Business travel is one of those activities that sounds a bit better than it typically is, and though I’ve been on the road for a couple days (and I’m facing a couple more), I wanted to thank everyone who nominated the Copywriter Underground for Michael Stelzner’s s 3rd Annual Top 10 Blogs for Writers Contest.
The Undergrounders spoke, and I made the list of finalists – a nice, gift-wrapped warm fuzzy in a contest that saw the number of nominations double from the prior year (144 to 300).
Thanks again to my readers – who stick around despite my absences and generally grumpy ways. You guys rock.
Here is the list of finalists; all are worthwhile blogs, and reflect a healthy sampling of different approaches to the craft of writing:
I’ll be back in my office on Wednesday. Until then, keep writing, Tom Chandler.
top ten writers blogs, top ten blogs for writers, writers blogs, writers, freelance writer, copywriter, freelance copywriter, writing white papers
[UPDATE: Thanks to my readers for their nominations! I appreciate your support. And yes, there's still time to add your voice to those who think Copywriter Underground is one of the Top 10 Writer's Blogs.]
Michael Stelzner of Writing White Papers has once again set his “Ten Best Blogs for Writers” contest in motion, and as a Top Ten “winner” the past two years, my nose would grow long indeed if I said I wasn’t honored by the attention.
He’s accepting nominations on his site, and yes, I’m always gratified to be nominated.
Early voting suggests Men With Pens may supplant Copyblogger atop the list, though that may simply be the result of an early “get out the vote” effort.
What’s true is this: the writing blogosphere offers today’s writer more help, advice, perspective and hard-won knowledge than has ever been available to freelancers – and by a wide margin.
In one sense, it’s a true marketplace of ideas: my perspectives on new client acquisition, ethical practices and how to stay alive in this interesting (and unstable) business sometimes clash with the perspectives of others.
Amidst those discussions, there are no losers or winners – except the lucky readers, who have harvested perspectives they may have never considered.
That’s a win.
With that in mind, it seems the writing community has already “won” this contest, and they did so long before Michael (graciously) fired up this contest.
To all who are nominated – and those who aren’t – congratulations.
We’re all winners.
Keep writing, Tom Chandler.
top ten blogs for writers, writing white papers, top ten, writer’s blogs
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Michael Stelzner of Writing White Papers blog fame has garnered a barrage of bloggy notice for his recent (and ongoing) free video releases. He offers you an interesting glimpse into his lead-generation white paper strategy, and it’s worth a few minutes of your time (you can read the blog entry here).
Even if you have no interest in writing white papers (for yourself, or anyone else) — it’s intriguing to watch his campaign unfold.
Take notes, Undergrounders. There will be a pop quiz the next time a client wonders how they can generate a lot of leads.
Keep writing, Tom Chandler.
The bookshelves are littered with "How to make millions in your underwear" books aimed at new copywriters — most of them pretty light on original thought.
What’s missing are the books that actually tell you how to do things — books that offer you enough information that you can confidently take on a paying job and expect to deliver a professional product.
That’s why I read Michael Stelzner’s Writing White Papers with such interest.
No, I haven’t written white papers in a long time (my last similar project was an 80 page book on hard drive technology written better than 13 years ago), but I clearly remember the confusion when I was first asked to write one.
You Copied. Sometimes Poorly
The valley was one of the early "boom and bust" cycles that plagued the high tech industry, and for a copywriter whose clients were slashing ad budgets left and right — cutting the legs out from under the campaign work I’d being living on — "no" wasn’t in the vocabulary.
Without resources like Michael’s book to fall back on, I took the job, found a white paper that looked presentable, and copied it.
Of course, it was poorly conceived, badly organized and the victim of an ugly layout, and yes, I largely repeated those mistakes. And — unlike Writing White Papers — that sample white paper didn’t come with interview tips, research help, and outlining hints.
Marketing the White Paper
Michael’s book moves beyond creating the white paper into marketing it; a nice, value-added touch that could separate you from other copywriters.
For all the value it delivers, the book isn’t without its weaknesses. I would have liked more formatting examples, and the chapter on marketing could have included a few lead generation flow charts to help the novice writer explain the process to a client.
Still, those are nitpicks — especially when balanced against the "Quick Start" chapter (actually Appendix 1) and the "White Paper Resources" Appendix.
Stelzner, of course, writes a leading copywriting blog, and he’s always adding relevant white paper content to his blog — essentially building atop the foundation provided by his book.
Writing White Papers is the kind of book I wish existed when I needed it (Michael, you did me dirty by waiting too long).
Of course, it’s of little value if you’re planning to write Nike TV campaigns the rest of your life, but for anyone who wants to enter one of the strongest markets in the copywriting universe, then this book is probably a must.
(Full disclosure: I have no commercial interest whatsoever in this book.)