To do good writing, read good writing. Here’s the good writing I’ve been reading this week:
Is it a good thing or a bad thing to be an independently employed writer? The authors of two articles in my recommended reading list for this week come down on two very different sides of this issue. Which do you agree with?
Stop Crying That There Are No Jobs. Create One. (Afford Anything) – Blogger and former newspaper reporter Paula Pant shares the “aha” moment she had after attending recent back-to-back journalism and blogging conferences. There’s never been a better time to be a journalist, she says, if you can think like an entrepreneur.
Why ‘Branding’ Won’t Save the Creative Class (Salon) – Au contraire, says Scott Timberg in lengthy thinker piece that decries the toll the last decade has taken on writers, graphic designers and other creative types. As great as it is, he says, free agency doesn’t offer the kinds of safety nets – think health insurance – that people need to survive.
How Tiziano Project Beat CNN and NPR in the New Journalism Paradigm (PBS MediaShift) – The head of a journalism project in Iraqi Kurdistan explains how they beat larger, more well-financed media organizations to capture a 2011 Online Journalism Award for best community collaboration. “We are at the bleeding edge of what the future of journalism could be,” writes Jon Vidar in his recap. “The future of journalism is collaboration – collaboration as a means of presenting all sides of a story and providing every individual, whether in a conflict zone or on Wall Street, with the ability to present their voice to the world.” The Tiziano Project|360 Kurdistan presents stories from journalists alongside personal accounts of Iraqi citizens to present “a robust and complete understanding of life, culture and news in present-day Iraqi Kurdistan.”
Ebert Memoir Full of Surprises (SecondAct)– My friend and fellow SecondAdt blogger Pat Kiger can write on just about everything. I know, because he’s covered corporate finance for me for American Express Inside Edge, but he’s equally good writing about movies, music and pop culture. His review of movie critic Roger Ebert’s autobiography is a case in point: educated, insightful and a great read.
How to Rank Highly in Google News (ReadWriteWeb) – Just got around to reading this Sept. 26 synopsis of a new study from three SEO experts on the best way to optimize stories to show up higher in Google search results. The results aren’t shocking: use strong keywords and short headlines, share what you write on social networks, work at getting your work cited by other sources. Though this is aimed at publishers, it’s good advice for bloggers too.
I’m flattered that you’ve included my blog on your list! Thanks Michelle! I hope my post provides some great food for thought … and encouragement for journalists and other writers who want to grab the reins!
Awesome links! I think quitting my day job 2 years ago(Bank Job) was the best decision I have taken in life. While all my friends slog on their job, I enjoy being my own boss. Freelancing has given me a better life style and income than when I used to be in my daily job.