Studio Blog
Welcome to the Demand Studios Blog – a resource for writers, contributors and freelancers alike! Come here for answers to your questions, Studio news, writing tips and more.
Studio Blog
Ever wonder what it's like to work for Demand Media 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 Alicia Bodine. I grew up with a father who published books and owned a newspaper. I completed three years of college but quit to be a full-time mom. I was so excited to find Demand Media Studios, and I thank them for giving me the chance to earn a living from home. I have been able to home-school my oldest daughter and rearrange my schedule when my younger, disabled child is sent home sick from school. Most recently, I have been able to help my ailing grandparents. Demand Media Studios gives me the ability to work around my schedule, which often changes with little notice. I have also learned so much from some of the editors who give great advice and instruction. There are so many different titles and topics to choose from. I never get bored with my assignments. Thank you again Demand Media Studios.
My name is Alicia Bodine. I grew up with a father who published books and owned a newspaper. I completed three years of college but quit to be a full-time mom. I was so excited to find Demand Media Studios, and I thank them for giving me the chance to earn a living from home. I have been able to home-school my oldest daughter and rearrange my schedule when my younger, disabled child is sent home sick from school. Most recently, I have been able to help my ailing grandparents. Demand Media Studios gives me the ability to work around my schedule, which often changes with little notice. I have also learned so much from some of the editors who give great advice and instruction. There are so many different titles and topics to choose from. I never get bored with my assignments. Thank you again Demand Media Studios.
Ever wonder what it's like to work for Demand Media 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 Cate Burnette, and after Sept. 11, I was so affected, I quit my 20-year advertising sales career and went back to school to become a veterinary technician. It was always a childhood dream to work with animals, but like most people, life got in the way, and I ended up working for the money — not the passion. Then I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to quit a job I loved. I knew that with chemotherapy and radiation treatments, I would not be able to lift 60-pound dogs and take radiographs the way I had in the past. My husband started writing for Demand Media Studios first, and I began after he kept showing me all of the animal articles waiting to be written. So now, I write articles about the animals and the science I love, help pay medical bills and still have a little play money left over. What a deal.
My name is Cate Burnette, and after Sept. 11, I was so affected, I quit my 20-year advertising sales career and went back to school to become a veterinary technician. It was always a childhood dream to work with animals, but like most people, life got in the way, and I ended up working for the money — not the passion. Then I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to quit a job I loved. I knew that with chemotherapy and radiation treatments, I would not be able to lift 60-pound dogs and take radiographs the way I had in the past. My husband started writing for Demand Media Studios first, and I began after he kept showing me all of the animal articles waiting to be written. So now, I write articles about the animals and the science I love, help pay medical bills and still have a little play money left over. What a deal.
Each year the editorial team at Demand Media takes time to recognize our favorite article, writer and/or filmmaker of the year. An editor will reveal their pick each day in the blog and explain why that particular body of work stood out to them.
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As an editor, my favorite writers have always been those who can take a very broad, dense subject and distill it to its most useful, relevant and interesting aspects. Jenni Wiltz shows us her ability to do that on a daily basis, but it gets better: Check out her lead for "Body Exercises for Belly Fat Loss":
"There's a good reason to whittle your waist, and it has nothing to do with fitting in last year's jeans."
We're always talking about how important your opening sentence is. It can make or break an article. Here, Jenni demonstrates how to do it right: It's on-topic, straightforward and presents a compelling hook without talking down to readers or being too obvious. And this lede is not alone in her body of work. What's more, ledes are just the beginning, literally, of a long list of writerly skills that Jenni exhibits.
She showcases some of her best work on titles that, to me, seem impossible to fulfill in the recommended space. Topics such as "Flag Etiquette When Sailing" and "Outdoor Survival Camping" could fill a book, yet she successfully tackles them in several hundred words. Her dedication to answering the question as completely as possible is evident in articles like "Coffee Filter Tips in the Household," a List with eight useful sections.
It's simple: Jenni is just a great writer. She gets it. Her work is proof that it's possible to have it all when it comes to a DMS article. Thanks for some great reads in 2010, Jenni. I'm looking forward to see what you do in 2011.
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As an editor, my favorite writers have always been those who can take a very broad, dense subject and distill it to its most useful, relevant and interesting aspects. Jenni Wiltz shows us her ability to do that on a daily basis, but it gets better: Check out her lead for "Body Exercises for Belly Fat Loss":
"There's a good reason to whittle your waist, and it has nothing to do with fitting in last year's jeans."
We're always talking about how important your opening sentence is. It can make or break an article. Here, Jenni demonstrates how to do it right: It's on-topic, straightforward and presents a compelling hook without talking down to readers or being too obvious. And this lede is not alone in her body of work. What's more, ledes are just the beginning, literally, of a long list of writerly skills that Jenni exhibits.
She showcases some of her best work on titles that, to me, seem impossible to fulfill in the recommended space. Topics such as "Flag Etiquette When Sailing" and "Outdoor Survival Camping" could fill a book, yet she successfully tackles them in several hundred words. Her dedication to answering the question as completely as possible is evident in articles like "Coffee Filter Tips in the Household," a List with eight useful sections.
It's simple: Jenni is just a great writer. She gets it. Her work is proof that it's possible to have it all when it comes to a DMS article. Thanks for some great reads in 2010, Jenni. I'm looking forward to see what you do in 2011.
Each year the editorial team at Demand Media takes time to recognize our favorite article, writer and/or filmmaker of the year. An editor will reveal their pick each day in the blog and explain why that particular body of work stood out to them.
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"One of the most frustrating and confusing points in a boy's life is when he first becomes interested in girls and attempts to follow through with his desires. The results can be heartbreaking as the boy slowly realizes he has no idea how to really get to know a girl. Sadly, the basic tenets for forging true companionship often remain unlearned into adulthood. Here are some pointers to help boys of all ages get going in the right direction."
As a girl, I love this article. As an editor, I love Blake Guthrie. There were a million and a half ways to mess up the article, How to Get to Know a Girl, but Guthrie avoided every single one of them. Imagine this title coming up in your assignment feed. How would you write it?
We talk about voice a lot and how to master it. Truth be told, voice isn't something anyone can really teach you. It comes from hours of reading and years of trying. It comes from a ton of failure and a few minor successes. This is a seemingly simple article that didn't have to be good. Guthrie could have blown through this one with common cliches that most men's fitness magazines offer to their audience. But instead, this article is sincere, honest and written in Guthrie's voice.
"Don't assume anything about her. Ask her questions. Making an assumption about a person will lead you to base your conversation on those assumptions, which will get you nowhere, as it will either confuse or anger (probably both) the person you are trying to get to know. Assumptions aren't facts. If you want to get to know her, ask the appropriate questions that made you curious about her in the first place."
In Step 3 (seen above), it is clear this was was not something that was pulled from the Mayo Clinic or an official government report, but it's trusted information. Why? Because in Guthrie's introduction and throughout his article, he installs a sense of trust. He writes to his experience and it shows.
In Step 3 (seen above), it is clear this was was not something that was pulled from the Mayo Clinic or an official government report, but it's trusted information. Why? Because in Guthrie's introduction and throughout his article, he installs a sense of trust. He writes to his experience and it shows.
If there is one thing to learn from this article, notice how he made it his own by having a little fun. Please see his Things You'll Need list.
But if all else fails, this one from "USA Today" should help.
Bravo, Blake. Keep up the good work in 2011.
Ever wonder what it's like to work for Demand Media 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 Raina LeGarreta. I graduated from college with a B.A. in psychology, then went on to complete my B.A. in mass communications/journalism. I love Demand Media Studios because it gives me a chance to continually perfect my craft in writing. I've written for more than 15 years in newspapers, magazines and websites, and I just love that Demand Media Studios gives us the opportunity to choose the topics we want and learn about new interesting topics. That flexibility is something you rarely get. And I also appreciate the fact that it gives me the opportunity to supplement my income as my husband and I build up our small business. Demand Media Studios is a company I can see myself working with for the long-term, and doing what you love and actually getting paid for it is one of the best things you can do in life.
My name is Raina LeGarreta. I graduated from college with a B.A. in psychology, then went on to complete my B.A. in mass communications/journalism. I love Demand Media Studios because it gives me a chance to continually perfect my craft in writing. I've written for more than 15 years in newspapers, magazines and websites, and I just love that Demand Media Studios gives us the opportunity to choose the topics we want and learn about new interesting topics. That flexibility is something you rarely get. And I also appreciate the fact that it gives me the opportunity to supplement my income as my husband and I build up our small business. Demand Media Studios is a company I can see myself working with for the long-term, and doing what you love and actually getting paid for it is one of the best things you can do in life.
Each year the editorial team at Demand Media takes time to recognize our favorite article, writers and/or filmmakers. Each editor will reveal their pick(s) every day of December in the blog, and explain why it stood out to them.
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Numerous questions likely go through a writer’s head when drafting an article for Demand Media Studios. Does the article answer the question in the title? Does it meet the style guidelines? What about the format guidelines? Did I include an engaging lede and leave out all the serial commas? It can be easy to get so caught up in fulfilling the title that you might forget to give the article a voice. A good article will give you the information you need, but a really great article will both enlighten and entertain. A great article has soul.
It’s not easy injecting soul into seemingly mundane topics like managing your retirement fund or installing a kitchen sink, but great articles do just that. I believe this is because the writers of these articles understand that to the reader, the topic is not mundane; they need that information for something, so it’s important to them. I may not want to learn about filing my taxes, but if I have to read an article about it, I hope to be engaged and entertained by the writing.
Deb Powers does a beautiful job of instilling her article, “Edible Common Garden Plants,” with a voice. She not only provides a wealth of information on the topic, but also the draws the reader into the article with her personable voice and wonderful descriptions. The introduction is helpful and uplifting. I’m immediately thinking about all the possibilities of using edible garden plants in my cooking. She makes the process seem fun and accessible. The body of the article is really where Deb’s voice shines through though. Instead of simply giving the basic information on growing and eating the various plants in the article, Deb sets you up with really lovely images of colorful flowers making their way from the garden to your plate. It’s easy enough to say that certain flowers are popular and come in many colors, but her descriptions go beyond that by creating a scene in the reader’s head.
Functionally, the article provides a wealth of information on what parts of the plants are edible, how to prepare them, what they taste like and what dishes to make with each plant. This is the meat of the article and she backs up her research by citing reputable experts. This gives the reader confidence in the content. Readers who trusts the information in an article will not only be satisfied with their experience, but will come back to read more articles the next time they have a question.
Ultimately, Deb’s article is a great example of what each article written in Demand Media Studios can be. It’s helpful, fun and full of soul. It’s not the only one either. Picking a single article as my favorite for the year was not easy. Writers are producing articles just like this every day. They are helping and inspiring their readers, and that is really the ultimate goal with each and every article whether you’re writing about gardening, taxes or the kitchen sink.
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Numerous questions likely go through a writer’s head when drafting an article for Demand Media Studios. Does the article answer the question in the title? Does it meet the style guidelines? What about the format guidelines? Did I include an engaging lede and leave out all the serial commas? It can be easy to get so caught up in fulfilling the title that you might forget to give the article a voice. A good article will give you the information you need, but a really great article will both enlighten and entertain. A great article has soul.
It’s not easy injecting soul into seemingly mundane topics like managing your retirement fund or installing a kitchen sink, but great articles do just that. I believe this is because the writers of these articles understand that to the reader, the topic is not mundane; they need that information for something, so it’s important to them. I may not want to learn about filing my taxes, but if I have to read an article about it, I hope to be engaged and entertained by the writing.
Deb Powers does a beautiful job of instilling her article, “Edible Common Garden Plants,” with a voice. She not only provides a wealth of information on the topic, but also the draws the reader into the article with her personable voice and wonderful descriptions. The introduction is helpful and uplifting. I’m immediately thinking about all the possibilities of using edible garden plants in my cooking. She makes the process seem fun and accessible. The body of the article is really where Deb’s voice shines through though. Instead of simply giving the basic information on growing and eating the various plants in the article, Deb sets you up with really lovely images of colorful flowers making their way from the garden to your plate. It’s easy enough to say that certain flowers are popular and come in many colors, but her descriptions go beyond that by creating a scene in the reader’s head.
Functionally, the article provides a wealth of information on what parts of the plants are edible, how to prepare them, what they taste like and what dishes to make with each plant. This is the meat of the article and she backs up her research by citing reputable experts. This gives the reader confidence in the content. Readers who trusts the information in an article will not only be satisfied with their experience, but will come back to read more articles the next time they have a question.
Ultimately, Deb’s article is a great example of what each article written in Demand Media Studios can be. It’s helpful, fun and full of soul. It’s not the only one either. Picking a single article as my favorite for the year was not easy. Writers are producing articles just like this every day. They are helping and inspiring their readers, and that is really the ultimate goal with each and every article whether you’re writing about gardening, taxes or the kitchen sink.
Your weekly update on what’s happening now. Each week the editorial team will highlight trending topics that are creating buzz on the Web and what you should keep an eye on in the coming week. For more information on how to best use this information, log in and check out the community forum post located here.
Five Trending Topics:
Five Trending Topics:
Holiday Shopping
Wikileaks
Tax Bill
Google TV
Mark Zuckerberg
Five Breakout Topics:
Wikileaks
Tax Bill
Google TV
Mark Zuckerberg
Five Breakout Topics:
Winter Weather
Christmas
BCS Bowls
Economic Policies
Resolutions
Christmas
BCS Bowls
Economic Policies
Resolutions
Ever wonder what it's like to work for Demand Media 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.
Hello, my name is ShawnTe Pierce, and I am a 32-year old freelance fashion designer and writer with a bachelor’s degree in apparel design. I heard about Demand Media Studios in the forum of another writing site and decided to apply. Demand Media Studios has been a godsend, allowing me to earn as little or as much as I need. With the health problems my mother is facing, I have the freedom to be her support because I make my own hours. With twice-a-week payments, I can fill in the gaps for her and treat myself every now then.
Hello, my name is ShawnTe Pierce, and I am a 32-year old freelance fashion designer and writer with a bachelor’s degree in apparel design. I heard about Demand Media Studios in the forum of another writing site and decided to apply. Demand Media Studios has been a godsend, allowing me to earn as little or as much as I need. With the health problems my mother is facing, I have the freedom to be her support because I make my own hours. With twice-a-week payments, I can fill in the gaps for her and treat myself every now then.
Ever wonder what it's like to work for Demand Media 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 Jennifer Streit. I have been writing for one medium or another since I was in high school, culminating with an English degree and a professional writing certificate. When my oldest child was diagnosed with medical issues that prevented her from going to a traditional, brick and mortar public school, I was stuck. Then I found Demand Media Studios and am now able to stay home, teach my children and still pay all the bills. I can write when I want, which allows me to focus on my family and household. The flexibility of writing from anywhere with an Internet connection has allowed me to visit family halfway across the country much more frequently. Writing for Demand Media Studios has been the best of all worlds. While I still enjoy taking on more traditional freelance projects, I depend on the steady income of Demand Media Studios and enjoy the articles I write as much as any others.
My name is Jennifer Streit. I have been writing for one medium or another since I was in high school, culminating with an English degree and a professional writing certificate. When my oldest child was diagnosed with medical issues that prevented her from going to a traditional, brick and mortar public school, I was stuck. Then I found Demand Media Studios and am now able to stay home, teach my children and still pay all the bills. I can write when I want, which allows me to focus on my family and household. The flexibility of writing from anywhere with an Internet connection has allowed me to visit family halfway across the country much more frequently. Writing for Demand Media Studios has been the best of all worlds. While I still enjoy taking on more traditional freelance projects, I depend on the steady income of Demand Media Studios and enjoy the articles I write as much as any others.
Each year the editorial team at Demand Media takes time to recognize our favorite article, writers and/or filmmakers. Each editor will reveal their pick(s) every day of December in the blog, and explain why it stood out to them.
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As 2010 comes to a close, the editorial team here is tasked yet again to pick our favorite article of the last year. In the past 12 months, our writers have made great strides in improving quality, and each year, picking a favorite article becomes a little harder.
At Demand Media Studios, our goal with each article is pretty simple: to inform and entertain. Accomplishing this is not always easy, especially given the niche titles our writers tackle. Informing means you not only have to establish credibility with the audience, but you have to follow through by providing useful information that speaks to the title in its entirety. Credibility — while crucial — means nothing if you don’t follow it with valuable, practical information. And entertaining is just as important as informing. You must hook your reader from the get-go and continue to engage him throughout the entire article. The introduction is not enough. Compelling the reader from beginning to end is vital. A lot of people call this voice. It’s not easy to successfully accomplish, but you know it when you see it.
Barbara Dunlap’s article, Ways to Care for a Parent With Memory Loss, is both informing and entertaining. Admittedly, I don’t have a parent with memory loss, so I can’t personally relate, but as a reader, I’m engaged in this article — not because I have to be, but because it’s well-written. She takes a very sensitive subject and provides useful information that delicately speaks to the title in an uplifting manner. It’s not dry. It’s not weak. It’s not boring. And it does its job. Barbara immediately establishes rapport with the audience. She speaks to the reader, recognizing the challenges — both for the parent and the child — that come with caring for a parent with memory loss. Dunlap doesn’t idyllically dance around the subject, nor does she provide a meager outlook either. The introduction is carefully crafted to provide context behind the topic and create a relationship with the audience, however niche it may be.
As she transitions into the meat of the article, Barbara provides real-world, useful advice. She establishes credibility early on with authoritative references, and she effectively balances these references with original reporting. Instead of merely listing a handful of ways to care for a parent with memory loss solely to complete the article — as some writers tend to do — she goes one step further, structuring the article into categories, each replete with concrete, applicable advice. Instead of simply advising “deal with difficult behaviors,” Dunlap offers numerous hands-on explanations of how to deal with it.
And finally, Barbara rounds the article off with advice on how the child can take care of herself — something that, while essential in caring for a parent with memory loss, is easy to overlook. In caring for a parent with memory loss, it’s imperative the child also take care of his owns needs as well. And instead of neglecting this very important piece of information, like some articles on the topic do, Barbara offers the reader something to walk away with: suggestions on how to care for a parent, and in doing that, how to simultaneously care for oneself.
As I alluded to earlier, picking a favorite article this year was no easy task. There are many other articles just like Barbara’s. As writers, it is your job to inform and entertain with each and every article you write. And as editors, it’s your job to ensure each article accomplishes this. Think like a reader, and get into the reader’s mind. Hook him. And educate him. As long as you carry these two principles with you in each and every article you publish, you’ll continue to successfully build a lasting readership.
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As 2010 comes to a close, the editorial team here is tasked yet again to pick our favorite article of the last year. In the past 12 months, our writers have made great strides in improving quality, and each year, picking a favorite article becomes a little harder.
At Demand Media Studios, our goal with each article is pretty simple: to inform and entertain. Accomplishing this is not always easy, especially given the niche titles our writers tackle. Informing means you not only have to establish credibility with the audience, but you have to follow through by providing useful information that speaks to the title in its entirety. Credibility — while crucial — means nothing if you don’t follow it with valuable, practical information. And entertaining is just as important as informing. You must hook your reader from the get-go and continue to engage him throughout the entire article. The introduction is not enough. Compelling the reader from beginning to end is vital. A lot of people call this voice. It’s not easy to successfully accomplish, but you know it when you see it.
Barbara Dunlap’s article, Ways to Care for a Parent With Memory Loss, is both informing and entertaining. Admittedly, I don’t have a parent with memory loss, so I can’t personally relate, but as a reader, I’m engaged in this article — not because I have to be, but because it’s well-written. She takes a very sensitive subject and provides useful information that delicately speaks to the title in an uplifting manner. It’s not dry. It’s not weak. It’s not boring. And it does its job. Barbara immediately establishes rapport with the audience. She speaks to the reader, recognizing the challenges — both for the parent and the child — that come with caring for a parent with memory loss. Dunlap doesn’t idyllically dance around the subject, nor does she provide a meager outlook either. The introduction is carefully crafted to provide context behind the topic and create a relationship with the audience, however niche it may be.
As she transitions into the meat of the article, Barbara provides real-world, useful advice. She establishes credibility early on with authoritative references, and she effectively balances these references with original reporting. Instead of merely listing a handful of ways to care for a parent with memory loss solely to complete the article — as some writers tend to do — she goes one step further, structuring the article into categories, each replete with concrete, applicable advice. Instead of simply advising “deal with difficult behaviors,” Dunlap offers numerous hands-on explanations of how to deal with it.
And finally, Barbara rounds the article off with advice on how the child can take care of herself — something that, while essential in caring for a parent with memory loss, is easy to overlook. In caring for a parent with memory loss, it’s imperative the child also take care of his owns needs as well. And instead of neglecting this very important piece of information, like some articles on the topic do, Barbara offers the reader something to walk away with: suggestions on how to care for a parent, and in doing that, how to simultaneously care for oneself.
As I alluded to earlier, picking a favorite article this year was no easy task. There are many other articles just like Barbara’s. As writers, it is your job to inform and entertain with each and every article you write. And as editors, it’s your job to ensure each article accomplishes this. Think like a reader, and get into the reader’s mind. Hook him. And educate him. As long as you carry these two principles with you in each and every article you publish, you’ll continue to successfully build a lasting readership.
