"Give them the gift of words"

Exclusive Interview With Sophie Lizard From Be A Freelance Blogger


October 30, 2015

Sophie Lizard

INTRODUCTION:

Many beginning bloggers expect that they’ll quickly develop a list of well-paying clients and generate enough income to become successful full-time writers. Unfortunately, too many of these new bloggers get stuck in situations where they’re having to accept low rates, or worse, to work for free in exchange for simply getting their articles published and their name out on the internet. One way to avoid this situation is to know how to find those well-paying clients and manage a writing business so that it’s profitable – and that’s what professional blogger Sophie Lizard will teach you.

UV: You teach people practical information on how to develop client relationships, create a website to attract more clients, and handle the financial aspects of writing as a career, such as setting the right rates, and collecting and tracking payments. Do you offer advice on how to become a better writer?

Yes, because no matter what your level of writing expertise, you can always find something to improve. Students on my training course for new freelance bloggers [if you’d like the link, it’s http://beafreelanceblogger.com/getstarted] get detailed guidance on how to plan the content and flow of blog posts for their clients, too, because planning is a huge part of a professional writer’s work.

UV: We love the way you present your guest blogging instructions as “assimilate, infiltrate, cogitate, advocate, create, iterate, prop agate, celebrate” because that’s a great set of vocabulary words! How important is a good vocabulary for a writer, especially at the beginning?

That’s a great example of the importance of planning, actually – you see how “create” is only the 5th of those 8 steps? Understanding the audience and planning a post that truly speaks to them comes first.

Anyway, you were asking about vocabulary. I think it depends on the writer and the content. I’ve read some posts that are worded very simply and make a big impact. If you’re good at that kind of writing, learning a ton if extra words can be a fun hobby rather than a necessity. I’ve also read some excessively twiddly posts with unfamiliar seven-syllable words in every sentence. Beautiful writing isn’t always as effective as precise, concise writing. But if you can be precise, concise and beautiful all at once, then you’re a superhero and the blogging universe needs you!

UV: People go to your website if they need a blogger to write something for them, and you post your rates and portfolio links to make it easy for clients to see your skills. But you also offer to recommend other bloggers, and even feature some on that same web page. Why are you helping your competition, so to speak?

Because those people I recommend are my friends and my students! I’ve mentored each of them, worked with them myself, and I’m proud to recommend them – they’re some of the best freelance bloggers available. When I’m booked up and can’t accept new projects, I don’t like to leave those projects without a good blogger just because I wasn’t available. I’d rather refer them to other freelancers who I know will do the job well.

UV: You write about career and lifestyle tips, technology, and marketing, among other subjects. Do you have a favorite topic?

Brains. I could write about brains non-stop. Neurology, psychology, and the nature of perception fascinate me. That’s why I’m a good fit for a range of science, technology, and marketing projects – because the type of writing they need from me involves understanding and influencing perception. And lifestyle writing often means explaining the roots and drivers of a concept or trend, which comes down to thought and perception again. Basically it’s always about the brains!

UV: How much time do you spend each day on writing these days? Do you have any tips for people who are trying to fit writing in to their schedule – for example, before or after their “day job” or other daily commitments?

I spend up to 6 hours writing on my three “business days” each week, and very little time writing on other days when the only writing I do is on Twitter or in emails. I guess my average is something like 2 or 3 hours of writing a day.

My only advice for people trying to fit writing into their schedule is: stop “trying”. Either it fits or it doesn’t. If it doesn’t fit, you’ll have to choose to give up something that’s already part of your schedule to make room for it.

You can be more productive by using little spots of free time to do something short that doesn’t require intense focus – so for example you could make a list of ideas you can develop later, or fact check a single point in one of your drafts. But it’s incredibly difficult to actually write or edit something in short bursts, because to make it good you need a complete view of where you are in the piece, what’s already been said, how it was phrased, why it’s there, why it’s relevant, and what’s coming up in six paragraphs’ time.

For that overview to exist in your mind, you need to spend time going over the piece as a whole, seeing not just its shape and order but the feelings it evokes and the way it flows and connects from one subtopic to another. Creating an outline is helpful, but even if you already have a written outline to remind you of the content plan, you just can’t get the same results from ultra-short bursts of writing as you can by dedicating fair-sized chunks of time to the work. That’s your brain’s default way of getting shit done right. So schedule up and make enough space for your brain to do its thing.

Vocab1 guarantees to help you increase your vocabulary knowledge! Learn more words and apply them in your writings.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments

Street Stunt Surprise To Remind People That Caring Is For Everyone


October 27, 2015

Real Communication Starts With Pen and Paper. Or Does It?


October 21, 2015

Does it ever occur to you how much more romantic or sincere getting a handwritten card saying “I love you” is when compared to a Facebook message? Or why taking the time and energy to write a love letter is so much more significant than saying the same thing over an email?

Students, creative types, and artists aside, we’re just not using pen and paper as much anymore.

We’ve switched to digital screens and keyboards to write, create, and communicate. Perhaps writing with pen and paper is a lost art, one on the verge of going extinct. Perhaps it’s just meant to be substituted by some model that’s more efficient, or more apt for our times.

Pen and paper is how language takes flight

Using a pen and paper makes you think. Writing with pen and paper forces you to consider every word: its hidden meanings, its sub-meanings, and all the connotations in between.

When writing with pen and paper, language has a lot more substance. It carries so much more meaning than an email, a text, a Facebook message.

But why is that so?

We might be grading essays and papers based on grammar and syntax rules, but communication – writing a love letter to your significant other or a thank you note to a relative – these forms of communication are rated on a different, more qualitative level.

And if you use pen and paper your rating will be excellent, because nobody does that anymore. It’s a unique gesture filled with warmth and the welcoming reassurance that people still value sincere communication. Perhaps it’s because it’s more laborious to write a handwritten thank-you note than it is to get it over with using a cold, faceless email.

It’s not that these media do not convey the meaning we intend. The words we’re going to use are probably the same. It’s the medium that’s the message in this case. The fact that you’ve written a message by hand with pen and paper lets the other person really feel your caring nature and your good intentions.

So should we go back to handwritten forms of communication?

Don’t ditch digital communication just yet

It’s direct, time-efficient, and does its job well. In the business world, it’s impractical to write everything out by hand. But for times when the other person or situation is special, or when you want to make a difference in how you communicate, choose pen and paper if possible.

It makes all the difference.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments

Protect Our Earth: How One Superstar-Studded Song Might Change Your Outlook


October 11, 2015

Protect Our Earth: How One Superstar-Studded Song Might Change Your Outlook

Caroline Gilbert of Siege Media Content Marketing Talks About Creative Writing In Vocab1 Blog


October 7, 2015

Caroline Gilbert

INTRODUCTION:

When someone spends their day looking for the perfect words to bring a client’s dream to life, to communicate with journalists, and to launch a new idea, you can trust that person to find exactly the right words. Caroline Gilbert, content marketing specialist with Siege Media, does just that in our recent interview.

UV: We’re all about words at Vocab1 and while content marketing also involves other factors like images and customer demographics, words form the basis of your communication with your clients. What does having a good vocabulary mean to you in your work?

A professional and creative writing background is critical for my type of work. The core of our business—content creation—means we’re continuously writing and editing. A firm understanding of not only grammar and vocabulary, but also creative writing, is important.

UV: Siege Media emphasizes strategy, rather than (as you say) “just putting content on a website.” What’s involved in this focus on strategy?

Our agency’s background is in search engine optimization (SEO), so when we’re approaching a project for a client it’s more about how we can create content with search value built in. It’s about getting to the who of the content—who found it interesting, who liked it, who shared it, etc.

UV: One of the things you work on is matching the “voice” you use in your writing to the specific client you’re working with. Does this involve learning a new set of words, or getting familiar with a new industry’s jargon?

Regardless of client, we want our writing to have an authentic voice. Whether you’re writing for a consumer brand focused on women ages 25 – 45 or a B2B brand working mostly with C-suite level executives, no one wants to feel like they’re being talked at. If you nail that authenticity, any other new vocabulary will come more naturally.

UV: You graduated with a B.S. in Communications, but many independent online PR websites are started by people with no direct training in how to use the written word to achieve results – they get better by trial and error. Do you think that it’s a good idea to get that formal training, or do you know people who get along by just winging it, so to speak?

I’m a strong believer that with the right real world training, regardless of your previous background or education, PR and communications is a great field. I’ve met many good marketers who started out in the sciences or medical, but made the switch. As long as you have strong writing skills, an attention to detail and creative problem solving—you can learn PR.

UV: How much of PR success comes from the words and images used, and how much from the way those words and images are presented to the final customer?

In my job, the final customer is the media (journalists, bloggers, etc.) so presentation helps build that initial trust. But even if you create a pretty package with custom images and copy, if there isn’t substance to what you’re saying, it ultimately doesn’t matter how it’s presented.

Vocab1 guarantees to help you increase your vocabulary knowledge! Learn more words and apply them in your writings.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments

Caroline Gilbert of Siege Media Content Marketing Talks About Creative Writing In Vocab1 Blog

Why Wikipedia Is The Best Source For Researchers


October 5, 2015

Elizabeth Farquhar

Not so long ago, if you wanted to look up a fact, a date, or any other piece of information on nearly any topic, you’d have to look in an encyclopedia or go to the library. Today, the contents of a thousand encyclopedias and a million libraries are instantly accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Like the shelves at a bookstore, websites and other virtual resources offer a wide range of publications written by authors with an equally wide range of knowledge and skill. But while an author’s lack of writing skill might make their material harder to read, it doesn’t mean that they don’t know what they’re talking about. You might not enjoy the reading experience, but you’ll get the information you need. On the other hand, an author’s lack of knowledge on a topic means you may waste your time looking for facts that aren’t there – or worse, you may find information that is inaccurate and rely on it as true.

Printed materials are often not the best source for researchers because they go out of date so quickly. Out-of-date information is one of the main causes of inaccuracy in print publications, which is why the editors responsible for traditional reference materials like dictionaries and encyclopedias have to regularly review, refresh, and reprint the hardbound and paperback volumes that people have bought and used for generations. Unfortunately, the high cost of print publication means that these updates are only done yearly, or even less often.

Changes in science and technology cause even more inaccuracy when people have to depend on printed books. Not only are reference materials generally at least a year out of date, books published by scientists and researchers generally aren’t updated at all. It’s usually easier for the author to simply write an article containing the new or revised text and submit it to a journal or other regularly-published collection of information. That means that libraries have to subscribe to those publications and keep them up to date on their shelves, and no library can afford to have a copy of journals in every field. If you’re interested in a specific topic, you might not find what you’re looking for at a library, so you’ll have to subscribe to the printed journal yourself to stay up to date.

One reason why Wikipedia is the best source for researchers is that it’s updated regularly – people all over the world are constantly editing and adding information on topics that they know about and are interested in. They use the modern online versions of journals and publications to add new knowledge to this global database, so it’s easier to find the most current data and the results of the latest studies. Wikipedia is also a good place to start your research because it has entries for almost any topic you can think of, from the African roots of modern jazz to the best day to hold a Zoroastrian wedding. If you’re looking for information on how to improve your speed reading skills, how to eliminate typos when you’re at the keyboard, how to become a better speller, or how to increase your vocabulary, visit eReflect’s Wikipedia page for easy access to the latest in self-improvement software.

About the Author: Elizabeth Farquhar is the Content Expert for eReflect – creator of 7 Speed Reading which is currently being used by tens of thousands of happy customers in over 110 countries.

Vocab1 is on different social media platform. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Googe+ for more insight tips and advice.

Check out eReflect’s Profile on Wikipedia, Youtube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Crunchbase and Training Industry as well!

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments

Bamidele Onibalusi’s Helpful Tips On Improving English Vocabulary For Vocab1 Blog Readers


September 30, 2015

Bamidele Onibalusi

INTRODUCTION:

Vocab1 helps people learn the words they need so that they can become better and more efficient readers, something that helps them succeed in their educational goals, and also contributes to their success in their chosen profession. For people who choose to make writing their career, vocabulary is even more important. To find out what a professional writer thinks about vocabulary improvement and the writer’s job, read this interview with Bamidele Onibalusi.

UV: You were born in Nigeria, where the official language is English, and that is the language you use to write for your blog and for your business. However, Nigeria is a large country with a long history, and there are over 500 other languages spoken there, including Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo. What other language(s) do you speak?

Thank you. Yes, Nigeria indeed has a long history and hundreds of languages, with Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo being the major ones.

Besides English, I only speak the Yoruba language at the moment.

UV: Have you ever focused specifically on improving your own English vocabulary, or have you learned your skill through your many years of reading and writing?

Yes, I constantly work on improving my English vocabulary; I make intentional effort to improve my vocabulary by reading books from international authors, and I work on improving my use of the English language by reading books that teach the English language like The Elements of Style and following the recommendations in it.

Writing constantly has also been very instrumental in helping with improving my vocabulary and use of the English language; for example, when writing, I’m sometimes confused about what words to use or where to punctuate, so I use Google to find resources to help me.

Reading has also been very helpful, and I’ve learnt thousands of new words by reading; I always have a dictionary with me when reading, so I look for the meaning of new words, often more than once, when I come across them in a book I’m reading.

UV: Your website offers a lot of practical advice for new writers, including the importance of learning the rules of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation. What are some of your suggestions for developing a better English vocabulary? How will a good vocabulary help a new writer stand out from all of the other people who are looking to make money by blogging and writing on line?

Here are my top suggestions for writers who want to improve their use of the English language:

1) Write a lot; practice makes perfect, and the more you write and use the new words and lessons you learn, the better you’ll be. If possible, write every day.

2) Read a lot; by reading a lot you can absorb the structure of the works you’re reading, notice patterns, learn lots of new words and even directly learn lessons that will make you a better writer.

3) Constantly study materials on how to improve your use of the English language; you can purchase books like The Elements of Style, On Writing by Stephen King, etc., use Google to research ways to be a better writer and regularly study top writing blogs and writing forums.

4) Actively solicit feedback; don’t frown at criticism of your work. Instead, ask people who are better writers than you for feedback and suggestions on how you can be better when it comes to writing in the English language.

UV: What is “guest blogging,” and why should writers do it?

Guest blogging is the act of writing for another blog, with the hope of getting traffic, backlink exposure, or building relationships.

Writers should guest blog because it serves as a testament to their writing prowess to others, especially potential clients; when you show potential clients your guest posts as samples of your work, especially if the guest post is published on a reputable blog, they see that other people find your work valuable enough to publish it on their site. This establishes credibility for you.

UV: Many of our readers are interested in making writing their career, but they often have concerns about whether or not they can simply quit their day jobs to start writing full time. Have you always been a professional writer? If not, how did you make the transition from working for someone else to running your own writing business?

I started freelance writing a few years ago, as a student; up to that point, I have never worked full-time under anybody. To date, thanks to income from my writing career, I don’t have the need to work under others.

I won’t recommend quitting your job to start writing until you are making money; there’s a lot involved. Even if you start making money early on, there’s what is called the “feast of famine cycle”; this means you’ll make a lot of money some months, and you will struggle to make ends meet at other months. Unless you’ve experienced this yourself, and you’ve taken measures to combat it, it can be a very harsh reality to face if you suddenly quit your job to be a freelance writer.

I’ll recommend starting freelance writing part-time; build up your writing income until you are sure that the only thing preventing you from earning more is lack of time. This way, quitting your job will ensure you have a lot of available time, thereby making it easy to thrive once you become a freelance writer.

I wrote about this in more details on my blog, for people who are contemplating quitting their jobs to be a freelance writer.

Vocab1 guarantees to help you increase your vocabulary knowledge! Learn more words and apply them in your writings.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments

Bamidele Onibalusi’s Helpful Tips On Improving English Vocabulary For Vocab1 Blog Readers

Overcoming Spelling Problems by Unexpected Means


September 23, 2015

Peter Lee

People’s capacity of proper spelling is inversely proportional to the increased use of computers for typing purposes. You might think that MS Word’s spelling suggestions make you better, but the reality is different: it makes you a passive typist who doesn’t care too much about proper spelling. When you try writing an essay by hand, you’ll notice that big words are really challenging to write correctly.

Do not despair! English spelling is difficult and no one will judge you for relying on software suggestions. There are some unexpected practices that can help you master this skill, so you will become better in typing and writing by hand at the same time.

          1) Identify the parts of words you commonly misspell

When you realize that you’re constantly misspelling a particular word, you’ll notice that you are making the same mistake with other words that contain the same part you misspell. That’s especially true when you type on a computer keyboard, simply because your fingers have developed a habit.

Pay attention to this pattern and you’ll be able to fight against it.  

          2) Rely on your visual memory!

You can’t spell complex words? Open the dictionary or write it in a notebook. Stare at the particular word you usually misspell. Look at it and remember what it looks like. Don’t try to find logic in the way the words are arranged; just try to remember the appearance of the written word. Visual memory is very powerful! When you write the word yourself, you’ll immediately notice if something is wrong.

          3) Try pronouncing it!

The previous technique was purely visual, but let’s include your logic for this one. If you suspect that a word you wrote is spelled incorrectly, try reading it aloud. Pay attention to each section of the word and don’t pronounce it as you remember it, but as you spelled it. This will give you a clue if you got things right.    

          4) Keep a dictionary!

This may seem like a silly practice for kids, but you’ll notice its effectiveness as soon as you start relying on it. When you notice that you misspelled a certain word, include it in your list. Write it correctly, and then note the mistake you made. You can leave some space to include other mistakes you might make in future. Keep this personal dictionary as a reminder of your flaws, as well as the progress you make.

          5) Practice in color!

Here is another childish method that’s really effective: write the syllables in different colors. You’ll notice that the same syllables are spelled identically in different words. For example, the syllable ter is present in different words, such as water, waiter, writer, etc. The first syllables of these examples are also present in different words. When you identify them by color, you won’t have trouble memorizing the way they are spelled.  

          6) Do not write in capital letters! Use cursive script!

Have you noticed that you’re writing the word in capital letters when you want to remind yourself about its proper spelling? Don’t do that! When you write it in this way, it won’t have the form that your mind needs to stick to. If you’re writing complex words in your notebook, use cursive script. The letters will flow and you’ll soon start writing them automatically. Of course, it takes a lot of practice before you get to that state.  

          7) Play games!

Gaming could be a very powerful technique in education in general according to essay writing blog ScholarAdvisor. So Scrabble, Word Pin, Boggle… there are awesome word games that you can play with friends. If you are a loner, solve crossword puzzles; they are great for learning proper spelling. You can also install different apps on your phone, so you’ll be able to practice whenever you feel like it.   

Unexpected Means Do Not Exclude the Traditional Rule: Practice!                

Remember: spelling skills don’t come naturally. No matter how many techniques you implement, you won’t achieve success if you try them only once. Playing a game of Scrabble won’t make you a spelling expert, but a lot of practice and commitment certainly will.

If you write and type as much as you can, you’ll be able to spot the most common mistakes and fix the patterns in your brain that are causing you to repeat them. Reading is also important! Instead of learning new words by using the dictionary, you’ll boost your vocabulary much more effectively by reading books, magazines, and newspapers.      

Author’s Bio

Peter Lee is a web-developer and freelance writer for essay writing service ScholarAdvisor. He’s very keen on researching writing, digital tools, modern education issues

A True Leader. A Real-Life Inspiration. A Girl Fighting For The Right To An Education.


September 19, 2015

Give this girl a credit! Her voice was heard all around the globe and she never stopped until education is given to both gender.

Vocabulary Improvement Tips By Nancy Badillo In The Latest Vocab1 Interview


September 16, 2015

Nancy Badillo

INTRODUCTION:

When you work for yourself, you quickly realize that one of the most important things you need to learn isn’t how to sell your product or service, it’s how to sell yourself. By presenting yourself as an expert in your field, and having the skills to back up that claim, you’ll draw new customers in by direct marketing and word of mouth. Many people who want to start a business aren’t comfortable with this, which is why it’s good to have people like Nancy Badillo standing by to help with questions related to SEO and online marketing tools.

UV: When it comes to getting your name out there, you set your clients a great example by having a presence on multiple social media networks. How much time do you spend each day making sure that this content is updated regularly?

Maintaining a presence on your social media is important. I check my social media every single day and try to spend no more than an hour a day. My social media channels are constantly updated with new content and respond to daily messages. The most important aspect of social media is to make sure you build a connection with your audience.

UV: Sites like Pinterest and Instagram are image-heavy, but ones like Twitter and LinkedIn rely on words to attract people to your site. What are your words of advice to people who are afraid they won’t know what to say?

In the beginning stages of my blogging career, I was also intimidated with Twitter and LinkedIn. The good news is anyone can get over the fear of social media with a little practice. I personally always suggest to sticking with social media etiquettes. Make sure you separate personal and business accounts, provide valuable content, be aware everything you post is public, and most importantly don’t spam.

UV: Do you write most of the blog content and articles on your website? Do you ever write for other blogs and websites?

I do write most of the blog content and articles on my website. I also have a lot of guest bloggers that contribute to my blog on a regular basis.  Yes, I do write for other blogs and websites. There are tons of benefits of guest blogging, which are building my online influence and increasing my traffic.

UV: With Vocab1 people can expand their vocabulary knowledge by learning specific words, but we also recommend that people improve their word skills by reading what other people have written. How much time do you spend reading printed or online material?

I spend about 10 hours a week reading online material. I am always trying to teach myself new things. For instance, at the moment I am learning how to code websites. The rules of blogging are constantly changing so it’s vital that we stay current with new changes. I also learn a lot from my fellow bloggers and following up with their posting.

UV: If you only had ten words of advice to new bloggers, what would they be?

If your going to start a blog, find something your passionate about.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments

Vocabulary Improvement Tips By Nancy Badillo In The Latest Vocab1 Interview

Recent Stories

Topics