Sofie Mikhaylova

There’s one group on social media that you don’t want to neglect if you want to land more business. (And it’s not your target audience.) 👉 It’s your peers and potential competitors. Last week I landed the opportunity to speak at an upcoming event here in Vancouver. And the only reason I landed the gig was courtesy of the lovely Sarah Huguet who recommended me to the organizer as she was unable to attend. I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting Sarah in person (yet!) - but I’ve followed her work for years and interact with her regularly online. Sarah is technically a competitor  - another social media pro who’s been running her business much longer than mine. I could have decided over the years not to connect with Sarah since she isn’t my target customer, and Sarah herself isn’t likely going to buy from me. But I’ve always liked her work, and I love seeing what she is up to online. I’ve taken the time to comment on her posts regularly and we’ve exchanged a few DMs. Fast forward to last week, when it came time to recommend someone to speak at the event, my name was top of mind. Connecting with other peers and businesses in your space can lead to so many different kinds of opportunities - if you are willing to put in the time to build a relationship. Do you engage with your “competition” on social media?

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This is the first of a handful of posts that I’m creating based on long-tail keywords, or more specifically, the questions that come up as “snippets” when I type content writer into Google. The first, "how to be a content writer in Canada," shows my location bias, but the answer I think will be similar across the border as well. Here goes: Create some samples To become a content writer, you should develop some writing samples that will help potential clients see your skills as a writer. If you’ve written for clients already, share those as links. If you are just getting started, creating a blog can be a great way to put your writing out there. Use a free platform like WordPress and write half a dozen posts, ideally in a selected niche where you’d like to write. Then share these with the organizations you’d like to write for. If you’d like to write Instagram posts, create a great Instagram account and fill it with your best in that area. Repeat for your desired platforms. Keep out for postings as well that call for content creation, and contact them with a friendly email that includes a link to your blog. Study the form Since content writing is competitive, you’ll want to study the form to develop your skills. You can do this through a formal course or writing program. You can also start less formally by reading articles and books in this area. Yet another approach is to actively look for samples of content that you admire and start to analyze what went into creating them. Developing a reading practice around the content you’d like to create will help you  stay current on new examples of content. Use your observations and reading to improve your own style. -- Hi, I'm Sue. I'm passionate about creating longform content, from blog posts to articles, where I use my 20+ years of journalistic experience to weave expert opinions and advice on big topics that help educate readers. Partner with me to develop your content strategy and create stories to help set a high standard in your industry. DM me, and let's chat. #contentmarketing #storytelling #longform

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Being a Content Writer, I've come across weird questions from my ex-colleagues (who are not obviously Content Writers). Colleague: Shilpi, which is the largest freshwater lake in Canada? Me: I don't know (but I can search it on the internet and let you know). Colleague: How come that you don't know? You are a Content Writer! Me: !!! Me: I'm a Content Writer. And that doesn't mean that I should know everything. We Content Writers do in-depth research about topics, and then convert the information and knowledge into a blog post or article in our own unique way. Colleague: !!! Well, I was working in a real estate company. If you had asked me about Fractional Investment in real estate, India's real estate market, or anything Real Estate, and expected me to know about such topics, it would have made sense. I actually explained such topics to my colleagues whenever needed. But how can you expect me to know anything and everything!? P.S: Should Content Writers be some omniscient fellows? And do let me know if you too ever faced any such situations. P.P.S: The example was just an example. But, I actually faced such situations during my corporate days.

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Want to instil trust in your potential customers?  Put some faces on your website.  People don’t connect with brands or logos or copy, they connect with other people.  #ContentStrategy #CorporateCommunication --- Need a content strategy? Let's talk. Need a ghostwriter? Tell me about your project. Want a free website audit? Ask me how.

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This marks my last day as Senior Technical Writer/Copywriter at my current advertising agency. 7.5 years went like 🫰 This means it’s been almost a decade of explaining to people what I do—and I get it. Growing up in rural Ontario, I had no idea there were real-life people who wrote for a living. And everyone told me you sure as heck couldn’t make money writing novels. What I’ve discovered over the first decade of my career is that writers are behind a lot more than you think. Just for fun, I thought I’d break down a tad of what I’ve written over the past decade in my full-time role and as a freelancer: Technical Writing (writing to explain) -200+ page annual product guides -Press releases -Annual reports -Crop guides -Manuals -Learning module scripts -Webinar scripts -YouTube scripts -Information sheets -Technical sheets -Product pages Copywriting (writing to sell) -Direct mail -Emails -Email newsletters -Websites -Tweets -Texts -Ad labels -Banner ads -Cover letters -Post cards -Tent cards -Radio spots Content writing -Articles -Blogs Creative writing -Audio story scripts -Novel -Short stories -Blogs Journalism -Features -Profiles So when someone says they’re a writer, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re drowning their sorrows in ink and drinking a daiquiri like Hemingway. We just might be writing about potato chips or soda or—if you’re anything like me—resistant weeds, farm transitions and detestable insect pests.

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🚀 Attention Health and Wellness Brands! 🚀 As a Gen X Canadian content creator, I'm here to highlight a powerful tool you might be overlooking: User-Generated Content (UGC). Whether you're in the wellness, fitness, or health industry, UGC can transform your marketing strategy. Why UGC? 1. Authenticity: Audiences crave genuine connections. UGC brings real-life experiences and trust to your brand. 2. Engagement: Content created by users often resonates more, driving higher engagement rates. 3. Reach: As a Gen X creator, I bridge the gap and connect with audiences that younger creators may not be able to reach, offering a diverse perspective. For health and wellness brands, imagine authentic testimonials, progress photos, and real stories from your customers using your products. It’s relatable, shareable, and incredibly effective. If UGC isn't in your marketing mix, why not? Let’s start leveraging the voice of your customers and unlock new potentials together. #UGC #ContentMarketing #GenXCreator #BrandStrategy #HealthAndWellness #MarketingInnovation #AuthenticitySells

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Last month, I attended Editors Canada’s 2024 national conference, and, wow, I heard some great presentations! This month, I’ll share notes from some of my favorites. One of the struggles of working for several editing clients is keeping all their style rules in my head. Switching from one client project to another can tax anyone’s memory for those persnickety rules copyeditors and proofreaders must follow. Editor Amber Riaz tackled this topic head-on in Switching Style Sheets. When you're flipping between projects following very different styles, consider including a short list of specific rules that are different between styles to remind yourself what to look for. Some categories to include: - Abbreviations - Capitalization - Citation styles - Commas - Documentation - Heading styles - Hyphens - Numbers When your clients use different Englishes, you’ll also want to be mindful of differences in things like: - Grammar: Prepositions can be especially tricky. Does the client’s English use in line or on line? Gaze at or gaze in? Where are you off to or where you to? - How to call out to authority: In North America, we cite everything. That's not universal. - Systems of measurements: Imperial, metric, or a mix of both? - Dashes: Is it standard to use an em dash or an en dash? Are there spaces around the dash or no? - Preferences with sensitive terms: Is it LGBTQIA+, 2SLGBTIA+, or something else? Your style sheet is your number-one resource for your client’s preferences. Keep all your clients straight with a style sheet that focuses on the most important differences. Looking for a flexible template for your style sheets? Download one from Right Touch Editing for free: https://zurl.co/duhj #AmEditing #FreelanceEditing #Editors24

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There are only two correct uses for the much-misunderstood semicolon (;): 1. If your sentence has two independent but related clauses, you can join them with a semicolon; for example, ‘Henry likes big dogs; he owns a Newfoundland.’ Each clause should be written as if it were a sentence in its own right (as here). 2. If you have a complex list where one or more of the list items includes a comma in itself, separate the list items with semicolons; for example, ‘There are three types of widget: gold, which are the strongest; silver, which are suitable for most instances; and bronze, which are for light use only.’ A conjunction (e.g. ‘and’ or ‘or’) is still needed before the last list item.

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There are only two correct uses for the much-misunderstood semicolon (;): 1. If your sentence has two independent but related clauses, you can join them with a semicolon; for example, ‘Henry likes big dogs; he owns a Newfoundland.’ Each clause should be written as if it were a sentence in its own right (as here). 2. If you have a complex list where one or more of the list items includes a comma in itself, separate the list items with semicolons; for example, ‘There are three types of widget: gold, which are the strongest; silver, which are suitable for most instances; and bronze, which are for light use only.’ A conjunction (e.g. ‘and’ or ‘or’) is still needed before the last list item.

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Content That Connects: Why It Matters Hey there, solopreneurs! Ever feel like you’re shouting into the void with your content? You’re not alone. The right content strategy can turn that around. Creating content that resonates with your audience is critical to building trust and attracting high-paying clients. In our blog today, we explore how to create an engaging content strategy that truly reflects your brand and connects with your audience. 💬 What’s the biggest challenge you face when creating a content strategy? Let’s chat! Meanwhile, here is how to master content strategy. You also get a free content strategy checklist inside. https://lnkd.in/dYrhEPFi

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Who loves a writing prompt? Prompts are a great way to warm up your writing muscles and kick any writing blocks to the curb. I share a weekly prompt in my Facebook group if you’re interested (link to join is in the comments). In the meantime, and in honour of Batman Day! Yes, it’s a thing 🦇😂 I’m challenging you to fill in the blank for this prompt. Can you write your own Batman and Robin conversation using the famous slap meme? Have fun! I’d love you to share what you come up with in the comments. #writingprompt

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Ugly websites lose customers—period. Here’s what a high-performing site needs: - Fast load times—don’t make people wait. - Clear navigation—no one likes to be lost. - Mobile-first design. - Call-to-actions that are impossible to ignore. - A professional look that builds trust instantly. Your website is your first impression. Make sure it’s not bad. Need a website that wins customers? Let's build it. #webdevelopment #websitedesign #azharseoppc #azhariqbal

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Writing blog posts or newsletter articles are some of my favourite things to write, which is why I love to do those 4 things to celebrate my accomplishments after finishing to write a series of them: 1/ Share with your audience ↳ Announce your completed series on social media. ↳ Highlight key takeaways and invite engagement. 2/ Host a Q&A session ↳ Engage with your readers directly. ↳ Answer questions and discuss your blog series to deepen connections. 2/ Create a summary post ↳ Compile the main points from your series into a single post. ↳ This provides a quick reference for your readers. 3/ Reflect on your writing journey ↳ Take time to journal about your experiences and challenges. ↳ Acknowledging your progress is important for motivation. 4/ Plan your next series ↳ Think about new topics or themes you want to explore in future posts. ➡️ What’s your next goal after finishing your blog series? ————————— ♻️ Please repost if you found that post interesting and think it would help your followers. 🔔 Don’t forget to hit the notification button to never miss any of my posts. 👍🏼 Give me a like if you enjoyed reading me. ————————— Hello, I’m Marina aka Your Ghostwriter. Subscribe to my newsletter for your weekly read on writing, storytelling, life and anything else I feel like sharing! www.your-ghostwriter.co.uk 📌 You have an idea for a book but don’t know how to write it? Visit my website to book a free consultation: www.your-ghostwriter.co.uk 📌 How do you feel after achieving a big goal?

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