The Clear-Copy Rule of Writing for the Web

By Rainmaker.FM

rd-clear-copy-rule

“So many English teachers shoved complex sentences down my throat that now a simple sentence almost makes my skin crawl.”

That’s Tim Biden, during a Twitter conversation about writing for the web.

He was responding to a tweet Rough Draft host Demian Farnworth shared with a link to his first Copyblogger post: “The Disgustingly Simple Rule for Web Writing That’s Often Hard to Swallow.”

Tim retweeted the link and said, “I hate that he’s right.”

Clueless, as usual, about anything not immediately in front of him, Demian asked, “Why you hate?”

Then Tim dropped that heavy-weight comment above.

Demian responded with: “I was fortunate to skip …read more      

Read More

40 Hours Left: Join The Showrunner Podcasting Course Before Time Runs Out

By Jerod Morris

The Showrunner Podcasting Course

By the time you read this, there will be no more than 40 hours left to join The Showrunner Podcasting Course.

So, we are presenting this quick reminder and providing a bit of insight from a current course member as to why joining might be beneficial for you.

Here’s the reminder

At midnight on Friday, August 14, 2015, we are shutting the doors to the course again for a while. When we reopen them, there will be a major difference: an annual fee will be required to access the community and continuing education.

Those who register now, however, get access to the community …read more      

Read More

How to Earn More Money (and Keep Your Sanity) by Developing a Professional Support Network

By Beth Hayden

build your business on the strength of your network

My house was packed with more than 40 women, and we were all chowing down on casseroles, salads, and brownies.

In February 2012, I hosted a potluck dinner for my networking and professional group, the Boulder Media Women (BMW). BMW is a group of more than 400 female media professionals who get together on a regular basis for happy hour events, group coffee dates, and potluck dinners.

BMW members are all associated with media in some way — we’ve got content marketers, freelance writers, authors, magazine editors, and graphic designers in the group.

On the night of my potluck …read more      

Read More

How to Avoid Getting Nailed by the FTC for Your Online Marketing

By Rainmaker.FM

un-ftc

Most professional marketers don’t understand the FTC rules that apply to online marketing. So as a busy freelancer or small business owner, it’s certainly understandable if this isn’t on your radar.

But this is a critically important thing, as new guidelines are being released that you need to understand. The FTC is about to make an example out of companies that cross the line, even if only out of ignorance.

But you’re an ethical marketer who doesn’t lie in your marketing materials or engage in deceptive practices, right? Even so, you may be unknowingly violating the FTC endorsement guidelines, and the penalties …read more      

Read More

How to Effectively Publish on LinkedIn, Part 1

By Rainmaker.FM

ml-linkedin-publishing-1

Do you want to add LinkedIn publishing to your content marketing mix? Then you will want to listen to this first of three Missing Link episodes on the smart way to publish content on LinkedIn.

In this three-part series, you’ll learn what you need to know to successfully post powerful articles and content that will reach your audience.

In this first part, host Sean Jackson and Mica Gadhia teach you the actual mechanics of posting on LinkedIn. You’ll learn what to look for in your field, what you will need to post successfully, and best practices for sharing your content.

When you publish …read more      

Read More