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.
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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 Josienita Borlongan. I started writing for Demand Media Studios in 2007. I enjoy writing for Demand Media Studios because I can write as much or as little as I want. I am not a writer by profession, but Demand Media Studios gave me a chance and helped me hone my skills. I have seen a big improvement in my writing skills with the help of my fellow writers, copy editors and the Demand Media Studios' editorial team. Demand Media Studios allows me to make extra money as well as learn new things every day.
My name is Josienita Borlongan. I started writing for Demand Media Studios in 2007. I enjoy writing for Demand Media Studios because I can write as much or as little as I want. I am not a writer by profession, but Demand Media Studios gave me a chance and helped me hone my skills. I have seen a big improvement in my writing skills with the help of my fellow writers, copy editors and the Demand Media Studios' editorial team. Demand Media Studios allows me to make extra money as well as learn new things every day.
Today is the first day of BlogWorld 2010. Demand Media will be represented well at the expo, so stop by and say hello to Robyn, Remi, Kaitlyn, Mary and all the members of the Demand Media team who will be in Las Vegas this weekend. Good luck, guys, and hurry back. We're going to miss you. More than you know.
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 Darla Ferrara. I'm an author and now a full-time writer. I can make that last statement because of Demand Media Studios. I love writing, but more than anything, I love to learn. Demand Media Studios is a learning experience for me. The fact that I get paid to learn just makes it that much sweeter. I have worked at a variety of jobs in my life but think this one is the most fulfilling for me personally. I learn something new about my craft on a daily basis. I'm a dreamer who never thought of writing anything but fiction until I became a member of this community. I'm grateful for the opportunity to improve, not just my style but my thinking. Thanks for letting me in.
My name is Darla Ferrara. I'm an author and now a full-time writer. I can make that last statement because of Demand Media Studios. I love writing, but more than anything, I love to learn. Demand Media Studios is a learning experience for me. The fact that I get paid to learn just makes it that much sweeter. I have worked at a variety of jobs in my life but think this one is the most fulfilling for me personally. I learn something new about my craft on a daily basis. I'm a dreamer who never thought of writing anything but fiction until I became a member of this community. I'm grateful for the opportunity to improve, not just my style but my thinking. Thanks for letting me in.
It's Writer Wednesday! Each week we ask our writers a question via Facebook and Twitter. The answers, stories, and overall response have been so great that we want to feature them on our blog! We'll highlight the most creative, intriguing and engaging responses and let those who are featured bask in the limelight just a little bit. Check back each week to see what question we ask, answer it yourself, and see who gets featured! This week we posed this challenge:
One Life. Six Words. What's Yours? This week we challenge you to compose a memoir in just SIX words. (Check out smithmag.net for some examples) Think you can sum it all up? Let's hear it!
Those were just some of our favorites from this week. Thanks to everyone who submitted one, they were a lot of fun to read. This week we've chosen one lucky winner to receive an I ♥ DS t-shirt!
One Life. Six Words. What's Yours? This week we challenge you to compose a memoir in just SIX words. (Check out smithmag.net for some examples) Think you can sum it all up? Let's hear it!
Those were just some of our favorites from this week. Thanks to everyone who submitted one, they were a lot of fun to read. This week we've chosen one lucky winner to receive an I ♥ DS t-shirt!
So without further ado, the winner is:
Justin Everage!
Thanks for such a great post. We'll send you a personal message to get your info and be on the lookout for an I ♥ DS t-shirt in the mail!
Justin Everage!
Thanks for such a great post. We'll send you a personal message to get your info and be on the lookout for an I ♥ DS t-shirt in the mail!
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:
National rescue missions
Chile
Earthquake
New company logo risks
Professional athlete behavior contract
Five Breakout Topics:
Professional athlete behavior contract
Five Breakout Topics:
NBA Preseason
Flu Season
IE9
Cancer Awareness
Halloween
Flu Season
IE9
Cancer Awareness
Halloween
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.
I'm Erika Watts. I graduated from college in May 2006. I taught English and language arts to grades sixth through eighth before becoming a stay-at-home mom. I discovered Demand Media Studios after trying and failing to find another teaching job. I have had a great experience with Demand Media Studios so far. I love being able to set my own schedule and get paid well for what I do, all from the comfort of my recliner. Thanks Demand Media Studios for the opportunity.
I'm Erika Watts. I graduated from college in May 2006. I taught English and language arts to grades sixth through eighth before becoming a stay-at-home mom. I discovered Demand Media Studios after trying and failing to find another teaching job. I have had a great experience with Demand Media Studios so far. I love being able to set my own schedule and get paid well for what I do, all from the comfort of my recliner. Thanks Demand Media Studios for the opportunity.
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 Nancy Engel. I love the freedom to work when I want, where I want and as much or as little as I want. I love the freedom of no commute, no office politics and no invoices as well as the flexible schedule and predictable pay. I can work more hours one day and less the next as long as I meet my weekly goal. I work, and I receive pay; what could be better? The ultimate freedom is that I can indulge my passion for travel. As long as a hotel has wireless, I’m there. Thanks Demand Media Studios.
My name is Nancy Engel. I love the freedom to work when I want, where I want and as much or as little as I want. I love the freedom of no commute, no office politics and no invoices as well as the flexible schedule and predictable pay. I can work more hours one day and less the next as long as I meet my weekly goal. I work, and I receive pay; what could be better? The ultimate freedom is that I can indulge my passion for travel. As long as a hotel has wireless, I’m there. Thanks Demand Media Studios.
Travel writing is notoriously subjective, and lately the forums and groups have been abuzz with rumors about Demand Media Studios hotel articles. I’ve been the on-staff travel editor at DMS for nearly two years, and I want to address some of the more persistent rumors and give the definitive answer.
Q: Can I use the hotel’s website as a reference?
A: Of course. A hotel’s website is often a goldmine of information, especially if it has an online press kit, and can be more accurate than a guidebook in many situations. All we’re saying is this: take the website’s information with a grain of salt. The site is a marketing play. It’s your job to sift through and curate the marketing jargon and look into what the hotels’ website is not saying.
Q: Am I allowed to list amenities?
A: Please do. The trick is to think about the notable elements when you’re researching a hotel online. We don’t want a standard laundry list of amenities. (I’ve seen hotel articles that boast a room has “queen beds, televisions, phones and coffeemakers”—what about four walls and a locking door?) I want to know what sets this particular hotel apart from the pack.
Copy Editor PhyllisG summed it up well in a forum post:
If the swimming pool has a 100-ft circular slide, don't just say there's a pool; if the on-site restaurant serves French bistro food, discuss a few of the mouthwatering menu items. If suites have cooking facilities, that might be important to families; if there's a nearby attraction for kids, discuss that; if there's a lake for fishing, discuss that; if the town has interesting historical meaning, discuss that. Give the reader a picture of the particular property and surrounding area without the usual cliches.
Bottom line: Listed amenities need to enhance the article as a whole. I think Where to Stay in Chicago with Kids is a great example of using amenities to enhance the title.
To quote the great Richard Lally, one of our copy curators: “In other words, tell readers where they can comfortably bed down for the night, but don’t put them to sleep.”
Q: What adjectives am I allowed to use?
A: All of them – provided you use them wisely and well. Hemingway once wrote that Ezra Pound taught him to “distrust certain adjectives as [he] would later learn to distrust certain people in certain situations.”
All the talk about “empty adjectives” or “marketing copy” is really a result of using adjectives without proper details or context to back them up. The word “exotic,” for instance, means something different to a lifelong world traveler and someone who has never left the Midwest. As C.S. Lewis said, “Don’t use words too big for the subject. Don’t say ‘infinitely’ when you mean ‘very’; otherwise you’ll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.”
Q: Can I write about a location if I haven’t been there personally?
A: Yes, provided you’ve done enough contextual research to present an authoritative take on the subject. Your writing will always be richer if you’re describing a place you’ve been in person—all the Internet and phone research in the world can’t make up for firsthand experience—but we do know the realities of writing travel articles for DMS.
Regardless of your experience, it’s important to present yourself as an insider or concierge. Give the reader a reason to trust you. Convey the idea that the person writing the story knows the reality on the ground, or at least has done some homework that enables him to aggregate the right resources and present them.
Have more questions? Ask in the comments, and we’ll compile them into Volume Two.
Congratulations to filmmaker Max Cusimano, the winner of September's Filmmaker iPad Giveaway!
Check out the announcement video below to get a peek at our Austin office and some of the DMS video team members who work there.
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 Selena Templeton. After earning a BA in English and hopping around from one job to another, dealing with commuting, office politics and rigid time clocks, I finally discovered the world of freelance writing. What I love about writing for Demand Media Studios is that I write, they edit, it gets published, and I get paid. No stalling, no excuses, no nightmares. I also love that I get to use my experience and knowledge to write informative health articles that receive feedback from readers. And best of all? I get to work in my pajamas, and no one calls office security.
My name is Selena Templeton. After earning a BA in English and hopping around from one job to another, dealing with commuting, office politics and rigid time clocks, I finally discovered the world of freelance writing. What I love about writing for Demand Media Studios is that I write, they edit, it gets published, and I get paid. No stalling, no excuses, no nightmares. I also love that I get to use my experience and knowledge to write informative health articles that receive feedback from readers. And best of all? I get to work in my pajamas, and no one calls office security.
