Don’t be Afraid to Write About Nothing

Comments (1) · December 26, 2007 at 5:00 am · Writing Advice

Back when I lost my first web hosting job and I decided I would rather take a track down the road of freelance writing, I went around from web site to web site trying to find a place to work. I quickly realized though after talking with three or four places I wanted to write for that without example articles and stories it would be really hard to show them exactly what I could do.

I know it might sound silly, but if you are a writer without a published work to your name you might need to create a few before you become a hired hand at your favorite blogging spot. Personally I wrote up several different types of articles covering the areas I knew the most about. Then I linked them up on my personal site (which also doubles as my resume) and was ready to give looking for a freelance writing job another chance.

The second time around I was welcomed with much warmer arms of amazement and didn’t have any proverbial doors shut on my nose.

Each time I got a gig’ I added whatever I wrote for them to my resume links, so others could see my work there too. Fast forwarding to where we are now I have written so many articles, posts, podcasts and more there is no way I could fit them all on one list. Just don’t forget that when your first starting out with the online writing game that you have to have examples of your work, the best you have to offer, if you want to make your name from behind your keyboard.

 

Support Tip: Give Me All The Details!

Comments (1) · May 27, 2007 at 5:00 am · Personal, Web Hosting

When asking any business for support, you should make sure you do so by including all the details that might be needed to answer that support request. Sometimes just posting a simple question is not enough and you need to make sure you explain yourself so you can get an answer quicker.

First thing you should do is state your question. Make it short, simple and to the point. You see after this simple step many people stop and just send that in to a support team. That alone is not enough.

You need to include more details about what it is you are asking about, why you think you need it and what it is exactly. The more oddball your question - the more information somebody might need. For example this question here:

Do you support WordPress on your Web hosting accounts? WordPress is a blogging engine that uses PHP, MySQL and more. Here is an example of the specs list needed for hosting it.

Is easier to answer than:

Hi there I want to install a script for something but I need to know if you support my thingies I need for it thanks.

Support professionals in any arena are not mind readers. You have to try to do your best job at layout out the question in a way anybody could understand if you want the quickest results.