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Loving LIVESTRONG.COM Lifestyle
Want to know what to do in Las Vegas besides gambling? Or things to do on a date in Seattle? Then look no further than the newest batch of articles on LIVESTRONG.COM.
LIVESTRONG.COM Lifestyle is a new writing opportunity for Demand Studios writers interested in writing local content from a healthy lifestyle perspective.
We recently released 500 titles into the LIVESTRONG.COM Lifestyle vertical, which were snatched up so quickly that we're gearing up to release more.
After reviewing the first batch of articles, I was immensely impressed with the content appearing on the site—and I'm not the only one. Our own Copy Curator Richard Lally couldn't stop praising Fitzalan Gorman for her article, "Things to Do in NYC."
You can tell that Fitzalan took the time to research new and exciting things to do in New York City, outside of what people would generally suggest. You can read Fitzalan's full article on LIVESTRONG.COM.
Another great example of a LIVESTRONG.COM Lifestyle article is "About Nice Things to Do in San Francisco," by Terry Mann. Terry provides excellent options of "nice" things to do in San Francisco that also encourage healthy living.
These articles exemplify how to flawlessly execute the guidelines for this site. Remember, LIVESTRONG.COM Lifestyle articles differ from other List-like titles, so be sure to read the site guidelines, located at the top of each LIVESTRONG.COM Lifestyle template. We have reiterated a few points below:
1. Articles should never 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.
2. Do not include individual businesses as subheads. We generally discourage mentioning businesses in the copy below a subhead unless it is a long-standing institution, such as a park, museum, monument, etc. Any businesses mentioned must have a healthy lifestyle or educational slant.
3. If you mention pricing information for a business or institution, provide a range and clarifier. For example write, "As of 2010, the Statue of Liberty admission fee is $20 to $35."
4. The overview should set the tone that the recommendations in the article will encourage healthy options. Read Jennifer King's "The Top Things to Do in Miami, Florida" for a good example.
If this is the type of content you enjoy writing, I encourage you to browse available LIVESTRONG.COM Lifestyle titles in the queue.
It's a great opportunity to contribute to LIVESTRONG.COM with fun titles focusing on topics around where you live.
LIVESTRONG.COM Lifestyle is a new writing opportunity for Demand Studios writers interested in writing local content from a healthy lifestyle perspective.
We recently released 500 titles into the LIVESTRONG.COM Lifestyle vertical, which were snatched up so quickly that we're gearing up to release more.
After reviewing the first batch of articles, I was immensely impressed with the content appearing on the site—and I'm not the only one. Our own Copy Curator Richard Lally couldn't stop praising Fitzalan Gorman for her article, "Things to Do in NYC."
You can tell that Fitzalan took the time to research new and exciting things to do in New York City, outside of what people would generally suggest. You can read Fitzalan's full article on LIVESTRONG.COM.
Another great example of a LIVESTRONG.COM Lifestyle article is "About Nice Things to Do in San Francisco," by Terry Mann. Terry provides excellent options of "nice" things to do in San Francisco that also encourage healthy living.
These articles exemplify how to flawlessly execute the guidelines for this site. Remember, LIVESTRONG.COM Lifestyle articles differ from other List-like titles, so be sure to read the site guidelines, located at the top of each LIVESTRONG.COM Lifestyle template. We have reiterated a few points below:
1. Articles should never 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.
2. Do not include individual businesses as subheads. We generally discourage mentioning businesses in the copy below a subhead unless it is a long-standing institution, such as a park, museum, monument, etc. Any businesses mentioned must have a healthy lifestyle or educational slant.
3. If you mention pricing information for a business or institution, provide a range and clarifier. For example write, "As of 2010, the Statue of Liberty admission fee is $20 to $35."
4. The overview should set the tone that the recommendations in the article will encourage healthy options. Read Jennifer King's "The Top Things to Do in Miami, Florida" for a good example.
If this is the type of content you enjoy writing, I encourage you to browse available LIVESTRONG.COM Lifestyle titles in the queue.
It's a great opportunity to contribute to LIVESTRONG.COM with fun titles focusing on topics around where you live.
KatrinaD
May 30, 12:04 PM
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jensobek
May 30, 1:00 PM
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jensobek
May 31, 8:37 PM
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brittas
Jun 1, 1:16 PM
Where should I contribute?
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jensobek
Jun 5, 5:44 AM
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Rusty
Jun 7, 5:11 AM
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Debra R
Jun 22, 2:06 PM
I am respectfully submitting the following at risk of being attacked, so will state in advance my only intent is CLARIFICATION and understanding at a fuller level the ultimate goals of my writing, and for whom.
I've written countless travel, health, and lifestyle articles, so was excited when I was actually able to claim a Lifestrong title. For example: "Romance in City Zed". I lived in that city, so I now it well, and come up with 10 actual things to do that I and my friends consider 'romantic'. However, they do not include 'kayaking', thus a rewrite is requested. Frankly, I don't know anyone who might consider kayaking romantic, unless maybe couples went out under a full moon, with no winds to fight, no oil slicks to deal with, etc, but couldn't that be ANYWHERE? If so, why not just have categories that list the sports, and have people specify where they can do it - or why not just have a site on 'kayaking'? Or racquetball? Are we writing to the title, to a place, or to a sport? Which, by the way, leaves no room for the mental well-being elements, or things like meditation. "Where to meditate in New York City" might be interesting, but most people who meditate know the idea is to be able to do it ANYWHERE.
I've become more than disillusioned, however, in very short time. There are likely others out there who feel the same way and just haven't spoken up. (I'm not trying to start a gripe session- again, I am after real clarity.)
First, I appreciate every single writer who works hard to research, consider, write, rewrite, polish, spell-check, detail, and complete an article. Mine take anywhere from 2 hours to 2 days to put together, depending on research I might feel is important.
Next, I wish to acknowledge the however many nameless editors who must review these articles, remain distanced, simply repair or return the content. A special nod to those who take the half-second to say something nice before accepting or returning, and a special eyebrow lift to those who don't quite seem to be on the same brain or wavelength. It's all good, right?
Now, when I've checked some suggested articles to use as 'standards', I can't help but notice this... "hiking, bicycling, kayaking, running, tennis" etc - cut out and pasted somehwat formulaically into content that would otherwise simply be regarded as general 'tourism'. But tourism is not what Livestrong is about, right?
What I'm coming up against is this: I was an athlete much of my life, and still bicycle now and then, but I'd be bored with many of these responses given as 'examples to follow'. Something titled "10 best thigns to do in City X" that lists my 'formula' words above, punching in generic locales and the name of a prominent area doesn't really answer the question for me. What ARE the 10 best things, really?
As we shed our opionions, or glean from multiple other writers' areas of insight, why should we assume that anyone Livestrong readers do NOT want precise information regarding the city about which they inquire?
Is it that we are simply to spin out these generic articles to achieve some sort of quota? Or shouldn't we want our writing to reflect our own integrity as well?
Anyway, I'm just tossing this out there - it's not at all intended as an attack - rather a plea for clarification. Because when I write to the editorial team with a very clear request about a title clarification, or a category (many are lacking, eh?) I am sent back to these forums, and given titles that simply reiterate the confusion.
Perhaps I've just nearly deduced I ought to stick to eHow / About format.
Thanks for letting me air this -
Debra
ps - I've sailed extensively, lived and traveled a good part of the world, and have a background in several careers. Maybe my concerns about the writing is a generational thing... not to worry. lol
Oh - and if anyone would like to, please email me directly (unemotional offerings of usuable, effective information). My schedule is crazy so I don't know when I can check back here.
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Karyn Bowman
Aug 11, 7:11 PM
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