helping you become a better writer

There is a saying that if you want to improve a skill to study under someone that is better at that skill than you. Otherwise, how will you get any better? This same school of thought also applies to writing. The way to become a better writer is to see how better writers write. For more on this, have a look at the Problogger article The Most Important Tip For Better Writing.

How many times have you used a spell checker only to discover later that there is a glaring mistake in your writing? Let’s face it - writers can’t rely on spell-checkers alone. That is where proofreading comes into play. There are some steps you can take to ensure that your proofreading techniques are productive. For some examples, read 8 Proofreading Tips And Techniques from Daily Writing Tips.

If you have goals of being a successful blog content writer it is a good idea to read other blogs. Of course, there are a LOT of blogs out there. So, how do you know which ones you should be reading and which ones you should be skipping? Well, luckily the people over at Freelance Folder have muddled through the blogosphere for you. To see what they recommend you read regularly, have a look at 20 Must-Read Blogs For Freelance Writers from Freelance folder.

Do you have a lot of writing goals? If you do, then what is stopping you? Sometimes it is hard to actually sit down and get started on those writing goals. That is why you should focus on building the writing habit. For some great tips on doing that have a look at 9 Ways To Jumpstart Your Writing Goal from Dumb Little Man.

If you are sending out resumes and not getting any calls for interviews then it might be time to tweak that resume. Luckily there are some simple steps you can take to improve that resume.

To make your resume a quicker read, why not trim down that paragraph that you have as an objective statement. Instead of having a novel there, why not state the position you are seeking. Period.

Remember to plan for the electronic gatekeeper. These days computer programs scan resumes for keywords like “problem-solving,” “leadership,” and “oral/written communication” and you need to to make sure you have maximized your resume for this. Think of it as SEO for resumes.

Sell yourself. Make sure your resume has a one line branding statement that describes who you are and what you offer. An example of this is:

“Seasoned Chief Financial Officer strong in optimizing organizations to achieve maximum growth and market share who has produced new revenues or savings of over $65 million for my employers over the past eight years.” (from Yahoo)

List your achievements. Try to be specific about your achievements on your resume. And put a dollar amount to them if you can.