Fun Facts about Toilets

Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com

Can you imagine life without toilet paper? Just thinking about it makes you feel nervous, right? Some people find talking about toilets quite disgusting, but there are actually many interesting facts about them. Here are some:

Photo by Renee Verberne on Unsplash

What did people use before toilet paper was invented?
Well, what you used for your personal bathroom needs before the invention of toilet paper depended to some degree on your social status and your geographical location.

If you were wealthy, then you might use wool, or a soft – and washable – rag. The Ancient Romans used sponges on sticks and then soaked in water.

If you were not so well off, then the most common thing to do was simply to grab a fistful of grass, leaves or straw to do what needed to be done.

In some parts of the world, going to the toilet always meant just going to the nearest river or stream and letting the current carry the waste away. Any wiping was done just by hand. That is why in India and some parts of the Middle East it is considered offensive to eat or pass food at table with your left hand – because that’s the one that you would use in the river.

In many European countries today, the use of toilet paper is considered dirty and unhygienic. In these countries the most common practice is a thorough, soapy wash and rinse afterwards using a ‘bidet.’ This is a sort of low basin with hot water tap and soap that you sit on and is usually placed next to the toilet for convenience. Source: Owlcation

Are toilets really dirty?
Contrary to popular belief, the toilet seat is the cleanest part in the bathroom since most people take great care to ensure its clean before sitting on it, according to University of Arizona microbiologist Charles Gerba. The bathroom door handle is also a less germ-infested part, since bacteria cannot thrive on cold, dry surfaces for long. Source: MSN

How do most people put the toilet paper on the holder?
Over $100,000 US dollars was spent on a study to determine whether most people put their toilet paper on the holder with the flap in front or behind. The conclusion: three out of four people have the flap in the front. Source: PlayBuzz

Are you surprised about some of the facts above? If you enjoyed this, then you should check out other articles here on our blog. We also offer the latest toilets available on the market – browse our website for options!

 

Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com

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Open Pitch: Kick Open the Door with Your Best Idea for a Guest Post

Want to write a guest post for Make a Living Writing?

Now’s your chance to land an assignment. It’s open pitch time around here (through March 8, 2019).

We’re ready to take a look at the best of the best guest post ideas about the business and craft of freelance writing.

Consider it a showdown.

Kind of like the final fight scene in the cult-classic movie Karate Kid when Daniel LaRusso takes on Cobra Kai bad-boy Johnny Lawrence.

You know. Wax on, wax off. Sweep the leg. Focus all power.

Short on ideas? Remember when LaRusso did all that work for Mr. Miyagi. At first it seemed like he wasn’t learning anything. But with a little help, he realized he had the skills to make his mark.

Whether you’re a newbie freelancer hustling to make things happen, a mid-career writer, or a pro, you’ve probably got a few moves you can share to help other writers.

So step on to the mat. Here’s what you need to know to pitch a guest post idea:

Sweep-the-leg-advice for bad guest post pitches

When the crazed Cobra Kai sensi John Kreese tells LaRusso’s opponent to “sweep the leg,” he knows it’s a move that will result in immediate disqualification.

Maybe you’re already in fighting stance ready to strike with your first guest post pitch idea. But before you do, it’s important to know what will disqualify your pitch every time.

Almost every day we receive pitch ideas from people who think Make a Living Writing is :

• A good place to sell their snake oil
• An editing and translation service for non-English speakers
• A forum to tell a sob story about some traumatic life event
• A clearing house for pyramid schemes and money-making scams
• A philanthropic organization that cares for rescue dogs, cats, monkeys, and unicorns
• Interested in a vague mish-mash of ramblings about freelance writing

It’s kind of a problem. Truth be told, maybe 1 in 20 guest post pitches make the cut. The rest are a major brain drain, on time, inbox capacity, productivity, and creative mojo.

Far too many pitches we receive have nothing to do with the business and craft of freelance writing. If you don’t want to be escorted off the mat, don’t submit a pitch that will disqualify you.

Deliver your pitch with a punch in the face

Do it. If you’ve got a great guest post idea about the business and craft of freelance writing, ball up your fist and punch us in the face with your best offensive strike. Seriously, unleash your fury. Here’s how.

• Study the guidelines. It’s all there. Lot of freelance topics, details, and instructions to pitch an idea with the best chances of acceptance. Far too many writers don’t read the guidelines or purposely ignore the explicit rules for disqualification.
• Read a dozen or more blog posts published on the site. FYI, there’s more than 1,000 on all kinds of freelance writing topics. Get familiar with the content, style, and audience, before you pitch a guest post idea.
• Develop an original idea about the business and craft of freelance writing. We don’t accept any generic, researched-off-the-Internet writing topics we’ve all seen 100 times before.
• Share your experience. Your hands-on approach to freelancing, successes,  failures, and strategies make a difference. Share your experience or provide a play-by-play account of how you get more clients, for example. Learning from other writers’ personal experiences is a powerful way to teach, motivate, and help other freelancers move up and earn more.
• Write a pitch with a working headline and brief outline of the points you’ll cover in the guest post. In case you didn’t see that…write a BRIEF outline with a working headline. No pre-written posts, ramblings, or novel-length submissions.

Send us a guest post pitch Mr. Miyagi would be proud of. “Either you karate do ‘yes’ or karate do ‘no.’ You karate do ‘guess so,’ get squished just like grape.”

It’s open pitch through March 8. Let’s see what you’ve got. Send us your guest post ideas, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible, if it looks like a good fit.

Have a question about pitching  a guest post idea for Make a Living Writing? Let’s discuss.

Evan Jensen is the blog editor for Make a Living Writing. When he’s not on a writing deadline, or catching up on emails, he’s training to run another 100-mile ultramarathon.

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Shower vs. Bathtub

Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com

Contemplating whether you should put a bathtub or a shower in your bathroom? Here are some factors to consider:

Photo by Karla Alexander on Unsplash

Who will use the bathroom?
Think of either the people in your household or your potential buyers. Young, busy couples tend to prefer walk-in showers over tubs. The same is true for many elderly and disabled individuals because walk-ins are easy to get into and out of; however, these homeowners tend to prefer a place to sit and railings for safety and ease. Although, it would be difficult for parents of babies and toddlers to manage bath time in a shower.

If you are looking to age-in-place, a shower is a good investment. If you are planning to start a family, make sure you have at least one tub.

Baths in a master suite are usually only used by adults. If you plan to keep or install a master bathtub, consider deep, stand-alone models. These provide a luxurious option for those who like to soak in comfort. There are models for every aesthetic, easily incorporated into modern, rustic and antique designs. You can even look for varieties with jets or internal heaters that help keep the water warm. Source: TheSpruce

Which is more environmentally friendly?
Showers beat baths from an environment standpoint so long as you aren’t taking a very long shower, Grist reported earlier this year.

The best way to conserve water is to use a water-saving shower head, which uses no more than two gallons of water per minute. A 10-minute shower will put you at only 20 gallons on average to get clean through this method.

The average bath uses 36 gallons to fill a tub, while the average shower (without the water-saving device) uses five gallons of water per minute, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

You can make it snappy and rinse off between five and seven minutes with a regular shower head, or go a bit longer with a water-reducing nozzle instead. Source: HuffPost

Does the bathroom have enough space?
Space is at a premium in the average bathroom, which often measures just 5 by 8. While a standard tub measures 30 inches wide, it can be as long as 72 inches, according to This Old House, while stand-alone showers range from 36 by 36 inches to 36 by 48. This smaller footprint allows a shower to fit much more readily in a small bathroom than a tub, freeing up space for other features. Eliminating the tub in favor of the shower also allows homeowners to incorporate a larger, spa-like shower rather than the standard enclosure, while still utilizing less space than the average bathtub. Source: HomeGuides.SFGate

If at this point you’re still undecided on which to get, we can help you pick what works best for your bathroom. Call us today!

 

Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com

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3 Ways to Lower Blood Pressure

Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com

Don’t let hypertension defeat you. Manage this condition by consistently following these important tips:

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

Regular exercise
Exercise is one of the best things you can do to lower high blood pressure.

Regular exercise helps make your heart stronger and more efficient at pumping blood, which lowers the pressure in your arteries.

In fact, 150 minutes of moderate exercise, such as walking, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise, such as running, per week can help lower blood pressure and improve your heart health.

What’s more, doing even more exercise reduces your blood pressure even further, according to the National Walkers’ Health Study.

Bottom Line: Walking just 30 minutes a day can help lower your blood pressure. More exercise helps reduce it even further. Source: MedicalNewsToday

Reduce salt intake
We need sodium to live, but too much salt leads the body to hold on to more fluids and that causes volume changes inside blood vessels. Over time, blood pressure rises.

“The problem is, salt is everywhere,” Haythe noted.

“It’s not just the salt that you add with the shaker,” Blankstein added. “Most of the sodium we get in our diet is found in various processed foods — things like canned soups, chips, cold cuts, pickles and even bread.”

He recommended consuming less than 2 grams (2,000 mg) of salt — or less than one teaspoon — a day for people who are trying to lower their blood pressure. That can be very effective, he said. Source: Today

Relax in a sauna
Studying more than 1,600 middle-aged men in Finland, researchers found that those who took sauna baths four to seven times a week cut their risk of high blood pressure by nearly half, compared to once-a-week sauna bathers.

“Sauna bathing may decrease systemic blood pressure through different biological mechanisms,” said study researcher Jari Laukkanen, a professor at the University of Eastern Finland, and colleagues.

In the sauna, your body temperature rises, widening the blood vessels. Over time, this appears to improve the function of the inside layer of blood vessels, the researchers explained. Sauna baths also remove fluid from the body through sweating, and relax the body and mind, the researchers added. Source: WebMD

You have many options to choose from when it comes to lowering your blood pressure. But out of all your options, nothing beats the ease of relaxing in a sauna. If you don’t have a sauna yet, today is the best time to get one. Give us a call!

 

Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com

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Challenge #330 - Photo Inspiration

Good morning everyone and welcome to Addicted to Stamps and More. We have a photo challenge to inspire you this week.

You can take anything from the photo as your inspiration. The colours, the texture, a particular image or images, shapes, etc.

Before we get started we are going to announce the winners for Challenge #328 - Holiday

#29 Rahmat

#6 Chris

#28 Maja

#20 Birgit

Congratulations everyone!

Okay onto our photo challenge. Here are our designers with their inspiration for you.

Monika

Carol

Valentyna

Izzy

Angie

Julie

Gwendolyn

Nandini 

Ceal 

That's it from our talented designers - over to you now. Have fun!

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Use This Mind-Bending Process Goal to Win More Writing Jobs

Ever wonder if there’s a superpower to help you find great writing jobs?

You know, like some kind of mind-reading technique to help you know what editors want.

Or some sophisticated computer program that learns rapidly and starts writing pitches to help you land more writing jobs. That would be nice, right?

Well, either one would also be the easy way out. And you’re not going to learn anything about the business and craft of freelance writing if you do it that way.

So if you’re struggling to find writing jobs and clients that pay well, what should you do?

Forget everything you might know about left-side brain logic and the most practical path to build your freelance writing business.

That’s what I did when I stumbled across a mind-bending process that really works. It took a little while to wrap my head around the idea.

Now I’m booking more work, landing more long-term clients, getting better-paying writing jobs. And this year is going to be even better.

What’s the mind-bending process to get more writing jobs? Here’s what you need to know:

The universal freelance trigger for ice cream cravings

When I received my first rejection letter, all I wanted to do was wallow in self-doubt with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.

Been there, done that? It’s kind of a universal trigger for freelance writers.

You put your heart and soul into writing the perfect letter of introduction, pitch, or query letter. Then you hear nothing but crickets. Or after a long wait, you get a generic email or form letter in the mail, that says your pitch was rejected.

It’s time to retrain your brain

When you’re new to pitching editors and marketing managers to land freelance writing jobs, it’s easy to second guess yourself. You’re staring at the e-mail or reading that rejection letter thinking:

• I’m not good enough.
• I’m not smart enough.
• I have no business even calling myself a writer.
• I’ll never be able to do this.

OK, so maybe I took those first rejection letters harder than most. It was bad. But you can turn it around if you’re willing to adopt an out-there mindset shift. Rejection doesn’t have to be a bad thing. You can use it to transform your freelance career and get more writing jobs.

Wrap your mind around this mind-bending idea

There’s a common misconception that goes along with rejection that needs to be clarified. Instead of feeling totally defeated when an editor or marketing director rejects your pitch, remember this:

Rejection does not equal failure.”

I repeat, rejection does not equal failure.

You are not the only one receiving a “Thanks, but no thanks” email. We all get them.

Rejections are a part of every writer’s life. It doesn’t matter what you write, how well you write, or anything else.

If you’ve been a freelance writer for a day or a lifetime, rejections come with the territory.

Instead of fearing them, it’s time to change your mind about rejections, and use rejections to get more writing jobs. How do you do that?

• Stop allowing the fear of rejection from holding you back.
• Write a query letter or letter of introduction. Send it off.
• Don’t get hung up on rejection. Keep pitching until you’re fully booked.

Reasons a pitch is rejected…

Before you start second-guessing yourself, recognize there are many reasons a pitch is rejected (and it’s usually not your idea or writing skills) like:

• The publisher nixed the idea, even though the editor liked it
• The query wasn’t clear to the editor/marketing director
• It didn’t make it to the right decision maker at the company/publication
• Your pitch email was deleted in error on a chaotic day for an editor

The list of reasons for a rejection is endless. Assume nothing. Take rejection in stride. And then make this one crazy move…

Set a rejection goal to get more writing jobs

By aiming for rejections, the business of pitching becomes a kind of game. Ask yourself this question: How many more rejections do you need to reach your goal?

If you’ve been struggling to get freelance writing jobs, you probably haven’t thought of those rejection letters this way. I know I didn’t. I used to keep a spoon and a bucket of Ben and Jerry’s on hand just for the occasion. But not any more.

Pick a rejection goal. For example, 10 rejections a week. Or 50 rejections a month. It’s a different way of thinking. But it works. It’s a process goal that will force you to send out more LOIs and more query letters. Set a goal, and get to work.

By the time you hit 100 rejections, or whatever your goal is, you’ll be a better writer. You’ll have more confidence in your skills to pitch ideas. And the more you send out, the higher your chances of getting more writing jobs to help you move up and earn more.

My rejection journey to more freelance writing jobs

Last year I set a personal pitch goal. A pretty wimpy one, in my opinion. Send out 90 pitches. I aimed for 90 winning pitches, not 90 rejections. Of those 90 pitches, 47 were accepted, and nine grew into repeat clients.

Not bad, right? Imagine how much better I could’ve done, had I really challenged myself. In truth, by aiming for pitches instead of rejections, I grew bored partway through the year and stopped before hitting a full hundred.

There’s nothing wrong with a pitch goal. But I challenge you to set a rejection goal this year. It’s a great way to force yourself to work harder, put yourself out there more, and make the odds of landing more writing jobs a lot better for yourself.

Here’s another way to look at this mind-bending idea. If you get 100 rejections this year, how many writing jobs will that translate to. There’s only one way to find out. Ready? Let’s do this.

Have you used rejection to get more writing jobs? Leave a comment and let’s discuss.

Beth Casey is a B2B writer living in Maine. She writes about business, digital marketing, health, and technology

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3 Tips on Planning Your Bathroom Remodel

Stop Whining: How to Crush Your Freelance Writing Excuses

It’s the middle of the afternoon. You’ve got a client deadline. And all you’ve been able to do for the last few hours is think up writing excuses for why you’re not cranking out copy.

• Your desk is too cluttered.
• You’re behind on dishes and laundry.
• You don’t feel like writing.
• You didn’t get enough info from your client to complete the assignment.
• And then the thought crosses your mind: I’m not really a writer. I’m just pretending to be one.

Been there, done that?

If you’ve made any of these writing excuses (FYI…there’s many more), you’ve probably done your share of whining, crying, and flailing around.

All that, when you could have been, you know, working.

Tired of writing excuses holding you back from moving up and earning more as a freelancer?

Stop whining, and crush your freelance writing excuses once and for all. Here’s how:

Linda Formichelli

Meet writing excuse buster Linda Formichelli

Freelance writer Linda Formichelli has heard just about every excuse in the book from other writers. And she’s done her fair share of excuse making during her 20-plus years of writing for a living. But that hasn’t stopped her from a successful freelance career. Her work includes:

• Writing for more than 150 trade and consumer magazines
• Working for 35-plus copywriting and content marketing clients
• Guest posting for many top blogs like Copyblogger, about the business and craft of freelance writing, and
• Publishing multiple books, including Whine Less, Write More: The No Excuses Guide to Getting Your Butt in the Chair, with co-author Diana Burrell

We recently caught up with Linda for a Freelance Writers Den podcast to find how to bust your writing excuses once and for all.

Q: What if you can’t come up with any new story ideas?

Formichelli: Just about every idea you can come up with has probably been done in some way. Here’s a magazine example. If you look on the newsstand, you practically see, “ Walk off the weight,” on every single health and fitness magazine. It’s easy to think, “How can I come up with something any different?” It seems like they run the same thing all the time. But you can.

The trick is to figure out how to put a spin on an idea that only you can do. For example, maybe, there’s this new trend of walking backwards, or what if you walk with weights, or maybe an opposite idea about why it’s impossible to walk and effectively lose weight.

Q: What if you spend too much time on research and over-analyzing every assignment?

Formichelli: Lots of writers have problems with getting stuck in research mode. It’s another excuse used to avoid actually writing. The problem is, that if you don’t know already what exactly you need, it’s easy to go down that rabbit hole of just researching and researching.

For example, you’re writing about some health topic, and you don’t know exactly where your article or your pitch is going to go. Before you call some experts to interview, you just spend hours and hours researching to make sure you cover all your bases.

Here’s how I handle this. No matter what the writing project is, do just enough research to write a barebones piece. Then you look through it during the editing phase, and if you’re missing any information, you gather and add that information with research and interviews.

Q: What helps freelancers avoid the classic writing excuse, procrastination?

Formichelli: It’s not that complicated. Get started as soon as you get that assignment. Boom! You’re off to the races. When you take this approach, you’ll have time at the end, instead of being stressed out about your deadline. You’ll be a lot more confident, and you’ll be able to get the research you need.

Q: What if you don’t get all the info you need in your first interview with an expert?

Formichelli: Well, you could easily use that as another writing excuse. But there’s trick to take care of that you can use at the end of every interview.

Just ask: “Is it okay if I get back to you if anything comes up as I’m writing this piece?”

They always, always, always, always say, “Yes.” And that makes you feel a little bit better like, “OK, even if I don’t have everything right now, I can write what I have and then come back if I need something.”

Q: What if you get bored with an assignment and don’t feel like writing?

Formichelli: I’ve heard that kind of writing excuse from freelancers a lot. “I don’t feel like doing it.” “I’m not in the mood.” “I’m not inspired.” “I’m tired.” “I’m sick.”

If any one of these things makes you want to put off writing, don’t just do nothing. Choose tasks you can work on based on the amount of time and energy you have. If you have a half an hour and you’re really tired , maybe you update your website, or file your expenses, or just do something that doesn’t take a lot of brainpower.

But if you find that you always have the time and energy for research or posting on social media, and you never seem to have the time and actually writing, you know you’re in writing excuse territory. If you want to learn more about how to deal with this problem, go read this blog post by Mark Manson: F*** Your Feelings. It’s perfect advice for this situation.

Q: What should you do if you get stuck in I-don’t-feel-like-it mode?

Formichelli: Think about it this way. If everybody waited until they felt perfectly calm, energetic, centered, happy and healthy before they started writing, nobody would ever get anything done.

Your feelings come from your actions and not the other way around. If you get started writing, even if you don’t feel 100 percent in the mood, soon you’ll find that you are in the mood.

But it doesn’t work the other way. You can’t sit there and mentally motivate yourself with a motivational speech in your head, meditating, or wondering, “What the heck is wrong with me?” You need to just take action.

Q: How do you handle the ‘I don’t have enough time’ writing excuse?

Formichelli: It’s easy to think it’s all about time management, like if only you could figure out how to manage your time better, you could get more writing done. But that really won’t solve your problem. It’s more about attitude.

Just look at writers who get a lot done and are published everywhere. They’re all busy with their lives like everyone else, except they use the small amount of time they do have better. We all have the same 160 hours per week as everyone else, so you need to think about why some writers are able to produce so much in that amount of time, if you feel like you can’t.

Q: What if age is your excuse for not putting yourself out there as a freelancer?

Formichelli: In my experience, editors, publishers, readers and clients, care more about what you can do for them than anything about your personal situation, especially how old you are. If you present yourself professionally, have a great idea, and write really well, nobody cares if you’re 17 years old or if you’re 70 years old.

Q: What if you’re afraid to put yourself out there as a writer?

Formichelli: Remember this. You’re not the center of everyone’s universe. It’s so easy to feel like we’re always in the spotlight, everything revolves around us, and there’s some magical powers that are doing nothing but judging our writing. But the truth is, everyone is thinking about themselves too much to worry about whether or not you’re a writer.

Q: How do you deal with Impostor Syndrome?

Formichelli: You’re in a big club. So many writers feel like they’re frauds, like someday everybody’s going to realize that you’re not the real deal. Even Maya Angelou and Seth Godin have felt this way. It’s not uncommon for people who have this affliction to be the perfectionist-high-achiever type. So, if you feel like a fraud, I think it helps to remember that it probably means you’re not a fraud. It just means that you’re overly critical of yourself.

The formula for freelance success: No excuses

Ready to move up and earn more? Now is always the best time to start. If you’ve let excuses get in the way of freelance success, take Linda’s advice. Stop whining, stop making excuses, and get to work.

What excuses are holding you back from freelance success? Leave a comment and let’s discuss.

Evan Jensen is the blog editor for Make a Living Writing. When he’s not on a writing deadline, or catching up on emails, he’s training to run another 100-mile ultramarathon.

The post Stop Whining: How to Crush Your Freelance Writing Excuses appeared first on Make A Living Writing.

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Tips on Cleaning Bathroom Grout

Magazine Article Tips: Your Fail-Proof Checklist for a Killer Query

Say you’ve got an idea for a magazine article. You write up a query and send it in.

What happens next? Crickets.

I’ve heard this tale from hundreds of writers. They all want to know why.

Usually, the answer is that you don’t know how to analyze the magazine you’re pitching, and use what you learn to create the perfect query — the irresistible one that editor can’t resist.

Everything you need to know to write a hot query can be found by studying the articles in that magazine.

What do you need to look for? Here’s my checklist:

Extra, extra

It may seem like a small thing, but knowing how to write a headline that’s in the style of your target magazine can help get you off on the right foot with an editor. It shows you’ve read their magazine and care about their style.

For instance, some magazines have long headlines. Here’s one from O the Oprah Magazine:

This ‘Call Me By Your Name’ Producer is Fighting Female Violence in Film

Other magazines tend to favor short, 2-5 word, punchy headlines. This is usually followed by what editors call a ‘dek,’ that explains the topic in more depth. For instance, here’s the headline for a piece I did for Alaska Beyond:

Market Makers

Investor Appetite is Increasing for Initial Public Offerings

See the difference? Copy the headline style to alert your editor that you’ve read their pub — which makes them want to read through your query more carefully.

In the beginning…

As with headlines, magazines have conventions about how their articles begin (known in journo-speak as ‘the lede’).

Flip through an issue and read the first paragraph of each story. You’ll probably quickly detect a pattern.

It might be that most stories begin with a riveting anecdote. Or they might start with a fresh statistic or recent news event. Perhaps many begin by asking a question (that’s certainly true here on my blog).

Once you get the type of lede they prefer, you can write the lede in your query letter the exact same way.

Boom! The editor starts to imagine your magazine article appearing in the pages of their publication. Because it fits perfectly with their style.

Get to the nut

Most magazine articles have a paragraph early on that sums up what you’re going to learn in the story. It frames why the piece is important, and what news makes it relevant right now.

This paragraph is known to editors as the nut graf. One slick thing you can do analyzing your magazine is to see how far into the story nut grafs appear.

In a long feature, the nut might be a dozen paragraphs in. In some magazines, the nut graf IS the lede. It’s paragraph one. More typically, you’ll find it 3-6 paragraphs in.

Knowing the placement of the nut allows you to build your query so that your nut falls at the right point. In the query, that nut will say something along the lines of:

“In my article, [headline here], readers will learn X…”

It may be a little bit subliminal, but placing the nut in the right spot signals to the editor that you know how tight you need to write this, and how quickly you’ve got to get to the point of the story. Creating a nut also pulls together the drift of your story, so the editor can easily get their head around it and decide if it’s of interest.

When an editor goes searching through your query in vain for the headline and nut graf…they tend to move on.

Find the source(s)

The next step is to see what sort of facts are cited. What makes an acceptable source for this magazine?

Some publications trust government-agency sources. Say, the Bureau of Labor Statistics or the U.S. Census. For trade publications such as Nation’s Restaurant News, a source such as the International Franchise Association will be solid gold.

Still others love recently released survey data from top pollsters such as Gallup or Harris. Medical journals will want studies from highly regarded medical-research institutions.

Match your magazine article’s research sources to the types of sources you see in print, and you’ll convey the right authority vibe to please that editor.

Quotable quotes

Related to sourcing is the issue of interview quotes. Rattling off a statistic is one thing, but who do they find fascinating enough to quote in a story?

In a typical article, you might see a mix of ‘real people’ sources — the mom whose kid committed suicide, for instance — and experts in the topic. Those experts might be academics, association directors, authors, researchers, government officials and more.

Many magazines have rules about who can be quoted, or preferred interview types, and you can divine those by studying the quotes in current issues.

For example: For many years, business-owner sources for Entrepreneur always had to be under age 40, and their businesses had to have at least $1 million in revenue. (I know, like no one older has any knowledge? I had to pass on a lot of great innovators for that mag.)

Their ages were required to be stated, by the first reference of their name. Scanning an issue, this quirk would be apparent pretty quick. Catching on to that sort of detail can help you zero in on ideal interview subjects, save you a lot of wasted time — and impress your editor.

Check the layout

Just as magazines have conventions for headlines, ledes, quotes, and sourcing, they also tend to have article formats they prefer.

Have you read O lately? It’s charticle city there — single-page, often graphically driven pieces with short paragraphs or sentences for each section. If you pitch them a charticle-format magazine article, your odds of acceptance will likely improve.

Other magazines like subheaded sections, or prefer lists of numbered tips. Knowledge of article format can help shape your headline idea, if the magazine editor likes the setup of ‘7 Tips for Better Bread’ more than they would ‘How to Make the Perfect Loaf of Bread.’

Wrap it up

Magazine articles begin…and they also end. How they end is another style point for many magazines, so give a look.

I have a habit of ending articles with a final, insightful quote from one of my sources, which seems to work well for many different types of publications. But study the one you’re targeting.

You may not use it in your query, but you’ll be ready to write your draft when you get an assignment — and having studied your publication in this depth, your odds of that happening have definitely increased.

Watch your tone

Many magazines have a distinctive style. Their word choices stand out. Cosmopolitan is the one that always makes an easy example here. I just went to their site to give you some examples of their tone, and their notifications pop-up said, “Wanna stay on top of all the sh*t you actually care about?”

Obviously, if you’re reading The New Yorker, that’s not going to happen. Tune into word choice in your chosen pub to pick up on how they say stuff. Then, talk their lingo in your query. This is another big way to help the editor envision your piece in their magazine.

Don’t repeat

Many writers make the mistake of flipping through the current issue of a magazine, and then pitching the editor another article on one of the topics they just saw.

That’s not likely to pay off. If a magazine comes out 12 times a year, it’s unlikely they’re going to cover a particular topic more than once in a year. If it’s been 2 years since they did it and you have a fresh angle, you’ve got more of a shot.

Magazine editors are looking for something that’s like what they’ve covered, in terms of general wheelhouse, but that takes a new direction.

So if you see an article in the magazine on preventing teen suicide, for instance, don’t pitch them another one. Even if you found an interesting program for it. Maybe a story on how kids with terminal illnesses are supporting each other, maybe there’s a new app for that?

They also love topic pitches on ideas that are part of their mission, but have been neglected (so be sure to dig for their mission statement).

For instance, AAA magazines get tons of travel pitches — but they also sell insurance, and cover that area. Look for the less-traveled path and give them a story they’re more likely to need.

Imagine the reader

As you’re studying the magazine, a final step is to start imagining the reader of this publication. Who are they? What do they care about?

If you have several different ideas you’ve been considering pitching, honing in on the reader and their problems can probably help you see which one would be the most compelling for that editor.

Write your magazine article query

Once you’ve done all this analysis, you’re ready to cast your idea into the format your editor will love best. Your pitch should include:

• Proposed headline
• Lede
• Nut
• Ideally, a bit of pre-interview from a source (or at least mention of the who you might interview)
• ONE LINE about yourself to conclude, as in, ‘I’m a Seattle-based freelance business writer’

Including these concrete examples of how you’d actually write the story gives the editor a much better idea of whether you can really deliver what they want. Armed with your magazine-article research, you should be able to nail that.

What’s worked for you in writing article queries? Leave a comment and let’s discuss.

The post Magazine Article Tips: Your Fail-Proof Checklist for a Killer Query appeared first on Make A Living Writing.

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Universal Design Ideas for Your Bathroom

Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com

Thinking about how long you’ll likely stay in your home can help you plan a universal design for your bathroom. This is beneficial to everyone in the family including the children and the elderly. If you have no idea where to start, here are some great tips:

Photo by Jose Soriano on Unsplash

Single-lever faucets
When choosing a faucet, it’s important to keep in mind how people with limited mobility will use it. A single-lever design can be turned off and on with an open palm or a closed fist, which makes it the perfect addition to a universally designed bathroom. Source: BHG

Flooring that prevents slips
Textured flooring in any location can help prevent dangerous trips, slips, and falls. Tile presents a variety of textural possibilities in the bathroom that can work for universal-design updates. “In showers, we like to cut the tiles in a two-by-two size so that you have a lot of grout in between to prevent slipping,” says Kelly. Larger floor-mat tiles with a bit of texture can also create more friction for walking. Source: ThisOldHouse

Ample space
Wheelchair-accessible bathroom dimensions require clear space of at least 5 feet (60 inches) in diameter to allow a 180-degree turn. If space is at a premium, consider keeping the room open rather than compartmentalizing the toilet so that a wheelchair’s turning radius can be accommodated. Source: HouseLogic

Easy access
Create an easy-to-use bathroom on your home’s main level. If your house has more than one floor, make sure an accommodating bathroom is located on the main level. That way, family members or guests who might not be able to handle stairs will have access to a comfortable bathroom, making your home more welcoming for everyone. Source:  DIYNetwork

Grab bars
Whether a bather is 6 or 60, anyone could use the security of a grab bar in the shower. Sleek grab bars can double as towel holders, and there are modern options that will complement the overall look of your bathroom rather than detracting from it. Source: HGTV

Take a look at our website and feel free to call us if you need help on planning your dream bathroom.

 

Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com

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Challenge #329 - Clean and Simple

Howdy do, everyone. I hope you are enjoying February. It's going to be gone before you know it! Even though it's a short month, does anyone else feel like this year is already slipping away? 

Our new challenge this week is 

Before we show off the makes from the Design Team, let's announce our winners for Challenge #

#65 Kuni

#7 Stempelfrida

#18 Janet Swanlady

#72 Nisha

Congratulations everyone!

Okay, it's time for our challenge - CAS is what we want to see :)

Meena Herale

Priyadarshini

Cindy B

Amy

Sue

Asha

Kim

Susan

Monica

Wonderful inspiration for you! Over to you now and don't forget to have fun :)

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Get Paid to Write About Writing: 15 Markets That Pay Up to $1,500+

Want to get paid to write about writing? If you know a little something about the business and craft of freelancing, you can cash in on your ideas and experience.

Here’s what I’m talking about:

It’s no secret that finding a niche is a smart strategy to grow your freelance writing business. Everyone should have a niche, or two or three. And writing can be one of them.

In fact, there’s a number of online and print markets that serve freelance writers and some pay up to $1,500 per assignment. Pitch these places great story ideas, and you can get paid to write about things like:

• How to write great headlines
• Interview tricks to get sources to spill the beans
• Profiles about thought leaders, authors, or pros in writing and publishing
• Query letter strategies to land assignments
• Business tips to be a successful freelancer

Want to get paid to write about writing? Check out these markets that cover the business and craft of freelance writing, and start pitching.

1. Author magazine

Got some insight about how to to be a better writer, develop story ideas, or make a good first impression at a writer’s conference? You can turn those ideas into an assignment for Author, the magazine for the Pacific Northwest Writers Association.

The how-to of freelance writing is the staple of this niche magazine. But Editor Bill Kenower says, he’s also interested in stories and essays about the hustle of freelancing, dealing with rejection, working in isolation, and tips to stay motivated.

Contact: Editor Bill Kenower

Rates: Depends on assignment

2. Columbia Journalism Review

If you’ve followed the field of journalism for any period of time, you’ve probably heard of Columbia Journalism Review. It’s a product of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism on the state of journalism that’s been published for nearly 60 years.

And it’s just as current now as it was when it started. Just check out a couple of recent headlines: “It’s time to rethink coverage of school shootings,” and “How YouTube reactionaries are breaking news media.”

Have a story idea, insight, or perspective on news about the news? This is one of the highest-paying magazines in the journalism niche, especially since the demise of its rival American Journalism Review.

Contact: Managing Editor Betsy Moralis

Rates: $0.50 to $1 per word, based on assignment

3. Craft Your Content

If you’re a business trying to build a blog, an entrepreneur generating content to grow a business, or a marketing director trying to capture a piece of your market, or a freelance writer, content is king. And it’s what Craft Your Content specializes in.

This site is dedicated to helping writers get better at the craft, develop voice and style, and build a freelance business, says Director of Content Erika Rasso. Your best to land an assignment: Pitch stories ideas about grammar, business, tips to boost creativity, and productivity habits for freelance writers.

Contact: Director of Content Erika Rasso

Rates: $75 to $100 per assignment

4. Be a Freelance Blogger

Be a Freelance Blogger founder Sophie Lizard recently told us: “If you can find work at $10 or $20 per post, then you can find it at $100 per post. It’s all a matter of marketing and negotiation. For the love of all that’s holy, build your business skills so that you can charge what you’re worth.”

Strike a nerve with you? If you’ve got an idea for a blog post about freelance writing, making money, raising your rates, or some other idea to help freelance writers crush it, pitch Sophie your idea.

Contact: Sophie Lizard

Rates: $100 per post

5. EContent magazine

You don’t have to look far to know digital content is everywhere. Your inbox, smartphone, social media, the Interwebs. When you understand how to write great content in a digital world, you’re a little closer to unlocking the mysteries of SEO and Google rankings. That’s the kind of content EContent features in its magazine to help writers and marketing professionals.

Want to write for this trade pub? Check out the guidelines, read back issues, and download the 2019 editorial calendar. Then pitch Editor Theresa Cramer.

Contact: Editor Theresa Cramer

Rates: Based on assignment

6. Freedom with Writing

Freedom with Writing Editor Jacob Jans says his company’s primary goal is helping freelancers make money writing. It’s why lists of markets, job leads, and writing gigs are a big part of the Freedom with Writing website.

But Jans says, his site also serves as a resource to help writers develop skills to write better, be more productive, charge higher rates, and find better-paying clients. And you’ll find similar advice in his book: The Paid Publishing Guidebook for 2019: 954 Magazines, Websites, and Blogs that Pay Writers.

Have blog post or article idea to help freelancers earn more money and more freedom? Pitch your idea to Jans. Best way to break in: Pitch a case study about how you landed an assignment that other writers can replicate.

Contact: Editor Jacob Jans

Rates: $30 to $500, based on assignment

7. Funds for Writers

If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt about earning a living as a freelance writer, you’re not alone. But it’s possible to make a living writing as a part-time gig or a full-time endeavor, says Funds for Writer Founder C. Hope Clark. And sometimes it takes more than pitching or a lucky break.

She recently told Make a Living Writing: “It takes guts and diligence for a freelancer to rise above the change and outlast that flighty influx of competition. Word-of-mouth leads the pack in finding work. Most clients rely heavily on the recommendation of a peer.”

Networking. It’s one strategy that can help you move up and earn more as a freelance writer. And it’s what Clark teaches writers how to do on her blog, with the help of guest post writers like you.

She’s looking for guest posts about things like breaking into new markets, success stories, tips for pitching seasonal stories, grant and non-profit writing, and more.

Rates: $50 per assignment

Contact: C. Hope Clark

8. Freelance Writer’s Report

When freelance writer Dana K. Cassell founded the Writers-Editors Network almost 40 years ago, she never imagined reaching a global audience of freelance writers, authors, and marketing professionals. But that’s what happened.

Cassell publishes the Freelance Writer’s Report for an experienced audience of freelance writers who want to stay current on trends, strategies, and opportunities in publishing and writing.

“Many of them have published hundreds of magazine articles, several books, or worked for dozens of business clients,” says Cassell. “We are interested only in information these writers can learn from and put to immediate use.”

Rates: $0.10 per word, based on assignment

Contact: Dana K. Cassell

9. Make a Living Writing

Carol Tice launched Make a Living Writing a decade ago to help writers do just that. About 1,000 blog posts later, she’s a recognized expert in the freelance niche who’s helped thousands of writers move up and earn more.

Got a guest post idea about the business and craft of freelance writing? Developed a strategy to land high-paying clients? Or finally crawled out of a hole to face your fears, market your business and get freelance writing clients?

Study the site. Read past blog posts. And get familiar with the guidelines. Then pitch your idea to Editor Evan Jensen.

Contact: Editor Evan Jensen

Rates: $75 to $150, based on assignment

10. Quill magazine

Quill is a trade magazine about journalism published by the Society of Professional Journalists. It’s another voice among just a handful of pubs (like Columbia Journalism Review) that publish content about the state of journalism, what it’s like to work in the business, and how to navigate the ever-changing landscape from the print-era to 24/7 digital journalism.

Need some inspiration to pitch a story idea to Quill? Just check out some of these recent headlines: “Edit like a boss: Cool tools to help you master the trade,” and “Local news deserts evolving into oases for entrepreneurs.”

Contact: Editor Monica Williams

Rates: Depends on assignment

11. WOW! Women on Writing

Your best way to break in at Women on Writing? Pitch an idea for a how-to article on a writing or publishing topic, says founder and CEO Angela Mackintosh. Bonus if you can reach out and interview experts like authors, literary agents, and publishers.

Contact: Founder Angela Mackintosh

Rates: Pays $50-$150, based on assignment

12. The Writer

If you want to land an assignment with The Writer, study the magazine. There’s eight departments that feature stories about the business and craft of freelance writing (this mag happens to cover magazine writing and copywriting, as well as fiction and non-fiction book writing).

“We’re interested in query letters on concrete topics written by emerging and experienced writers in all genres,” says Senior Editor Niki Porter. “We are looking for clear takeaway for our readers: What can they learn to improve their writing or advance their careers? What how-to tips and strategies will accomplish this?

Contact: Senior Editor Niki Porter

Rates: Depends on assignment

13. Writers Digest

Want to get into the head-space of newly appointed Writer’s Digest Editor-in-Chief Erika McIntyre to improve your chances of landing an assignment with this niche magazine for freelance writers? Take a few minutes to listen the the Jan. 3, 2019 Writer’s Digest podcast.

The short version: “I don’t plan to fix anything here that isn’t broken,” says McIntyre. “But I will not be exactly like any previous editor—I’ll be me… I’ll also be seeking out new voices in the publishing world, to bring more diversity and new ways of thinking about writing here.”

And that’s a good thing, if you’re interested in writing about the business and craft of freelance writing for Writer’s Digest. Before you pitch, study the magazine, guidelines, and take a look at the 2019 editorial calendar.

Contact: Editor-in-Chief Erika McIntyre

Rate: $750 to $1,500, based on assignment

14. Writer’s Weekly

Writer’s Weekly publishes articles about making money from writing, publishing, avoiding scams, marketing, motivation, and the business of freelancing. Best way to break in: Get familiar with the site and the Writer’s Weekly audience, and study the guidelines, says Editor Angela Hoy.

And if you need a laugh, or want to compare your query letter to some of the worst, check out this recent post at Writer’s Weekly: World’s Worst Query Letters or Book Proposals for February 2019.

Contact: Editor Angela Hoy

Rates: $40 to $60, based on assignment

15. Written By

Here’s another niche trade magazine for freelance writers. Written By is published by the Writers Guild of America, and caters to both fiction and non-fiction writers.

Last month long-time Written By editor Richard Stayton stepped down after a successful 20-year run at the magazine. “No one is pushing me out the door,” Stayton wrote in an editorial. “But I sense that this is the right time for my decision.”

Written By publishes stories about the business and craft of screenwriting and freelance life and opportunities for writers in the entertainment industry. Check Writer’s Market for more info, and check back at Written By for news about the new editor.

Contact: Written By editorial office

Rates: $1,500 and up, based on assignment

Get paid to write about writing

Maybe you’re not ready to make “writing” your one and only niche. And that’s just fine. But if you’ve been in the trenches hustling work, pitching editors, interviewing sources, and learning how to run a freelance business, why not turn some of that experience into a story idea and get paid? Take a look at this list of markets to get paid to write about writing, and get started.

Want to get paid to write about writing? Let’s discuss in the comments.

Evan Jensen is the blog editor for Make a Living Writing. When he’s not on a writing deadline or catching up on emails, he’s training to run another 100-mile ultra-marathon.

The post Get Paid to Write About Writing: 15 Markets That Pay Up to $1,500+ appeared first on Make A Living Writing.

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Fiverr Buys ClearVoice: Their CEO On the Future of Online Writing Jobs

If you missed the news this week, there was a major development in the world of online writing jobs. Better-paying, fixed-rate writer platform ClearVoice is being acquired by Fiverr. The price was undisclosed.

Stated plans are for ClearVoice to retain its identity as a separate brand, platform, and talent pool. “In the near term,” at least.

My take: This sale may actually be a good sign.

Do you think I’m crazy? One of the few great premium platforms for writers — I’ve written for ClearVoice myself — being absorbed by race-to-the-bottom bid site Fiverr. How can it be a positive thing?

Let’s say after a nearly hour-long chat this week with one of ClearVoice’s co-CEOs about why they chose Fiverr as their buyer, I feel…hopeful.

I will explain. Buckle up, this is a long, detailed post.

But first, a little quick background on what I know about these players, and about corporate mergers in our space. That way, you know where I’m coming from when I tell you what I think this merger signals for writers, and for the future of platforms that offer online writing jobs.

Writer-site mergers & their meaning

Besides writing this-here blog for a decade, I am a longtime business reporter who’s covered mergers and acquisitions, for many years. That includes covering M&A in our space before — when oDesk and Elance merged in 2014, to form the online-writing-platform gorilla that would become Upwork.

If you read that post, you’ll see I made some grim predictions about how much this was gonna suck for writers on the better of those two platforms, oDesk. Sad to say, my forecast proved dead-on, as those writers were eventually compelled to either leave or become part of the new Upwork platform.

I also noted that the need to merge was driven by the fact that there wasn’t enough low-rate business to go around. There needed to be fewer platforms offering that. Hang onto that thought for later.

Fiverr buying ClearVoice however, is quite different than oDesk-Elance. That was a merger of two similar players, with similar business models.

This time, on one side, we have a big Kahuna — Fiverr — which is a huge competitive-bidding site offering mostly very low writer pay rates. And it’s buying a small provider of high-quality, decently paid content (Phoenix-based ClearVoice has 22 employees).

The question is why. Why would Fiverr want to buy a business with a model so different from its own? Within the answer to that is why this merger may signal good news for working freelance writers.

Hint: Demand for better content is exploding. Both Fiverr and ClearVoice report they’ve seen explosive growth in client interest. ClearVoice has grown its talent roster 500% last year, and Fiverr says revenue in its ‘professional writing’ category grew 220% in the same period.

To learn more about why ClearVoice was selling — and what Fiverr might do with its new prize — I reached out to their management with my questions.

I was able to hop on a call with co-CEO Joe Griffin later that day. Here are highlights of that interview, edited for length and clarity:

ClearVoice’s CEO shares his insights

Carol: Why were you interested to sell to Fiverr?

Joe: We saw them starting to go upstream. They made some interesting moves in the past 2 years — they acquired And Co [which builds freelancer tools], and Veed.me, a video marketplace that had some high quality creators.

Then, they were doing a lot of things we wanted to do. We wanted to create a really strong education center for freelancers, and they launched Fiverr Learn a year ago. Then Fiverr Elevate, where you can find health insurance and other benefits. They’re evolving quickly.

They came to us wanting to go upstream in better servicing freelancers. They want to be the Amazon of digital services, to the extent they can.

And they see this trend, that brands want high quality. Industry changes have come, where brands see they have to create original, high-quality content, or it won’t be shared, or appear on search.

Carol: Do you worry that Fiverr’s reputation for low pay might negatively impact ClearVoice?

Joe: I don’t think so. They know they’ve got [reputation] baggage out there. But we were convinced that they truly do want to be able to provide high-quality content.

Carol: So you’re not worried Fiverr is just going to absorb ClearVoice into the Borg, so to speak, and the flat-rate, pro pricing disappears? They just convince enterprise companies to get $20 posts on Fiverr instead?

Joe: No. It’s not a good acquisition for them if they absorb us into their model. They want to make us their premium brand.

Our platform is going to remain independent. We have a product roadmap that is 18 months long right now, and adding [competitive bidding capability] isn’t on there. We want to be a place where freelancers earn a living on an ongoing basis, developing long-term relationships with brands. We have no plans to add bidding software. We match people with the role they want.

Fiverr recognizes that good-quality content marketing is exploding, and they want to be part of that. They don’t want to just serve the smaller [clients]. When you talk about pro writers who want to get paid up to $1 a word — which great writers should get paid — they need to work with established, mid-market and larger enterprise companies. And Fiverr wants to get into that.

Carol: What about Fiverr’s paid Fiverr Pro level? Might ClearVoice end up part of that?

Joe: There’s no plans to converge us with Fiverr Pro. That’s the top 1% of talent inside Fiverr. And our talent list is our list.

Carol: ClearVoice also has collaboration and workflow automation technology Fiverr was interested in, yes? Might this deal mostly be just about that?

Joe: They’re definitely very interested in our technology — but they also like our talent network and portfolios. We have machine learning to identify who has the most work on the biggest site — to identify the voices of the best writers out there. We support 200 different categories…so we can say, ‘There are 3,400 writers with ‘cloud computing’ visible among the top digital publishers,’ for instance.

Carol: What’s the benefit of this merger to current ClearVoice writers?

Joe: We have 30,000 writers in our talent network — and we’re not keeping them all busy. To keep them busy, we need to have explosive growth — and we need a heavyweight in our corner to help us grow. It’s structured into the deal, that they will help us achieve our vision. [Plans are to double or triple staff at ClearVoice by year-end.]

Carol: Will ClearVoice writers’ profiles be visible on Fiverr, or will ClearVoice writers have to accept different terms now?

Joe: No. Our site remains totally independent.

Carol: So ClearVoice writers shouldn’t worry that they’ll wake up soon, and ClearVoice will be just another low-paid content mill?

Joe: We don’t want to be in the content-mill conversation. We’re going to double down on our value proposition. We’re trying to retain the trust of the freelance community and be a quality source for work.

What could go wrong?

So. That’s what ClearVoice has to say about why this deal is happening, why Fiverr was interested to buy them, and what will happen next for ClearVoice writers. It sounds good on paper, yes?

Of course, there’s always a possibility that’s all spin. And there’s another agenda here instead. One where possibly, writers get shafted.

Big thing to know: ClearVoice has raised just over $3 million in venture capital money. (Fiverr has raised $110 million.)

Once you raise VC money, you have to sell the business at some point, or go public, in order to pay off those investors. Somewhere in here, ClearVoice needed to do that.

This may just be about…that. A payday for the owners and the investors. They built it, they got offers, they sold to the highest bidder. Just business.

Griffin portrays Fiverr as interested in the ClearVoice model, rather than interested in dismantling their model. But we’ve all seen acquiring companies that buy rivals to put them out of business, or to strip-mine them for their technology or talent.

That’s the other possibility here.That would be a very bad thing for freelance writers everywhere. But it’s not smelling like that’s where this is going.

My forecast for online writing jobs

Based on what’s going on in the marketplace and the boom in quality content needs, Griffin’s scenario makes sense. I’ve interviewed a lot of CEOs in my career, and I think I know when I’m being snowed.

Obviously, only time will tell, but I tend to believe Griffin. It’s more likely Fiverr doesn’t want to kill ClearVoice.

Fiverr wants to become ClearVoice.

Maybe Fiverr execs watched Demand Media’s implosion, and how the company was whittled away until (too late) they realized premium content was the future. And they don’t want to see that happen in their content division.

The same trend that drove the Elance-oDesk merger 5 years ago is still playing out today: Short, cheap, junk content is on the way out. So there needs to be consolidation…and survivors need to move upscale. To capture what recent surveys have shown is a booming market in longer, better-quality content.

Perhaps Fiverr has figured out the cash-cow opportunity in content marketing is in midwifing better, longer content. Bringing together top writers with great brands where managers understand our value.

Fiverr can surely do the math and see there are bigger commissions for them on $500 blog posts than $5 ones. And quality is what’s seeing booming demand — my recent writer pay survey showed that trend, too — while short, junk content is fading away.

And that’s good news for freelance writers.

What do you think about Fiverr buying ClearVoice? Let’s discuss in the comments.

The post Fiverr Buys ClearVoice: Their CEO On the Future of Online Writing Jobs appeared first on Make A Living Writing.

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