by Richard Rowell, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Newspapers may not be as popular anymore, but people still like to get news! Especially in their inboxes!

There's been a saying in marketing for some time: "Top of Mind" marketing. It means just that: staying at the top of people's minds. It's a fairly old concept, but it matters more than ever in a world of information overload. Yes, social media updates are certainly one great way of keeping people informed about you and what you do. But to reach some people, the email newsletter is still a great tool.

The email newsletter has definitely been around for quite some time. It has not lost its effectiveness. Email addresses are still a huge part of our everyday lives and most people still check them daily. So while there is more competition for inboxes now-a-days, email is still very important. You just have to make sure that people actually want to read what you have to say.
People's time has always been valuable. But people's attention spans are strained more than ever. There's a massive amount of information people consistently have thrown at them almost every time they check an email account.

There are some simple ways to make sure people open your newsletter. Compelling subject lines can still work, and of course, having quality content helps, too. Also, you want to make sure people really want to receive your lists. Having double opt-in practices for new subscribers has become a must. Also, due to how strict spam rules are now, you need an easy way to opt-out if wanted. Also, make doubly sure on your end to delete any “bounces.” Dead or inactive emails do you absolutely no good.

Some people ask, what's better, a weekly or monthly email newsletter? It all depends on how much content you have. Sometimes, for some people, monthly newsletters are better. But you need to remember, cramming lots into a newsletter isn't necessarily the way to go any more. Sometimes it's better to take all of the content you'd put into a monthly newsletter, and split it. You could have two, three or four decent-sized pieces. Perhaps you can focus each "mini" newsletter on a single topic. This is a good way to test which content works best.

But what if you don't have enough content for that many issues? Then a monthly newsletter is probably right for you. Just be sure that you're consistent about it. Send it about the same time every month, only sending something special when it's an offer or major announcement. Even just sending something useful to your email list once a month is a great way to leverage your mailing list. Email newsletters are one of the most inexpensive marketing resources out there. It's one to definitely use to stay in touch with all your contacts.

By Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

You work hard on a project only to have it rejected by several publishers. Most writers have been there before -- times over. Producing content can also produce rejections by the handful at times. One of the hard lessons of staying successful in web writing is learning how to deal with rejection. When your work is rejected for publication, how do you react?


Use the rejection to gain knowledge. Is there a reason the venue wouldn't publish your work? Did you gear it toward their audience and follow all of their guidelines? Is your grammar and spelling up to par? Does the content work for the web? Have too many people written on the topic from the same angle? These questions and more are some of the things you can ask yourself to figure out where you may have gone wrong with the content. There is something to be learned from every rejection. Sometimes it can be applied right away to a resubmission and other times you'll have to use it for future reference.

One rejection is not the end. One venue is rejecting your work and you're ready to give up? Seriously? If I had given up on my first rejection, I'd probably still be working some dead-end job in retail, as that's where I have much of my work experience. There's nothing wrong with those positions but they are no longer for me. If you want to succeed in web writing, you can't let a tiny rejection distract you. They will happen -- and if you write often, they will happen often. It doesn't always mean you suck as a writer. It can mean that, but most of the time, it just means you need to either learn how to provide your client's needs or find another client (or several) that would be better suited to your writing style.

Content is not universal. Just because one venue is not interested does not mean that no one will be. Your work is not necessarily crap because it doesn't fit in with one web publisher's ideal. Again, it might be crap. But if you know in your heart that it isn't, don't stop trying. If you enjoy the work and find it to be something of quality for the web world, chances are there is someone else who feels the same. If all else fails, publish it yourself, such as on a blog. No, this is not a last resort or a place to throw crap. If you comprise your blog of quality content, it will be seen as a quality blog.

Use the rejection as motivation. Once you see what can be learned from the rejection and decide what you wish to do with the web content, get it done. Prove that your work truly is worth publishing and make it happen. This is not so much to get revenge on those who didn't publish you (their reasons could be valid and have nothing to do with you). This is to motivate yourself to do what you know you can do. Use all that frustration energy and put it into making your writing work for you.

More from Lyn:

How to Make the Most Money in Web Writing

Web Writing Tips: Forming Ideas

Web Writing Tips: Risks are Necessary to Succeed

By Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

Do you actually make money with your writing? It's just for fun or because you're bored, right? How do you pay your bills when you just play on the computer all day? These are the types of questions i get from people interested in learning how to make the most money in web writing. Often they are skeptical, thinking that a decent income is impossible in this business.

You need a website. Some will tell you this isn't necessary. But, I repeat: All web writers need a website. While you can definitely make money writing online without having your own website, you're likely to earn more money if you do. Sometimes my clients find me via the various companies I publish with but they tend to visit my website even if they find me elsewhere. Your website should be a place where clients can learn more about what you do, find out your rates, and contact you for services. Without a website, that's more questions they will need to ask you and some will skip over authors they can't research more readily.  You can even place an easy to reference online resume page on your website to save your potential clients more time.

Query, submit, query, submit.. To keep your name out there, you need to be actively querying new outlets, as well as submitting to existing clients. For instance, if you have signed up with two sites that allow freelancers to submit work, keep those sites active. But in addition, query for other work and sign up for additional sites as often as possible. It is always better to have an overload of opportunities you can pass on to your writer friends than to have none at all.

Publish, publish, publish. Like querying and submitting, do what you can to make sure you are publishing as often as possible. The more your name gets seen in writing, the more potential clients will see you. If one venue is not publishing your submissions as fast as they say they will, don't be afraid to pull them for publication elsewhere if beneficial.

Always have multiple clients and venues available. It is perfectly valid to post the most often with the venue or client that will publish your writing most often. Just be sure you do still have some variety where possible, as variety keeps your name spread around and keeps you learning varied experiences. To make the most money in online writing, you need to be sure that if things are slow or undesirable with one venue or client, you still have other revenue possibilities.

Be yourself. When you see a successful writer, it is easy to fall into line and try to mimic what they are doing. There is only one of each individual. The better strategy is to use some of their techniques and apply them to yourself. Be smart, but also be original and unique. Be you. If you think about the people you look up to in web writing, most likely you will be able to say that there is no one quite like them. The writers that are honest with and about themselves -- and in their experience are most likely to succeed. Copycats will eventually show their true colors -- usually in their work.

Be flexible and choose appropriate work. Clients can sometimes be particular about what they want. It is normal to make suggestions you feel will be helpful. But the end result should always be something your clients are satisfied with. To avoid conflicts in this area, choose topics and workloads suited to your personal experience and preferences and leave the other work for someone else.

Be adaptable. The world of web writing can be largely unpredictable as far as what works at the moment. Smart web writers stay prepared for changes to occur and adapt with the changes instead of running from them. Because the world and the web are ever-changing, it is important to stay up to date with the best current strategies and marketable skills. Those writers who are willing to go the extra mile in preparation are the ones that will continue to succeed now and into the future. 

More from Lyn:

Web Writing Tips: Forming Ideas

Web Writing Tips: Risks are Necessary to Succeed

Simple, Effective Ways to Enhance Your Brand