Professional Writing Skill Price Guide
Professional Writing Skill Price Guide
Professional Writing Skill Price Guide
2017
D
N
E
I T I O
Professional Writing
Skill and Price Guide
Byron White
CEO and Founder, WriterAccess
Chair, Content Marketing Conference
Author
Content Strategy Game Plan
Content Marketing Roadmap
Top 139 Content Marketing Tools
Text copyright © 2017 WriterAccess and ideaLaunch, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Author
Byron White
CEO, WriterAccess
Chair, Content Marketing Conference
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by photostat,
micro lm, xerography, or any other means, or incorporated into any information
retrieval system, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the
copyright owner.
WriterAccess
205 Portland Street Suite 500
Boston, MA 02114
http://www.writeraccess.com
This book is intended for use as an informational guide and entertainment purposes
and should not be used as a substitute for any professional medical care or treatment,
professional legal advice or professional financial guidance.
CONTENTS
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
How This Guide Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
The Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Pricing Writing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
6 Star Copywriting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
6 Star Journalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Before and After Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
By Casey Joseph
Casey Joseph Marketing
2 — FOREWORD—
Note from Byron
The challenge of this book is to provide a guide for both buyers and
sellers of writing services on what to expect when you pay more. By
breaking down the elements of quality writing with specific samples,
we hope to get both writers and buyers on the same page.
Quality writing is the new way, and frankly the only way, to engage
readers and keep them coming back for more. With attention spans
somewhere near zilch and online reading choices somewhere near
a bazillion, you need quality prose to snag the attention of readers
orbiting at high speeds.
You can go about getting that quality writing one of two ways. You
can blindly throw a dart into the wind and hope to hit your target.
Or you can go with an online marketplace that continuously rates
and scores writers, letting you choose the level of expertise your
projects demand.
The secret is to know what quality you should expect for the price
you pay. That’s what this guide is all about. We hope it enlightens,
entertains and keeps you reading – while demonstrating the value
of quality content.
Just like you can’t buy a Cadillac at Chevy prices, you’re not going to
get the highest quality writing for the lowest price. Writers with the
skills and experience to produce high-caliber work deserve fair pay
and wages that increase to match the level of quality.
To better illustrate exactly what you get when you pay more, we
decided to showcase various samples, exemplifying different levels
of skill and proficiency. Hopefully, the samples give you the gist of
what we mean when we say you get more when you pay more.
4 — INTRODUCTION —
The Assignment for the Samples
All the samples created by our designated writer heed this request:
Explain how the WriterAccess Star Rating system works. We limited
the writer to 150 to 250 words and asked for a system overview, not
a step-by-step approach.
— INTRODUCTION — 5
Writers’ Pay Rates
Complexity
The Samples
Pricing Writing
6 — INTRODUCTION —
Visibility
Skills
Sample Assessments
Do keep in mind that all writing in general runs the gamut from Plain
Jane (or Joe) to copy that sizzles. Our goal with this guide is to
explain the variation with assessments. The samples progress from
the first to the last, so be sure to start with the first. Our skill and price
assessment with each sample aims to represent the characteristics
you might expect when you pay more.
— INTRODUCTION — 7
2 to 6 Star Research Writing
Research writers are skilled at diving into any assignment and
surfacing with great work that meets the customers’ requirements.
The challenge becomes gauging how deep the writer needs to dive
and the extent of time it will take to polish the work and make it
shine. You meet that challenge when you start looking for writers in
the 2 to 6 star research writing zone.
Our assessment of the 3 star work notes the increase in skill you
pay for, evidenced by a variation of sentence structure and overall
improved flow. Dive a writer deeper at the 4 star level and you’ll
discover enhanced organization, increased complexity and more
precise word choices.
Engage a writer at the 5 star level and you’re paying for the experience
that delivers prose perked up with creativity. And, as our assessment
notes, diving with our 6 star crew takes you to the sweetest depths
of stellar research writing, producing a piece polished up with an
added layer of finesse.
Please note that the 6 star writers you get at the research writing
level may additionally be certified in one of our specialties, or they
may not. Either way, the top earning tier of our research writing is 10
cents per word. Our 6 star crew earns it, consistently delivering the
pearls that keep readers coming back for more.
WriterAccess has a Star Rating system for its writers. It rates the
quality of work each writer produces on a scale of 2 to 6. The writers
get a star rating when they first join WriterAccess. Their rating can
change as they produce work that is good or bad. Good work gets
rated on the high end of the scale with a 5 or 6.
They must have quality writing to enter the system at all. Writers
will be rejected unless they pass a test and editorial reviews of their
resume, profile and writing samples. An algorithm keeps track of how
good or bad the work is as they keep on writing. The writers’ ratings
can change based on things like how fast they finish assignments,
customer reviews of their work and how many revisions they usually
have to do.
Writers can move up the scale with good work. You can pick what
star rating you want your orders to have and, as they say, “You get
what you pay for.”
Since our writers must jump through hoops to even enter our
system, you can be sure that even 2 star work will have proper
grammar and correct spelling. You’re also sure to get the subject-
verb agreements, proper verb conjugations and all other basic skills
writers have ingrained in their brains from Writing 101.
But 2 star work won’t have much else. You’ll note the highly simplistic
sentence structure, the use of cliché, the repetition of words and
unsophisticated word choices. For instance, this writer uses phrases
like “good or bad” instead of “high-quality and of lesser caliber.”
Pricing
Clients can choose the level of writing that fits their budget due to
the Star Rating system at WriterAccess. Every writer gets a star
rating that can go up or down based on the ongoing quality of their
work. For research writing orders, 2 stars is the lowest rating and 6
stars is the highest. If a writer really shines, they can get even higher
ratings and become eligible to work on even more advanced orders
or assignments.
Once writers are part of the WriterAccess “club,” they can move up
the scale and keep earning stars as long as they keep on producing
quality work.
This 3 star writer exhibits the research writing skill set needed to
deliver acceptable work while incorporating a variation in sentence
structure that improves the writing’s overall flow. You may still find
less-than-ideal word choices, which this writer apparently tried to
get around by using quotes around “entrance exam” and “club.”
You’re up a notch from the 2 star work, but you’ll still find word
choice remains a bit unsophisticated (i.e. “up or down”), as does the
overall vibe. This is not the level of writing you’d want to showcase
on your homepage, but it may be ideal for blog posts, quick articles
or a series of brief product or service explanations.
On the plus side of the 3 star work, the final product is definitely
readable and free of errors. You can also tell the writer understands
the topic and is able to lay it out in a way that is informative and easy
for the reader to comprehend.
As with the 2 star research writers, our 3 star batch of scribes are
eager to climb up the scale and may wow you with results that can
certainly help them get there.
Pricing
When you need quality work, you know you can turn to WriterAccess,
an online marketplace that uses a Star Rating system to let you
select the specific level of quality of the work you need. Writers at
the 2 star level will deliver the basics, while those writing at the 5 or
6 star levels will deliver higher-caliber work.
Writers are first introduced to the star rating system when they
enter the system, provided they pass the writing proficiency test
and a stringent editorial review of their resume, profile and writing
samples. Their initial star rating can increase or decrease based on
the quality of work they continue to deliver, with the quality gauged
by a complex algorithm.
This 4 star writer is confident about her writing. She is not afraid
to start the piece with an attention-grabber that draws readers in,
nor is she hesitant about throwing in a bit of rhyme with the phrase
“continue to shine can continue to climb.”
Four star research writing lands you firmly in the middle of the pack,
with writers who have enough experience to merit a solid ranking
and the talent that serves to keep them there. This level can be ideal
for blog posts or articles that require a bit more research than the
lower-level orders. It can also be a good fit with a series of simple
product descriptions or blurbs you may need around your website.
Four star writers have proved their worth, but many are not done
yet. They, too, aim to scale up the ladder to higher ratings and may
certainly do so by producing work that exceeds expectations.
Pricing
Let the stars guide you to the quality writing you need when you opt
for a writer from WriterAccess. The online market place employs a
dynamic Star Rating system that ranges from 2 to 6 stars for research
writing orders, allowing you match your budget and requirements
with the quality of writing you receive.
Go for the lowest level, 2 star writing, if you have a stingy budget
and need only the bare bones of proper grammar and spelling.
Hit higher in the heavens with 6 star writing if you need work that
brilliantly shines.
Each writer is assigned a star rating upon entering the system, which
is no easy feat to begin with. Writers must pass a tough proficiency
test as well as an editorial review of their writing samples, profile
and resume. Such factors play a role in their initial rating, but the
rating system doesn’t stop there.
The star rating system not only gives writers incentive to maintain
high performance levels, but it ensures clients receive the quality
writing they need and come to expect from WriterAccess.
Five star writers have been around the block quite a few times and
their writing definitely shows it. Their talent and experience are
evident, with complex sentence structures that keep readers engaged
yet still remain straightforward enough to easily comprehend.
Their organizational skills are generally high, with a logical flow that
keeps things streamlined. Careful word choices are another strong
suit of the 5 star research writers, and they are likely to be good pals
with a quality dictionary and thesaurus.
Creativity comes into the mix for this writer with the use of the star
theme, while the use of examples provides readers with a better
understanding of the topic at hand. The piece opens by piquing
reader curiosity and closes neatly with a skilled wrap-up.
Move into 5 star territory and you’re moving into writing that could
perk up your website, grab attention through your articles and make
your product descriptions sizzle.
Pricing
When it comes to finding the ideal writer for a specific project, you
can leave guessing games to the genies if you go with WriterAccess.
This online marketplace uses a fine-tuned Star Rating system to
make the perfect writer-client match. You simply pick your desired
level that aligns with your desired results.
Star ratings range from 2 to 6 for research writing, with 6 star writers
having the opportunity to advance to certified status for copywriting,
tech writing and journalism. An initial star rating is assigned
once writers get in the door, a feat only complete after passing a
proficiency exam and manual review of their writing samples, profile
and resume.
Pick from level 2 to 6 for your research writing, going even higher
for more exclusive projects that deserve the touch of a certified
copywriter, tech writer or journalist. You’ll never have to guess at
what to expect, nor will you be wondering if the writer you choose is
up for the task. If a guessing-game genie could do all that, there’s a
good bet he wouldn’t keep getting shoved back in a bottle.
Welcome to the world of Cadillac, with 6 star writing that is at the top
of the research writing order rank for a reason. The writing boasts
all the impressive qualities of our 5 star writers along with one final
polish of finesse that earns the full 10 cents per word.
Pricing
Just so you know, we think all of you are stars, even if you are not at
the 6 star level. Achieving 6 stars may take some work and practice
on your part, but it is certainly a possibility.
Here come a few quick tips on what’s expected at the different Star
Ratings for our Professional Writers
Let’s face it: great copywriting has snap, crackle and pop that stops
readers in their tracks. It turns browsers into believers, and believers
into buyers. It’s also where our 6 star Certified Copywriting comes in,
with a price range from 10 cents to $1 per word.
Customers need big-time quality and they can expect just that
when they place 6 star orders. Our 6 star copywriters deliver the
professional content sought for projects that demand high visibility,
ideation, research and skill requirements.
As you climb up the price point scale, you’ll note an increase in skills.
Pay 25 cents per word and you’re graced with smooth transitions,
precise word choice and analogies. Up your rate to 50 cents per
word and you get crisp and clean organization and professionalism.
Mastery kicks in at the 75 cents per word rate, as do elegance,
confidence and revisions so skilled you’d never guess the writer
may have spent considerable time producing them. Top off your
copywriting at the $1 per word rate and you’re getting the proverbial
cherry on top. Extensive research, heightened proficiency, high
visibility and even higher creativity seal the deal at our highest
certified copywriting rate.
Introduction
— 6 STAR COPYWRITING — 23
Samples, Assessment, and Special
SAMPLE 6
Note
Writers don’t even enter the system unless they pass a difficult
proficiency test and survive an editorial review of their writing
samples, profile and resume. Once in, the rating process continues
with a stringent review of each writer’s ongoing performance.
Clients receive a clear picture of what they can expect based on the
level writer they choose, resulting in an end product that meets their
needs and serves up a superior ROI.
24 — 6 STAR COPYWRITING —
SAMPLE 6 ASSESSMENT
Even the most basic 6 star copywriting is good stuff. This writer
delivers a piece that is polished and professional, suitable for a
number of different projects that deserve streamlined copy.
The 10 cent word rate offers a dash of spice with clever word
choices and a carefully crafted structure, making it an ideal fit for
website copy, newsletters and advanced product descriptions that
merit more attention than the lower levels of research writing.
What the 10 cent per word piece lacks, however, is the full snap,
crackle and pop treatment you find at the higher rates. While it
makes a good read indeed, it has only dashes of spice rather than
the full pump of pizzazz.
Pricing
• Logic – 3 cents
• Articulation – 3 cents
• Publication readiness – 4 cents
— 6 STAR COPYWRITING — 25
SAMPLE 7
Only then are writers accepted into the system, but the due process
doesn’t stop there. Writers are given an initial star rating which
can increase (or decrease) depending on their performance going
forward. WriterAccess developed an algorithm that combines
various factors, such as client reviews, delivery times and bonus
pay, which can boost or diminish the writer’s overall rating.
Clients that opt for the top-notch certified writers can expect the
most brilliant of results. The higher the rate, the more brilliant the
results – it’s up to you on how dazzling you need your universe to be.
26 — 6 STAR COPYWRITING —
SAMPLE 7 ASSESSMENT
The prose enjoys the added snap that comes with the certified
copywriting rate of 25 cents per word. This writer chose an overall
theme with which to pepper the work, consistently drawing on a
mention of stars to add a bit of zip to the finished product.
Pricing
— 6 STAR COPYWRITING — 27
SAMPLE 8
Hate negotiations and haggling? Sick of hoping sheer luck will land
you the perfect writer for your content? The online writing agency
WriterAccess eliminates those concerns with its Star Rating system.
The system utilizes a specialized formula for summarizing the skill
level of different writers, which helps clients pick the best writers for
their needs. It also puts the payment rates on a logical basis without
requiring extensive negotiations each time.
28 — 6 STAR COPYWRITING —
SAMPLE 8 ASSESSMENT
The 50 cent per word rate produces copy that most would be proud
to display on their website, provided they are not after the full carnival
of words that come with the next levels. The copy here is solid, no-
nonsense and confident, perfect for work that requires clarity but
not necessarily a full acrobatic performance.
The writer has done her homework, figured out a logical organization
for the material, and expressed all the key points clearly and without
awkward or clunky distractions. Layer on the amazing flow and the
writer has clearly earned 50 cents per word. Boost the copywriting
rate and you’re rewarded with writing that crackles.
Pricing
— 6 STAR COPYWRITING — 29
SAMPLE 9
30 — 6 STAR COPYWRITING —
SAMPLE 9 ASSESSMENT
Pop! goes the writer’s skill and proficiency. No matter how much work
this piece took, the end result is prose that seems inevitable, almost
effortless. The final sentence is technically ungrammatical, but the
writer has the assurance to pull this off — it’s obviously not an accident.
Here you get a writer with true mastery of the language both at the
sentence level and in terms of overall logic, rhythm, and flow. The
piece is easily suitable for a higher-end article, newsletter or website,
or even blogs discussing a more complex topic.
Pricing
— 6 STAR COPYWRITING — 31
SAMPLE 10: PREMIUM COPYWRITING
6 STAR COPYRIGHTING @ $1 PER WORD
Hey, look — there’s that gazelle again — only now it’s doing what it
does best: running like a dream. We’re also doing what we do best:
helping content marketers meet their goals, and writers advance
their careers. So we can all soar like eagles.
32 — 6 STAR COPYWRITING —
SAMPLE 10 ASSESSMENT
6 STAR COPYRIGHTING @ $1 PER WORD
Pricing
— 6 STAR COPYWRITING — 33
SPECIAL NOTE TO 6 STAR COPYWRITERS
We know you’d like to increase your own star rating to the 6 star
copywriting level, and we’d like that, too. We’re rooting for you! Check
out a few quick tips on what’s expected at the varying levels of our
certified rankings.
75 Cents per Word: Mastery of language here, using just the right
word to express an idea or describe a concept, as if that word were
created specifically for you to use at that exact moment. Your
syntax flows, appearing effortless and inevitable. Your revisions
and precision are skilled enough to make it appear as if the writing
required little or no effort at all.
$1 per Word: Add another layer of pizzazz, now telling a story, expertly
incorporating foreshadowing, conflict and then resolution as needed.
Your writing needs to be as much fun to read as it is to create, with
the power to persuade, entertain and make a lasting impact.
34 — 6 STAR COPYWRITING —
Depending on the assignment and its objective, this level may bring
in a point of view, specific “voice” or personality and/or entertaining
or captivating imagery. Careful! This should not feel awkward, forced
or over-the-top. You need lots of practice to polish your prose to the
6 star copywriting level.
— 6 STAR COPYWRITING — 35
6 Star Tech Writing
Tech writing at 10 cents per word features the articulation and logic
that gives it superb publication readiness, and the quality keeps
rising from there. Invest in 25 cents per word and you can expect
talented transitions, explanatory analogies and words chosen with
precision.
Up the ante to 50 cents per word and you’re boosting the attention
to organization and professionalism. Mastery, confidence and
a layer of elegance come with the 75 cents per word rate, as do
careful revisions that produce smooth- as-silk results. Take it up one
more notch to $1 per word for maximum-visibility tech writing that
requires the highest level of research, proficiency and creativity.
Introduction
Ten cents per word gets you solidly sophisticated copy, but you’ll
still lack the full snap, crackle, pop you can expect at the higher rates
of pay. Higher rates can come with details that are fleshed out a bit
more and an added dose of flair.
Pricing
• Logic – 3 cents
• Articulation – 3 cents
• Publication readiness – 4 cents
Clients may pick a 2 star writer for bulk orders or those that only
require professional linguistic skills or opt for 6 star orders that
deliver additional precision, expertise and creativity. The initial
star rating of each writer is determined by his or her performance
while meeting the entrance requirements. These include passing
a proficiency exam and meeting standards determined during a
manual review of writing samples, profile and resume.
Clients never need to wonder what level of work they should expect
with each order. Writers are constantly performing at their optimum
level to fuel the algorithm with positive influencers and clients with
work that meets or exceeds expectations.
This technical writer knows her stuff and presents it in a way readers
can both understand and enjoy. You enjoy added snap at the 25
cents per word rate with writing that incorporates professional
terminology without making the reader uncomfortable.
Though the writer had limited space, she does a good job of making
room to provide an example to better illustrate her point. In this case,
she chose to focus on why clients may want different quality levels,
perhaps clearing up an un- spoken question in readers’ minds as to
why anyone would opt for lower quality work at a lower rate.
Pricing
Writers, and clients, are able to ascertain the quality of work expected
at any given moment, thanks to the constant calculations working
diligently behind the scenes. The algorithm additionally contributes
to the mass of data and intellectual property that becomes the nerve
center for WriterAccess, and that nerve center fuels clients with the
steady output of quality content that makes the platform and the
clients a success.
Pay 50 cents per word and you get a meticulous balance of technology
and clear explanation that leaves readers fulfilled. They are satisfied
that they truly understand what they just read and perhaps even a bit
relieved that they were not subjected to unnecessary details.
Using phrases such as “behind the scenes” makes the work even
more relatable. The average reader is typically more comfortable
with language that veers toward common speak than they are
with technical lingo, and this writer real- izes and capitalizes on
that concept.
Careful word choice, the nice nerve center analogy and streamlined
organization sprinkle even more crackle on the finished product.
This writing is well worth the 50 cents per word.
Pricing
Overrides also ensure writers are not penalized for working below
their star rating, such as a 6 star writer completing 3 star work if
they so choose.
Nice, no? Certified tech writing at the 75 cents per word rate usually
is. Our writers at this rate are confident in their technological
knowledge as well as their creativity, and they are not afraid to
showcase both.
The diligent work and careful revisions it must have taken to produce
a work of this caliber remain a mystery, as the writer makes them
appear effortless. The beginning and end work together to bring
home a very strong message: No matter how high-tech anything
ever gets, it’s the human touch that brings all things to life.
The characteristics in this piece all point to true writing mastery, and
what you can expect at 75 cents per word.
Pricing
Writers enter the system with an initial star rating that automatically
adjusts after each submission based on those negative or positive
algo influencers. Negative influencers include late delivery and below
expectation ratings while positive ones include client endorsements
and Love List inclusions.
Notice, too, how the writer explains concepts introduced in the intro
in a classy and subtle manner, ensuring readers are never left feeling
stupid for not knowing a definition or two.
If all that’s not enough, a spark of humor polishes off this crème de
la crème work, delivering a savory end product worth the rate. Pay
$1 per word and you enjoy the full snap, crackle, pop of high-quality
high-tech writing.
Pricing
Achieving Certified Tech writer status takes a big brain and mondo
creativity, and we know many of you have both! If you’re interested in
applying for tech writer certification, check out a systematic series
of tips on what you need to deliver for the varying levels and rates.
High-tech caveat: Creative high-tech writers can never fake it. If you
try faking the high-tech stuff, the writing is likely to come across as
a jumble of muck that leads to more questions than answers. Don’t
force the creative stuff. And stay away from the fluff.
Read a typical news story or blog post and (hopefully!) you get the
gist of who, what, when, where, why and how. The 6 star journalists at
WriterAccess know how to deliver the WOW. As with all our certified
writers, our journalists are seasoned professionals who have paid
their dues and earned their stars. Our journalists have the added skill
of being able to tell a dang good story.
Boost your journalism rate to 25 cents per word and you’re pumping
the story with sleek transitions, crafty analogies and careful word
choice. Hit 50 cents per word and you can expect an additional layer
of professionalism and keen organization that comes with the rate.
Introduction
— 6 STAR JOURNALISM — 51
Samples, Assessment, and Special Note
SAMPLE 16
Top ratings are never an automatic given, but every writer has the
freedom to earn them. Getting into the system is an accomplishment
within itself, with writers required to pass a tough proficiency test
and receive the nod from equally tough editors reviewing their writing
samples, profile and resume. Each writer gets an initial star rating,
which is continuously adjusted through White’s winning algorithm.
The genius behind the system could only come from someone like
White, whose past successes include more than 20 years as a
freelance graphic artist rep, the establishment of platforms like
WriterAccess and, yes, the continued support of his wife.
52 — 6 STAR JOURNALISM —
SAMPLE 16 ASSESSMENT
Opt for one of our certified journalists and you’re going to get a good
story no matter what. This writer chose to bookend the piece with
story tidbits, beginning and ending the work with info pertaining to
WriterAccess founder Byron White.
And it’s not just mundane info, either, as the writer includes a fun
morsel meant to make readers chuckle. Such a detail also makes
readers relate, as they are all likely to have had relationships where
their partners offered undying support (or not).
The 10 cents per word rate gets you a smooth flow, a compelling
lead that draws in the readers, and a closing that brings them full
circle. The writing is professionally crafted, worthy of a corporate
blog, article or similar outlet.
While this rate nets you work you can proudly display, the stories
get even better from here. Beefier details coupled with the full snap,
crackle, pop treatment are still down the line.
Pricing
• Logic – 3 cents
• Articulation – 3 cents
• Publication readiness – 4 cents
— 6 STAR JOURNALISM — 53
SAMPLE 17
You have robots that can vacuum your floor, toilets that flush by
themselves and standardized tests that supposedly tell you if you
happen to be a moron. But technology still hasn’t found a way to
accurately rate the tone, style and true excellence of a writer.
Writers hit the starting gate with an initial star rating, which
automatically adjusts based on their ongoing performance. Clients
pick and choose the quality level in which they want to invest while
writers all have the chance to climb up the ladder of success. Top
ratings come from more than analytics that don’t take any human
factors into consideration, just like you’re not likely to find great
writing clacking out of a robot.
54 — 6 STAR JOURNALISM —
SAMPLE 17 ASSESSMENT
Pay the certified journalist rate of 25 cents per word and your story
comes complete with a sizzling snap. As with our first journalism
example, this piece again swiftly draws in readers, this time by
making it personal.
The writer was able to pinpoint something to which all readers can
relate: the advent of technology taking over their lives. The piece
first sets the story by establishing the foundation of the ongoing
theme of human vs. technology. It then delivers the facts without
losing momentum or friendly tone.
Clever word choices help keep the theme going, with the ongoing
juxtaposition of human vs. technology. The piece closes with one
final swat at the robot, reinforcing how humans can do certain
things better.
Corporate blogs would again benefit from this level of quality, which
is as informative as it is fun to read. Heck, the fun factor alone merits
the 25 cents per word, although you also get the snap outlined above.
Pricing
— 6 STAR JOURNALISM — 55
SAMPLE 18
Thankfully, there are plenty of writers and clients looking for match-
es at WriterAccess, and they’re matched up successfully through a
no-fail Star Rating system. The system removes the guesswork by
applying a fine-tuned balance of art and science to match writers
with clients. Clients with lower budgets can opt for the 2 star end of
the scale while those looking for high-end work can choose from the
6 star or certified writer pools.
Art and science are also mingled during the writer qualification
process. Computerized test scores from an online proficiency exam
are combined with manual editorial reviews of writer profiles, writing
samples and resumes.
The end result is a rating system that never leaves writers wondering
where they stand or clients wondering about the quality of work
they’ll receive. Or, as noted, a perfect match every time.
56 — 6 STAR JOURNALISM —
SAMPLE 18 ASSESSMENT
Snap and crackle come at the 50 cents per word rate. The writer has
obviously done her homework and knows the topic well. A clever
comparison kicks off the piece, piquing reader interest from the get-
go by stirring immediate curiosity about how online dating could go
bankrupt.
The writer also targeted the so-called story behind the story by
showcasing the magic balance of art and science that makes the
system so effective. The work is professional, well-organized and
sports a logical flow.
Certified journalists at the 50 cents per word rate have the experience
and talent that produces a distinctly professional product. Their
work boasts keen organization and a seamless flow.
Work of this caliber is easily suited for corporate blogs, feature
articles, newspapers and magazines. Stories that snap and crackle
are in high demand and well worth 50 cents per word.
Pricing
— 6 STAR JOURNALISM — 57
SAMPLE 19
Finding the perfect writer can be a lot like fishing. You throw your
lure out into the masses and hope to snag a compatible match. You
have equal chances of catching a trout as you do hooking an old
shoe, unless you go with the star rated writers at WriterAccess.
58 — 6 STAR JOURNALISM —
SAMPLE 19 ASSESSMENT
Work that pops is what you get at the certified journalism rate of 75
cents per word. This is yet another fun piece of the type you may
expect from our certified journalists, with a piece that is as easy to
read as it is amusing.
This writer uses the ongoing theme of fishing as the bait to lure
readers in, then sets up a conflict, continues the litany of effective
analogies and closes the piece with a “delicious” ending.
Clever, captivating and full of creative twists is the norm for work at
the 75 cent per word rate. You’re a mere whisker away from the top
of the line with work that would do any firm proud.
Pricing
— 6 STAR JOURNALISM — 59
SAMPLE 20
Writers have to do much more than put pen to paper (or fingers to
keyboard), especially when they’re working under the Star Rating
system of WriterAccess. They have to be sleuths, wordsmiths and
repeat performers – all with an eagle-eyed overseer breathing down
their necks. And the overseer isn’t even human!
The sleuth part of the gig comes from hunting down facts, figures
and other info needed to flesh out a story. Writers are typically
given limited info on each client, topic, personality or possibilities
that lie within.
The wordsmith factor kicks in before writers are even accepted into
the WriterAccess platform. A brain-wracking proficiency test weeds
out the folks who slept through English class while editors manually
pore over resumes, samples and writer profiles. Once in, repeat
performance is a must, thanks to the non-human overseer.
Call him Mr. Algorithm because he’s the one in charge of adjusting a
writer’s star rating, which can range from 2 to 6. He looks at delivery
times, customer reviews, bonus pay and revision requests to keep
writers in top form.
The non-human nature of the beast means writers can’t trick him.
They can’t sweet talk him. And they can’t bribe him with candy bars
or Jujubes. The only way to stay in his good graces is to keep on
performing at the epitome of excellence.
60 — 6 STAR JOURNALISM —
SAMPLE 20 ASSESSMENT
Certified journalism at the $1 per word rate delivers the full snap,
crackle and pop that make the work truly remarkable. This piece
additionally gives you the full gamut of characteristics that make a
great story.
Your main characters are the protagonist writer and antagonist Mr.
Algorithm, setting the stage for a classic conflict of man vs. machine.
Readers can take sides to make the read more fun, although this
journalist makes sure to provide balance by outlining both sides of
the story.
Before you even get to the main conflict, you’re served an enticing
intro that makes you want to read more. The development of
character unfolds throughout the piece, followed by the climax and
its resolution nestled neatly at the conclusion.
Work of this caliber is ideal for a major publication with a real writer’s
byline crowning the top of it. It’s also all yours for $1 per word.
Pricing
— 6 STAR JOURNALISM — 61
SPECIAL NOTE TO 6 STAR JOURNALISTS
We know many of you may feel you deserve 6 stars and journalism
certification, and we want to help you get there. Please review
a handful of tips on what’s expected at the varying levels of our
Certified Journalism rating system.
10 Cents per Word: Ability to tell a good story is a must for every
rung on the Certified Journalism scale, as are clear organizational
skills and writing that employs a smooth, logical flow. Drawing the
reader in with a strong lead and escorting them out with a satisfying
closing seal the deal for 10 cents per word.
50 Cents per Word: Add even more pizzazz and you’re hitting the 50
cents per word range. Strong and clever analogies, mastery of the
topic, the establishment of a clear conflict, resolution and storyline
help net this rate.
$1 per Word: You have the story all right, and then some. That “some”
is your incredible skill, creativity and adroit way with words that
shines through in every single sentence. Your piece is far beyond
words on a page: it’s a slice of life to which readers can relate as well
as enjoy and learn from. Your ability to build tension is evident, as
are your abilities to foreshadow, develop characters and bring it all
home to a fulfilling close.
62 — 6 STAR JOURNALISM —
Now the warning: Those who are not innately gifted with the skills
to do this can produce work that feels cheesy or contrived. This
type of writing comes from the soul more than the brain, but it
can also be developed in those that possess even a spark of it.
Keep writing and developing your skills and you may be amazed
at what you find inside.
— 6 STAR JOURNALISM — 63
Resources
Before and After Samples
The before copy is typically boring, flat and likely to get passed
by. It has little or no creativity, and misses the mark on most of
the assessments in this guide.
The after copy offers the “snap, crackle and pop” you need to engage
readers and motivate action. It’s at a much higher level, featuring
the key elements of tone, style and creativity required for success.
— RESOURCES — 65
Home Décor Company
About Us
Product Description
Warm your heart (and toes!) with this cozy red blanket.
Brilliant scarlet hue adds pizzazz to any room while the
fluffy fleece fends off the chilliest of temps.
Home Page
66 — RESOURCES —
our site as well as a list of local retailers where you can nab that
bit of heaven right in your very own town.
Calls to Action
-- Click here to join the mailing list for the Chic Casa
Company.
-- Click here to get a discount coupon for your first order.
-- Click here to get a FREE LAMP from the Chic Casa
Company.
Headlines
— RESOURCES — 67
Welcome Emails
Announcement
68 — RESOURCES —
Email Header
Insurance Company
About Us
Press Release
— RESOURCES — 69
Health Fair. Stop by the Anderson Insurance Company fair booth
from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the Oct. 19 fair for suggestions on
health insurance and other types of policies that can meet your
various needs.
News Article
Most attend the annual Main Street Health Fair for health-
related reasons, and this year that health extended to
homes and cars. Thanks to the free consultations offered
by the Anderson Insurance Company at the fair, more
than 200 folks received no-cost insurance guidance and
more than 35 walked away with new policies for their
home and vehicles.
Article
A company name that starts with “A” isn’t the only reason
the Anderson Insurance Company is consistently at the
top of the list of insurance providers. Its service has long
merited top honors, including the recent Best National
Insurance Provider award from the Better Business Bureau.
70 — RESOURCES —
Blog Post
E-book
BIO
— RESOURCES — 71
insurance, John Anderson vowed to help others avoid a similar
fate. He kicked off his mission by founding the Anderson Insurance
Company and continues to educate consumers on the importance of
proper coverage through his series of books that explore insurance
and financial topics.
Review
No, it’s not weird to insure your shoes, your nose or your
bunny rabbit. Check out 3 lesser-known insurance types.
72 — RESOURCES —
Guides and Downloads
Enjoy these resources that should help you win the war of words on
the web.
WriterAccess.com/SnapCracklePop
Download a special guide called Snap, Crackle and Pop Your Content
so it engages and converts. You can also view the recording of the
presentation on this page.
— RESOURCES — 73
Creative Brief Wizard
CreativeBriefWizard.com
WriterAccess.com/ContentMarketingRoadmap
74 — RESOURCES —
Download a PDF version of my first book The Content Marketing
Roadmap, Grow Your Business Organically --- The Content Marketing
Way!
WriterAccess.com/Webinar-Archive
Speaking Events
WriterAccess.com/Speaking
— RESOURCES — 75
Hotspots Worth Visiting
Rub elbows with writing pros from around the world, which means
automatic contacts the next time you’re in Indonesia.
the-efa.org
awpwriter.org
The printed page is not dead! Just ask the AAPA folks. Supporters of
printed press and journalism jazz since 1936.
aapainfo.org
A must if you like digging deep into that political scandal or reporting
that holds others accountable. Go get ’em, tiger!
icfj.org
76 — RESOURCES —
The Authors Guild
Your backbone for protection, support and annoying legal things like
copyright issues.
authorsguild.org
asja.org
Roses are red, violets are blue, if you write better poetry than this,
this group is for you.
pw.org
They are NOT a bunch of “grammar geeks.” They promise. But they’ll
still help save the world from dangling participles.
copydesk.org
Sign up to get tools and support to help you write that novel in a
single month. For real!
nanowrimo.org
— RESOURCES — 77
Small Publishers Artists and Writers Network
spawn.org
wgaeast.org
sfwa.org
Billed as the one and only labor union that represents freelance
writers, complete with support from the UAW.
nwu.org
Writers for TV, movies, news, animation and new media can join up
for instant connections and support.
wga.org
78 — RESOURCES —
Society of Professional Journalists
spj.org
This group was created for “writers who sell” (not those who shove
their work beneath the bed). And they’ll even help you sell it!
professionalwritersalliance.groupsite.com
Publishing
AgentQuery
agentquery.com
Smashwords
smashwords.com
— RESOURCES — 79
Vook
Does doing e-book and print layout make you cringe? Let Vook do
the painful stuff (then publish your book on demand).
vook.com
Duotrope
duotrope.com
BookRix
bookrix.com
Hyperinks
hyperink.com
80 — RESOURCES —
Technical Skills
owl.english.purdue.edu/exercises/
public.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html
andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/a.html
dailygrammarlessons.blogspot.com/
— RESOURCES — 81
Community
The Writer
writermag.com
Writer Unboxed
writerunboxed.com
Feisty, fast-paced blog posts with helpful tips, like how to deal with
people who hate your writing (blffft!).
therenegadewriter.com
Writer’s Digest
writersdigest.com
82 — RESOURCES —
Writer Beware
accrispin.blogspot.com
Absolute Write
absolutewrite.com
Scribophile
scribophile.com
Writing.com
writing.com
FanStory
fanstory.com
— RESOURCES — 83
WritingForums
writingforums.org
Writing Resources
Find out if your writing is easy and breezy to read with this spot-on
“readability” test.
writeraccess.com/language-analysis
Instant review of any web page to check if your SEO is stellar or stinks.
idealaunch.com/free-seo-tools/
WritersWeekly
writersweekly.com
OneLook
Fun with words gets a whole new meaning with this multi- functional
online dictionary.
onelook.com
84 — RESOURCES —
AP Stylebook
apstylebook.com
Forget feel-good BS; this site cuts to the chase on how to thrive as
a well-paid writer.
allfreelancewriting.com
Copyblogger
Groovy tips and tricks for creating and succeeding with your online
content marketing.
copyblogger.com
chicagomanualofstyle.org
Inkwell Editorial
inkwelleditorial.com
— RESOURCES — 85
Bartelby - The Elements of Style
Online version of that dusty old book we were forced to buy for
English 101. Oh, the things we forget!
bartelby.com/141/
Copyscape
copyscape.com
Grammarly
grammarly.com
PlagiarismDetect.com
plagiarismdetect.com
ArticleChecker.com
Yet another kingdom for the plagiarism check. Get the hint yet?
Check for plagiarism!
articlechecker.com
86 — RESOURCES —
PaperRater
Free writing tool checks grammar, spelling and gives your work
a quick once-over. Oh, yeah. It can also check for (drum roll
please) plagiarism.
paperrater.com
AutoCrit
autocrit.com
Ginger Software
gingersoftware.com
— RESOURCES — 87
Jobs & Gigs
WriterAccess
writeraccess.com
Freelance Writing
freelancewriting.com
Creative Hotlist
If you’re writing is hot (and whose isn’t?) head over to search for gigs
and showcase your talents.
creativehotlist.com
Mediabistro
One-stop job board for media work, complete with links to media-
happy topics.
mediabistro.com
88 — RESOURCES —
Upwork
upwork.com
JournalismJobs.com
journalismjobs.com
freelancewritinggigs.com
Guru.com
Create a profile and nab freelance jobs from clients around the
world. (Their stats keep mentioning the word “millions.”)
guru.com
Indeed
indeed.com
— RESOURCES — 89
FundsforWriters
Yes, you read that right. Money, money, money from grants, con-
tests and high-end jobs.
fundsforwriters.com
Freelanced
freelanced.com
Careerjet
careerjet.com
PeoplePerHour
Post the job you want to do, how much you want to get paid and then
gear up for someone to bite.
peopleperhour.com
iFreelance
ifreelance.com
90 — RESOURCES —
GateHouse Media
Go local and work close to home with the litany of listings for
community publications and businesses.
gatehousemedia.com
Textbroker
textbroker.com
Zerys
More than 30,000 writing jobs come down the pike every month at
this place. Nab one!
zerys.com
Skyword
skyword.com
Contently
contently.com
— RESOURCES — 91
Demand Media
demandmedia.com
92 — RESOURCES —