There are a number of sites that are easy for beginning Web writers to start practicing their writing. These sites allow creative control while providing some direction.
Transitioning from print writing to Web writing often means a short period of adapting. The formatting of Web writing, with its short paragraphs and subheadings can take time to get used to. And for those who have never written professionally, getting started in Web writing means beginning with no writing samples and no published clips. There is a way to get practice, however, while supplying potential employers with clips and samples on a variety of subjects.
Writing for Money
Getting writing practice doesn't mean having to write for free. There are many sites that will take articles from beginning freelance writers while providing some instruction and insight into Web writing. Many of them pay a small amount for the articles, either in an up-front payment, a residual payment or through money made for affiliate sales.
Website Content
Most of the sites that take beginner's work are looking for Web content articles, though some will also accept poetry. These are articles that average about 400 words and center on one or more keywords. To get keyword practice, choose a beginner site and write a few articles on any topic. Work one or two keywords into the article. Each keyword should be repeated four or five times in the article as well as once in the title. What takes practice is making the keyword placement sound completely natural.
Beginning Writing Sites
Many beginners choose Associated Content to start with. They will publish any content that is at least 400 words. They also accept poetry, short stories and research papers in addition to articles. The site has a virtual library of articles about how to write the best articles, how to choose keywords and how to title the articles. The articles are sometimes offered an up-front payment and residual payments based on pageviews. Some articles are offered only residual payments.
BellaOnline is utilized by beginners and experts alike for its worldwide audience. The site prides itself, however, on the lengthy instruction it provides to new Web writers. A one-month course teaches new writers everything they need to know about how to avoid plagiarism, how to edit and how to keep articles short and to the point. The writers are paid through affiliate links that they place within their articles.
Triond.com and helium.com are known for accepting pretty much anything. They are both useful for trying out different types of articles and gauging the audience's feedback. They both pay small residuals based on how many people read the articles. And like the other sites, they provide a place for articles to be published, allowing new writers to have published writing samples to point to.
Related Article: How to Write for the Web
