I've been reading a lot on different sites about how more and more print publications are folding, on both sides of the Atlantic. Whether or not it has been exaggerated, there is no doubt that online writing has taken off in a big way.
It seems to be the way forward, with new online sites appearing regularly. I took the jump to web writing back in May 2009, when I decided to join one of the best online sites, Suite101. This is a Canadian online magazine of many years standing which has a very good reputation. They now have opened up in Germany, France and Spain.
It has been a huge learning curve! Writing for the web has a whole new set of rules. But it's been one of the most rewarding things I've done for my writing career. Now, my Suite101 articles go straight on to Google and are accessed all over the world.
But first, it was necessary to learn about things like Keywords and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) when I became a contributing writer. Plus, I had to forget about long-winded sentences and paragraphs (not a good idea anyway). The layout for Web writing is usually in several short paragraphs, and article titles are straight forward rather than creative. The whole point is that people can find the articles by using search engines like Google.
It's not a 'get rich quick' way of writing - in fact some other online sites might pay per article. But Suite101 offers a residual type of income that accumulates each year. There are professional editors for each subject section so that grammar and punctuation are kept to a high standard. And we can write on any subject within their categories. Above all else, it's regarded as one of the friendliest, most helpful sites online.
If you like to write and want a place to publish your work, check it out at Suite101 - just be prepared to write at least ten articles in every 3 months, which is compulsory. It's quite addictive once you get started!
Maybe I'll see you there,
Rosemary
10 comments:
Hmmm, I was quite interested until I got to the last bit - about 10 articles every 3 months. That doesn't quite fit in with my idleness. (BTW, I tried clicking on the 'follow' button but it gave no sign that I'd been accepted. I'll let you know if/when I have.)
Hi Bill - thanks for being the first person to leave a comment, and for trying to follow!
Just have to keep this up now - it's something else to sidetrack me away from what I should be doing.
Great new blog Rosemary - informative and very interesting. I'll look forward to popping in often.
Hi Janice - good of you to drop in! Thanks for the comments - I'll try and keep posting regularly.
Very interesting, Rosemary - like Bill, I couldn't get anywhere clicking the link, but will Google Suite 101.
Hope we both manage to keep the blogging going this year!
Thanks, Sharon. I hadn't made the Suite address a link but I have now! I think Bill was trying to become a 'follower' of my blog.
I was and I've now succeeded, so I expect regular enlightenment from you Rosemary.
You're a pal, Bill! Don't know about the enlightenment though.
Like Bill, I was tempted by Suite 101, but a commitment to 10 articles every 3 months sent a shudder up my back. How on earth do you come up with 10 different topics every 3 months? the thought terrifies me.
It's such an addictive thing once you start - it helps if you like writing articles and are interested in lots of subjects. And they can be much shorter than for print magazines!
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