Tag Archives | writing

Don’t be Afraid to Write About Nothing

Dec/26 in 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.

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Drop the Mike, Pick up a new Subscription!

Dec/14 in Web Development Tutorials

Mike Muise, one of the tech geek, pretty good writer and business development mastermind has started up his own blog over at DroptheMike.com. I’m always excited to highlight interesting people in the hosting and domains universe and Mike does fit the bill there.

In the hope to drum up some interest in the new project, he is also giving away a Ipod Nano (to one lucky winner) for those who spread the word about him. Heck I would have done it for free too. Shameless promotion aside, reading some of his posts he has up thus far I am highly impressed and can’t wait to read more. Might have to try to get him on the podcast too.

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Mitch Makes it into Ping! Zine

Nov/26 in Personal, Web Hosting

Ping! Zine’s newest edition is out in PDF (paperback should be coming to your mailbox in a few weeks) and you might be surprised to see who made it back into the magazine. This is my first time in a while to write up something for the magazine (mainly due to time issues) but starting next year one of my resolutions is to do my best to make more time for it.

Ping! Zine 5.6

One thing that never has gotten old yet is seeing my name in it. I really hope that doesn’t sound egotistical but I remember just being a fan of the publication and loving it – so actually being a part of the fun, it still gets me excited and hyped up. Continue Reading →

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What Was Popular Last Month?

Oct/07 in Hot Web Topics

It is always interesting to see what posts make the popular list and which ones do not. For obvious reasons, my post on Candice Michelle wallpaper is a traffic grabber for obvious reasons.

Here are some of my most popular posts for the last month or so.

As you can see it is all over the board. Popularity can be a funny thing sometimes.

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Helping to Build a Great Resource

Oct/05 in Web Development Tutorials

When leaving Lockergnome and mainly the web developer newsletter, I was sad to see it go. Now though I am excited to drive the working and dedication to a new project – helping to build up Lunarpages Lunartics blog. This blog is the official blog of Lunarpages, and I think I have done some good things for it.

Covering topics like learning the basics of HTML might be shunned some places, but due to the nature of being a helpful resource for both hosting experts and novices, I have a better and bigger chance to write for a wider range of subjects.

Now don’t get me wrong – I highly doubt I am a really huge factor either way for it’s slowly growing success, I am just happy to be along for the ride and helping people who need it.

Lunarpages customer or not, I would highly suggest subscribing to the RSS feed for Lunartics and if you have any feedback, suggestions, thoughts or anything else – you know me I am an open book and easy to get a hold of.

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Digital Drawing with Wacom Graphire4

Sep/28 in Personal

Wacom Graphire4I just got my Wacom Graphire4 4×5 USB Tablet via the UPS guy (that is probably damn tired of delivering packages to my house already) yesterday. Really haven’t had enough time yet to give you a good review – but I’ll hit on some high points being a “first time tablet” excited fanboy.

Cool Software Bundle

The first nice perk is it comes with several software packages – the best being Adobe Photoshop Elements 3. Not sure if I am ready to use it to retire my old Paint Shop Pro 7 – but it might happen.

Sturdy Product, Class Act Packaging

Unpacking things at times felt like I was going through a maze with all the folds, protection and levels of plastic I had to go through to get it out of the box. The pen, mouse and tablet pad are all good solid products too. They have some weight to them – and do not feel cheap in any way.

It might take a while to get used to holding the pen correctly, other than that I am good to go.

Installing the Wacom Graphire4

Installation could not have been easier. I just plugged it in, installed the drivers (on my Windows XP box) and I was done. Might need to configure the touch settings and sensitivity of the pen but I plan on playing with it a little more this weekend. Also says it is Windows Vista ready all over the packaging for the box – so the future should be bright with this device.

All in all I am highly impressed thus far. Always wanted one of these so I figured, why not spoil myself a little ‘bit.

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Do Your Copywriting Right!

Sep/11 in Writing Advice

Copywriting TipsI am often asked by business owners, entrepreneurs, consultants, coaches and others for copywriting tips. Here are my top six:

1. It is actually about them, not you.
Don’t write for yourself, your college professor or your next-door neighbor. It’s not about your style, your preferences or your own “voice.” It’s not even about what you like or want. It’s about the audience, the product/ service and, ultimately, about selling.

2. Be eye-friendly.
Nothing tires the eyes like big blocks of endless black and white text. So include bullets, sun-heads, questions, sidebars and headlines to break your copy into manageable, scannable chunks. Continue Reading →

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$10,000 Blogging Scholarship

Sep/05 in Hot Web Topics, Writing Advice

I always love getting surprises in the ol’ e-mail inbox.

This is Shannon Prue, Scholarship Coordinator for the Daniel Kovach Scholarship Foundation. Just this morning, we started accepting applications for our 2nd annual Blogging Scholarship.

The Grand Prize this year is $10,000 and will be presented at the Blog World and New Media Expo in Las Vegas, this upcoming Nov. 8-9.

We are looking for well qualified applicants, so if you think any of your readers would be eligible, then please let them know about this opportunity. Full details are at CollegeScholarships.org:
http://www.collegescholarships.org/our-scholarships/blogging.htm

What are the requirements to enter?

  • Your blog must contain unique and interesting information about you and/or things you are passionate about. No spam bloggers please!!!
  • U.S. citizen
  • Currently attending full-time in post-secondary education; and
  • If you win, you must be willing to allow us to list your name and blog on this page. We want to be able to say we knew you before you became a well educated, rich, and famous blogging legend.

I would say this is an open door that can’t be passed up for any young writers out there that have a blog and a skill at the written (or typed I guess I should say) word.

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Corporate Bloggers, Be Egotistical

Aug/01 in Hot Web Topics, Web Development Tutorials

Every so often I get an e-mail from a web host who is running a blog and they tell me they have run out of “blog-like” things to say. “Hogwash!” I yell back at them. Ok, so I have never actually used that word exactly – but you get my point. If all else fails, promote yourself.

Yes, corporate blogs and bloggers should be more egotistical and talk more about themselves when there is nothing else left to say.

Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

1. Tell the story of how you came to be. Have you told your rags to riches story yet? Let people how the company started up and how it has grown since then.

2. Pitch one of your products and let me know how real people can make use of it. Don’t pitch it to me as a salesman, give it to me as a person to person conversation and win me over on why it might be for me or somebody that I might know.

3. Who are you? You might also do a type of “profile” post where you tell people more about the folks behind the scene. Let me know who worker number 1,356 is and why he is so important to the day to day business. (and if he’s not, time to give him the pink slip!)

As you can see, when talking about one’s self you could really go on and on. Have any other suggestions as far as ideas go for more corporate writing spot on the Web?

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Resume Changes for the Mitchster

Jun/25 in Personal

Well, last week was one heck of an interesting week for me – lot of crap going on this way and that way, but I think I’ve got my plate cleared off and ready to start over again this week. Much of what went on I don’t think I’ll make public – not because it is bad but because it just ain’t any of your business. :)

Due to me being one busy mofo – I’m going to be leaving my writing duties over at Lockergnome. I still love Lockergnome and the crew, but it’s just not something my heart is in right now and that I have the time to do. Hopefully that will leave me a little more time to spread out to other projects and other things I have been meaning to do.

So yeah, things have happened – don’t want to talk about them – so why write? Just felt like I should at least let that one tidbit of information out there to the public. Now back to your regularly scheduled Mitchness.

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