So what to do if you are run out of inspiration?

In that case you have to act like a craftsman. Instead of INSPIRATION you should use a WRITING TECHNIQUE. A set of useful methods guarantee that you will be successful in completing the writing task.

Choose a Topic and Collect a Background Material

Before starting, you should be absolutely sure what exactly you are going to write about. That seems to be obvious, but finding an interesting topic for the post or article is not easy. If you have a problem like that, search for posts which give you some smart tips how to find ideas for new content.

Whatever you decide to write about, it would be helpful to collect information and data concerning the topic. See what has been told about it up to now. You might discover some unusual facts that make your content fascinating and valuable. It is also recommended to have a look for charts, graphics and photos, which will supplement your text.

Find The Proposition Of Title

Don’t try to think up the perfect title before you are finish your post or article. The text should match perfectly the content you are going to produce – and the content does not exist yet! So it’s more reasonable to come up with a title later, when the whole text is ready.

However you should give to your “project” a provisional title. It will be helpful, because you won’t stray away from the chosen subject.

You may be interested in reading: How to Write an Article in Less Than One Hour – 10 Useful Tips

Plan and Organize

First of all, answer the question: Which ideas do you want to include? Prepare key words or headings concerning each point you want to write about. Than you can decide how many paragraphs you need.

The next step is to plan in what order the paragraphs will follow. They should be organized in logical order. Prepare a detailed draft of your text.

Fill Each Paragraph With Text

The opening paragraph is the most crucial to the whole post or article. The beginning should catch yours readers’ attention. Lively, appealing tone is the best to achieve this goal.

Than go to the next paragraphs according to your plan. Try to deliver good content including a range of vocabulary and structures for interest and variety. To connect the ideas use linking words and phrases. If you are not sure about some details, leave them out. You can fill the gaps later, when you come to the end.

As a reader I prefer moderately long paragraphs. If they contain too much text I become a little discouraged from reading. It can cause eyestrain!

Read Your Text and Make Improvements

When the text is complete, read it. Imagine you are one of your reader and you see the text for the first time! Imagine you have to find weak points of the content – as many as possible. Make a list of them.

The next step is to eliminate the weaknesses from your text according to the list.

Take a Break

At this stage of your work you can feel exhausted and your efficiency is low. The brain needs to have a break. Leave your article and do something else. It depends on you how many time it takes.  I suggest coming back to the article not later than on the next day. So much time is long enough to gain fresh mind.

Decide What The Title Will Be

Let’s discuss again the title issue. Now, when you have got the whole text, it is the right time to think of that. The title should grab reader’s attention and give them a clue what they can expect.  A good, catchy title for your text is half the battle.

You may be interested in reading: 7 Things You Should Avoid in Your Posts and Articles

Correct Errors

There is no doubt. It is necessary to read over the text before you publish it. Some of mistakes like spelling and grammar errors or missing words can be easily avoided if you have a look at what you have written.

And what are your tips?

Below I’ll give you some features that can ruin your prestige if you include them constantly to your articles. So what should you avoid?

1. Errors and Mistakes

Most bloggers are not English native speakers, so it is common and some way acceptable that they sometimes use wrong grammar structures or irrelevant vocabulary. It is very hard to avoid a number of such mistakes if your mother tongue is not English. However you can reduce misspelling. Mostly spelling errors are corrected automatically by Word. The biggest problem is words which sound similar e.g. “food” and “foot” or have the same pronunciation e.g. “two” and “too” . Their meaning is different, so if you confuse them they can disturb your text. To be on the safe side, use your dictionary whenever you are in doubt.

You may be interested in reading: How to Write in English – Mary’s Top 10 List of Common Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation Mistakes

2. Omissions

It doesn’t look good if some valuable details are missing. Especially in an article referring to news. Your readers might have the impression, they know more about the topic than you do. Before starting writing about a certain subject try to do some research to find out as much as possible.

3. Inaccuracies

Make your text reliable. Don’t put the information, you are not sure of.  Confusing people’s names, event’s dates or just publishing the out-of-date stuff is the best way to ruin your reputation as a credible author.

4. Ambiguities

Make sure your readers can understand exactly, what you are  trying to tell them. Don’t waste their time. You should take care of your audience and present clear and directly what you have to say, and what is your own point of view. So should be all the messages you want to share – clear.  I believe the absolute clarity helps you to enhance the value of your blog and gain respect of the readers.

5. Misinterpretations

Don’t manipulate facts. Some people have a bad habit   to generalize and that might be very harmful to their writing. If you write for example “all the old people…” or ” most of the divorced people …” try at least to support the statement with relevant research or add the source of your knowing. The best advice is to give the factual percentage value.

Misinterpretations are very common in sites referring to celebrities’ lives. The authors have got actually only one insider piece of information and then they use it to come up with more “facts”. How is it called? Speculations? Gossiping?

6. Partiality

If you wish to get a wide range of readers of different origins, countries or social status don’t be partial, stay objective. Everyone who visits your site should feel welcome to express his or her views on life. Radical attitude might cause that a lot of visitors can feel offended by the posts on your blog.

Must read: How to Write an Article in Less Than One Hour – 10 Useful Tips

7. Mess

Disorder in your texts is very harmful for your site. Every post on your blog should be well organized and the main ideas should be presented in a logical way. Make sure you could give a topic sentence to each paragraph.

Planning before you start writing is also the most effective use of time. It requires less effort than writing the whole piece as you go without any specific plan.

And what do you think about it?

Working home independently is very tempting idea for some of us, but only a few people realized that it is really challenging.

Let’s see what are the good sides of working home as a freelancer.

Pros

You are Free…

The most important advantage of working home is freedom. It does not mean that you have got never ending holidays. But you can gain more flexibility than working at the company. A freelance writer can do his or her job every time and almost from every place. If you feel like going away, you can take your computer with.  Nowadays, in the Internet age it is easy to ensure connection with net.

You have No Boss, No Stress

One of the most stressful part of every job is taking care of relationship with the boss. Have you ever felt like panic stricken before a meeting with your boss? The best way ever to dispose of the boss is to hand in your notice and employ yourself through working by your own. On the balance, there is not better boss for you than yourself. You would have got so much in common

It Takes You Up The Social Ladder

An independent freelancer is esteemed higher than a regular employee at the corporation. People are impressed about the others who can be their own boss. By the way, the thought that you are able to run your own business can give you more power and will to hard work.

You can Save a Lot of Money

All freelancers who work at home have an occasion to save a lot of money. At home it doesn’t matter if you work wearing pyjamas or expensive suit.  Neither need you to bear cost of public transport or fuel. By the way, it is not wonder that people who commute  every day are so bad-tempered. Avoiding traffic jam can also save your nerves.

Before you plunge recklessly into your new carrier, think over if it is worthwhile. Are you ready to take responsibility for your business?

Cons

It’s Very Hard at The Beginning

It is really challenging to find the potential clients, who will be paying you for your job. In order to acquire reputation as a good writer you probably will be working for free. The beginners are supposed to prepare some sample texts, which could attract their customers. Building an impressive portfolio can take you months.

You May Be Unmotivated

The biggest problem of working home is the lack of motivation. Most freelance writers complain about becoming lazy after some time.

Being a part of a team can discipline ones to do his or her piece of the work prompt. It is usually easier to achieve goals with a companion, because the pace of work is set by the team.

If you are not the type of person who can impose severe discipline on yourself, it will be very difficult to earn enough money with your freelance job.

You Must Be Agile

The world is changing, so does the internet and even if you are a master in your niche it’s recommended for you to become better and better at what you do. You have to make progress all the time if you want to stay over the surface of water and earn money from your business. Otherwise you will drown after some years or even months.

The constant progress may even mean that you will have to search another niche for you, resign from the old client and establish new blogs. Remember that all the time you have to compete with others freelancers, who are desperately search for clients.

It’s Not an Easy Job

A freelance writer is not a job for everyone. Only the most dedicated, self-disciplined and hard working people who take initiative can be successful on this position.

However according to some opinions, working home is the best job for women, who just gave birth to a child and had not come back to the job. I don’t agree with that.

Writing for money is not a part time job for mothers with small children. This is a serious job, you can’t do in the pause between changing nappies, breast-feeding or singing lullaby. If you don’t have time to take a shower or fall asleep, how on earth would you ensure quality and consistency of your work?

And what is your opinion about that? Please share your experience in comments below.