Mark O'Neill

Interesting thoughts of seasoned writers about AI, Google updates, and the state of the writing industry. The tldr version is: Google f'd writers up more than all GPTs combined. https://lnkd.in/drkApNHn

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How can you determine if you're ready to become a freelance writer? You aren't ready to be a freelance writer if you don't already have a source of income from freelance writing. Full stop. If you do, it should be from multiple sources, so that your entire livelihood doesn't collapse with the loss of one client. Or, there should be the imminent promise of a new client taking you on. You should also enjoy this work to some extent, or it should be a noticeably better alternative to your current employment. I say this because freelance work is volatile and some people quickly find out that leaving the workforce is much easier than re-entering it. Be safe. Think these decisions through.

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I write blog posts for a living, so of course you'd expect me to have a blog myself. But just in case you hadn't even considered that I might, here's the link: https://lnkd.in/eBQ-eJGp I blog about freelance life, business tips, my thoughts on social media, and other topics I think might be helpful to freelancers and small business owners. Have a look. #businessblog #copywriter

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Ever struggled to find all the links on a webpage, especially those sneaky ones hiding in buttons? You're not alone. It gave me a hard time.😕 But now I'm excited to announce the FREE Geekflare Link Extractor! This handy tool instantly extracts internal, external, and mailto links from any webpage you throw its way. 👉 https://lnkd.in/gGunw6tU Say goodbye to manual link hunting! Geekflare Link Extractor will save your time and efforts. Do try and let me know your feedback in the comments! #linkextractor #Geekflare

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Blogging Tip of the Day Answer questions based on what you value as a blogger. Just because someone asks a blogging question does not mean you should answer it. I never answer questions outside of my guidance, experience and most importantly, values. I scanned Reddit a few moments ago. Immediately, I remembered why I stopped answering questions on the blogging subreddit over there; most questions fall well outside what I value as a blogger. Many users on that Q and A network ask questions about: - what I do not teach - what I do not value - skills outside of my blogging experience For example, bloggers terrified to share their identity ask how to hide it, often, on Reddit, which flies in the face of my guidance to be: - genuine - transparent - authentic - bold - clear - confident My online course, eBooks, blog posts and videos preach how you want to be fully transparent, true to you and clear on this approach. Most bloggers who ask questions on Reddit would find little to no value in how I teach blogging. In essence, answering questions over there is an ineffective use of my time for both parties. However, publishing updates like this one attracts bloggers who tend to ask questions aligned with my values. I happily answer each because we have a match: I know that they vibe with my values so perhaps a new community member may flock to Blogging From Paradise based on me spending a few moments to answer their questions. Look past non-resonant questions. I immediately look past almost all AI-blogging related questions because I do not promote or endorse AI-blogging according to the Blogging From Paradise teaching style. I will answer questions related to sticking to the timeless blogging fundamentals because that is what I teach. Current location: Panama.

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Well, it's time for Weekly Writing Tip #4 This week I'm exploring how to plot your story or the 'Pants Problem' to use correct technical writing terminology.   Please enjoy :) https://lnkd.in/e3gqD3rf #writing #creativewriting #writingtips

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5 Things Content Writers Don't Talk About 🔷 Unsupportive Clients: Not all clients are easy to work with. Some might have unrealistic expectations, unclear instructions, or provide slow feedback, making the job more challenging. 🔷The Imposter Syndrome: This right here happens to every content writer. Even experienced writers can doubt their abilities. Feeling like a fraud despite qualifications and experience is a real phenomenon. 🔷The Research Rabbit Hole: Sometimes, research can become overwhelming. Getting lost in a sea of information can lead to procrastination and missed deadlines. 🔷The Algorithmic Dance: Understanding and adapting to ever-changing search engine algorithms is an ongoing battle for content writers aiming for high visibility. 🥺 🔷The Negative Feedback Sting: Even constructive criticism can be discouraging. Content writers may struggle with negative feedback, especially when they've poured time and effort into a piece. Did I miss anything? P.S: If you see a content writer please hug them because it's a lot.

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Two-and-a-half days. That's how long it took me to figure out how to configure a research piece in Wordpress so that a picture appears with a post. (turns out folks won't read stuff without a picture, so it's important) There were blue words spoken to nobody in particular. There was collegial ribbing about advanced degrees and fancy methods. There was a mental calculation about the value of hiring a more tech-savvy team member to do this "stuff". In the end, it was a single button that needed to be pressed. A. Single. Button. The point? Doing new stuff, no matter the complexity, requires humility. Expect to be wrong and stick with it. Yes, it's you...and that is ok. Learn and be better. For those that are frustrated by learning new stuff today, remember: Two-and-a-half days. For one button. (ignore the proxy lesson in productivity. We'll tackle that when a tech budget is established) [alt-text: a compass pointing to humility]

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Hey editors! Do you want to insult your writers from a single click and finish off with the second one? My TG stickerpack is aimed at toxic writing feedback with a little effort. Ask me and I'll give you this unfair advantage!

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Rumor: "There's no freelance work right now." Truth: Companies need freelancers as much or more than ever before. So far this year: —More people have reached out to inquire about my writing services — I have more work on the books — My Q1 earnings were the best yet Here’s how to skip the rumor mill and get to the truth: —Ask for referrals from existing clients. —Systematize and automate those aks mid-way through a project and again at the end. —Follow-up. If you did a great job with a client but they didn't give you a referral, it means they're busy, not that they don't want to help you out. Being pleasantly persistent pays off. You can build a freelance business you love. I opened Freelance to Freedom for 3 students this morning. Two spots are filled, and there is one spot left. DM me the word FREELANCE if you're interested.

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Logically, it didn't make sense. The posting on the freelancer site was 1 week old. At that point, they had probably interviewed and chosen a freelancer. What the heck? Most likely I will get no response but I'll send a proposal anyway. 📨 👏 I did get response! 👏 But it was to tell me she had, indeed, chosen another candidate. 🙄 She'll keep my info on hand. 😒 And then a month went by and she emailed me. It wasn't working out with the other freelancer. ⬇ Do I mind jumping in and doing a one-month trial run? 👏 OF COURSE.👏 The one-month turned into a five-year working relationship. All because I saw a posting that was perfect for my skillset, ⤵ we had a lot of commonalities, ⤵ and I took a chance ✔ We got together for dinner last night (see photo). My ex-client, Christina Divigard, is the person I sent a proposal to when I almost didn't. She lives almost 2 hours away but still stays in touch and we try to meet IRL when the stars align. ➡ All because I sent a proposal in where most people would think, "That's too late, there's no way mine would be reviewed." ⬅ What's the harm? None. Do it anyway. Even if it's "too late". 💫 Because sometimes "too late" is still perfect timing. 💫 --- Hey there, I'm Kiri - business coach for freelancers, helping you with a clear framework on how to build a thriving, sustainable freelance business and attract high income clients. If you're confused on how to make more money have more time, DM me TIMING and we can chat.

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To prepare for a writing project: - Gather previously published material - Ask client questions about the product - Understand the audience - Identify the objective Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gXWHf-6N #writing #freelancewriting #writingtips #freelancewriter

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Using checklists as a freelance writer: - Choose the right checklist = DO-CONFIRM or READ-DO - Check for competence = ACCURACY - Enhance expertise = FOLLOW STEPS - Ensure completeness = ALL STEPS PERFORMED Read more on checklists here: https://lnkd.in/g-82XuAg #writing #freelancewriting #writingtips

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"AI will not replace writers. But writers who use AI will replace those who don't." Not my words. I got it from one of the big AI newsletters the other day. I've seen many copywriters saying what rubbish it is. But let me take you back 30-odd years. And let’s replace ‘AI’ with something else: "The internet will not replace writers. But writers who use the internet will replace those who don't." That was probably the debate back in the mid-90s, when a new and powerful digital force arrived. The copywriting scene has flourished since the advent of the internet. It’s an invaluable tool. But, with AI, the harsh truth is that AI will replace many writers. If you spend your days knocking up ill-researched blogs, with titles like ’10 Reasons to Visit London’ then AI’s gonna gobble you up. It’s great at stuff like that… And it can do it in 5 seconds flat… And it’s free… But where AI isn’t making much of a dent is direct response copy – stuff that sells. And in particular it’s bad at emails, as good email is personal and human. And that’s the last thing AI is.     For example, none of the body copy for the emails I write to you go near AI – it’s just not worth the hassle. (I do use it for subject lines, but even then it’s only for ideas.)  But If I’m writing a sales letter, for example, or web copy, then AI plays a bigger part. Because it’s great at getting across information and using logic to sell. What it writes gets nowhere near a final draft, but it's still useful - and saves me much time.  AI will inevitably wipe out the bottom layer of the ‘content’ writing market, as people won’t pay for stuff they can get free. I suspect the copy market will start to adjust to a new norm where AI is doing a lot of the heavy lifting in some areas, whilst copywriters are doing the personality-led stuff. And this is what I’m seeing with my email course – Email Legend. I wrote this for business owners and copywriters who wanted to launch an email newsletter and use it to get clients. But most buyers are copywriters who want to do that for their own clients. You see, personality-led email copy is highly-prized. People pay through the nose for it, as it works so well. So, you’re finding lots more people positioning themselves as email copywriters, or adding that string to their bow. With robots eating into so many other areas of copy, that makes perfect sense to me. And if you want to be part of the direction copy’s taking and where the work is increasingly lying, then I strongly suggest you think about joining them. But, as with anything, you must know what you’re doing. And that’s why you must take a look at Email Legend now. Here's the link - bit.ly/email-legend Don’t get left behind. Warning - this is only available until next Monday (May 13). After that, I'm pulling it. PS You can try Email Legend without any risk – if you buy it and decide it’s not going to work for you, I’ll give you all your money back. No questions asked.

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