Have you ever worked closely with a client to deliver a huge project, sent your well written masterpiece to the company and then…  dead silence?

Well, this happens to the best of us.

And it is happening to me now…

Here’s the back story (and a possible way to address this problem). (more…)

If you’re a copywriter, can I ask, “How’s business these days?”

Let me start by answering my own question.  For me, things are really amazing.  In fact, this may end up being my best year ever.

But let’s be realistic.  You may be having a hard time right now or perhaps you see things slowing down.

What should you do?

The answer is very straightforward.  (more…)

It’s time to open up nominations for our third annual Top 10 Blogs for Writers contest–the blogosphere’s biggest contest for writing blogs.

Since we first began this contest three years ago, blogs for writers have really taken off. Many of last years winners have gone on to build very successful blogs.

How to Nominate Your Favorite Writing Blog:

1. Reply to this message with your nomination
2. You have one vote (only your first will be counted)
3. Please include the URL of the blog
4. Explain why you think the blog is worthy of winning this year’s award?

To make the cut, a blog must be nominated more than once.

The winners will be announced here and also in our 20,000 reader newsletter.

Nominations must be received by September 12, 2008.

CLICK HERE FOR THE WINNERS.

I am working on presentation that will help freelance writers land more white paper projects.

Can you help me?

If you are not yet writing white papers as a freelance copywriter (but want to):

• What questions do you want answered?
• What are the reason’s you have not yet jumped in?

If you are ALREADY writing white papers as a freelancer:

• What are some tips you might give to new folks?
• If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?

Thanks.  I’ll be sharing more about this presentation in the coming weeks…

If you are a blogger, marketer or a writer you face a very serious challenge.

What’s the problem: People don’t pay attention anymore (I am a prime example).

Think about it:

• Hundreds of TV channels to surf from home (at home and on your cell phone)
• Your email inbox crammed with a never ending-stream of messages
• Millions of possible websites to surf
• A mailbox full of junk mail, catalogs, …
• More commercials (on TV, the radio, …)
• Music over radio, satellite and TV
• Did I mention voicemail and newspapers?
• Let’s throw in social media, like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn

All these choices create a huge problem for you. But there is a solution. (more…)

I wanted to write a nice post tonight.

But…

It seemed that I had a few hundred emails to sort through, Facebook relationships to accept, Twitter updates, LinkedIn approvals and did I mention phone calls to return?

It seems that it is much harder to write than it was just a few years back.

I was told that the Internet was supposed to help us get more done.

It seems that rather it has created “more work.”

And unfortunately this kind of work seems to be everything but profitable writing.

Am I alone here?

What’s your opinion? Are you finding it very difficult to sit down, clear your plate and let the creative juices flow?

What say you?

One of the reason that I became a self employed freelance writer was that I wanted to work for myself. In other words, I didn’t want a boss. It’s worked out ok. In fact, I’m a tougher boss than any of my former bosses or current clients, and I get results every time.

As writers, we provide a service for our clients, and like other service providers we say that the customer is always right, but it’s not true. (more…)

Do you work for a company that produces white papers in-house? Is the quality a bit shy of fair?

I recently received an email from a gal named Beth about this very issue. Here’s her question:

I have been writing the bulk of the white papers, and our lead generation from them has been strong. However, I also have other responsibilities and department managers are trying to move white paper writing to ‘non-writers,’ such as product managers.

I am, at the moment, the white paper editor. Most of the white papers coming to me require more time to edit than it would have taken me to write them. Frustrating!

I would like to make the case for having our white papers written by knowledgeable writers and hire ‘real’ writers.

Do you think there is a case for using ‘real’ writers, and do you have suggestions on how to make it?

Beth, this is a great question. What follows is my response:

(more…)

Editor’s note: This is Graham Strong’s first guest post for Writing White Papers.

The reality is that there are two types of people accessing your white paper: readers and skimmers. In fact as much as we may hate it, most of them are skimmers. But rather than lament over your beautiful words going to waste, why not make it easier for skimmers to pick out the main points in your white paper?

Here are three great ways to reach that goal: (more…)

Editor’s note: This is Casey Hibbards first guest post.

In an age of buyer skepticism, customer case studies – like white papers – provide the essential credibility, education and validation that buyers need to make purchase decisions. As a growing marketing communications tool, case studies are also a major opportunity for copywriters.

But stories have to deliver results…

To produce stories that resonate with readers – and impress your organization or clients – avoid some of these common case study mistakes. (more…)