The world of writing is extremely diverse.  As you can see throughout our website, we offer a wide range of services to meet your needs.  However, if you have a special assignment which is not listed in our list of services, please don't hesitate to contact us anyway.  Chances are big that we will be able to help you.  Once we know what your desires are, we will work out a plan to meet your requirements in the best possible way, and to deliver the product on time.

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Below you will find a selection of articles with tips on writing, including some information on what we can do to help you achieve success with whatever project needs to de done.

• Ten Tips for Terrific Articles
• Invaluable Ideas for Writers
• Brainstorming
• How to Write a Resume
• Writing your Resume - Twenty Top Tips
• How to Write a Thank You Note
• Newsletters and E-zines
• Improve Your Writing Skills
• Get That Competitive Edge
• How to Write a Press Release

Ten Tips For Terrific Articles

Writing articles for websites and webpage’s today is big business.  Everyone thinks they can write a professional article or two.  It’s easy, right?  Wrong!

In order to make your article really stand out, follow these simple steps.

Pick your subject.  Research by running the word through Google and reading a selection of the results carefully. You are almost bound to find an unusual angle on a mundane subject by doing this, especially if you select your material from the end of the list, rather than from the first ten pages.    GOLDEN RULE -- never copy writing word for word from the web -- it is stealing, and you will soon be caught.  Instead, read it, regurgitate the essence of the writing, then write about it yourself. If you need ideas for words, check the thesaurus on the tools menu, it will offer many you can use.

Now you are focused on exactly which aspect of the subject you are going to write about.  Do more research if you need to at this point.  If you are writing for print magazines, and increasingly for websites to promote links, the content of the article is very important.  If you can come up with a new angle on a tired subject, you will reap the rewards. Google is the ideal tool for this.

Plan the article  -- it should have a beginning, a middle and an end. Try to order your article into a logical sequence.  Making an appropriate ending is important.  Try to tie in something right at the end, which you mentioned in the first paragraph.

Do your first draft, don’t worry about spellings or grammar yet, just get the ideas down.  As you do this, keep an eye on the number of words you are producing.  Word count under tools is an invaluable tool for writers.

At this point, I prefer to do something else, like prepare some food, or water the garden.  I like to let the subject “simmer” for afew hours, allowing my consciousness to think it over, and come up with new ideas.  This always works for me.  It is especially helpful when trying to think of unusual and stimulating titles.

Now you are ready to produce the final draft.  Re-read the article, check the text for duplications, misspellings and grammar.  You will probably think of extra information you can enrich the text with, so add salient points.

Do a thorough check now on spelling and grammar.  Check the number of words is right.  Short paragraphs are recommended for writing on the web.

Next, think about the title.  Again, a new twist on a tired subject is always appreciated.  Often using opposites works well, like “Cool Drinks for a Hot Date”.  Keep them short and snappy.  Alliteration works well also, so consider checking other words so your title has words all starting with the same letter.

Check the text again.  Re-write where necessary.  This is probably the most important part of writing -- re-writing.  Don’t skimp if you want to look professional in your work. Presentation, spelling and grammar are important.

Select your title, do a final word count and spell check. You’re done!

Now you can move away from writing cool text messages on your mobile phone, and start promoting your website by writing articles. It is advisable to practice your writing skills regularly.  Try revamping your CV by becoming your own resume writer.  Everything you write is good practice.

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Invaluable Ideas for Writers

The most valuable tool of the freelance writer or author is undoubtedly a notebook. Inspiration can strike at any moment, and usually does so at the most unexpected time.  It is wise to always have a notebook and pen with you, especially beside your bed, to capture those elusive morning inspirations and ideas, before they evaporate with the coming of the day.  The subconscious mind misses nothing and is your best ally.

An invaluable tip for writers is this  --  during that dreamy state between awake and asleep, before you fall asleep, simply ask your unconscious mind to help.  Ask it to come up with some relevant ideas on the project you are working on. Go over it in your mind several times, then, very often, on awakening, new ideas course through your mind, courtesy of your subconscious.  Song-writers, including Sir Paul McCartney, have used this technique to great effect when trying to think of new lyrics and melodies.

If you find it easier to ‘speak’ your ideas and inspirations, then perhaps it is worth investing in a small portable dictaphone type recording machine, and having this with you at all times.  They repay the cost many times over by keeping all your dredged up ideas and inspirations safe for you to later transcribe.

A small notebook and pen is easily managed by most people, slipping easily into handbag or pocket.  A good rule of thumb is to write down all ideas, no matter how outlandish or unrealistic they may appear at the time.  Plenty of time to later  copy them into a word document, and at the same time, re-evaluate their worth.

It is important to get into the habit of keeping it with you at all times, add it to the list of items we always take with us, such as keys, and mobile phone.  In this way, when that million dollar idea strikes, you will be ready and will not let it slip away with the morning sun.

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Brainstorming

There are many ways to stimulate your creative juices, and to get the ideas flowing.  Most authors have their favourites which are usually tried and tested and work for them. 

Maybe the best known is brainstorming.   Brainstorming is a powerful technique which can create new ideas and solve problems.  It can be done in a group, with a partner, or alone.  When used in a group setting, it motivates and develops a team spirit.  It often involves group members in bigger management issues and allows the team to work together.  When used as part of a team, a flip-chart, allowing all participants to see what is happening, and what is being produced, is essential.  On a one to one basis, or alone, it not required.  But writing everything down is essential.

There are a few simple rules when brainstorming.  Firstly, judgment and criticism are suspended during the session.  Secondly, there are no right or wrong answers, there are no good or bad ideas.  Reviewing the ideas generated comes later.  Often the wilder, and stranger the idea, the better.  Many times great ideas can come from what initially appears strange or irrelevant.

Another concept to bear in mind when brainstorming ideas for your writing, is that quantity and not quality is the most important thing at this stage.  Combining ideas is another option, see where one idea leads, then combine it with another.

Key to brainstorming is writing ideas down.  Don’t just call out ideas, make someone responsible for collecting every single idea mentioned.  It is easy to forget what is said, and no writer wants to lose a gem of inspiration for a new book or article.  Also, sometimes actually seeing ideas written down, will spur you on to other ideas.

If you work alone, or are self-employed, you may wish to brainstorm alone.  Maybe our colleagues do not like brainstorming sessions, or it is too time consuming to arrange a group session, or perhaps you work in a critical organisation, and get better inspiration from brainstorming with your partner.  Often, brainstorming alone, or with a trusted partner, is more successful than in a group, but the essentials remain the same.  There should be no criticism or judgment, and it is absolutely essential to write everything down.  The time for reviewing suggestions will come later.

In using a structured approach to formulate new ideas, you will be at a huge advantage over others who do not think they can be creative alone.  Actually, it is possible to be even more creative by yourself than in a group, especially if the group is badly organised.

Another tip for creating ideas is by Random Word Selection.  A dictionary, newspaper or magazine can be used for the source.  By selecting a word at random, you are almost guaranteed to come at a problem or idea from a different, and unusual angle.

It is important to stop yourself thinking that this is silly.  Concrete results will soon change your mind. 

To illustrate this technique, let’s work through an example.  Say the random word generated is “globe”.  Article ideas springing from this could be travel related, perhaps on the modes of travel, or the health aspects of travel.  Another random word could be “balloon”.  Initial ideas could be the rubber balloons are made from or maybe the different types of gasses it is possible to fill balloons with. Or perhaps the uses of balloons, possibly for travel, advertising or leisure.

There are many brainstorming techniques which will provide you with an endless string of marketable and valuable ideas, and if you are lucky, perhaps the million dollar idea will be in amongst them.

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How to Write a Resume

Having an up to date Resume is vital in today’s job market.  Whether you are a shelf filler for the local supermarket or a high powered executive.  Resume writing is not difficult.  Like all good writing there are some basic rules.  If you follow them, what you produce will be simple, clear, well presented and almost guaranteed to get you that job interview. 

There are many books and much information on the web about how to write your own resume.  Many offer resume templates, or free resumes.  The writers who run this website (www.textwriters.net) will also write your resume for a very reasonable fee. If you are not delighted, you don’t have to pay, it’s as simple as that!

A gentle word here about presentation. You would not turn up to a job interview in dirty torn jeans, with long dirty hair long dirty fingernails, and spinach in your teeth  -- would you?  If your answer was yes, then this could explain why you are unemployed. 

The same care and attention you lavish upon looking professional should be applied to your resume.  Your resume and cover letter are often the first point of contact with your prospective employer.  You only get one chance to make a good first impression, so don’t waste it.  Use the best quality paper you can afford.  Before hitting ‘print’ make sure that you have re-set the printer to ‘best quality’ and not ‘draft’.  It will take a little more ink, and usually be slower, but the presentation will be first class.  Make friends with your spelling and grammar checker.  Run the resume through both several times and correct everything brought to your attention.

The first step in writing your resume is to gather together your information.  The first section of your resume should give information like your full name, your address, and your telephone numbers.  Keep it brief, but make sure you include vital information. 

The information you provide to each prospective employer should be different.  It makes sense to have a ‘core resume’ and to adapt it to the individual needs of each prospective employer.

For example, if you are applying for a summer job as a lifeguard, and you have proficiency certificates in life-saving, then it makes sense to make these stand out more in your resume.  They should not be at the bottom of a long list of certificates and qualifications on page three, since they are highly relevant for this particular application. 

On the other hand, if you are applying for a position in a bank, they would not necessarily be that interested in your life saving qualifications, and probably would be more interested in your photographic memory when it comes to numbers.

Tailoring the information, relevant to the requirements of the recipient of your resume is vital.  And fortunately, with the advent of home computing, it has never been easier.

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Writing your Resume - Twenty Top Tips

It has never been more important to have an up to date Resume. And it does not matter whether you are a manual laborer or a high flying executive.  Many people are scared of writing their own resume.  But resume writing is not difficult.  Follow these basic, common-sense rules and you will produce a resume which you can use to get you that job you always wanted.

Include vital information first, including your full name, your residential address, your telephone numbers (include a landline as well as mobile).  If there are times when it is better to catch you by telephone, then put these on your resume.

Use your full postal address, correctly written according to the post office.  Use all zip/post codes.  If you are sending the resume abroad, then include the country.  If your prospective employer will be calling you from outside your country, then include the country code in the number, in brackets.  For example, the United Kingdom country code is 44.  So your telephone number would look like this:  Tel: 00 (44) 01654 4567  

Writing your resume is not difficult  -  remember to keep it simple, spell check often, and pay attention to presentation.  Emphasize information which is important to the person reading your resume.

If you just bring yourself to do it, or are not happy with the results after days of trying – then get quotes from online companies to write a resume for you.  The writers at this website (www.textwriters.net) will do it for you for a very reasonable fee, and you don’t pay unless you are happy with it.

If you have decided to use a photograph of yourself, make sure it is the best it can be.  Go to a professional photographers and get some really good shots.  Make sure you include the size requested in the advertisement.  If no size was mentioned, get prints the standard passport size.  If you are asked for more than one, ensure you actually send more than one.

Changing information, so that it meets the needs of the person you are mailing the resume to is vital.  Depending upon the position, the important factors will change.  Skills required for driving a truck are different to those required for baking pizza for example.

Have a “Core” Resume which you keep bang up to date, ideally on your PC, and then adapt it for each position for which you apply. 

Do not allow your resume to spill over into more than three sides of A4 paper.

Ensure that you include all skills, even if they are only used by you at present for leisure pursuits.  If you are an expert kayaker in your spare time, you could also see the day where you apply for a professional kayaking instructor. But unless you are applying for that position, then keep the skill in with your hobby and leisure time pursuits.

When including a chronological history of your work experience, don’t ramble on.  Stick to the same headings and sub-headings on each company listed.  If you started out as delivery boy and are now the CEO make sure you mention that you worked your way up from the bottom.

Your Resume is the right place to ‘blow your own trumpet’.  But do it in a professional manner. 

Make sure that you use a font which is easy to read, and not a strain on the eyes.  The person who reads your resume could well have fifty others to read in the same day.  Competition is fierce for each and every job, so make it easy on the Human Resources professional. 

Unless your handwriting is absolutely superb, ensure that your resume is typed, and preferably on a PC.  If you can afford to get it written by professional resume writers, then do so, it is money well spent.  The better resume writers offer a money back if you are not delighted policy.  Shop around and get two or three quotes.

Check the printer you print your resume on is printing at ‘best’ quality and not draft (poor but fast) quality.

Use the best quality ‘bond’ paper that you can afford.

Ensure you use the spell checker several times.  Get someone you trust to read the resume over to make absolutely sure that everything is spelled correctly.

Lavish plenty of attention on the covering letter which goes with your resume.  Keep it short, well presented, with spelling checked and re-checked.  Make sure you get the exact name and address of the person to whom it is addressed.

Throughout your resume, emphasize the skills and information that you absolutely know are vital to this job application. 

In the covering letter, tell them why you think you are perfect for this job. Be brief, clear and enthusiastic.  If you do not have any acknowledgement or reply, follow up with a telephone call after an appropriate time.

Keep copies of everything (without exception) which you have sent.

Don’t mix fonts.  Keep your resume easy to read. And don’t write your life story.  Be brief, but factual.  Emphasize achievements.

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How to Write a Thank You Note

Many people do not seem to know how to write a thank you note.  Nothing expresses your thanks more eloquently than a timely and well written, thank you note.  A thank you note will do more than express your gratitude.  Far from being old fashioned or out dated, the savvy networkers out there already know the value of a handwritten note. All you need is notepaper, a little time and a writing pen.  A simple ballpoint bic pen, a fancy fountain pen or a parker pen, will all achieve the same goal.

This little note can also help cement budding new relationships, and make the recipient think of you with warm affection.  If it is a new business relationship, then a thank you note, even if only for their time, is well worth the effort and the cost of a postage stamp.  It is more personal than email, and shows an eye for detail, and a degree of thoughtfulness appreciated in all relationships, not just the business type.

Writing a thank you note is simple.  Use your best pen, make yourself comfortable, use unlined good quality note paper (the type which comes with matching envelopes is good and reasonably priced), and write it all in your own handwriting.  If you find it difficult to write in straight lines, or are worried about spacing, you easily make yourself a lined template, to put behind the sheet you are writing on.  If you use heavy black felt pen, you will see the lines through the paper.  Make sure you allow the black ink to dry thoroughly, or you will get traces of it on your thank you note.

If you think your writing is not good enough, then you are missing the point.    Typing a thank you note and printing it, then signing it, is a cop out, and nowhere near as impressive.  If you are going to spend the time and effort writing a handwritten thank you note, then it would be best to make sure it has maximum impact.

As to what to put in the note, or how to set it out  --  that is simple.  Your address goes in the top right hand corner.  Under that should go the date.  On the left side, further down the salutation “Dear Auntie May…” Start writing under the salutation.  Keep it brief and to the point.

If you are thanking whoever it is for something in particular, like a gift, then say something like “…I had been planning to buy a (whatever) for some time, but never saw one I really liked, until I opened your gift.”  Two or three short paragraphs is plenty for a quick note. 

If you are still stuck --  there are plenty of online sources of sample thank you notes. It is worth persevering, as nothing quite expresses your thanks, nor reminds the recipient of you with such force as a personal, handwritten note of thanks.

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Newsletters & Ezines

Newsletters can make a huge difference to your internet marketing success.  Whether you are looking to establish your brand, to reach a wider audience, or simply to re-enforce your authority. 

Usual advertising routes such as print newspapers and magazines, are often too expensive for many businesses, especially the smaller type.  Technology today makes company newsletters and ezines a very cost effective, yet surprisingly effective form of internet marketing.

So what exactly is an emailed newsletter or ezines?  Maybe it is easier to think of it as a short newspaper or magazine, geared specifically to your business.  Instead of being specific to a location, it is related to your business, or rather the subject of your business.

From your customers’, and prospective customers’ point of view, they sign on to receive your newsletter in order to keep abreast of the latest information and events inside the company and the business.  For example, items of interest to them include special offers, quizzes, new information, or product launching.  Other interesting facts should be included, such as your latest special offers, and tips to help your customers.

If you just don’t get the time to put together your newsletter, you can enroll the help of writers  -  the people who run this website (www.textwriters.net) offer a professional service, for a low cost. 

Get some help if you are not sure you can create a really professional newsletter which will inform, educate and entertain your reader.  An unprofessional newsletter will imply that your company is also unprofessional.  Something to be avoided at all costs! Your valued clients may not even spare the time to read a poorly presented newsletter with scant or sparse content.

There are two types of newsletter, the web-page looking type, and a simple text document.  The HTML newsletter is created using the same tools, codes etc, as a web page. The obvious advantage is that the presentation is slick and stylish.  Be aware that content is the most important issue for both formats.  The webpage format will probably give better results as it is easier to read.  The downside is that this format is harder to produce, and more costly if you get professional help.

There are really two stages in creating a newsletter.  The first is the written word, and its presentation.  The second is the distribution.  There are services online who will take over this part of the newsletter for you, but take care to select one who fulfills its promises.

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Improve Your Writing Skills

Freelance writers are sprouting up all over the internet.   Regardless of experience, or expertise, everyone thinks they can write.  But there are some basic rules which everyone should follow when writing anything, whether for the web, or for print.

In the interests of sharing our expertise, we at www.textwriters.net will share some tips with our readers, and hope that they help them improve their own writing (if you need help with a writing project, drop us an email).

The very first thing to do, before you even write one letter of the first word, is that you need to understand the aim of your writing.  Are you trying to inform and educate the general public?  Perhaps you are trying to entertain them?  Would you like your readers to do something specific once they have finished reading your writing, like place an order?  Ensure that you are perfectly clear as to what you are aiming to achieve with your writing, before starting

A large proportion of writing is done to get information across to a person or group of people.  Yearly reports are sent to stockholders, to keep them abreast of company developments, ezines and newsletters are sent to subscribers to inform them of developments, information and news in their chosen subject.

When writing for an audience, you need to be aware of what is important to them.  How can you ensure what you have to say becomes important to them?  You must be very aware of your audience, and their needs, in order to best present the information they require.  You should also tailor the words you use, your vocabulary, the arguments, and even the structure of the piece of writing to the specific needs of your audience. 

It is essential that you are clear what action you wish your words to achieve on the part of your audience.  Do you want your readers to rush out and buy something? Do you want them to order online?  If so, then you must convince them that they simply cannot live without whatever it is you are selling for one more moment. 

If you want clients to follow a certain way of doing things, like registering for your newsletter, and then downloading an e-book (for which they will pay), then you need to show them, in terms which they understand clearly, the huge benefits they will receive by following your suggestions.

You will have noticed that the purpose of your writing, and your audience, are hard to separate.  You may understand why you are writing, but then fail to address the needs of your audience, and therefore fail to stimulate them into activity.  But if you have studied your audience, and yet still do not know what you are writing to them for, then again, you will not win.

Really good writing takes much effort and time, and yet at its best, is simple.  That effort and time is combined in a delicate balance with expertise in language  --  whether language used in a certain industry, or language used by your audience  -- to produce really superior writing.

To make your writing stand out from the crowd, and really achieve your goals, contact the writers of this site for a free, without obligation quotation, or simply some advice.

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Get That Competitive Edge

In these days of the world wide web, it has never been easier to find out what your competitors are up to.  If you have no idea who your competitors are, much less what they are doing, it is probable that you are not even in the race -- and they are winning.

Gathering information, simply “keeping an eye” on your main competitors is not enough these days.  What is important is how you analyze the information, and what that analysis prompts you to do with your own online businesses.

Business people who are interested in their competition, gather a wide range of useful information in a systematic manner.  Thorough examination, followed by evaluation, provides you with a much clearer understanding of your competitors  --  their motivation, their capabilities, the structure of the company, their behaviour and crucially to your business planning, their weaknesses.

Trawling the web is probably not enough for an in depth study. Utilize business directories, industry experts, analysts and government papers.  Consider market reports, libraries and suppliers. A list of net based resources can be found at the end of this article.  Check them out in every way imaginable, and collate the information.

After you have gathered the information, you need to analyze it in depth.  Consider statistics, pricing and trends.  Now you have the raw information, move on to transforming that information into knowledge that you can apply to your business. 

Ask yourself what possibilities are available to you, based on the information and analysis you have?  Are there any holes or gaps which you can fill?  Is there any aspect which you need to apply caution to? Are the majority of your competitors all doing similar things?  Are you doing the same thing or different?  Does any of the information bring up conflicts?

Here is a list of resources for checking out company information online:

• Do a search for the company through Veronica

• Check out Yahoo.  They provide links to websites categorised by industry.

• Search Deja News to see who has posted what information where.

• Check out the Thomas Register of American Manufacturers

You owe it to yourself – and your business – to find out who your competitors are, you never know, by doing so, you may not only enter the race, but win it as well!

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How to Write a Press Release

The Press release can be a highly effective marketing tool, when properly researched, written, presented and distributed.  Firstly, it is critical that you realise that a press release is not a whole page advertisement, nor an abbreviated book.

It is crucial for you to understand that your audience is not your intended customers, rather a press release is written to appeal to a journalist.  You will see immediately, that your content should not be a straightforward advertisement.  You need to appeal to a busy journalist, who is looking for newsworthy stories.
When considering what to include, place yourself in the shoes of the magazine or newspapers reader.  Why would these readers care about your press release?  You should also re-focus on the headline.  Instead of trumpeting your products or services, use a headline which shouts newsworthiness.
A small amount of homework, of researching the publications you intend to target with your press release, will pay dividends.  Without fail, examine the online sites.  If you can, get hold of a back copy or two of the paper or magazine.  Look carefully, and pay attention as to which press releases make it through to publication.  What are the editors looking for? By understanding the needs of the editors, you will be able to fulfil that need and get a much more successful response to your press release.  Something to bear in mind, when you feel like skimping on publication research: all publicity from Press Releases is free.

Try not to annoy journalists.  Generally, they are extremely busy, cramming 38 hours into 24, so they will not take kindly to you calling or emailing to ask if the press release was received or read.  It would not be unusual for a journalist to get more than 70 press releases per day.  At all costs, resist making that call.  Rest assured that if there is any interest, they will call you.
When preparing the facts to be included in your press release, ensure that you keep it short and to the point.  A press release is not supposed to tell the reader the whole story.  It is to give reporters an idea of what is happening which their readers will want to know about.
How long is a press release?  On average, aim for 400-500 words. But select those words most carefully.   Never lose site of the fact that when you fill a need, you will get good results, so your time will be well rewarded.

Once you have your press report prepared, you need to distribute it.  There are plenty of online sources who will feed your well crafted press release to literally thousands of reporters.  Most charge a reasonable fee, and in particular www.expresspress.com  get good results.  To locate some more strategic areas for your press release, check out www.businesswire.com, www.internet.com, and www.prnewswire.com 
You can also email your press release to the appropriate department at individual newspapers and magazines.  Don’t forget online ezines in your field.  Target those which would be read by your potential customers.  Spend some time making sure you send your information to the correct person within an organisation.  Press releases which are sent to the wrong contacts are most usually thrown away, and not forwarded to the correct person.  Again, your time and effort in this respect will be well rewarded.

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