Mitchell "Moe" Long

I'm noticing a shift in content marketing writing. What used to be blog posts, ebooks and articles is now THAT plus email copy, updating old content and first-person essays -- now more than ever! Why? AI can't write those last three content types! #WebWritingAdvice

29

7 Comments

One example of why copyediting takes time: compiling the word list on the style sheet. The word list for the fantasy novel I'm copyediting is 400 words long. Those are either real words I've looked up in Merriam-Webster to check how they're spelled and styled (capitalized or lowercased, hyphenated/left open/closed up), or invented words I've checked in the manuscript to make sure they're spelled and styled consistently throughout. This is just a fraction of what we do.

246

19 Comments

It’s best if web copy is written at an eighth-grade level. Use tools such as Grammarly, Hemingway, or Yoast to evaluate content for simplicity and clarity. https://lnkd.in/gb7Q8GgQ

1

I've been having a few issues with the service I use to send out emails to the subscribers of the Web Writing Advice blog. I updated some settings, but in doing that, some subscribers didn't get the April email newsletter. Darn it! I contacted tech support and got everything smoothed out this morning. Emails should be good to go for May! Here is the new April post for those who missed it! Enjoy! ***************************************************************** When you’re caught up on your paid writing projects, and waiting for feedback or revision requests from your clients, what do you do? A PTO day can refresh your creativity if you’re feeling mentally exhausted. But, if you’re focused and energetic, schedule a day to work on your number one business client: YOU. I’m always surprised when I hear small business folks talk about fitting their business promotion, marketing and website updates in when they have time. That’s a haphazard approach. You need to regularly dedicate time to work on your business, not in it. Next time you have a free afternoon, day or week, try polishing your business assets. https://lnkd.in/gshTv4Ev #WebWritingAdvice #Freelancing #FreelanceWriter #Downtime

1

David Farland's Writing Tip: Hook your readers from the very first sentence. Learn the importance of a strong opening line and craft captivating beginnings. Read more writing tips and make your professional content stand out! https://lnkd.in/dPYSNnzc

2

1 Comment

Trust tips from a copywriter who helps SaaS founders build it: ➡️Trust isn’t given, it’s earned—through transparent messaging and consistent delivery. ➡️To build trust, speak your audience’s language and address their real pain points. ➡️A SaaS product without trust is just another tool. Build relationships, not transactions. Trust is your strongest currency—invest in it wisely. Agree?

2

1 Comment

I’ve had a few discussions lately and a problem that popped up was making content. More specifically on how to write and structure content that calls out ideal clients. So let’s dive into a process you can follow: 1. Pick 1 problem and 1 individual you want to cover 2. Call out the problem you want to cover in the first line (and the individual) 3. Your second line should aim to re-hook the reader to ensure they read on 4. Start by sharing the problem you are going to cover 5. Share WHY you see this as such a big problem 6. Share WHY your ideal clients struggle to solve this problem 7. Share WHAT they’re currently doing and why it’s not working 8. Share WHAT the solutions they could use instead to solve this problem 9. Include actionable steps they can follow to know HOW to use this solution for themselves OR share how your offer uses this solution and why it would benefit your ideal client This isn’t something I follow rigidly, but can be a useful framework to follow for creating posts that target your ideal clients. P.S. If it would benefit you, I share how to make 7 posts in 2-3 hours in this newsletter: https://lnkd.in/eWpCen9F

26

25 Comments

We want prospective clients to find us, approach us, and pay us big $$$ for our services. This is an ideal scenario for freelance writers. But how can we ensure they find (and then approach) us? I dislike prospecting and outreaching. Our long-term goal should be to build an inbound system that keeps our pipeline busy with qualified leads. But how? Here are 5 things we can do: *** 1) Increase the number of discovery touchpoints. Most of us are making the mistake of over-relying on LinkedIn to find leads. And it’s only a matter of one algorithm update to f$ck it all up. We should be more discoverable across different channels. The more places we appear (socials, newsletters, blogs, etc.)—and the more relevant/contextual that appearance is—the higher the chances of clients finding us. *** 2) Post social content that: • Positions us as an expert in front of the ICP  • Helps our ICP get closer to their goals  • Signals to ICP that we’re the right fit for their needs … and we do this consistently, every day. *** 3) Build a downloadable content asset that augments our services. And distribute it through a drip campaign. Example: • You helped a real estate client get 500+ leads/month with your landing page copy • Create an eBook: "5-Step Process to 500+ Real Estate Leads Monthly (+ Case Study)" • The eBook subtly promotes your service • Offer it for free in exchange for email addresses • Follow up with 2-5 automated emails highlighting your services We don't need a huge following to start. Create the asset, then build distribution gradually. We can even run ads for distribution. It’s quick, but costs money. *** 4) Turn brand awareness into brand recognition through brand consistency The first time prospective clients find us, they won’t really approach us for our services. We need more interactions—and through multiple channels/mediums. (The rule of 7!) This is where building brand consistency helps by: • Making us more memorable across multiple touchpoints • Building trust through familiarity Practically, this means: Using consistent visuals, tone, and messaging across all platforms. This turns sporadic awareness into strong recognition. *** 5) Optimize your portfolio Once we have their attention/engagement, we need to convert that. And this is where our portfolio comes in. In addition to covering all the fundamentals (like mentioning our experience, expertise, and the kind of clients we have worked with), it should include elements that aid conversion. • Testimonials • Your writing & collaboration process • Case studies • Pricing  • Relevant samples • Frictionless contact/order option *** Creating an inbound system that helps with passive client acquisition takes a lot of time. But it’s worth spending time on if we want to get out of this tedious cycle: Outreach → hope → wait → get client → start working → churn → outreach → hope → wait… 💚 #freelance

45

3 Comments

Struggling to get shoppers to click “Buy Now”? Well, let’s talk about CTAs that ~actually~ work. In eComm, your Call-to-Action (CTA) is everything. It’s the moment when your copy convinces someone to stop scrolling and take action – whether that’s adding to a cart, signing up for an offer, or completing a purchase. But too many CTAs are vague, uninspiring, or more importantly, don’t clearly communicate value. Here’s how to fix it: ----------------- 1️⃣ Make It Clear ----------------- Skip the generic phrases like “Learn More” or “Click Here.” Tell your customers exactly what to expect when they click. ❌ Instead of: “Shop Now” ✅ Try: “Browse the Fall Collection” ------------------------ 2️⃣ Highlight the Benefit ------------------------ Shoppers don’t care about the action, they care about the reward. Make sure your CTA reflects what they’ll gain. ❌ Instead of: “Sign Up” ✅ Try: “Unlock 15% Off Today” ----------------- 3️⃣ Add Urgency ----------------- In our DTC space, a little FOMO can go a long way. Give customers a reason to act now rather than later. ❌ Instead of: “Get Yours” ✅ Try: “Order Now – Limited Stock!” I see a lot of writers turn to their CTA copy last, making it more of an afterthought than anything else. But it’s the final nudge that turns browsers into buyers! The clearer, more specific, and more compelling it is, the better your results will be. ------------ Your turn 👀 ------------ What’s the best-performing CTA you’ve used for a brand you’ve worked with? I’d love to hear what’s worked for you!

6

5 Comments

Tips from a copywriter who's been there, done that: Believe in what you are selling, or no one else will.  Saturation doesn’t exist if your product is newer, faster, better or cheaper.  Base your decisions on data, not solely on assumptions. That's it for today. Happy Monday!

7

4 Comments

If you are reading this on the bottom half of your screen, you need to read Josh's thoughtful post.

3

Does anyone else feel some of their articles could simply read: "No, it doesn't." (Plus a long list of references) For example, sometimes I think SEO departments see a highly-searched question like "If I say 'Unicorn' three times before I fall asleep, will I live longer?" Then, they manage to squeeze out five headers on the topic, and I'm left combing the research and asking experts to weigh in, when really, the answer is just "No." Anyone else? Only me? 😬🦄😅 #Health #HealthContent #Nurse #NurseWriter #Writer #Freelance #FreelanceWriter #HealthWriter

34

27 Comments

Later this week, I'm publishing a new post on the Web Writing Advice blog about what TYPES of content I'm being hired to write in the content marketing niche in the age of AI. Writers - There is still work out there! Marketers - Steal these ideas for your next editorial calendar! If you'd like a reminder in your email inbox when this post goes live, sign up below. Thank you! https://lnkd.in/gv32qVH Have a great week ahead! ~ Angela #WebWritingAdvice #ContentMarketing #AI #WritingTips

7

Orium’s been selected as a finalist for the 2024 Timmy Awards for Best Remote Tech Work Culture. Here’s why it matters to me: I’ve worked at places where remote work is viewed in a negative light. I’ve gone to offices feeling sick or with injuries, wishing I was able to work from home to get the same things achieved with the ability to take breaks. I’ve also left offices in the middle of the day feeling incredibly guilty for taking time to go to appointments for my well-being, helping a family member in need, or taking time to decompress after a long meeting or finishing a larger project (introverts will understand this one!) Being in an office 9-5 filling a seat and making every moment look productive, isn’t for me either. It adds to my anxiety and the feeling of having to be “on” every second of the day! Orium’s different. The positive remote work culture puts the responsibility on me to get the work done and contribute in a way that works for me. I’m not a morning person, and I don’t have to pretend I am just to fill a seat and half-heartedly get work done. I can take my time to settle in and work, and break up the work into the evening or night if that’s when the next spurt of creativity comes. I can take care of my well-being, be more present with my family, or run a quick errand in the middle of the day when it’s less hectic out there. And guess what… the work still gets done! I also get to participate in so many activities and organization-wide meetings set up by our Culture Team and Leadership Team. I've been connecting with coworkers, building meaningful relationships, and feeling a sense of belonging everyday. TL;DR: Vote for Orium to win because it has a great remote work culture. You can vote once every 24 hrs before August 15th! https://lnkd.in/gvKwFQ3P #TimmyAwards #TechInMotion #workingathome #culture #virtualteam #remotefirst

14

2 Comments

I manage updates for affiliate content at TMB across Taste of Home, Reader's Digest, and Family Handyman. Sourcing experts to add expert quotes to older articles is tedious and time-consuming. I've tried to streamline this process to the best of my ability with templates, a database, and other mechanisms. I've also tried platforms like Qwoted and HARO, but many "experts" from these sites aren't reputable, and they are often AI-generated. Writers and editors, where do you find your sources for stories? I'd love to hear any tips and engage in a mutually beneficial conversation about what works/doesn't work; I hope to learn. Of course, I have a personal Rolodex of experts, but scaling this process with freelancers has been challenging.

87

63 Comments

I just read a thread discussing marketing managers’ pet peeves about working with freelance writers. The number 1 complaint was lack of communication through the process, and next up was contractors who straight up walk away from a project with no notice (ghosting). On behalf of freelancers everywhere, I’m so sorry you have to put up with this. I know a lot of good freelancers (myself included) who bust their butts to be professional and communicative. We know our job involves making life easier, not harder, for marketing teams. When searching for freelance help, seek network referrals and check testimonials to try to get the real story on your next prospective freelance contractor.

6

4 Comments