinets, kitchen and bath renovations, or even appliances — your marketing narrative can (and should) be captured on your blog, and, better yet, a book!

Writing 130
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Mastering Remote Onboarding: Proven Strategies for Seamless New Hire Integration

Speaker: Tim Buteyn, President of ThinkingKap Learning Solutions

Join this brand new webinar with Tim Buteyn to learn how you can master the art of remote onboarding! By the end of this session, you'll understand how to: Craft a Tailored Onboarding Checklist 📝 Develop a comprehensive, customized checklist that ensures every new hire has a smooth transition into your company, no matter where they are in the world.

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What Are the Hot Content Marketing Trends in Technology for 2023?

Contently

Here’s the hot take on the trends related to technology for content marketing, based on responses to the 2023 Contently State of Content Marketing Survey. Almost all content teams—94 percent, in fact—use some technology to facilitate content creation and delivery. That’s according to the 206 marketing leaders who responded to the survey.

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How to Measure SEO Performance & Results (The Right Way)

Ahrefs

In this article, you’ll learn about just four SEO metrics that represent all you need to measure your SEO performance properly. On top of that, we’ll also go through multiple ways to measure impact on how your SEO performs.

SEO 133
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Always Read the Acknowledgments Page

Jane Friedman

Today’s post is by writer and literary consultant Grace Bialecki ( @GraceBialecki ). On a recent freakishly warm February day, I walked to the library in high spirits. The reckless sunshine had banished winter’s gray and my hopes for spring were budding as I floated up the building’s stone steps. Outside the reading room, I made my usual stop at the “Pay What You Will” book cart.

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Realtor Books — Writing About Your Real Estate Business

Melanie Saxton

Real estate professionals with fascinating personal backstories are the perfect future authors of Realtor Books. What drew them to the real estate marketplace? What journeys did they experience in childhood that piqued an interest in dwellings, buildings, lots, architecture, interior design, and landscaping? What tips can they offer home sellers in a competitive marketplace?

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Do's and Don'ts: How to Pitch Your Press Release to Journalists

Speaker: Michelle Garrett, PR Consultant, Author, Speaker

Yes - press releases are still relevant in the world of public relations! 🎯 Ever wondered how to write a compelling press release, or what are current best practices for pitching your news to earn media coverage? In this exclusive webinar with Michelle Garrett, PR Consultant, we’ll cover tips and advice to help you get the most out of each piece of news you pitch!

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5 Misunderstood Best Practices in Content Marketing

Content Marketing Institute

Almost everybody loves best practices. But too many equate “best” with “infallible” or “in every circumstance.” Have you ever fallen into one of these five best practice traps in content marketing?

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How To Transfer A Domain Name in 7 Simple Steps

Quick Sprout

Transfer your domain easily by signing up with GoDaddy and centralize all your domains in one place. Right now, you can transfer a domain for as low as $9.99 and get free registration for a year. Get started today. There are many reasons you might want to transfer a domain. Maybe your web hosting plan has gone up, or you don’t like the support your host is giving.

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How to Use Podcasts as Part of Your Content Marketing Strategy

Contently

The rumble of traffic. The buzz of a bee. The whoosh of your coat in the wind. Sound carries with it a sensory experience like no other. Audio stories are different from any other medium for this very reason. Podcasts are used by several influencers, industry experts, and entertainment artists to share perspectives, ideas, and unique insights with a target audience.

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Housing Market Books — Realtors are the Ultimate Experts on Housing Trends

Melanie Saxton

There is no better person than a Realtor to write housing market books. True, economists and the financial sector report on the real estate market from their particular lenses, but the experts in the trenches are brokers and real estate professionals. These types of books don’t need a heavy word count. They can be written in a series and updated as needed as the real estate market (and interest rates) continue to fluctuate and adjust.

Marketing 130
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Data Modeling for Direct Mail: Boosting Multi-Channel Reach and Response

Speaker: Jesse Simms, VP at Giant Partners

This new, thought-provoking webinar will explore how even incremental efforts and investments in your data can have a tremendous impact on your direct mail and multi-channel marketing campaign results! Industry expert Jesse Simms, VP at Giant Partners, will share real-life case studies and best practices from client direct mail and digital campaigns where data modeling strategies pinpointed audience members, increasing their propensity to respond – and buy.

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What is Blog Marketing? How Can It Work for Your Business?

Neal Schaffer

Today, writing blogs is one of the most commonly used marketing strategies to give a boost to your website traffic. But it was not the case earlier as blogs came into existence some years back in the early 1990s. In the beginning, people mostly used blogs as online diaries to share their day-to-day experiences. However, in later years, blogs came to be used as a platform for writing about food, music, news, politics, and even business.

IT 119
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How to Submit a Guest Post Successfully in 12 Steps

Blogging From Paradise

(Updated 3-2-2023) Are you a blogging veteran who wants to know how to submit a guest post after being rejected more times than […]

Post 134
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Resource Page Link Building: The Only Guide You Need

Ahrefs

How popular? According to Aira’s 2022 State of Link Building Report, 24% of SEOs use it: Here are three reasons why: In this guide, I’ll explain how to build links from resource pages in three simple steps.

SEO 116
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Reverse Mortgage Books — Why Writing One Today Can Update Audiences

Melanie Saxton

I learned a lot by writing the article below, and it brought to mind the need for more current and clarifying reverse mortgage books. These mortgages are not what I initially thought. They can be a useful method for tapping home equity for certain homeowners who are 62 years of age and older. If you are a professional in the home lending market and specialize in reverse mortgages, consider the value of reverse mortgage books.

Audience 130
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Scan to Success: How to Leverage QR Codes for Offline and Online Marketing Power

Speaker: Corey Daugherty, Head of Business Development at Flowcode & Georgette Malitsis, Senior Customer Success Manager, Enterprise at Flowcode

Let's explore the transformative power of QR codes in bridging offline and online marketing worlds. 📲 This new webinar featuring Corey Daugherty and Georgette Malitsis of Flowcode will dive into how innovative QR technology not only enhances traditional marketing strategies, but also drives meaningful customer engagement and analytics. Register today to gain practical knowledge on using QR codes to increase conversion rates, optimize customer journeys, and ultimately unlock a new realm o

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Send Emails With Confidence: 3 Ways Grammarly Improves Your Emails

Grammarly

Writing clear and professional emails can improve how competent you appear in the eyes of your colleagues, clients, or managers. However, this means emails can often be a source of anxiety and insecurity, especially because you can’t clarify a mistaken word or sentiment, read the recipient’s reaction in real time, or rework the email after you hit send.

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Freelance Isn’t Free Passes in Los Angeles

Freelance Union

Los Angeles freelancers just got new protections from their City Council! Last Friday, the city of LA adopted new legislation which secures legal rights and protections for freelancers. The new law stipulates that any contract of $600 or more between a worker and an employee must be in writing, and containing a date by which the worker must be paid.

Freelance 114
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Clams, Wagoneers, and Harings: Creativity Is Even More Important in an AI World

David Meerman Scott

Artificial Intelligence engines that generate text such as ChatGPT use large language models, which I like to think of as simply math applied to data (in this case text). These tools calculate the most likely next word to create sentences. When everyone is going predictable with AI, creative writing stands out!

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Home Preparedness Books — Considering Sharing Your Expertise in a Book!

Melanie Saxton

The time to write home preparedness books is now! If you are a subject matter expert on the topic, consider putting together a manuscript on disaster prevention, safeguarding the home, and what to do when the worst happens, such as natural or manmade emergencies. These types of books are not only helpful to audiences but also help propel your marketing initiatives.

Insurance 130
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How to Leverage Behavioral Science Insights for Direct Mail Success

Speaker: Neal Boornazian, President and Nancy Harhut, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer - HBT Marketing

Direct mail has consistently remained a powerful tool in the marketer's arsenal, but in an age of digital dominance, its effectiveness hinges on the strategic integration of behavioral science. 💡 When you incorporate powerful behavioral science principles into your direct mail marketing strategies, you can prompt the hardwired decision-making shortcuts your audience relies on — and that automatically unlocks new avenues for engagement, conversion, and brand loyalty.

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International Bestsellers, February 2023

Publishing Trends

Every month, Publishing Trends runs fiction international bestsellers lists from four territories–France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. This month, our four regular territories are joined by two more: Bulgaria and Norway. Those books that have been published in English are listed with their official English-language title. All others are translated as literally as possible from the original.

Retail 111
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Start With Content To Deliver a Successful Integrated Marketing Strategy [Rose-Colored Glasses]

Content Marketing Institute

Content teams face increasing demands to create. But what rarely comes after those requests is an interest in uniting for an integrated marketing strategy. Robert Rose shares why that’s a big mistake and how to change it.

Marketing 108
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eFax vs. MyFax

Quick Sprout

Even though faxing seems like an outdated technology, it’s still widely used in a variety of industries, including healthcare and finance. Thanks to its ability to securely send and receive sensitive documents, faxing is still a vital part of many business operations. But if you thought people no longer used fax machines, you’re right. Thanks to the rise of digital technology, people now use online faxing services to easily send and receive documents.

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Outdoor Architecture Writer and Editor — Softscaping, Hardscaping, and Glowscaping

Melanie Saxton

Taking assignments as an outdoor architecture writer is one of the many hats I wear in the magazine realm. The article below shares backyard landscaping tips from softscaping to hardscaping and glowscaping inspiration. It also brings to mind the businesses that could use case studies, white papers, and corporate books to promote their business. Perhaps you simply need your website content edited and optimized.

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The Resurgence of Direct Mail as a Growth Marketing Strategy

Speaker: Jeff Tarran, COO, Gunderson Direct & Margaret Pepe, Executive Director of Product Management, U.S. Postal Service

Learn the secrets to direct mail success for growth marketers! Industry veterans Jeff Tarran and Margaret Pepe are here to delve into how direct mail has completely evolved in recent years, and has rightfully earned a seat at the table alongside the email and digital marketing plans of SMBs, enterprise companies, and agencies as they look into strategy for 2024 and beyond.