5 ways to write online

Digital media is here to stay. If you want to bring out your writing skills, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find work in traditional publishing houses, but there are many exciting opportunities online for writers. Whether you want to write online as a hobby or for a career, you have to do it wisely, learning the style, the craft, and how to get people to read what you write. Go to step 1 for more information.

Steps

Method 1 of 5: Learn the Style

Step 1. Write fast prose

Online prose is usually very referential, witty, and current. If you want to write online and get paid for your content, it's a good idea to focus on developing your own voice as a writer and making your content engaging and resourceful.

Work on your voice as a writer and on your content. Online content varies depending on the workplace, but should usually be narrated in the first person, with an emphasis on subjective opinions rather than objective analysis. The world of online writing is much more niche-driven and less broadcast-driven, so readers are looking for strong voices and unique personalities

Step 2. Break the silence

The introduction and titles in online writing are some of the most important parts. Given that there is so much content on the Internet, yours must be able to hook the reader from the first lines, for which it is essential to learn to break the silence quickly and effectively. You must have very efficient hooks.

All you need to see these steps in action is to check your email and read the titles: "You have always eaten bad breakfast" or "If your bank is not on this list, you better change" are titles that attract attention immediately. Even if you are completely satisfied with your bank and your breakfast cereals, the writers of these articles have learned to cast doubt on readers. It is impossible not to click

Step 3. Be funny

Sites like Buzzfeed, The Onion, and Upworthy are essentially all about how fun the content is. Although online content can be serious and informative, your skills will be much more valuable to the world of online content if you have a good sense of humor.

Step 4. Learn to be brief

In most cases, the content you publish on the Internet should be short and direct, usually between 500 and 800 words per article. It also needs to be written quickly and effectively, in order to produce a lot of clean, well-edited material in a decent amount of time. If you have a tendency to ramble like Keoruac, it will be difficult for you to write online unless you can keep the decorative adjectives to a minimum.

Step 5. Learn the basic use of HTML language.

If you are writing online, it is important to familiarize yourself with the basic commands of the HTML language, which are used in most blog templates and online publications. You don't need to know how to make your own website, but knowing a few basic commands will help you get a head start when you start posting your own content to blogs, newspapers, wiki sites, and other online publications.

Step 6. Learn about search engine optimization (SEO)

Learning to write is essential to drive more traffic to the website if you are going to be a hardworking online content creator. Web developers live and die for the traffic of each site. If you want to keep your job, learn about SEO.

Most websites make a profit from the sale of ads. The way to get more money from sponsors is by testing that website traffic increases under certain conditions, so it is important for the website to attract as much traffic as possible from search engines by learning about the algorithms of the engines. search and content adaptation according to your requirements. The higher the site appears in the search results, the more money it will generate. This is the basic principle of SEO

Step 7. Put the same effort into the design and style of the content

Online content offers a wide variety of rhetorical design options that are not available to traditional print media. The appearance of the writing and the design of the elements are just as important to enjoying reading online as what the content says. You can't insert a link to a YouTube video in the middle of a school essay, nor can you add a-g.webp" />

• Accompany your content with-g.webp" />
• Insert links to other articles that you use as a reference. Something special about online content is that, in an effort to stay current and produce as much content as possible, many writers do not add quotes or references from other articles or essays, but instead insert a link within the text. This gives the reader the option to click for the background, or just keep reading the main article, making the content more interactive and complex.

Step 8. Stay up to date on current news

If you want to be an online writer, it is important that you stay up to date on culture, and aggressively. You must be that person who has already seen all the viral videos, who already inserted a link to that New York Times article about Julian Assange, and who already posted several comments 20 minutes after the content was published. Bloggers and tech content writers are always up to date on all cultural topics.

You should update the content as often as possible. You don't want to write a review on an old version of the iPhone or on an album that was released in 2004, unless you put a particular spin on the article

Step 9. Polish your work

Before publishing the content, it is important to review it as if someone else edited it or asked a teacher to review it and deliver it to you with all the corrections. Just because the content will be published online, it does not mean that you should copy and paste other texts or forget about grammar and spelling rules. Use the same style elements that you would use to write in print and apply the same quality standards. You are not writing an update on your Facebook status.

Step 10. Diversify your skills

You may be great at writing sentences, but that doesn't mean you're a great content creator. If you want to write online, you can find many jobs as a copyright editor, content editor, and content designer. If your main goal is to find work, try to develop other supplemental writing and editing skills to diversify your talent résumé and ensure that you receive money in exchange for your work. Some skills necessary for writing online that you should spend a good amount of time on include:

• Self-promotion and marketing
• Basic HTML and design skills
• Networking
• Review and editing
• Fast reading and writing

Step 11. Find a niche of readers with whom you can connect

Unlike traditional publications, Internet writing allows the writer to focus on specific subcultures and niches and develop a relationship with readers, rather than having to connect with as wide an audience as possible. Therefore, a site about vegan cooking, about a specific sport or about homemade crafts, are a perfectly acceptable niche. What topic do you deal with? What is your specialty?

• Terminal Boredom, a music and review blog, has specific content on limited edition dark, punk, rock and metal albums. The content is raw, the site looks like it was made in 1998, and the reviews can be very wild if the music doesn't meet the fundamentals of punk. And a lot of people read it.
• The video game culture is at a great time when it comes to online content. Many sites hire players with experience, opinions, and good writing skills as freelance writers. Video game reviews are a great place to start.
• DIY items like home repairs, healthy cooking, home fermentation, and other home-related topics are very popular in online communities as they relate to the interests of city-dwelling and yearning people. life in the countryside.
• Literature, especially alternative literature, is an online niche with a wide fan base. Many sites like HTML Giant, Rumpus, etc., serve as platforms for reviews, interviews, and other online resources for writers and readers of traditional and experimental fiction, contemporary poetry, and non-fictional content.

Method 2 of 5: Earn Income From Writing Online

Step 1. Find several freelance content creation jobs

Once you've understood the types of online writing and the skills that are required for these types of jobs, start looking for job opportunities and offers to generate content. Most of the websites that are constantly updated, do not have a team of writers with a permanent contract. Instead, they prefer to hire the services of freelance writers who are paid by the article or under other conditions. Whatever your niche of interest, there are probably several potential employers in that niche looking for regular freelance writers. There are many databases with freelance job openings, like this website.

• If you're looking for a job on Craigslist, look for telecommunications jobs in major big cities. A large portion of writing jobs are located in coastal cities, although some jobs are unrelated to geographic location. You can get the job done whether you are in Iowa or Indonesia, Brooklyn or San Francisco.
• There are also freelance agencies that serve small businesses, hiring writers or looking for jobs for them. Digital Sherpa, ContentLaunch, and Zerys are some examples of agencies looking to hire the services of freelance writers.
• There are many jobs that require writing skills online, but do not indicate it in the title. Look for ads that contain the words "content" and "editing." Many startups use their own jargon, but jobs are essentially about writing.

Step 2. Avoid content farms

These offer little money for a large amount of content in a very short time. These types of jobs will not serve as an experience to add to your resume, since content farms are exclusively dedicated to generating a large amount of poor quality content, basically to have a place to add advertisements. If you've ever landed on a web page with more ads than content, or misspelled the domain of a page you were looking for, you've probably already seen how these sites work. On these websites, writers are paid next to nothing, have no quality standards, and also contribute to lowering the quality of online writing. Avoid them completely.

Step 3. Prepare a portfolio with your best work

Once you've gotten some jobs posted online, keep track of your best content to add to your portfolio. Although many employers will look at your experience and your resume, most of them will want you to show that you are capable of writing.

• Try to target diverse content. If you wrote a science fiction movie review for Kirkus Reviews, it can serve as an experience to apply for a job at LL Bean.
• Include only your online publications in your portfolio. Employers will not be interested in your thesis on Aristotle, no matter how good it is. Depending on the type of work, your own blog posts or guest posts on other websites may or may not be relevant background.

Step 4. Advertise your skills online

Promote your skills on social media like LinkedIn and advertise that you are available for various tasks as a writer. If you are a good editor, an excellent bass player, and a wonderful cook, make sure your online presence reflects all of your skills in order to qualify for more jobs. What if a history website needs an editor or someone to do research on events re-enacting the Civil War period? Don't let such a specific opportunity slip away just because you didn't list all of your skills on your resume.

Job sites like Monster and JobFinder are good places to start, though they typically have a smaller list of content writing-related jobs than other places like Craigslist

Step 5. Submit your background to sites that are looking for paid contributors

You don't have to wait to get an agency job or contract as a freelance writer. Look for websites that publish the type of content that you write and make the necessary adjustments according to their requirements. Typically, online magazines and newspapers open writer search periods, during which they receive applications.

In general, these types of publications are very selective and only publish 1% of the manuscripts they receive. Although it is a near impossible way to make a living, posting your work on reputable sites is important to building credibility as a writer online and beautifying your resume. Consider this option as a way to increase your resume and not to earn money

Step 6. Look for editorial or content jobs in publications or online businesses

If you've been a freelancer for a while, chances are you're looking for something more stable. There are many websites that hire full or part-time employees with editing and content generation skills so that you can exercise your love of writing and earn income.

• These jobs typically require some degree of online writing experience (which you will have gained as a freelance writer), samples of your work, your resume, and some college degree.
• If you've worked as a freelancer for a long time, you probably already know where you are interested in working or how to get a full-time job at a publication you've already served as a freelancer. Lower your head and ask about full-time employment opportunities until you find something.

Method 3 of 5: Submit Your Work to Online Publications

Step 1. Be on the lookout for calls from certain publications

If you want to submit some work that you already have ready or find a publication that is interested in a work that you are developing, there are several resources for writers to be attentive to calls from companies. When publications search for a particular type of content, they call in online writers to apply, sometimes for free or for a small fee. This can be a great way for a professional-type publication to consider your work.

Writer's Chronicle, the Association of Writing Programs (AWP), and the Poets & Writers database have lists of writing contests, call for applications, and instructions for submitting background information to various online publications. If you are not familiar with the type of publications that might be interested in your writing style, you can explore and learn a little more there

Step 2. Look for publications online that might be interested in the work you write

Submitting your work to select newspapers is much easier if you become familiar with specific publications and the type of work they publish. Spend some time researching the writers, editors, and the content they publish before submitting your work. If a given newspaper only publishes serious scholarly articles on culture, they probably won't be interested in your werewolf tales.

• Consider cultural publications like Slate, The Awl, Jezebel, Flavorwire, The Cultureist, all of which accept applications regularly and produce a variety of engaging and engaging content. Nonfiction articles and cultural criticism are ideal for these publications.
• Check out some literary journals like Narrative, PANK, Octopus, H_NGM_N, and Sixth Finch if you want to publish your most creative work. These are very reputable newspapers that publish the work of well-known authors. If you have non-fiction work, short stories, or poetry that you want to post online, send them your work.

Step 3. Read the background submission instructions

Online publications receive applications in a number of ways, so it is important to find the instructions for the publication you want to submit your work to. They should appear in the site menu. It is especially important that you pay attention to call dates to ensure you submit your work on time, whether there is an application fee charged or not. You should also read any specific instructions that appear.

• For some publications, it is appropriate to contact the editor before submitting your work. In that case, prepare a formal letter to explain the concept of your project. Remember that it should be a formal proposal, not an internal email to the editor or a private message via Twitter asking Paul Muldoon if he wants to read your poems for the New Yorker. Make sure you follow the correct channels.
• Be sure to read the "simultaneous" or multiple shipping policies. If you submit the same story to Jezebel or Diagram at the same time, you will have problems if they are both interested in publishing your work. This is known as "simulcast" and publications do not allow it. Multiple submissions, or submitting more than one work at the same time, is not allowed in most publications, except those dedicated to poetry.

Step 4. Write your proposal or article and work on it

If you find a good post you want to apply to, it's time to get down to business! Show them your best work and be sure to polish it, edit it, revise it, and make it as clean as possible. To get to the next stage of selection, your work needs to stand out, so consider every line, every twist, and every word you use.

Online publications are typically looking for stories that make an impact and contain a fresh perspective on their content. Try to keep your submitted work current and first-hand. If you write poems about nature and cherry blossoms or essays on Wordsworth, an online publication may not be the best place for your work, unless it is truly excellent

Step 5. Submit your work to the editorial team and wait for a response

Most Internet publications accept applications online, either through a clerk or via email attachments. Review your article one last time and submit it.

Write a cover letter addressed to the editor of the section and including his name. You can find this information in the header of most posts. If you're submitting a news or non-fiction article, find the appropriate editor and go to them directly. In the letter, include any other posts you've previously worked on, your contact information, and a general greeting. The shorter the better

Step 6. Don't give up and reapply if necessary

Most posts are very selective and only consider a few articles. If you get rejected sometimes, welcome to the club. It's all part of being an online writer. Review your work, resubmit it, and find other posts to submit your best articles to.

Method 4 of 5: Start your own blog

Step 1. Find a free platform of your liking for your blog

If you want to post your own work online without having to worry about the whole process of applying for a post, a blog is the one for you. It is very easy to start a blog. Find some common platforms, see some examples, and play around with the layouts to see which platform is the best for you. The most popular are:

• Wordpress
• Blogger
• Weebly
• Tumblr

Step 2. Find a unique perspective or topic to write about

What do you like? What do you have to offer the world? If you are going to venture into the world of blogging, you must find what you are good at and focus your blog on a unique and attractive concept or project you are working on.

• Teach people something. It is a good idea to start a blog to document a home project or to showcase the handmade basses that you make at home. Create a concept based on your life to show some of the things you do.
• Visit places. Travel blogs are very common and are a good way to keep in touch with your friends back home. You can upload photos, describe your feelings and try to keep in touch with the familiar, even if you are far from home.
• Write smart. Surely no one wants to read what you write complaining about dirty dishes, unless you do it intelligently, with humor or with excellent writing, who knows? The Oatmeal is a very popular blog documenting mundane things like household pets, but it is extremely fun.
• Start a special project. Decide on something like visiting every Minnesota state park in one year and documenting the trip on your blog. Or that you're going to buy everything Oprah recommends on her TV show and narrate the experience. Or maybe you're going to watch every zombie movie out there and blog about the horror, fun, and political message of these kinds of movies. These are all blogs that already exist. Experiment and document your project.

Step 3. Read other blogs to understand the style and their communities

Observe the competition by reading the style and themes of the most popular or darkest blogs. Whatever the platform of a given blog, you can search for other blogs on the same platform or get an idea of how to customize your own blog to get the most out of it.

It is also a good idea to read blogs with content similar to yours. If you're going to write a family blog about raising kids on a Texas farm, you're going to have to compete with Pioneer Woman. Consider some ways to make your content stand out. Instead of writing cheesy and affected content, add a touch of sarcastic or fussy outdoor life, and see if you can add a funnier twist to this topic

Step 4. Write diverse content

Start with blog posts that have to do with your intentions. Make them witty, well polished, attractive and diverse. Try writing different posts with diverse content and in a variety of styles to see what works best. No one will want to reread a note about your healthy breakfasts every day. Give things a little stir for variety.

• Plan a posting schedule so you don't have to struggle to post something new when faced with the blank page. Make a list of interesting topics that you would like to cover on your blog and plan a schedule. If you know that tomorrow you are going to have to write about consumerism in Romero's film, "Dawn of the Living Dead," you can start to gather some ideas to use in the article.
• Update your blog frequently. If you manage to capture a few readers, you don't want them to be disappointed to see the same three posts when they come back in a few months. Stick to a posting schedule to produce at least a few posts per week.

Step 5. Open social media accounts for your blog and share the posts

If you're going to give yourself the job of writing good content, make sure people read it. Follow other blogs on the same platform and share their content to make a space for yourself in the community. Open a Facebook page, a Twitter account and an Instagram account for your blog and share all your updates as soon as you publish them. You can even draw inspiration from the online community to write posts and updates if you find this works for you.

Listen to constructive comments and ignore criticism. If you are going to express your opinions on the Internet, it is possible that you cause annoyance to more than someone who does not agree with you. Some criticism can be unpleasant and destructive, so do your best to ignore it and stick with what you do

Step 6. Export your site to generate income

If your blog becomes popular and you start to bring in a significant amount of traffic, you may be able to earn some money by placing ads, but for this you will have to export your content and your page to a separate site and buy a domain name. But if you have a large following, this can be a necessary investment.

• Hire a web designer to build a page for you and maintain a structure similar to the blog you had, but with a professional touch. Contact some sponsors to sell products of a similar nature to your blog content, and include space for advertising on your website. Try not to let the advertising hinder the content or become annoying for your readers.
• Consider selling some items. Another way to make money from your blog is by selling merchandise. Make a t-shirt with your blog logo about touring the state of Minnesota, or start selling those home projects you teach how to do on your blog. You can use Etsy for this.

Method 5 of 5: Write content for wiki-like sites

Step 1. Find some sites with user-generated content

From wikiHow to Squidoo, many sites leverage contributions from the most engaged users as an excellent source of resources. Hubpages, Articlesbase, Ezine, and many other sites work with this same model, with only a few differences in terms of the content they produce and the way users interact with the site.

Of course, if you've made it this far, we humbly recommend that you join the wikiHow community if you're not a part of it yet

Step 2. Open an account

To find out how the site is updated, open an account by registering your email, choose a username and password and verify your identity in the Capcha text box and clicking on the link sent to your email. Fill in the user information, including as much data as you want to share with the community.

Step 3. Read through various articles and patrol a few updates before you start writing your own contributions

Do not jump immediately to write your thing. Learn the tone and make sense of what other people write. If you are new to wiki, it is important to pay attention to the procedures, who are the most experienced in the area and how to make contributions on the site. Don't make destructive criticism.

Reach out to more experienced users for advice or help, or contact a community manager to start getting a feel for the site. At first there is a lot to learn, but most wiki-like sites are designed with the user in mind and provide a very user-friendly place to explore

Step 4. Be willing to collaborate

Given the nature of the site and the structure of the writing, you may spend a lot of time working on an article and then have someone edit it considerably. Wiki sites are not a good place to be territorial. If you want to write things that no one else can edit, start a personal blog and produce your own content. If you want to collaborate, wiki sites are the place for you.

Collaboration is reciprocal. Do not start criticizing or editing someone else's article without first sending a personal message in a courteous tone, especially if you see that that person is very passionate about the topic or content

Step 5. Give back to the community

When you begin to understand how the site works, don't be afraid to jump in and start making changes, contributions, and updates. There are many options available to new users, such as patrolling recent changes, editing other pages, checking sources, and many other writing-related activities. wikiHow has several specific ways that people can contribute to the functioning of the community. Among others, here are some of the activities carried out by community users:

• Patrol recent changes
• Methodology Guardian
• Tips Patrol
• Fix spelling problems
• Respond to requests
• Expand codes

Step 6. Write engaging content according to the site's guidelines

Whatever you contribute, make sure your content is the best it can be. Write according to the parameters and guidelines of the company and preserving the principles of the community in which you participate.

Most wiki sites have programs to check the progress of your articles, according to your improvements. Keep track of the information of your articles to get an idea of how much your articles like people and what things you can improve

Advice

Make sure you only sign up for web sites on the 2.0 network, as this will affect your page traffic

Warnings

• When signing up as a guest blogger or article writer, be sure to only do so on reputable sites. This will ensure that your content has good visibility.
• Don't go overboard with keywords. When a text has too many, it sounds like spam.