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 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 Valerie Hendricks, and I am a high school English teacher and mother of two kids. I started writing for Demand Studios last summer when I needed a way to make some extra money within my busy schedule. I never imagined I would find something so rewarding. I love researching and writing articles on various subjects. Though I am able to write more at times than others, I appreciate the flexibility to write as much or as little as I can. Writing for Demand Studios keeps me sharp as a writer and thinker while expanding my professional identity. Working as a writer also improves my skills as a writing teacher. I am proud to work for Demand Studios.
My name is Valerie Hendricks, and I am a high school English teacher and mother of two kids. I started writing for Demand Studios last summer when I needed a way to make some extra money within my busy schedule. I never imagined I would find something so rewarding. I love researching and writing articles on various subjects. Though I am able to write more at times than others, I appreciate the flexibility to write as much or as little as I can. Writing for Demand Studios keeps me sharp as a writer and thinker while expanding my professional identity. Working as a writer also improves my skills as a writing teacher. I am proud to work for Demand Studios.
Monday we asked you to have some fun on our Facebook page and write a haiku. We said we would share some of our favorites, and here's another fun one. Well done, Stacy!
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 Heather Carreiro, and I’ve been writing for Demand Studios since September 2009. After spending three years working in education development and writing teacher training curriculum in Lahore, Pakistan, I moved back to the U.S. to pursue further education. Working for Demand Studios has given me the flexibility to pursue a master’s degree in English and work on creative projects without sinking into debt. Traveling vicariously through the articles I write has allowed me to make use of my experiences abroad and helped satisfy the nagging “travel bug” that has afflicted me since I returned stateside.
I’m Heather Carreiro, and I’ve been writing for Demand Studios since September 2009. After spending three years working in education development and writing teacher training curriculum in Lahore, Pakistan, I moved back to the U.S. to pursue further education. Working for Demand Studios has given me the flexibility to pursue a master’s degree in English and work on creative projects without sinking into debt. Traveling vicariously through the articles I write has allowed me to make use of my experiences abroad and helped satisfy the nagging “travel bug” that has afflicted me since I returned stateside.
Five Web/Mobile Apps to Improve Your Freelance Life
Posted by JoshWriter | June 24, 2010 | Comments (3)
Editors Note: Josh is a member of our Studio community as well as a writer and journalist for various print and online publications. Knowing how much he does in his freelance work, we were curious to see how he balances all of it. We went to Josh and asked him to spill his secrets.
I'm a busy guy, and I’m constantly looking for different approaches to boost my productivity, streamline my freelancing work and squeeze every profitable penny out of my day. For better or for worse, the Internet and mobile phones seem to be everywhere these days and give me all kinds of new ways to stay connected to my work. Several specific web-based and mobile apps have helped me get the most out of my work, whether I need scheduling help or tools that help me better research a story.
EverNote
I’ve ditched carrying around my spiral bound notepad for EverNote, which lets me jot down story ideas or business plans on my computer or on my mobile phone. It then automatically syncs the note across my account so I see the same thing whether I’m on my phone or sitting at my laptop. And it’s not just for taking notes. For example, I can take photos on my phone’s camera or screenshots of my browser for future reference while writing a story. It’s available on Windows and PC computers, as well as on the Android, iPhone, BlackBerry and other mobile operating systems.
FreshBooks
Time is money, and FreshBooks allows me to keep track of both. The web-based app helps me stay on schedule with timers that record how much time I spend writing for each of my clients. It also lets me generate and send out invoices, because freelancing is only profitable when my clients actually pay me the money they owe. For mobile tracking, FreshBooks offers an app for the iPhone with all the same features.
Fring
A lot of my clients stay in touch using Skype and instant messaging programs, but it can be troublesome to run several IM software programs at the same time. Fring solves that. It works on every major mobile platform, including the iPhone and the Android, and connects to most major IM platforms to let me chat and make free phone and video calls from a single interface. I can even follow my favorite Twitter users or chat with friends on Facebook—which might not be a good thing.
Mint
I love budgeting. It lets me see exactly where my freelance income is going, and helps me identify areas where I can save money. My favorite budgeting app is Mint, the online budgeting tool from Intuit, because it works in any browser. It also runs on the Android and the iPhone. I can stay on top of my bills and check when a client has deposited money in my bank accounts. I can also tag different deposits with custom categories, quickly allowing me to segregate my freelancing income.
Google Mobile
Google Mobile packs up all the important features of Google that I need and lets me take it with me on my phone. It works on numerous phone platforms, including BlackBerries. I can read the news, check my email, search the web and use Google Maps in a simple interface. It’s helped me when I’ve needed help finding my way to a client’s office, or when I’ve been trying to track updates on a news story that I’m covering.
I'm a busy guy, and I’m constantly looking for different approaches to boost my productivity, streamline my freelancing work and squeeze every profitable penny out of my day. For better or for worse, the Internet and mobile phones seem to be everywhere these days and give me all kinds of new ways to stay connected to my work. Several specific web-based and mobile apps have helped me get the most out of my work, whether I need scheduling help or tools that help me better research a story.
EverNote
I’ve ditched carrying around my spiral bound notepad for EverNote, which lets me jot down story ideas or business plans on my computer or on my mobile phone. It then automatically syncs the note across my account so I see the same thing whether I’m on my phone or sitting at my laptop. And it’s not just for taking notes. For example, I can take photos on my phone’s camera or screenshots of my browser for future reference while writing a story. It’s available on Windows and PC computers, as well as on the Android, iPhone, BlackBerry and other mobile operating systems.
FreshBooks
Time is money, and FreshBooks allows me to keep track of both. The web-based app helps me stay on schedule with timers that record how much time I spend writing for each of my clients. It also lets me generate and send out invoices, because freelancing is only profitable when my clients actually pay me the money they owe. For mobile tracking, FreshBooks offers an app for the iPhone with all the same features.
Fring
A lot of my clients stay in touch using Skype and instant messaging programs, but it can be troublesome to run several IM software programs at the same time. Fring solves that. It works on every major mobile platform, including the iPhone and the Android, and connects to most major IM platforms to let me chat and make free phone and video calls from a single interface. I can even follow my favorite Twitter users or chat with friends on Facebook—which might not be a good thing.
Mint
I love budgeting. It lets me see exactly where my freelance income is going, and helps me identify areas where I can save money. My favorite budgeting app is Mint, the online budgeting tool from Intuit, because it works in any browser. It also runs on the Android and the iPhone. I can stay on top of my bills and check when a client has deposited money in my bank accounts. I can also tag different deposits with custom categories, quickly allowing me to segregate my freelancing income.
Google Mobile
Google Mobile packs up all the important features of Google that I need and lets me take it with me on my phone. It works on numerous phone platforms, including BlackBerries. I can read the news, check my email, search the web and use Google Maps in a simple interface. It’s helped me when I’ve needed help finding my way to a client’s office, or when I’ve been trying to track updates on a news story that I’m covering.
Monday we asked you to have some fun on our Facebook page and write a haiku. We said we would share some of our favorites, and as a fellow coffee-lover, this one definitely made me smile. Bravo.
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 Guil Claveria, and I’m a writer and filmmaker with Demand Studios. I have been a full-time college teacher for more than eight years. I graduated from United Theological Seminary with degrees in religion and communications. I have gained a lot of experience from independent filmmaking, and my experience writing for Demand Studios has been wonderful. On my free time, I get to write about things that interest me and have the ability to earn money while doing so. I only wish I had known about Demand Studios sooner. Thank you Demand Studios!
My name is Guil Claveria, and I’m a writer and filmmaker with Demand Studios. I have been a full-time college teacher for more than eight years. I graduated from United Theological Seminary with degrees in religion and communications. I have gained a lot of experience from independent filmmaking, and my experience writing for Demand Studios has been wonderful. On my free time, I get to write about things that interest me and have the ability to earn money while doing so. I only wish I had known about Demand Studios sooner. Thank you Demand Studios!
Yesterday we asked you to have some fun on our Facebook page and write a haiku. We said we would share some of our favorites and Loren, you're up first. Awesome 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.
I’m Amy Bush, and I have been involved in journalism and creative writing for more than 15 years; I’ve published articles in HubPages.com, “Mothering” magazine, “WAHM” magazine and on my personal website. Being a writer with Demand Studios provides me the opportunity to serve the public with informational and inspirational articles in my areas of interest—and I get to do it in my time, from home, around my growing family’s schedule. I love expressing myself in this format with the flexibility to write the amount of articles that works for me—all the while getting paid to do it!
I’m Amy Bush, and I have been involved in journalism and creative writing for more than 15 years; I’ve published articles in HubPages.com, “Mothering” magazine, “WAHM” magazine and on my personal website. Being a writer with Demand Studios provides me the opportunity to serve the public with informational and inspirational articles in my areas of interest—and I get to do it in my time, from home, around my growing family’s schedule. I love expressing myself in this format with the flexibility to write the amount of articles that works for me—all the while getting paid to do it!
When I began working with Demand Studios in June 2009, my sole responsibility was to review the writer applications coming in each day. Since that time, I’ve approved many writers for Demand Studios.
Unfortunately, I’ve had to reject my fair share of applications as well. I often get emails from potential writers wondering what they can do to avoid this unfortunate fate. The answer isn’t easy because of two factors.
First, resume and writing samples are unpredictable. Applicants with no writing experience and those with 30-plus years in journalism are both potentially acceptable candidates. The nature of writing samples is even more random. Blogs, academic papers, news articles--you name it, I’ve read it.
Also, the process is inevitably subjective. We’d love it if each applicant had a clear-cut journalism or other niche track, but that’s rarely the case. This means that analysis and even conjecture come into play. It may seem unfair at first glance, but boiling applications down to an objective scoring science would mean the inevitable loss of hidden gems.
Does this mean there are no hard-and-fast rules for submitting a winning application? Not at all. In fact, here are some tips from behind the application curtain:
Resume Tips
1. Emphasize your expertise. Ask yourself, “If I’m trying to change the oil in my 1976 Volvo Station Wagon, do I want instructions from a 20-year veteran journalist, or a 20-year veteran mechanic?” Chances are, you’ll listen to the mechanic.
This doesn’t mean we prefer one over the other. It simply means that we look for applicants with writing experience and/or a niche expertise. Be sure to emphasize either of these in your resume--or both if you have them.
2. Treat this like any other job application. Although we receive hundreds of applications every day, each application is thoroughly reviewed by a qualified Application Reviewer. This means you should consider the initial appearance and format of your resume. If you’re creating a resume specifically for Demand Studios, take time to put together a well-formatted resume with clean copy. The extra time will be worth it.
3. Include any and all special interests. Think that the Photoshop class you took in college isn’t worthy of mention? Think again. Mentioning something this small in your Interests/Special Skills section counts hugely in your favor. Remember, we have titles available in a wide variety of subjects. Your one Photoshop class could equal many Demand Studios articles on the subject.
Sample Tips
1. Show what you know. Even if clipping coupons seems mundane and obvious, maybe you’ve learned some little-known facts and insider tips that would be interesting to readers. Don’t be afraid to call upon your vault of seemingly useless information.
2. Think “clear, concise and useful.” We pride ourselves on unique, informative and reliable content. Stay away from exclamation points, too much first-person and colloquialisms.
3. Format matters. Submit samples that lend themselves to the style mentioned in No. 2. Blogs are OK, but only if they demonstrate a clear voice and straightforward style. We also recommend that you avoid prose, poetry, screenplays, journal entries, etc. If you don’t have anything that fits the style we look for, write a 300-word sample in your area of expertise.
Unfortunately, I’ve had to reject my fair share of applications as well. I often get emails from potential writers wondering what they can do to avoid this unfortunate fate. The answer isn’t easy because of two factors.
First, resume and writing samples are unpredictable. Applicants with no writing experience and those with 30-plus years in journalism are both potentially acceptable candidates. The nature of writing samples is even more random. Blogs, academic papers, news articles--you name it, I’ve read it.
Also, the process is inevitably subjective. We’d love it if each applicant had a clear-cut journalism or other niche track, but that’s rarely the case. This means that analysis and even conjecture come into play. It may seem unfair at first glance, but boiling applications down to an objective scoring science would mean the inevitable loss of hidden gems.
Does this mean there are no hard-and-fast rules for submitting a winning application? Not at all. In fact, here are some tips from behind the application curtain:
Resume Tips
1. Emphasize your expertise. Ask yourself, “If I’m trying to change the oil in my 1976 Volvo Station Wagon, do I want instructions from a 20-year veteran journalist, or a 20-year veteran mechanic?” Chances are, you’ll listen to the mechanic.
This doesn’t mean we prefer one over the other. It simply means that we look for applicants with writing experience and/or a niche expertise. Be sure to emphasize either of these in your resume--or both if you have them.
2. Treat this like any other job application. Although we receive hundreds of applications every day, each application is thoroughly reviewed by a qualified Application Reviewer. This means you should consider the initial appearance and format of your resume. If you’re creating a resume specifically for Demand Studios, take time to put together a well-formatted resume with clean copy. The extra time will be worth it.
3. Include any and all special interests. Think that the Photoshop class you took in college isn’t worthy of mention? Think again. Mentioning something this small in your Interests/Special Skills section counts hugely in your favor. Remember, we have titles available in a wide variety of subjects. Your one Photoshop class could equal many Demand Studios articles on the subject.
Sample Tips
1. Show what you know. Even if clipping coupons seems mundane and obvious, maybe you’ve learned some little-known facts and insider tips that would be interesting to readers. Don’t be afraid to call upon your vault of seemingly useless information.
2. Think “clear, concise and useful.” We pride ourselves on unique, informative and reliable content. Stay away from exclamation points, too much first-person and colloquialisms.
3. Format matters. Submit samples that lend themselves to the style mentioned in No. 2. Blogs are OK, but only if they demonstrate a clear voice and straightforward style. We also recommend that you avoid prose, poetry, screenplays, journal entries, etc. If you don’t have anything that fits the style we look for, write a 300-word sample in your area of expertise.
