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Studio Blog
Our friends at First Book have been selected to be one of 50 nonprofits showcased in this year’s Members Project from American Express and TakePart. If First Book can win the most votes in the Education category between now and August 22, the organization will win $200,000 – enough funding to provide 100,000 new books to children in low-income communities throughout the U.S. To win, First Book needs the help of the Demand Studios community!
We are calling on all of you to lead the voting charge. During our two Write for a Cause campaigns, you have been incredibly supportive of First Book and their mission to provide new books to children from low-income families. By casting a weekly Members Project vote and encouraging your friends and family members to do the same, you can make an even greater impact. Together, Demand Studios and First Book have already provided more than 25,000 books to children in need this year. If you and your peers make just one click per week this summer, you can help to provide 100,000 more books in communities where they are desperately needed.
In order to vote, please visit http://takepart.com/register. After you are registered, you can vote once per week at http://www.takepart.com/membersproject/vote. Remember - our friends at First Book need Demand Studios to help them deliver an additional 100,000 books this year. By banding together with your fellow writers and copy editors around the country, you can make this happen! On behalf of First Book and our Demand Media team, thank you for your enthusiasm and your support.
Ever wonder what it's like to work for Demand Studios? We checked in with our community of freelance creators—writers, copy editors, filmmakers and titlers—and asked them to share their experiences. Hundreds of people chimed in about why Demand Media works for them. Tune in daily to read their firsthand accounts.
Hi. My name is Jasey Carrick. I worked in childcare for five years prior to freelancing professionally. Before that, I held several positions as a preschool photographer, retail supervisor and others. Over the years, I have racked up a lot of knowledge about children, animals and nature, and I now have a place to showcase it. I enjoy writing for Demand Studios, because I can share my knowledge and passions with the world. I don't have the daily grind of workplace politics, 10-minute breaks and what-have-you’s.
Hi. My name is Jasey Carrick. I worked in childcare for five years prior to freelancing professionally. Before that, I held several positions as a preschool photographer, retail supervisor and others. Over the years, I have racked up a lot of knowledge about children, animals and nature, and I now have a place to showcase it. I enjoy writing for Demand Studios, because I can share my knowledge and passions with the world. I don't have the daily grind of workplace politics, 10-minute breaks and what-have-you’s.
Ever wonder what it's like to work for Demand Studios? We checked in with our community of freelance creators—writers, copy editors, filmmakers and titlers—and asked them to share their experiences. Hundreds of people chimed in about why Demand Media works for them. Tune in daily to read their firsthand accounts.
I'm Courtney Clark, and I’m a writer and titler with Demand Studios. I graduated from college with a degree in English and spent my first year after graduation as a nanny. I was disappointed that I did not have a job in which I could use my degree. Then I found out about Demand Studios. Upon being accepted as a Demand Studios writer, I quit my dreary job as a nanny. Now, all of my fellow English degree graduates are asking me how I got such an awesome writing job.
I'm Courtney Clark, and I’m a writer and titler with Demand Studios. I graduated from college with a degree in English and spent my first year after graduation as a nanny. I was disappointed that I did not have a job in which I could use my degree. Then I found out about Demand Studios. Upon being accepted as a Demand Studios writer, I quit my dreary job as a nanny. Now, all of my fellow English degree graduates are asking me how I got such an awesome writing job.
Ever wonder what it's like to work for Demand Studios? We checked in with our community of freelance creators—writers, copy editors, filmmakers and titlers—and asked them to share their experiences. Hundreds of people chimed in about why Demand Media works for them. Tune in daily to read their firsthand accounts.
Hi, my name is Ken King, and I have been with Demand Studios for more than a year. I appreciate the opportunity to be here and have the ability to use some of the knowledge I have gained over the years. I have truly been a jack of all trades. I enjoy writing, though I haven't done any since starting college in the early 80s. I'm back at college now, headed for a degree in English. This is because of Demand Studios. Thanks for waking up that old interest enough to make me decide to return to school. I think Demand Studios is fantastic, and I like that I can earn whatever I want each week, get paid twice a week for writing and get an education (thanks, CEs) while doing it.
Hi, my name is Ken King, and I have been with Demand Studios for more than a year. I appreciate the opportunity to be here and have the ability to use some of the knowledge I have gained over the years. I have truly been a jack of all trades. I enjoy writing, though I haven't done any since starting college in the early 80s. I'm back at college now, headed for a degree in English. This is because of Demand Studios. Thanks for waking up that old interest enough to make me decide to return to school. I think Demand Studios is fantastic, and I like that I can earn whatever I want each week, get paid twice a week for writing and get an education (thanks, CEs) while doing it.
Ever wonder what it's like to work for Demand Studios? We checked in with our community of freelance creators—writers, copy editors, filmmakers and titlers—and asked them to share their experiences. Hundreds of people chimed in about why Demand Media works for them. Tune in daily to read their firsthand accounts.
My name is Kara Rae. My degree is in history, but in this economy, jobs in my field are few and far between. With no more savings in the bank for continuing my scholarly pursuits, I decided to seek a job in the field that I had excelled at in college: writing. I found Demand Studios last July and have enjoyed working for them ever since. I never dreamed that I would be able to generate an income while pursuing my other passion—traveling. The flexibility of writing as much as I want, whenever and wherever I want cannot be beat.
My name is Kara Rae. My degree is in history, but in this economy, jobs in my field are few and far between. With no more savings in the bank for continuing my scholarly pursuits, I decided to seek a job in the field that I had excelled at in college: writing. I found Demand Studios last July and have enjoyed working for them ever since. I never dreamed that I would be able to generate an income while pursuing my other passion—traveling. The flexibility of writing as much as I want, whenever and wherever I want cannot be beat.
Not enough Peter Cetera in your life? Yeah, mine either. Tara Perry takes us back with a look at the 80s movies being remade this week. Check out her review of The A Team and The Karate Kid:
Ever wonder what it's like to work for Demand Studios? We checked in with our community of freelance creators—writers, copy editors, filmmakers and titlers—and asked them to share their experiences. Hundreds of people chimed in about why Demand Media works for them. Tune in daily to read their firsthand accounts.
I’m Matt McKay, and I have had full-time careers in the music, printing and corporate arenas. My jobs have all required writing in some fashion, and shortly after deciding to make a full-time go of it, I happened upon Demand Studios. While still a touring musician, Demand Studios allows me the perfect opportunity to actively use, refine and profit from writing as well as share my 30-plus years of diverse work experience. I’m a huge fan of Demand Studios, and it eases the pressure of sourcing, bidding and getting paid in the freelance world.
I’m Matt McKay, and I have had full-time careers in the music, printing and corporate arenas. My jobs have all required writing in some fashion, and shortly after deciding to make a full-time go of it, I happened upon Demand Studios. While still a touring musician, Demand Studios allows me the perfect opportunity to actively use, refine and profit from writing as well as share my 30-plus years of diverse work experience. I’m a huge fan of Demand Studios, and it eases the pressure of sourcing, bidding and getting paid in the freelance world.
Demand Media and the Lance Armstrong Foundation built LIVESTRONG.COM as the definitive daily health, fitness and lifestyle destination. Each piece of content is produced in effort to "dare" the LIVESTRONG.COM audience to change their lives.In the past weeks, we at Demand Studios have "dared" you as writers for LIVESTRONG.COM to carry this torch and produce inspiring insider's guides to health, fitness and nutrition activities in the specified destination. As content manager of titling & strategy, I've worked very closely with LIVESTRONG.COM's content manager, Krisserin Canary, to locate and recast travel titles in a way that inspires writers and readers to go beyond the proverbial borders and give a new meaning to such titles as "Things to Do in NYC at Night" on LIVESTRONG.COM.
Sifting through title candidates with Krisserin took me back to my roots as former travel editor for "Shape" magazine. There, I was tasked with producing and editing 1,500-word features we called "Venture Out." It was my opinion that fitness opportunities were lurking behind each map-point. It was our duty as a fitness publication to uncover those hidden opportunities and show that travel was no excuse to let regimes fall to the wayside.
I was delighted to discover similarly inspiring guides on LIVESTRONG.COM, penned by some daring, creative LIVESTRONG.COM writers. The standouts really spoke to the need for a clear explanation of what makes each place worthy of a fit traveler's pursuit, starting from the overview and carrying the message through in each section. This is what separates these insider's guides from your typical travel article and demonstrates why traveling healthy is part of "living strong."
Additionally, these articles showcase a soulful way to heed the LIVESTRONG.COM Lifestyle-specific guidelines. For reference note the following key points:
1) This is an insider's guide to health, fitness and nutrition activities in the specified destination. Your overview must introduce this concept. For example, see Things to Do in Destin Beach by Lisa Florey and Camping in Minnesota State Parks by Troy Thompson.
2) If the title the seems to call for a list of places as subheads, do not list individual businesses. Individual businesses as subheads are prohibited. Instead, focus on regions, concepts, types, groups, ideas, etc. that speak to the title. It's permissible to mention a business or two in the copy under a subhead only if the establishment is a long-standing institution that will not close within a year. Any businesses mentioned must have a healthy lifestyle or educational slant. For example, if the title was "Things to do in Los Angeles," a subhead might be "Local Food." Under the subhead, you may include a venerable establishment, such as the Santa Monica Farmers Market, if necessary.
3) Do not include business listings with contact information in the body of the article. Please reserve contact information for the business for the Resources section of the article.
Now that we've reminded you of the ground rules, here, without further ado, are a few favorites cited by editorial!
Things to Do in Las Vegas and Surrounding Areas by Hayley Smith
While this title gave Hayley Smith a little more license than simply things to do in Las Vegas, she still managed to include two creative options right in Las Vegas itself, including one actually on the Strip. Bonus: Instead of simply mentioning a visit to the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, Hayley added a uniquely LIVESTRONG.COM Lifestyle twist: "If you are a certified diver and a guest at the Mandalay Bay, you can pay to dive in the aquarium."
Fun Things to Do Around Houston by Darren Hunter
This Texas metropolis offers plenty of shopping, dining and entertainment, but thanks to Darren Hunter, we now know it's also home to exciting opportunities to partake in walking tours, bayou kayaking and even ice skating. Bonus: Darren does more than nod to Houston's distinguished performing arts troupes; he challenges readers to "Bring [their] walking shoes because there's a 17-block theater district."
Things to Do in Atlantic City by Alan Kirk
Having lived a year in New Jersey, I know I'm not the only person who has a few stereotypes in mind regarding Atlantic City. Luckily, Alan's article quashes those cliches and promises upfront, "don't worry, Atlantic City's location provides plenty of activities for the health conscious individual." Bonus: Fit traveler tips—such as "Be careful [as you enter the Atlantic Ocean] as the drop-off is steep as you enter and adults will find the water gets up to chest level quickly."—pepper each section, adding service beyond entertainment.
Things to Do Near Wrigley Field in Chicago by Seth Silberman
Seth Silberman isn't going to sugar-coat things. "There is lots to eat inside Wrigley Field, but very little of it is good for you," he writes, following with an explanation of what good, healthful foods do exist just beyond the park. Bonus: Colorful details and factoids add an extra dimension to what could be a bland description of a walk in the park or fishing jaunt.
The Best Things to Do in Miami by Zach Feral
"Health-conscious visitors flock to the Miami metropolitan area each year to soak up the sun on its famous beaches, enjoy healthy and authentic ethnic dishes and mingle with the city's multicultural inhabitants," writes Zach Feral, neatly summarizing why a LIVESTRONG.COM reader would care to visit Miami (and not for South Beach sunbathing and parties). Bonus: Zach adds a warning for those beach-bound (slather on the sunscreen) and advises readers to steer clear of a sketchier neighborhood, reminding us why safety is important in a healthy vacation.
Things to Do in & Around Cleveland by Erin O'Brien
Here's a lede worth emulating: "Discover a surprising underdog for healthy and fun activities: Cleveland. This historic industrial hub is home to a variety of events for extreme athletes as well as energetic families. From endurance running to sunny beaches, the Cleveland area has the bases covered." Bonus: Ohio-based writer (and Cleveland Scene columnist) Erin O'Brien serves up authentic insider tips to getting your fun fitness fix in urban settings in and around town.
Thanks for the hard work and creativity. Keep them coming, and continue to dare to inspire fit travel activities!
P.S. If you're looking for something fun to do in the Los Angeles-area this weekend, Richard Simmons hosts a fabulous class at his Slimmons Studio.
The Demand Studios Grant Program has chosen Joanne Green as the recipient of May’s $1,000 grant.
Joanne’s project is a nonfiction account of events that took place in the Brevard County judicial system during the 1980s; effects of which are still being felt three decades later.
We choose Joanne’s project because we were inspired by her writing sample. Also, her application was extremely thorough with a detailed timeline for completion.
Don’t forget to submit your application for the June grant because you could be our next winner!
We’ve read some amazing applications and would like to remind you that you can submit one project three times. The guidelines and application are in the Help section of your Resource Center. Applications for June’s grant will be accepted from Tuesday, June 1 through Monday, June 7th. If you missed June's application period, you can apply July 1 - July 7.
Congratulations again to Joanne!
Joanne’s project is a nonfiction account of events that took place in the Brevard County judicial system during the 1980s; effects of which are still being felt three decades later.
We choose Joanne’s project because we were inspired by her writing sample. Also, her application was extremely thorough with a detailed timeline for completion.
Don’t forget to submit your application for the June grant because you could be our next winner!
We’ve read some amazing applications and would like to remind you that you can submit one project three times. The guidelines and application are in the Help section of your Resource Center. Applications for June’s grant will be accepted from Tuesday, June 1 through Monday, June 7th. If you missed June's application period, you can apply July 1 - July 7.
Congratulations again to Joanne!
