Monday, July 26, 2010

Freelancing As a Work From Home Job by Daisy Wilson

Okay, you have finally taken the bull by the horns and decided that you threw in the towel. You are tired of the daily rigmarole of running back and forth from work.

Commuting through heavy traffic, meeting tight deadlines and reporting to the person you detest from the bottom of your heart has taken its toll and you want to quit!

Great! You are not alone. Hundreds of people each month are willing to quit their regular jobs so they can get on to the work from home bandwagon. With innumerable number of ways to make money from the comfort of their homes, people are more than eager to quit their nine to five jobs and make a switch.

Though there are tons of work at home business ideas, only some of them have proven to bring in the kind of money that can help you lead a debt free and stress free life. One such work from home job is freelancing.

Opting to become a freelancer is among the best ways to earn money from home. You can work independently without having to worry about starting off with a business. You are your "boss" and need not worry about registering your firm.

You can become a freelancer without going through the hassles of obtaining any license. If you have the desired skills and the urge to work as a freelancer, this is a work from home job that you can start off with overnight.

The world of freelancing is a wide arena that encompasses many fields. You can opt to work as a freelance writer, freelancer trainer, book keeper, virtual assistant and even as a freelance programmer!

Okay, so now you know that freelancing is a great work from home job! But, how do you get work? How can you reach out to potential buyers who may need your services? The good news is that there are many websites that are designed exclusively for freelancers.

Considering the fact that a number of people are transitioning to this line on a daily basis, the websites are also increasing. You can register yourself on these websites and bid on the projects posted. It is important to check the credibility of the website before registering your services.

Some websites offer a free trial period post which there would be a nominal monthly charge. This helps you test waters before taking the plunge.

What are the other things you can do to market yourself? There are a number of things that you can do to market yourself. You can have a website through which people can reach out to you. A business card with relevant details is also a good way of advertising your services.

It is very important to remember that the world of freelancing is highly competitive. Your quality of work determines how successful you will be in this work from home job. On-time delivery of projects that are in adherence with the expectations of the clients is very crucial.

If you are disciplined, determined and perseverant, there can be no other work at home job that can bring in as much money as freelancing.

To know more about how to make money from home and how to start up a work from home business, do visit the website workathomecareers.com

Making a Living as a Copywriter; Freelancing Versus Agency by Bill Knight

So You Want To be A Copywriter?

Wannabe copywriters often check out my site for information relating to my services and fees. And quite right too! I still give my competitor's websites a 'gander' every now and then, in case they're doing something that I should be doing.

I receive many emails from students working towards their marketing or other media degrees, asking for a few tips about securing work in the 'Copywriting Industry' I didn't realise we had an industry! If we have, it's surely a cottage industry because most copywriters are freelancers who work on their own and usually from home.

"Well what about advertising and marketing agencies?", They enquire. "Well what about them?", I ask. And so it goes on and on until they realise that a copywriter who works for a structured and institutional organisation, is a totally different animal to that of the freelancer.

Institutional versus Freelance

So what are the differences between them? There are many. Let's look at the agency writer. He or she is likely a talented person with creative skills and a good command of the English language. They will have learned, from their course work, the psychology of selling, aspects of communication and how to write in a flowing and interesting style.

Each day, at the agency office, they will work on their assignments, which have been delegated to them by their manager. Their work will be scrutinised by their manager or team leader, who, in the interests of their company, will decide whether it's worthy of publication.

After a couple of years, doing similar 'run of the mill' stuff, they may be offered the opportunity of coming up with something completely original. All by themselves, with no guidance, un-tethered by their mentor. And, in the interests of the company, not to mention their job security, they will produce something as institutional as they have been doing previously. They'll play it safe. Well wouldn't you?

Eventually, their creative awareness and talent may break through the institutional membrane and they'll want to move on. They'll want to do something for themselves. They may even become a freelancer.

A freelancer is just about anyone with a passion and a flair for writing. Some have started out on their career path by working for agencies, some have graduated in English and just feel 'qualified' to do the job, whilst others come into the 'industry' from a variety of other routes.

By whichever means, once they become a freelancer, they quickly learn to survive. To survive and prosper as a freelancer you must have the ability to adapt, diversify and develop the skill of writing in any and every style humanly possible. But there's more! You will have to meet deadlines, sometimes work for less than the lower national wage limit and learn to turn your brain inside out. Sounds painful!

What does it all amount to? What's the bottom line?

Let's summarise thus far.

A copywriter working for an agency will work in a nice warm office with nice friendly colleagues, writing simple institutional letters, brochures, ads and information packs. They'll be paid somewhere between 18K to 26K, get 4 to 5 weeks annual paid holiday and get to slag off the boss at the office Christmas party.

Sounds pretty good to me. If you want to be a copywriter, I recommend you go down this path. It offers a good salary and a steady secure position.

The freelancer's life is not so clear cut. They mostly work on their own, write all kinds of stuff about everything and wonder where their next packet of fags is going come from. They only take short breaks, get stressed and slag everyone off at any party.

They're self-employed, so have to keep accounts. They have to buy all their own stationery, stuff their own letters and post off their mailings. They have to advertise or even worse, they have to compete to sell their services for a pittance to unknown clients through some online freelance website. The pits!
Sounds terrible doesn't it? Then why do we do it?

The uncovered truth about freelancing

Well, obviously I can't speak for everyone so I'll tell you why I do it and how I do it. "Listen up"

The main reason I write for a living is because I love it. I've always been a creative person so writing comes as second nature. And let's face it, it's not very difficult to do.

I love the challenge that each assignment brings. I have ghost-written several books for clients and each has been on a completely different subject. The downside of ghost-writing is having to sign away all rights to the work, which means you can't showcase it or put it in your portfolio. The client gets all the credit for your masterpiece.

I've written many articles for websites, emails and sales letters. I write poetry, humour and boring stuff like FAQ's and product information. But I'm never bored because the work can be so varied.

Then there's the money of course. A good freelancer should be able to make around 50K a year. Some make less but some can make over 100K a year. There really is no limit. Make a name for yourself and not only will you be earning a good living, you could possibly find yourself in the enviable position of being able to pick and choose the work you do.

Still want to be a copywriter?

Good! Now let's dispel a few myths by answering a few questions that I get asked all the time.

The 6 Most Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do you need a formal education and a degree?
No way! Although most agencies will only employ graduates, there's no reason why a freelancer needs anything other than a good command of the English language, creativity and a flare for writing. There are many copywriting courses available, if you're a little unsure or want to hone your skills, but make sure the course work is set by an experienced and reputable copywriter.

2. Can previous work experience help?
Yes! Sales and marketing experience is very useful if you intend to make a living as a sales copywriter. At the very least, you should understand the sales process and the customer service aspect.

3. I don't have a portfolio. How can I get work?
Create one! Write some articles, write a small book, write some sales letters, brochures and emails. Show what you can do. Write for free. Write for charities, magazines or newspaper letter pages. Use your imagination and write about anything.

4. Where are the best places to get work?
You could try contacting marketing agencies by way of a letter of introduction, but don't hold your breath. Magazines are always looking for fillers, so this would be a good place to start. Local small businesses might be interested in having some leaflets written for door to door delivery. Contact them by letter, listing your services and your rates.

When you have gained a little experience, go online and subscribe to some of the freelance websites. Elance, Freelance Work Exchange and Getafreelancer are quite good, but be prepared to compete with other bidders from all over the world. Some Indian freelancers will work for as little #3 an hour, so you're up against it. Still, I think it's worth the experience. I get some of my assignments this way.

Build a website or have someone do it for you. I'm of the opinion that all businesses should have a website if they want to stay in business.

Create a mail shot and work your way through your local Yellow Pages. Sell yourself. It's what you will have to do anyway, so get used to it.

5. What should I charge for my services?
This is just a guide. You'll instinctively know when you've become established.

A one page letter consists of around 500 words and should take no more than 2 hours to write, revise and finalise. If you want #10 an hour, that'll be #20 for the job. Don't bother quoting a price per word as you'll find yourself writing a load of drivel in order to fill the pages.

Again, once you're established you can charge what you think your work is worth. It's not uncommon to charge #400 for a 6 page sales letter, if you're good.

6. What do you think is the most essential skill of a successful copywriter?
If you can't do this, you won't be very successful.

"Write as you talk"

That's it! You must be able to communicate with your reader right off the page. Your words must be conversational. You must be able to 'speak' to your reader and stir their interest, their emotions, their desires.

If you're trying to sell them something, you must be convincing. Your letter has to be compelling and attention-grabbing. Finally, your letter has to make them take some action. This could be filling in a form, making a phone call or writing a cheque. It's a call to action.

Still think you have what it takes?
Then go forth and return with the bountiful harvest of your creative genius!

Good luck and warm regards,

Bill Knight

(# denotes GBP or US Dollars)

Bill Knight is a professional International Copywriter based in the UK. To learn more visit: http://www.knight-writer.co.uk/

blogReaction Introduces Revenue Sharing on Free Blogging Platform

blogReaction, a social network for bloggers, today announced a revenue sharing program. blogReaction members now have the ability to generate profit from their blogs from a variety of advertisers.

Aaron Queen, Founder of blogReaction says, "blogReaction is going to be an exciting new platform for blogging. Not only do members receive their own free hosted subdomain, but they also receive, completely free, a search engine optimized blog platform. We believe that sharing profits with our members will prove to be an effective tool for retaining existing bloggers and provides a great opportunity for new bloggers as well."

blogReaction is a social network for bloggers. By leveraging the power of other social networks and search engine traffic, blogReaction is focused on bringing highly optimized traffic to the member's blog. Popular posts are featured on the front page, which helps upcoming bloggers to become more popular than ever before.

To find out more about blogReaction, visit http://blogreaction.com/

Sunday, July 18, 2010

How to Maximize Your Talents Online By Freelancing by Jacqueline Harris

So, are you pretty talented when it comes to designing websites, writing articles or press releases, photography or something else? Did you know that there are business men and women who are willing to pay large amounts of money for work done by web design freelancers, freelance writers and photographers? Due to the success of millions of internet companies and businesses, these things are in high demand. In order to save money and get fresh content, pictures and designs, many of these businesses are opting to hire freelancers rather than keeping a staff writer, photographer or designer. There are a ton of different freelance businesses that make many individuals an honest, decent income and they work right from home on their computer.

If you have a talent like this, you can definitely cash in on this industry. There are a few different things you will need and the first and possibly the most important are samples. People who are considering using you for different jobs want to see the kind of work that you do. They want to know your style, how great you are and they gain all this information from samples that you provide them to look at. Think of it as your freelancing 'portfolio.' By getting your best samples together, or even doing some work to use as samples, you can up your game in the freelancing business.

Another thing that many people want to see before they hire you is references. Do you have individuals that you've created work for in the past that would be willing to vouch for your excellence in work, your ability to complete assignments and your character in general? These would be immense help to someone who is trying to start a freelancing career. Something that you might want to add in with your samples and references are your work history or any special training that you've had which makes you better than the other freelancers who want the same job you're applying or bidding for.

There are a ton of resources where a freelancer can find work. From bidding sites and personal websites to referrals from clients, forums and chat areas, the internet brings you much closer to individuals who need this type of work done. If you have great talent, you have the potential to earn a good chunk of money by freelancing online. Continuing to build your experience, reputation and skills through your freelance work can land you a great position where you can earn a lot of money and be happy with what you do for a living.

Learn how to effectively use your freelancing talents. Visit [http://www.prosperby.com] and learn how to avoid scams and make real money online!

How to Determine Your Freelancing Hourly Rate by Jason W Little

It's not uncommon for new writers to ask how to determine your freelancing hourly rate. And it's a very good question to ask.

To come up with a good answer, several things will have to be taken into consideration. That's due to the fact that you could miss out on some potential work if clients think your rate is too elevated or if they think it's too low.

You will want to consider very carefully how to set your hourly rate. The reason is because you could potentially lose a lot of work if you're not careful.

If your rate is too high, clients may not want to pay it, and if you set it too low, clients may think you're inexperienced, etc. What you want is a happy median that will show that you're affordable yet experienced and capable of handling anything the client throws your way.

How to Determine Your Freelancing Hourly Rate

If you hope to find your hourly rate, you'll want to consider how experienced you are, your skill sets, as well as how productive you are. If you have lots of experience as a freelance writer, your rate should be higher than someone who isn't so experienced, for example.

And if your skill sets include various types of projects, you'll be able to grab more work than someone who only knows how to write blogs, or only knows how to write articles.

And, the more you're able to produce, the higher you'll be able to set your hourly rate.
By taking these factors into consideration, it won't be hard to come up with a number that you're comfortable working with, and that clients will be more than happy to pay.

There is a simpler way to calculate your freelancing hourly rate, however, and that involves creating a spreadsheet that does the calculating for you. Of course for this to work you will have to be working already.

If you are just starting out as a writer, the above calculations should help you decide on a freelancing hourly rate. If you're working, however, the spreadsheet is a great way to come up with a good number to work with.

If you already have writing clients you work for, a spreadsheet will calculate the projects you complete, the amount of money you get for those projects, as well as how much time it takes you to finish those projects. If you were to keep track of your writing for a week or even a month using that spreadsheet, you'll have a great idea of what you are worth as a writer.

On the other hand, feel free to bump it up or down as you see fit. Your hourly rate should never be set in stone. If you're good, increase the rate. If you're still wet behind the ears, lower it a bit in order to get more work. You'll soon find, however, that hungry writers are always flexible with what they charge, to a degree. That's because being able to adjust your rate can mean the difference between a writer who is working, and one who is not.

For more information on the life of a freelance writer, go to Jason Little on Writing.

Jason Little is a professional full time freelance writer who lives in Houston, Texas. His site, Jason Little on Writing is a resource for other freelancers who have questions that have yet to be answered. Jason is always looking for more freelance work so, clients, feel free to contact him anytime.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Make Money Online - Why Every Stay-At-Home Parent Should Consider Freelancing Online! by Sarah J. Cameron

Considering today's economy and the lack of job security out there, it's no wonder people are fearful and unsure of whether or not they will even have a job tomorrow, or next week, or next month. Many people are looking to make a second income and increase their savings and security.

If you are a stay-at-home parent, and wish to contribute something to your household, here are a few reasons why freelancing could be your best option for securing a second income.

1. Flexibility - you choose the hours you work. As long as you get your tasks completed on time, you can work two hours a day or eight. You can work before the kids get up in the morning, while they're at school, or after they go to bed for the night.

2. Income - You can make as much as you want, as often as you want. The number of jobs you take on will depend on your childrens ages and how much attention they require. Younger children usually demand more attention, while older ones are usually more independent and can spend a few hours entertaining themselves.

3. Various opportunities - there are freelancing positions for almost anything you can imagine: research, website creation and design, writing, programming, administrative assistants, data entry, just to name a few.

4. No commuting - you work in your own home office, so you don't have to worry about the countless hours stuck in traffic.

5. No sacrificing family time - as stated above, you can work around your family's schedule. You choose when you want to work, and how many hours a day you want to work.

Freelancing can give stay-at-home parents the best of both worlds; the joys and wonderful experiences that go with raising their children, and the satisfaction of working and earning an income. Make a list of things that you enjoy doing and are good at. Then, search the internet for companies or individuals that are hiring for those positions.

You will need to make sure that you have a fully equipped home office: a computer, a printer, an internet connection, messenger software like skype or yahoo, and basic software such as MS office.

Freelancing is gaining popularity among companies because they can save thousands of dollars a month, by not paying benefits, office space, utilities, overtime, etc. It's a win-win for both freelancers and corporations.

Once you complete a few freelancing jobs, you may find that they hire you on an on-going basis. You have the power of accepting any or all of these assignments, based on your schedule. That is true job security!

FreeLancer.co.uk is the leading site where you can find freelancers and freelance projects of all kind, where businesses connect with independent professionals to get work done.

Providers:Get a healthy Second Income from Hundreds of Freelance Jobs!

Businesses: Access a Vast Pool of Skilled and Tested Talents Online! Get the best of Freelancers and Freelance Work

Freelancing In a Free World by Parveen Panwar

Freelancing brings unmatched flexibility and in fact this is one of the most popular reasons for becoming a freelancer. Flexible working hours allows the freelancer to tailor his/her work around their life style and growing responsibilities. Another plus is that you only get paid for how long you work - overtime is actually paid! Furthermore, if you like to set your own holiday and travel time, freelance allows you the option to go on holiday two weeks, or two months - depending on your financial/business needs.

Freelance work is also an excellent way to earn quick money and a good amount of it. Generally, freelance workers earn more money at an hourly rate than their
permanent counterparts. Because the recruitment process for freelance is much shorter then for permanent roles, speedy turnaround allows individuals to get in and out of a project quickly and still receive a good income from it.

Career Variety

For those individuals who like variety in the workplace, a career as a freelancer enables professionals to work on a wide range of projects for some of the leading firms in the country. Freelance work can often improve career prospects - allowing an individual to gain valuable experience on many different sector schemes while working for a variety of major companies. Another motivating factor is the desire to "test drive a company" before committing to a permanent position.

Freelance gives the candidate the opportunity to see if a particular company works for them without any long-term commitments on their part. Recognizing that this has become a preferred option for many workers, firms are now opting to initially employee candidates on a freelance basis rather then putting them through the traditional probationary period of a permanent role. Freelance can be a good option for those who want to have more control over their working environment. A highly competitive market means that there is no shortage of contracts for an individual to choose from - allowing for greater choices in where you want to work, the type of firm you want to work for, and the rate at which you'll work - certainly a tempting proposition for many candidates in any industry.

Choosing A Freelancing Career

Freelance can be a great career move -whether done independently or in conjunction with an existing fulltime job. There are three main points to consider when making a decision to head down this particular career path. Firstly- salary: freelance workers on average do receive a reasonable rate of pay. Firms realise that they have to pay more for better solutions. With the increase in the temporary market has come a rise in options for salary payments. However, it is important to remember that freelance salaries are subject to extreme fluctuation - often a case of feast or famine. Therefore, it is crucial that jobseekers be able to plan ahead - making preparations well in advance to compensate for an uncertain income, lack of benefits, moving location or travelling expenses.

Secondly a freelancer must be able to accommodate an uncertain work environment. Freelance work often involves an extensive amount of travelling/relocating. The roles that are often offered may not always be the ideal choice for the candidate, but sometimes have to be taken due to income necessities. They must also be able to accommodate the company culture in their new job, and be flexible enough to adapt to new work practices and environments.

Finally, situation - it is important for new freelancers to consider their future in realistic and planned way. Training and promotions are not often available to freelancers as many companies don't perceive a temporary employee as a long-term investment. Consider your career goals - will freelance help you to achieve these goals - will it work against or work for your current lifestyle and future aspirations?

The Smart Choice

Freelancing and consulting are great ways to explore various career paths and revenue streams. Performing this kind of work on the side can be fulfilling, exciting and fun. Taking a chance to explore a new career, or explore the world of being your own boss is a great opportunity stretch yourself a bit. The best part is that you work for the best company ever: You, Inc. Take a chance. Do a little consulting and freelancing. You might find a whole new career is waiting!

Parveen Panwar is founder of Go4outsourcing.com, an online freelance marketplace to connect service buyers with freelancers/service firms. Freelance web developer, freelance programmers, freelance software developers, outsourcing firms etc register at Go4outsourcing.com to showcase their services.

Get On-Board with Facebook's Social Search Engine

Although Facebook's Open Graph is still in its infancy of developing a social search engine, companies need to take note of the "like" button that has challenged Google's dominance as a search engine.

In April, Facebook's like buttons took the internet by storm, appearing on web pages covering every industry imaginable. The idea is to use behavioral data to power a social search engine with results driven by what our peers and other Facebook users recommend instead of traditional link building SEO. This means that companies with the most Facebook users who “like” what they have to offer will appear higher in Facebook search rankings.

There are two ways a Facebook user can select that they like your company, product or service. The first is by adding a Facebook plug-in to your website so that from your homepage viewers can click on Facebook's like button. The second is by creating a page within Facebook for your company, separate from personal profile, where users will be given the option to like the business. It has been confirmed by Facebook that all web pages that use open graph plug-ins show up in the social network's search results the same as traditional Facebook pages appear.

What does this mean for businesses? It is not time to neglect the importance of traditional search engine optimization but it is time to make sure website is equipped with the Open Graph API and plug-ins. Being active on Facebook with a company page is also an important step toward increased visibility in social search results.

Source: http://www.oneseocompany.com/

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Freelancing's Double Edged Sword - Independence and Isolation by Cyndy Kryder

We work from our home offices. We get to pick and choose which jobs we take and which ones we turn down. We can work in our PJs, if we want (but we don't), and we can throw in a load of laundry whenever we feel like it. Ah, the independence of freelancing.

Yes, a certain allure is associated with being a freelance writer, but here's the thing. We work ALONE in our offices, without the benefit of camaraderie from coworkers. There's no birthday cake for the guy in the next cubicle, no baby shower for the woman working across the hall. No colleague in the corner office to brainstorm with when we're having trouble with a project. And when the computer takes on a mind of its own, we can't just pick up the phone and call IT. That's the flip side of freelancing.

How can you handle the isolation? Here are some tips:

Plan monthly lunches with other freelances. This gets you away from the home office and gives you the chance to compare notes with colleagues in the same situation. And keep the receipt. Lunch with your colleagues is a tax-deductible expense if you're a freelance!

Join a local business association and attend meetings. Consider the local Chamber of Commerce or another business-networking group. You'll have the opportunity to meet other local business people face to face and network with businesses that might need your services.

Schedule breaks during your work day. Staring at the computer for hours on end can make you feel even more isolated. Leave the office, go to the gym, walk around the block, say hello to your neighbor, do anything that gives you a change of scenery, no matter how brief.

Don't be afraid to call other freelances when you need another perspective or some business advice. How do you find these colleagues? By leveraging your contacts through professional associations, such as the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) and other societies. It's not unusual for me to call an AMWA colleague or two when I need to bounce off an idea or even complain about a project. Getting a different spin on things is always a good thing.

Develop relationships through social media networking. Today it's easy to connect with like-minded people through social networks such as LinkedIn, Biznik, Facebook, and Twitter. By participating in social networks you can decrease the degree of professional isolation you feel, especially if you're just starting out as a freelance and are experiencing the initial shock that accompanies exiting the corporate world.

Teach a class for fun. I find that doing something completely different from my day job, medical communication, is exciting as long as I don't overcommit. What are you good at? Look around your community for opportunities to share what you know. Chances are you'll find the balance refreshing.

Cyndy Kryder is a freelance medical writer with more than 18 years of experience. She is the author of Nude Mice and Other Medical Writing Terms You Need to Know, and the coauthor of The Accidental Medical Writer. She shares tips and tactics about freelance writing through a monthly newsletter, Pencil Points. To subscribe, go to http://www.theaccidentalmedicalwriter.com/.

Influentials More Actively Engaged on the Blogosphere

Marketers looking to reach the super-influentials in their category may just want to keep blogs at the top of their list of social media tactics, according to the preliminary findings of a first-of-its-kind study released today by Copernicus Marketing Consulting and Research. An Aegis Media company, Copernicus provides growth-oriented insights and recommendations to Fortune 500 companies to improve the performance of marketing programs for new and established products and services.

Copernicus surveyed a national cross-section of 808 men and women, ages 18 and older, about their blogging behaviors and their personal influence patterns across 21 categories, ranging from products and services such as soft drinks and fast food restaurants to social/cultural topics such as sports and politics. The firm identified five groups that varied in terms of blog usage and three groups that differed in personal influence across the categories.

Copernicus discovered that study participants who scored "high" in cross-category personal influence were three times more likely to have posted a comment to a blog they regularly read and/or write their own blog than people who scored "low."

Though many previous studies demonstrated the wide-spread awareness of blogs and varying levels of participation, no other study done to date has included direct measures of personal influence.

"Many marketers pushed their brands into the blogosphere based on the assumption that bloggers and 'influentials' are one-and-the-same person," explains Kevin Clancy, Ph.D., Chairman of Copernicus. "Now they'll have some definitive evidence that suggests a strong relationship between blogging behavior and personal influence across a broad range of categories."

According to Peter Krieg, President and CEO of Copernicus, most marketers know that in the increasingly important word-of-mouth channel, "the messenger carries more weight than the actual message." As a result, they regularly seek out "influentials," also known as the people who tell friends and neighbors what and where to buy and have an impact on an increasing number of purchase decisions.

"And these influentials we've found are more engaged with blogs."

Adds Krieg: "Reaching influentials via blogs--a medium created to disseminate opinions and recommendations--makes it all the easier to share and spread information about your brand."

While marketers may not reach a sizable portion of the potential market for a product or service directly through blogs, they can still impact their purchase decisions indirectly by getting to the influentials:

A combined 77% of the study participants who scored "high" in terms of cross-category personal influence also scored "high" in blogging engagement.

In contrast, 62% of those who scored "low" on cross-category personal influence reported that though they know about blogs, they don't read them on a regular basis.

Copernicus also found a particularly strong relationship between blogging behavior and personal influence in selected categories. For example, take computers: among those who scored "low" in blogging engagement, only 23% agreed with the statement "I have a lot of opinions about computers and can often persuade other people to accept my point of view." In contrast, among those who scored "high" on blogging engagement, 59% agreed. See chart for the top 7 categories with the biggest differences.
Interacting with those most likely to influence the personal decisions of others in a medium in which they more actively engage can boost the effectiveness of word-of-mouth marketing efforts, says Clancy.

Other interesting early findings from the study include:

Of the demographic characteristics Copernicus examined, only age proved predictive of blogging behavior. As age increases, the level of blog engagement decreases.

Younger men tend to have a higher level of cross-category personal influence compared to other groups.

Those with a high level of cross-category personal influence spend twice as many hours reading blogs each week as those with a low level--6 hours vs. 3 hours.

Copernicus will present the full findings of the study in a webcast on July 14. Visit http://www.copernicusmarketing.com/consult/webcasts.shtml to register.

Using Newsletters For Marketing

Newsletters are a marketing tool used by businesses to keep in touch with their existing and potential customers or clients. Businesses can make the most out of this simple marketing tool; they can use it to advertise their products, introduce new services, offer discounts or promos, and announce events, among others. In the world of business, it is always important to make customers and clients feel satisfied. Thus, business owners always have to put their interests in mind.

Newsletters have started out as a print-based material. These require, for the creator, to gather news, feature articles or information that can be featured on the newsletter; layout and design using Microsoft Office Publisher, Office, or any other computer program; copy and proof readingl; and then printing it out en masse for distribution. The whole process of production is labor intensive, not to mention costly. Any company or organization need to invest money on production.

Imagine: if you have a thousand subscribers, how much would you need to produce and distribute newsletters? The hardwork and effort can be time consuming.

For those businesses who want to save money, but still be able to produce newsletters for their clientele, they can make use of online newsletters. These online newsletters are a practical way to help market your business and of course, your products and services. Online, there are different companies that offer such service. Or you can just opt to make your own using tools for newsletters online. Newsletters can be available with a fee, sometimes, for free over the internet.

Newsletters that do not come with a price are often given to those businesses who want to undergo a trial period for a maximum of 30 days and sometimes more; to experience how the product works, how they can use it to their advantage, and how the feedback will be from their clients or customers. This comes with a free use of newsletter templates as well as distribution to their clienteles email addresses. You just need to have a mailing list, complete with contact information.

Making email newsletters on your own can be easy. You just need to be, of course, connected to the internet. Websites that offer such service have templates you can choose from. Just browse through their selection, and choose the one that best fit your business image. Once you have selected the template, you can edit according to your preference: font, color, table, layout, etc. You can also replace the images with your own. Put pictures of your products, if you like.

Always make sure that you get to save your work once you make changes or when you are already finished. You will be directed to a send or even a review option. Before you go and send it your clientele, make sure that you have proof read. Go over the news, article, or promo sections to check the veracity of the information contained. Then click send; you will be asked to enter all the names and addresses of your clientele beforehand or during the latter part of the process.

About the Author:
Martha Killian has been writing articles online for about 2 years now in a printing company. You can also check out this website for more information about newsletters and how to start and make newsletter templates.