Developing free content
The advantages of giving it away!
I hear many writers refute the idea of writing free content. While I agree, in the simplest terms, it is “something for nothing”, the benefits of free content actually outweigh the down-side of writing for free. Is it really for nothing?
The Battle for Content
The competition for content is fierce. Every Web site owner wants content and hundreds of writers want their content visible on the Web. There are so many free Web sites that you can literally advertise your goods, services, and knowledge globally for years without spending a penny.
Of course, there is a cost involved in writing free content---time. However, the cost in time units is only a fraction of the money that would otherwise be spent in getting the kind of coverage available by supporting content sites with free articles.
What about my income producing articles?
The idea is not to spend all day writing free content. Generally, once you’ve completed your articles for paying markets, take an idea and generate one free content article. I usually select a topic about which I can generate an article in a few hours. Don’t spend more than two hours on the article over an entire day---use it as a gap-filler.
The point is to be able to generate a short article that provides a general overview of your knowledge or work---don’t dive too deep. If someone likes your work or idea, let them come to you and pay you for a more, in-depth version. Call it “testing the waters.”
Exercise Your Brain
One of the benefits I’ve found to writing free content is in exercising my brain. I get a chance to generate a short article about something I know without the added pressure of acceptance and deadlines. This is where you get to write for the fun of it and be able to produce industry contacts and resume fodder.
Resume Fodder
Yes, resume fodder. If some popular site picks up your article, you can use it on your resume. Make sure that you write something that pertains to your areas of expertise. If you post something like “101 Fun Things You Can Do With Toilet Paper” and it’s picked up by an unknown MLM site, I’d think twice about adding it to your resume.
Many major sites are monitored and rated by some of the larger corporations and industry experts. If you article catches their eye, you could end up with a client that you would have otherwise never had the chance to work for. The wider the audience, the more additional work you can acquire!
Writing a Free Content Article
Writing a free content article is simple and follows a similar professional approach as an article for a standard, paying market. A few pointers are:
Be Concise
Keep it under 1,500 words. Some professional organizations might pickup your article for a paying market and they usually only accept between 500 and 2,000 words. Also, if you can write an in-depth topic in fewer than 1,500 words, that usually demonstrates that you have a handle on the topic.
Be Real
Take free content articles seriously. Be professional and write about something you know professionally. Stay away from the MLM articles and avoid meaningless writing.
Be Honest
I’ve seen some authors use the same free content from other writers and just modify it a little to suit their needs. Do you own work!
Your Byline
Make sure that you byline provides enough information to identify yourself and provide contact information. This byline is your business card!
Here, steal my work!
As I’ve said, I sometimes see that same article used by numerous writers. Sometimes, unethical people steal other’s work so that they can look good in the public eye. Take it as a compliment, but protect yourself.
Protecting free content is no different than protecting paying market content. One place to go is MediaRegister (http://www.mediaregister.com/). They will register your work online for a minimal fee. This way you can distribute your work and protected it from the little thieves of the Internet.
What next?
Free content articles can provide you with enormous amount of exposure on the Web. In some cases, you can obtain exposure that you would have otherwise missed!
Author Information:
Edward B. Toupin is a freelance consultant, writer, and published author living in Las Vegas with his singer/actress wife. He currently handles technical writing tasks for various companies in New York, Chicago, and Denver as well as imagineers and markets feature-length screenplays. Edward provides quality Web site design, development, and marketing as well as writing, document design and planning, and e-book publishing services. You can visit his Web site at http://www.toupin.com/ or contact him at etoupin@toupin.com
For information on the latest e-books, contact publish@toupin.com
Copyright 2001 by Edward B. Toupin All Rights Reserved
| DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Developer Shed, Inc. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. As such it is incumbent upon the reader to employ real-world tactics for security and implementation of best practices. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. If this is a hardware review, it is not recommended to open and/or modify your hardware. |
More Website Content Articles
More By Developer Shed
 developerWorks - FREE Tools!
|
Join this webcast, to learn how the Rational Process Library can help with compliance issues, drive process improvement, and assist in service-oriented architecture (SOA) or Agile development. We will take a peek into the Rational Process Library with content around software and systems engineering (including RUP), operations and systems management, program and portfolio management, and asset and SOA governance.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Visit IBM developerWorks to download the latest trial version of IBM Data Studio V1.1 at no cost. IBM Data Studio is a comprehensive data management solution that helps you effectively design, develop, deploy and manage your data, databases, and database applications throughout the data management life cycle utilizing a consistent and integrated user interface. Unlike other client-side data management solutions that focus on only one aspect of the application lifecycle or database administration, Data Studio complements the Rational Software Delivery platform, providing unparalleled flexibility for a heterogeneous data server environment across platforms.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Download a free trial version of IBM Rational Software Analyzer Developer Edition V7.0 to identify bug defects earlier in the software development cycle. Rational Software Analyzer is an extensible software development solution that reduces the expense of bug-fixes by enabling static analysis code reviews and bug identification very early in the development cycle.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Rational Build Forge Express Edition is an automation framework that packages the latest enterprise-grade technologies into a reliable, flexible and robust configuration designed and priced specifically for small to midsize businesses. The new Rational Build Forge Express eKit provides you with valuable resources – including a case study, podcast, demo, and articles – to help you increase staff productivity, compress development cycles and deliver better software, fast.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Because access to government information continues to be an area of concern for many U.S. citizens with disabilities, the U.S. government enacted Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act in 2001 to ensure that government agencies create accessible Web content, enabling all citizens to access the information they need. A fully accessible Web site makes Web content accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities, who may be accessing Web content via a variety of user agents. Common user agents include standard Web browsers, text-only browsers, assistive devices and mobile devices such as cell phones or personal digital assistants (PDAs).
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Join this webcast to discover the key requirements for successful change and release management. Learn how to extend your .NET environment to improve productivity and collaboration, and address core problems afflicting team development. In this webcast, we’ll review typical challenges faced by customers and how to resolve them with the IBM Rational Change and Release Management solution, including Rational ClearCase, Rational ClearQuest and Rational Build Forge. Replay is available for 9 months.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
As organizations have grown increasingly dependent on online software, the risk of malicious attacks has also become far more serious. Fortunately, well-governed organizations can protect their Web applications by injecting vulnerability assessments and ethical hacks into their software development and delivery processes. This paper describes 12 of the most common hacker attacks and provides basic rules that you can follow to help create more hack-resistant Web applications.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Get a free trial download of the latest version of IBM Rational Performance Tester V7.0.1, a load and performance testing solution for teams concerned about the scalability of their Web-based applications. Combining multiple ease-of-use features with granular detail, Rational Performance Tester simplifies the test-creation, load-generation and data-collection processes that help teams ensure the ability of their applications to accommodate required user loads.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
WebSphere Process Server delivers a unique integration framework that simplifies existing IT resources. Often, as IT assets grow to support business demand, so too does their complexity and manageability. In this webcast, we’ll discuss how WebSphere Process Server helps deliver an SOA infrastructure that provides a common model to orchestrate, mediate, connect, map, and execute the underlying IT functions. Discover how WebSphere Process Server simplifies integration of business processes by leveraging existing IT assets as reusable services without the complexities of traditional integration methodologies.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
The unprecedented scope of a service-oriented architecture (SOA) initiative brings to the forefront a number of management and governance issues that were sidestepped in the past. The key to a successful SOA implementation is managing and governing activities throughout the entire SOA delivery lifecycle by ensuring that services conform to the needs of all of the business’s stakeholders. Learn how service lifecycle management allows the business to ensure that the process by which services are defined, created, tested, deployed, optimized and retired is manageable, repeatable and auditable.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
All FREE IBM® developerWorks Tools!
|
