Did you know that in a traditional field of writing, as many as 90 per cent of written work gets rejected? With the increasing trend of Internet writing, the competition is even more fierce. From every computer around the world, people are starting to come out of their shells and write, meaning that the competition for readership is higher than ever before. Cutting edge writing and marketing of that writing are the cornerstones to success.

*How do you write on the Internet?

Writing on the Internet has never been simpler. Websites are crying out for content, though short term bad quality writing is becoming more and more common. What writers need to do, in order to shine is to realize that readers do want quality items to read. Sites such as Ciao, Epinions and paying review sites have always been the standard, though the marketplace for written work is opening up to people with more serious intent than writing reviews for consumers. Type into Google the words Get paid for writing and there are literally thousands of possibilities.

*How do people find your writing?

It's not enough to write. How do you know you have a readership. Feedback gives you a bit of clue. On blogs for example you can have a comment box which will give you an indication, although it isn't enough to just write. You need people to find your work. Make sure you post on websites which specialize in your given subjects, so that you can depend on readers being interested in what you have to say.

*What does SEO mean?

Search engine optimization means that the article is targeted to keywords which a searcher may use in a search engine website. Keywords are vital not just in a keyword section, but should also appear naturally within the text of your work. Some overdo the keywords and their work looks almost mechanical. If you use keywords correctly, what happens is that people find your work and your readership increases.

*How can a writer spread the news of their writing?

If you go to websites which ask questions, maybe your article gives answers. For example on websites which are made for social networking, if you see a subject relevant to something you have written an article on, there is nothing inappropriate about pasting a link to your article. Do it out of context and you will not be thanked for it, though do it carefully and watch the traffic to your articles rise.

*How can a writer check the competition?

If you don't have a clue how you measure up against other writers, try Helium as a possible website to contribute to. It's rating system means that everything you write is measured for quality against other writers, giving you an idea of the standard of your writing. The best things about sites like Helium is that you are allowed to grow at your own pace. You can read other people's work while rating and learn how to improve the key elements of your work. This helps you to become more competitive and to succeed.

*Why does a writer need to be competitive?

The reason why Internet writers need to be competitive is because of the vastness of the market. Write mundane articles and expect mundane audiences. Your work may as well be on the back page of a newspaper in small print, if you don't take the care to make it worthy of reading. They need to be competitive because the market is so vast, and they are given an opportunity to earn from whichever corner of the Earth they live in, which means that journalism is opening up to people who would otherwise never reach their potential. Little by little writers gain in popularity and following and it is only by being competitive that a writer can fulfill their ambitions as a citizen journalist and online writer.

Learn more about this author, Rachelle de Bretagne.
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