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How to Avoid the Content Rabbit Hole and Write Without Distractions

Writers-Readers-Rabbit-Hole

Here I go, down the content rabbit hole again. As I curate content for my social media clients, I often wind up… distracted. So many good articles vie for my attention.

“This could be good to share with my network.”
“Oh, Client X could use this information.”
“Maybe I could link to this piece in an article I could write for Z….”

On and on. If I’m not careful, I could spend my whole morning just reading. Which is not all that different from what I did as a teen, poring over stacks of women’s magazines with my mom at the kitchen table. That was probably a formative experience in my life as I went on to become a magazine editor and then a freelance writer.

It’s just that now, there’s so much MORE content, and it’s so much easier to access. Those hours spent reading, while undoubtedly important, can be deadly for a freelancer who needs to actually write (and find gigs, and pitch articles) to earn money.

Here are some ways to tame the reading beast that lives inside all writers long enough to focus on writing.


Set a Timer
Content curation is a big part of my job as a social media manager. But there’s only so much content I need to share each day. Depending on what I already have in the pipeline for my social media clients and what the rest of my day looks like, I set a timer for anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. That’s all the time I allow myself for content curation. If my social media duties are done for the day and I’m just browsing for fun, I give myself 15 minutes in the morning before I start writing.


Follow a List
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Keep Idea Files
If you’re absorbing massive amounts of information in one short block of time, you’re bound to forget a lot of it. I keep idea files for each of my clients and the markets I typically write in: personal finance, parenting, technology, video displays, small business, etc. etc. This way, when I see a great article I may want to share, link to, or use as a resource, I know where to find it later. When I’m browsing on my phone (which is where I do most of my reading), I immediately email the link to myself with my client’s name or the relevant market as the subject line.

Give Yourself Time for Leisure Surfing
Writers love to read. And sometimes, we just want to read listicles on Buzzfeed. That’s okay. Instead of zoning out in front of the TV at night, allow yourself leisure time in the evening to read whatever you want. It’s probably still a good idea to set a timer so you’re not up until 1 AM reading about the 10 best foods to blast belly fat or where the Kardashians are vacationing this year.

Engage in Sprints
Of course, surfing the Web is just ONE of the many distractions freelance writers face. Ultimately, it’s up to us to sit down and write. Engaging in writing “sprints,” where you set a timer and simply write, non-stop, for 15 minutes up to an hour, helps improve focus.

It helps to find a writing buddy. Text or private message your writing buddy (or send out an open call Twitter or Facebook to your writer friends) and ask, “Who wants to sprint?” Set the timer. Then write. Ignore emails, phone calls, or any other distractions.

You may decide to share your work at the end of the sprint, but you don’t have to. Certainly, a lot of my work these days is under non-disclosure agreements, so I’m not going to share it with anyone other than my editor until it’s published. But even if you can’t share your work, you can always boast about how many words you wrote in 30 minutes, and try to beat your best word count next time.

Sprints also serve the purpose of helping you “turn off” your inner editor until an article is completed. It’s a technique I recommend highly. When you’re done, reward yourself with some Web surfing time. Bloggers posted thousands of new articles while you were gone, and you’re missing them! Yikes!

Show the World You’re Not a Content Mill Writer

I just completed a series of articles I’m extremely proud to put my byline on. Forgive the blatant bragging, but after a year of not doing much writing, it’s nice to look at something I’ve written that’s more than 140 characters and say, “Damn. That’s pretty good.”

The market has changed even in the 10 or so months since I haven’t been pursuing freelance writing work. Two years ago, I was literally turning down clients or subcontracting work because plenty of companies were willing to pay fair rates for high quality content. I think I got out just as the market shifted, although I actually had no intention of leaving.

High-paying, high-quality markets and clients willing to pay for real value from their content producers are still around, but they are harder to find. Content mills have grown better at marketing themselves, which means more businesses view the mills as a viable solution to their content needs. I won’t go into why I personally feel that’s a bad choice for businesses. Instead, let’s talk about:

What this shift means for writers.
As a writer looking to make a living wage, you need to prove you’re providing better quality than clients find in the content mills. If you’ve been writing for the mills for a while, it can be difficult to change your mindset and, not only ask for what you’re worth, but earn those higher wages by providing quality content.

The following is a quick blueprint of what goes into a higher-quality article, how to give clients who pay more the value they deserve.

I’ll get into how to sell these benefits in a future piece. For now, let’s explore how high-quality writers deliver what high-paying clients demand.

Research the market.
Pitch quality ideas in line with your client’s target market. Research their concerns, desires, and pain points, then choose topics that help solve their problems

While content mills assign your story topics, out in the real world you’re often asked to generate the ideas. Learn how to do this quickly and accurately and you’ll shine above your peers.

Use reputable sources.
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Exceed the minimum word count — but not the maximum.
Longer doesn’t necessarily mean better. When I reached the end of my second piece I was faced with cutting 200 or so words. If you’ve ever heard the phrase, “I was going to turn in a shorter piece, but I didn’t have the time,” then you know exactly what I mean.

When I re-read the article, which was originally written on my iPhone while my son scaled netting at an indoor play place, I knew I had plenty to cut. The end result of taking my virtual editor’s pen to the piece was a meaty and informative article that was 50 words under the limit, and 250 over the bare minimum the client expected. This, to me, is the sweet spot that says I didn’t just stop when I hit the limit, but I didn’t ramble and ignore directions, either.

Maybe it’s not right to judge an article by its length, but when I’ve assigned pieces to writers with a word count range, and they submit something that is just one or two words over the minimum and didn’t expand the article fully, I felt like they were putting in minimal effort: “You wanted 300 words, here they are. Next.” That’s not to say all articles that dance just around the minimum word count are incomplete – but some are.

Spend time on your articles.
Even if you bill by the project, hourly rates are critical for a business. And, make no mistake, writing is a business.

Content mill writers are always racing against the clock to increase their hourly rage. They’ve learned the formula to write “good enough” content that will get them more content mill jobs while still making more than they would flipping burgers (ideally). But if you believe you can be better than that (I believe you can, and I don’t even know you!), look for the better paying jobs and then give them the time they’re worth.
When you charge more for your work, you can take time to research more thoroughly, write and re-rewrite The difference is: less passive voice (more active sentences), a few clever turns of phrases, more compelling subheads, and an overall tighter piece that flows better. It’s a subtle difference, but an important one for clients who want their readers to keep coming back.

Seek out the better paying jobs.
Higher paying jobs are out there, and they aren’t hard to find. It’s believing you’re worth it that can be the challenge. Apply for the jobs, follow these tips, and build a better freelance writing career.

Freelance Writing: The Thrill Is In the Chase

freelance writing

I’ve re-connected with 2 former clients and responded to no less than 10 ads for freelance writing jobs today. I have several blog posts and two newsletters to write for existing clients, but it is all due Monday so I have a solid 48 hours or more.

Thinking about how much fun I had today writing pitches, I realized exactly why I love freelance writing and get bored in a typical office job: Freelance writing provides constant fulfillment and inspiration because the thrill is in the chase.

I love crafting a compelling cover letter. I get an esteem boost from hunting down the perfect clip to share. (“Hey, I wrote that? It’s pretty good, even a year later!”) And I have even grown to thrive on the wait that ensues until I hear back and negotiation begins. I love it all! (Maybe not so much the negotiation part, but it’s definitely exciting.)

If you’re a beginning freelance writer, though, this process of finding and applying for jobs may not invigorate you. It may scare you. Here are my tips to help you get over that — because it’s a necessity to survive in a gig-based business.

Enlist the help of a friend.
Early in my career, I’d have a writer friend read and copy edit every single cover letter or pitch I sent. If you’re just getting started in the freelance world, build a strong network of fellow freelancers, and don’t be afraid to ask them for help. Your buddy may not only look over your work, but they will serve as your cheering squad. Just yesterday, I got a late-night private message from a writer friend. “I sent out the query! I just wanted to let you know!” she said. Sometimes, having someone holding you accountable is all you need to get over your fear.

Streamline your efforts by knowing the best places to look for freelancing writing jobs.
For years, Freelance Writing Jobs was THE best place to find freelance writing jobs online. It still ranks in my top 5, and the first place I check to prospect for new clients. Other sites include JournalismJobs.com, Media Bistro, and even Craig’s List. Keep your eyes open for Facebook groups, too. Two of my newest clients came from the Facebook group Paid to Write. (If you’re interested in joining, please leave a comment below and I will send you an invitation.)


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A good, strong cover letter should include an attention-getting lead, a few sentences outlining your credentials, and your best clips relevant to that market. It really is that easy!

Follow the instructions in the ad.
Editors do like to trick freelancers. An ad might ask for a specific number of writing samples or a certain subject heading in the email. Follow the directions closely, as some editors may disqualify you simply for not following instructions. Read carefully, then re-read the requirements right before you hit send.


Have a collection of clips ready to go.
Knowing your best work in a few chosen markets, and having them readily available, either in a Word doc, on your website, or on a sticky note on your computer, can save you minutes with every job application. If you apply to 10 jobs a night, having your clip ducks in a row can really save time. (Wow… clip ducks just put a really cute visual in my mind…)

Just hit send.
Did you follow the instructions on the ad? Is the email going to the right place? Is the heading correct? Did you have a friend proofread it? Now it’s time to “just hit send.” It’s a simple concept, and it really is the formula for freelance success.

As you master these moves, you, too, will find the thrill in the chase of the freelance life.

This Is What I’ve Missed

For those who don’t know, I’ve spent the past year in a long-term contract with home automation and control system powerhouse, Crestron Electronics, managing the company’s social media and occasionally taking on PR duties.

I worked a set number of hours and received a steady paycheck. It was strange!

Tonight, faced with a freelance writing business in need of re-building and a handful of core clients, I sent out 5 freelance applications and re-connected with two former clients. As I wrote my third cover letter for the night, I realized how much I absolutely love this life!

It may not always be easy to budget carefully, take on one-off work to cover an expense here or there, or to always be putting yourself “out there” for rejection as a freelance writer. But I love this life and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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In the end, it probably doesn’t matter. A marketing title with a large corporation means a lot to anyone looking for sharp, savvy, reliable writers. But I still felt a need to explain WHY I wasn’t writing, what I’d learned at Crestron, and exactly what I’d been doing with my time.

So, now it’s out there, for all the world to read. In addition to my audio visual industry knowledge, I’ve become an expert in home automation, smart homes, and social media marketing. From monitoring to analytics, customer support to messaging… It’s a new realm that I love. But not quite as much as I love writing. I think that shows!

Writers and Editors Celebrate National Grammar Day

Did you know yesterday was National Grammar Day? I was working hard to shine and polish my new website in order to launch it before the end of the day, because it seemed appropriate. Star Wars geeks have May 4th…. (Think about it…) And writers and editors have March 4.

Alas, the website wasn’t quite done…. Mostly because I was nit-picking about the style and grammar on this particular blog post.

So… even though it’s now March 5, let’s “March forth” toward better grammar and explain why it is so important that I spent a whole extra day copyediting and proofreading my website before promoting it to the world. Grammar really does matter if you’re writing content to improve your company’s search engine rankings, drive leads to your site, and increase conversions. (And especially if you’re a writer selling these services!) I’ll tell you why.

The Power of Words
Words have power. Words coerce, convince, hurt or heal. The words you choose to put on your website or push out in a social media campaign reflect your brand. I’m not talking just about the content or intent of those words to share a specific message, although that’s extremely important. The way you put the words together – the grammar, style and tone in the content – is also part of your company’s overall branding.

Do You Know Your Brand’s Voice?
Are you casual? Fun? Formal? Techie? A little bit of all of these, depending on your mood or the context of what you’re sharing? Who is your audience? How do they speak and what words do they use?

I’ve been trained through a number of coaches, books, and programs to use special techniques that help me choose words that connect with specific audiences. When I work with a new client, it doesn’t take me long to assimilate their branding and message, and the unique voice that will speak to their audience.
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Doing Your Own Content Marketing? 
If you are tackling social media marketing and content marketing on your own, you’ll want to take some time to find your own company’s voice and determine the tone that will speak best to your audience. If you know your business, that voice probably comes naturally to you, because you will naturally talk the same way as your customers.

But even if you have a rock-solid view of your audience and what they want, talking is not writing. When you’re writing, even if it’s just a 140-character tweet, grammatical errors can get in the way. It can prevent you from sharing your message in the way you want. It can prevent you from connecting with your readers. Not everyone is a grammar guru, and it can become a handicap if you’re handling your own content marketing.

Grammar Matters
Have you ever read something truly moving, but noticed that the writer used “You’re” instead of “Your?” It pulled you out of the experience for a moment. Even if you’re not the type of person who does notice grammatical gaffs, someone in your target audience might be. You don’t want to risk losing them.

Grammar matters. Even if you don’t notice, a percentage of your audience will. Grammar is not yet a lost art, and there are many people seeking to preserve the art form. We know spelling, word choice and sentence construction — all a part of good grammar — really do matter.

Everybody needs an editor. Whether you have another employee, friend or relative proofread your work or you call on an editorial professional, I urge you to think about the grammar you use in your content — today and everyday.