Month: August 2023

The rise of the use of artificial intelligence may mean that some people are going to lose their jobs. If an employer can use a robot to perform the same job without having to pay a salary, it seems that many will likely choose to do so. There are limitations to what artificial intelligence is capable of, and many of those relate to the creativity and adaptability of the human brain. While AI may be used to generate some written content, it’s highly unlikely to erase the need for human writers. 

AI can’t do it all

While it’s convenient and cheap to use artificial intelligence to perform many tasks, this type of technology is not ideal in every situation. Consider work that involves creativity, like writing, and how the human touch puts together words in a way that AI never could. While AI may be able to write any desired word count about any subject you can think of, the result may sound robotic and unnatural. People with experience in reading AI-generated content are already learning how to differentiate AI work from pieces written by humans. Spotting the differences is likely to be a valuable skill for those who prefer content written by human writers. 

Humans aren’t completely replaceable in the workforce

While artificial intelligence is being integrated into the workplace in many industries, it cannot completely replace the need for humans. Humans can reason and solve problems where a technological program cannot. In the writing world, humans create unique content based on their knowledge, skills, and life experience. When AI writes content, it’s based solely on programming and doesn’t offer the personal touch that a human writer has.

Understandably, writers and people in other professions are concerned about losing their jobs to artificial intelligence. While it’s happening already in some industries, it’s unlikely that artificial intelligence will completely erase human writers. For writers to stay relevant, the key will be to keep up with trends and to continue to improve their writing skills to show their value in creating content that is superior when compared to artificially generated content. 

Working from home is more common now than ever. Events in the past few years meant that a lot of people were forced to work remotely. Some companies realized that remote work saved them money on overhead and had other benefits for the company and the employees. Because of this, workers in some industries continue to work remotely and some will probably never be required to go back into the office. The concerns about employees working from home surround two main issues: efficiency and productivity. 

Can you be as productive at home? 

It’s easy to understand why you may not work as hard at home as you would in the office. You likely feel much more relaxed at home, and it can be harder to stay focused on your job. Plus, the social aspect of working around others often keeps people on task and allows for collaboration and for questions to be answered quickly when an issue arises. Working from home means you don’t have someone to keep you accountable in the same way you would in an office setting. For some people, this lack of accountability prevents them from working as efficiently.

Keeping work and home separated is important

Being home while you work can blur the lines between your professional life and your personal life. Learning to separate the two is key if you want to be productive while working at home. Getting distracted while you’re supposed to be working can significantly decrease your productivity. Many people who work remotely find it best to keep to a similar morning routine as if they were going into the office. This signifies when the workday starts and helps you acknowledge that it’s time to begin your day. 

Remote work isn’t for everyone

Working from home can feel isolating, especially for those who crave social interaction. Feeling lonely can keep you from getting as much done as you would when surrounded by coworkers. Plus, in the long term it could lead to more serious feelings of depression. Not everyone is cut out for remote work and many people prefer the social aspect of working amongst peers. 

Working from home has benefits, but it’s not ideal for everyone. Some people miss the opportunity to interact with coworkers during the day. Employers may worry that keeping employees at home decreases their productivity. This can be true, but some workers thrive while being at home in a familiar and comfortable environment. Employers may soon find that they must evaluate employees on a case-to-case basis to determine which employees are more productive when working from home and which do better on-site.  

Finding work as a freelance writer can be tough when there are so many others to compete with. But technology makes it easier to search for work and to make yourself visible to potential clients. Online platforms can help you search for work based on your talents and knowledge. Knowing how to find legitimate freelance writing jobs through online platforms can help you expand your skills and gain more experience, both of which can help you continue to find more work.

Finding legitimate freelance writing jobs

You can probably do a quick search through any online search engine and find many listings of people or companies looking for freelance writers. The issue is finding clients that are willing to pay what you’re worth and are offering legitimate work opportunities. Many writers use a platform that brings writers and clients together in one place. The platforms allow you to connect with clients and choose work that meets your needs. Clients can filter through writers based on experience and other factors to help them choose the writers they believe will be best at writing their desired content. Use trustworthy platforms that have good ratings from previous writers so you know you will get paid appropriately for your work. 

Know how to stand out

If you choose to search for work through online platforms, you need to know how to make yourself stand out from other writers. Know what your time is worth and be prepared to negotiate your pay. Some writers may choose to offer incentives to encourage clients to choose them. You may offer free revisions, quick turnaround times, and low rates to clients who wish to work with you long-term. If you don’t have a lot of experience, be prepared to work for less money just to gain some work experience and improve your portfolio for future job opportunities.

Most freelance writers find clients exclusively through online platforms. Searching and filtering based on your talents and availability make it easy to find clients. The main issue can be finding clients who are willing to pay you enough to make it worth your time. When creating a profile to showcase your talents, be sure to find ways to make yourself stand out when compared to others. Show potential clients why they should want to work with you and why you’re the right person to create the content they want. 

Knowing how to use SEO language is beneficial when you create content online. Whether you write for a blog, make social media posts, or maintain a website, understanding SEO helps you reach your audience. SEO, or search engine optimization, is a style of language that uses specific words and phrases to get attention from online readers when they use search engines to find information. 

How SEO works

Search engine optimization language is supposed to lead search engines to your blog, website, or social media account. Search engines use algorithms to provide links when someone searches for a specific topic. You can use language that makes your content easily found and higher on the list when links are generated. Many readers only look through the first few links when searching for information online so it’s important to create content that helps your site stay near the top.

Create SEO-friendly content

When you’re writing SEO content, the format is very important. You should consider the total word count, paragraph lengths, and keywords that will help search engines find what you’re writing. A good article or blog should have a brief but informative title, include headings, and use bullet points to break up long walls of text. Readers generally want to get to the point so it’s important to use language that gets the idea across in a concise way. 

Know your keywords

It’s important to understand what relevant keywords your target market searches for so you can include them in your title and sub-headings. Use those keywords multiple times in your article or blog but avoid keyword stuffing which can be a turnoff for readers. Understand what keywords relate to your content and use those words, along with related words and phrases, that make it easy for search engines to locate and promote your content toward the top of your audience’s search page.

Writing in SEO style can be challenging when you’re not used to the rules. But learning the methods behind creating content that is easily found by search engines can help you promote your work. SEO writers are in high demand from those who promote ideas, products, and services online because they know how to write in a way that reaches the target market. If you write online in any capacity, learning about SEO can help you increase your visibility. 

For some writers, the ultimate goal is to write a book. Writing a book is a huge endeavor that can be very challenging, especially if you’ve never completed such a large project before. If it’s your first book, you’re also likely working on other projects to bring in the income needed to pay your bills, so it can be hard to find the time you need to write your book. Aspiring authors who are working on their first book can benefit from learning how best to use their writing time and how to make progress towards their goal of finally becoming a published author.

Set flexible goals

Set goals based on how many words you want to write per week, or how many hours you want to spend on your project. You can make your writing a priority without letting it take over your life. Flexibility is important when you’re working on a large project like writing your first book. Know that it’s ok for the project to take longer than expected. You may make changes along the way, or experience writer’s block, which can cause your project to take longer than expected. 

Use help when you need it

A good editor can suggest changes and help you create something that you’re proud of. While some authors may choose to edit their work themselves, it can be hard for you to find all the mistakes in your own creation. An outside editor will add to the expense of writing your book, but it can be extremely helpful in creating the finished product.

Find a publisher

Finding someone to publish your book may not be easy. Publishers are constantly receiving content that must be sifted through to find the books that are worth publishing. Publishers are there to make money and to publish books that they believe will be successful. Don’t hesitate to send your finished work to several publishers to try to find a good fit. You also have the option to self-publish, which is a good option for many first-time book authors.

Writing a book is a big undertaking that can consume your life if you let it. When you’re trying to write your first book, be open to the challenges and know that everything may not go as planned. Writing the book is only the first step. Some authors may find that the editing process, and choosing how best to publish their book, is even more challenging than writing. Fortunately, many authors find that determination and the will to succeed help them reach their goals.