As a writer, in my opinion, this is plagiarism and I never use it. I also don’t rewrite articles or use article spinning or submitting software of any kind.

I do use the program WordWeb Pro on occasion when writing. It’s a dictionary program where you can highlight any word on a page and get the definition and more. If the word isn’t in WordWeb Pro, the program allows Web search to find it. Not being the world’s best speller, when in doubt I check a dictionary. WordWeb Pro is handy since it’s on my computer.

Book cover (Dust jacket) for the 15th edition of the The Chicago Manual of Style (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Close by is a copy of The Chicago Manual of Style 15th Edition, Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary 11th Edition, and The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law 2011.

For further reference are copies of Writing for the Web, Managing Content Marketing, and various article writing guides. Being a writer means there is always homework required.

Writers have their own way of working; my philosophy is and shall remain 100 percent original quality over quantity. Each piece of copy must be better than previous copy. It is a contest against my other copy. All writers should strive to improve their writing with each new piece.

Although each writer is free to use any material they choose, ethically using PLR or rewriting articles is ultimately their choice. Personally doing this type of work isn’t work that follows ethical standards for a business offering 100 percent original copy to all clients.

This may be a limited view, as a freelance writer who signed a Business Ethics Pledge, quality over quantity, prohibits the use of PLR.

All businesses, which include writing, should operate based on honesty, integrity, and quality.

Robert Medak

Published Freelance Writer, Blogger, Editor, Proofreader, and Reviewer learning Marketing

http://xeeme.com/RobertMedak 

I look at it differently; writing about what you know may be comfortable for beginners, but how many readers are there that want to read a book about what you know, what about fantasy, thrillers, mainstream romance, and science fiction?

Writers should write about their passion. If a writer likes mysteries, than they should read many of them, and then write one.

Good writers need to be avid readers. If a writer doesn’t like to read, they probably won’t be a good writer. The reason for this is simple; writers must have a passion for words and language to be a good writer.

Many writers worry about something called voice, a writer’s voice will develop over time as the writer writes. Voice can also change over time as the writer hones their writing by writing.

Only ghostwriters worry about the ability of writing in someone else’s voice. This takes special skill and is not something that beginners should attempt. Ghostwriting is for seasoned writers, and those who specialize in it.

Back to the subject

First, writing is a business not a hobby. Writers whose dream is to write and publish are entrepreneurs and must have this mindset. Think about this, what are you willing to do for your book?

Unless you self-publish, it could cost a minimum of $1,500 to $2,000 for you to work through an agent, or to work with various publishers you can find by searching the Internet to get your book published. Bear in mind that publishing houses are reluctant to work with unknown and unpublished writers.

Second, writers must have a passion for what they write, because if they don’t, the story will not engage the reader properly. The reader may become bored, set the book down, and not pick it up again. Now the writer has possibly lost a reader forever.

Who is your audience?

This is another point that is continually brought up; don’t try to jump on the latest bandwagon. By the time your book comes out, the bandwagon could have changed. Trying to write the latest fad is never a good idea.

Think about movies for a moment, how many times have you seen a movie with a big box office, and then everyone makes a similar movie. Are those movies as good? Usually not, and neither are many sequels.

Writing is the loneliest and time-consuming vocation one can chose. Writers sit for hours in solitary with only their thoughts and blank pages to fill with words that create something new for readers.

Robert Medak

Freelance Writer/Blogger/Editor/Proofreader/Reviewer/Marketer

http://xeeme.com/RobertMedak

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Screenshot of “Garys Social Media Count” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I wrote a post, Do You Use Social Media, for authors on the blog 4RV Reading, Writing, & Art News to which I contribute articles. I posted a definition of social media and mentioned network media.

That definition is Social Media is any online form of communicating, which individuals employ; including blogs, and microblogs like Twitter. Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google+ are social networking sites, of which there are many, and are a demarcation to  “industrial media,” refering to radio, Television, and film produced by professionals in these areas of media.

With many large corporations adopting social media, many small businesses wonder how they can compete on social media sites. Social media is an equal opportunity site; anyone from entrepreneur to small business can have the same presence as anyone else.

The problem with some accounts is that they spend time selling, and not building relationships. It’s called Social Media because it’s about being social, not a sales pitch site.

Who are you on social media? This is where your bio comes into play. Without a complete bio, or posts you’re not likely to get many followers, including me.

Social media is about engagement. People must get to know and trust any brand or individual before they are willing to purchase any product or service from you.

Social media sites are a place to share information your followers can use and share with their followers if it’s relevant to them.

When using micro-blogs where characters and spaces are limited, it doesn’t mean you should use internet language rather than using proper language. If you post on Twitter, you can use a program such as Twitlonger, which allows you to post more than 140 characters when using Twitter.

Using the Web is not a place to be lazy when writing. It can be a place to work on improving your writing. Your written communication skills are in front of the world and speak about the author.

Social Media and Networking sites are one way of many for people to learn about what you have to offer by being engaging and personable by sharing information. The main idea is to be available to help people and create relationships because word-of-mouth is still the best form of marketing, which every business, entrepreneur, and author needs to succeed.

Robert Medak

Freelance Writer, Blogger, Editor, Proofreader, Reviewer, Marketer

Find me at http://xeeme.com/RobertMedak

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SEO& SEM may help with incoming traffic, but once people find a website or blog, is it informational and relevant to the person’s search? How likely are they to tell others about the website because of the content and how engaged they were?

What about the tone of the content on the website?

Is the content academic or conversational? Does the website reflect the tone? You can offer information about a product or service in a conversational tone, information doesn’t need to be like a research report from a scientist.

I’m not saying that you should write down, but to write in plain English. Forget the jargon, and tech terms unless it is necessary, and there are no other way to express what you are saying. Not everyone is an engineer.

You are communicating with people searching quick concise and relevant to their search. A website is responsible for providing that information in an easy to read format without having to visit a specialized dictionary for terminology.

When someone visits a website, how user friendly is the site, is it easy to find contact information? Does the site have an FAQ page, an about page, easy to reach the business if they have additional questions? Is here a catalog, pricelist, or sales list that available for customers?

There should be the name or names that someone with any questions; or to schedule a meeting with knowledgeable people that have the authority to handle customer needs.

You’ve seen that all of the SEO, SEM, and marketing are much more than just old style marketing.

Today’s marketing is about engaging in a relationship with customers.

This is marketing in the modern age.

Robert Medak

Freelance Writer, Blogger, Editor, Proofreader, Reviewer, Marketer

My Social Media Sites

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Are college and university graduates learning how to write or are they plagiarizing prior works to get through their courses? There is some thought by instructors that students don’t understand what plagiarism is (Taken from a dictionary program WordPro™. A piece of writing that has been copied from someone else and is presented as being your own work.) Never Plagiarize.

As a sexagenarian, the term computer meant a large room filled with wires, tubes, and air conditioning to keep the room habitable for people. The idea of something sitting on a desk or portable was only a thought of the future; a period, when students of higher math, and engineers used slide rules, to make needed calculations.

The first handheld calculator didn’t arrive on the scene until 1967; Texas Instruments was first because an engineer was able to invent the printed circuit board, which ushered in small devices.

Before 1967, a calculator would need desk space. In 2012, a personal computer can do more than the earliest computer.

In 2012, there is software to help write, correct grammar, even software that converts speech into written words. Is this the way to do it? Who says the software is correct for other than academic writing? There is also ethics.

An article states that as high as 60 percent of college freshmen are not ready for college-level writing, Students are ill-prepared for college-level writing.

These students are the future of businesses, and government. They are possibly future authors.

Readers would not want to read something written by a semi-literate person who is incapable of writing a simple sentence without gross errors.

It’s obvious that the educational system is not working, as it should. One study online by OCED in Figures 2009 the United States ranks 33rd when tested against other countries.

If people aren’t able to read at the proper level, their ability to write clearly and correctly will suffer. As an avid reader, writer, and book reviewer, Readers don’t wish subjection to books, articles, and other copy with errors in grammar. People should spend their time and check resources to ensure that what they write is clear, concise, and as error free as possible.

Plagiarism is for lazy, unethical writers. There are sites online where both writers and students can find academic papers. The question is what is ethical for each individual.

If the writer is unsure of something, there are resources both on and offline available. For working offline, a good dictionary and thesaurus should be within reach. For one online source, try the Guide to Grammar & Writing , also try Copyscape® to test web content against the Internet for any duplication. Web content should be free of anything on another web site. If something does come up using Copyscape®, correct the copy you’re working on.

Parents need to work with their children on reading and writing skills to insure their ability for future tasks and higher education. Not reading at the proper level to understanding requirements for erection of equipment and safety requirements at work could be dangerous.

Part of life is communication; communication comes in two flavors, written and oral. If a person is incapable of communicating well, the chance for upward mobility or of finding readers is diminished.

It’s time for children and parents to read to each other to improve literacy.

We need to speak to Boards of Education and ask them to make reading and writing a priority.

Robert Medak

Freelance Writer/Blogger/Editor/Proofreader/Reviewer/Marketer

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English: The figure summarizes the main methods used in systems for computer-assisted plagiarism detection. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Many people talk about using public domain works, private label rights (PLR), and master resale rights (MRR) branding it as your own and selling it to become an authority.

Personally, using any of the above or spinning software is plagiarism, plain and simple.

I call myself a writer. That means I am creative. Using a program WordWeb Pro™ the definition of creative is: “Someone who generates new ideas and sales materials for marketing a product”, that does not mean using other people’s work changing a few adverbs or nouns to pronouns and calling it your work.

When I write something, it is 100 percent original, will pass Copyscape™, or any other plagiarism checker. When writing reviews, they are honest and unbiased written about the content of the book. If the book reviewed is in need of editing, it will not receive a five star rating because I believe reads deserve an error free well-written book. It’s the author’s responsibility for creating an error free book.

Spelling, typos, grammar, and punctuation to name a few items that should be resolved before any book reaches the hands or e-reader of readers who’ve spent money for a book. In my opinion, errors such of these are one-reason self-published books have a less than stellar reputation.

Readers of this post are welcome to their opinion. I will listen with an open mind. I wish readers would do the same.

I’ve mentioned in other post about my signing of the Business Ethics Pledge. I recommend all businesses read the Business Ethics Pledge  and agree to adopt it as part of general business activity. Your customers would appreciate it and might just remain loyal.

Follow me.

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Journal of Business Ethics (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Integrity: According to one dictionary, integrity means Moral soundness. This means that a business or entrepreneur is what they say and do in relation to their business.

A set of principles that a business is unwavering when it comes to a product or a service that clients seek from said business.

Personal and corporate integrity is part of being ethical. I believe in and have signed the Business Ethics Pledge, which all businesses and entrepreneurs should at least read and possibly incorporate into daily business activities, and interactions with customers.

Harvard Students Take Ethics Pledge. More schools should adopt a course in ethics. Corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs should adopt ethical behavior when it comes to customer interaction.

Treating customers ethically and honestly is good for your bottom line, customer retention, and word of mouth advertising.

What you are helping to create is a world where a moral code of business ethics in which honesty, integrity, and quality are normal for customers.

For freelancers, having a contract stating exactly what each party is bringing to the table and what steps are to be taken are spelled out between customer and supplier.

Failure to act in an ethical and responsible way is what brings bad thoughts when outsourcing for companies, and causing low rates for freelancers since potential customers are not aware of what is involved in creating a product or service the customer is requesting.

Part of being ethical is to maintain your principles, offering your product or service at a reasonable price and keeping the customer apprised of where their project is at any given time, and most important is to never miss a deadline unless there is a good reason and the customer receives notification well in advance as possible.

Robert Medak

Freelance Writer/Blogger/Editor/Proofreader/Reviewer/Marketer

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The surgery took place on the 17th of July 2012. I had problems with severe pain before that which limited the time I could spend on a keyboard.

As of August 31,2012 it’s been a bit over six weeks since surgery and loads of physical therapy, but I still can’t spend a lot of time doing much keyboard time.

I also have a problem with the computer I was using and had to put together an older computer to use. I overused the arm more than I should at this stage of rehab. Patience is not my long suit.

I also st may passwords and need to rebuild my list of sites and passwords over time.

I will be working on posting on a regular schedule on my blogs, Hub Pages, guest posts, and more as I continue rehab of my right shoulder, my dominant side, as I gain more strength and movement in it.

I appreciate visits and comments on sites where I post.

Please bear with me as I recoup.

Robert Medak

Freelance Writer/Blogger/Editor/Reviewer/Marketer

http://twitter.com/freelancewrtr

Customers are Ignoring You (Photo credit: ronploof)

Why entrepreneurs need more than one platform, the simple answer is the more places potential customers for your products and services, the better.

Now comes the con. It takes time and someone to watch over the various platforms for any type of feedback from customers. Feedback could come in the form of questions, experiencing a problem, clarification about an order or product. Someone needs to be available to answer customer’s concerns.

This is what platforms are about, while also building relationships with current and potential customers. A relationship is what retains customers. It costs less to retain current customers than to acquire new ones.

Satisfied customers are entrepreneur’s best forms of marketing, word of mouth. This only works with platforms where customers can interact with entrepreneurs quickly to resolve any issue and to tell about their experience in the form of notes or letters they can submit on a form, or post something to a platform.

Many buzzwords tossed around, but what do they mean.

People hear the term social media, network marketing, SEO, optimization, platform, and more.

What this boils down to is some way to get in front of your customers using websites, and other interactive sites like Facebook, Foursquare, Google +, LinkedIn, Twitter and others interacting real time with current customers and potential customers to purchase products or services from entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurs have to remember not to choose just one platform and to keep platforms such as blogs and websites dynamic not static, because search engines like dynamic websites and blogs. Dynamic content will enhance search engine ratings making these sites easier for searchers to find.

The content is something else that needs addressing. The content must be relevant to the site and the content must be quality content not something found copied and pasted just for the sake of content.

Content must be original, well written, with correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and clear of typos. Search engines don’t like duplicate content. There are many software programs and online sites to check for plagiarism of content before posting to a blog or landing page.

Note: Always post only original content to score high with search engines and not get band from search engines.

Creation and maintenance of a platform will require time and dedication from an entrepreneur, but will help with business growth.

Robert Medak

Freelance Writer/Blogger/Editor/Reviewer/Marketer

http://www.authorsden.com/robertmedak

http://twitter.com/freelancewrtr

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If businesses want to interact with potential customers or keep in touch with current customers, they need some platform. Some well-known platforms are Facebook, Twitter, Blog, or Web site.

There must be some way to connect with customers and keep the business in the forefront of their thoughts when considering a new purchase or mentioning a business to someone. Word of mouth is still the best form of advertising.

Imagine having a platform that your customers can an offer to someone who needs what your business has. This brings in to pay not just having a platform, but a relevant and interactive platform. Interactive is the sense that your platform is easy to navigate, easy for customers and potential customers to find what they are looking for, also a simple and easy way to contact the business directly.

As part of interactivity, a map that shows directions to your business is a requirement unless you work strictly online and customers don’t come to you. A simple relevant easy to remember domain for your business is necessary when people are searching on the Internet, or handheld device.

It does take time to build a platform; not spending the time required can diminish the effectiveness of your platform. You can find businesses like Dell, Toyota, P&G, and many small businesses using social media platforms beside their Web site.

Every business considering developing a platform also needs to consider using more than one. By monitoring their platforms, businesses are able to see which platform works better, and spend time enhancing that platform. The point is, never rely on just one platform for your business.

Businesses need to be in front of potential customers and easy reachable by search and customer satisfaction to receive word of mouth recommendations. Using the social media platforms to connect with customers, businesses can respond quickly to anything that a customer or potential customer may wish a response to; this interaction can goes a long way toward improving customer relations.

Robert Medak

Freelance writer, blogger, editor, reviewer, marketer

http://www.authorsden.com/robertmedak

http://twitter.com/RJ_Medak

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