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Let me tell you a secret that involves writers, designers, photographers, developers, and everyone who make a living by using their technical skills. If you are using the internet to gather and share information you really must learn this secret. What is the secret, you ask? The secret is that everyone should learn how to write in order to advance well.
The days of people who focus only on one skill is numbered. Slowly, and steadily, a rise of designers, photographers, developers, and anyone who knows what a blog is are starting to write.
This will be harsh for people whose desire is to focus only on their trade. People in the online community will soon eradicate specialists, the internet will be filled with Jack-of-all-trades and if you are not one you won’t get noticed.
Image by: Peter Suneson
Yes, you are a great designer but do people even notice you? It is actually all about ego. Learn to write and start a blog to let people know who you are and finally create your online persona – how people look at you in the online community. This is important, ego too, because when you finally get noticed by a large community, that itself becomes your ticket to becoming a superstar.
Why do you need to be noticed? Simple. Wide audience spells more business opportunities. Once known by thousands of people you can actually say that your life is secured. It’s like planting your roots so deep that even frost won’t reach. (LOTR reference, cool!)
Image by: Kevin McGee
Of course everybody knows how to write, what I mean is to write things that people would want to read. When you become more knowledgeable in your field you can gain more authority by giving people tips and tutorials. Share your experience and inspire people.
Think of the first website you run into whenever you have questions. People who can answer your questions in forms of a discussion or an article sure are impressive. Why? Because they are confident enough that the information they give will be of help, mind that anyone can view information on the internet.
TL;DR version (Too long; didn’t read):
It takes guts to write a tutorial. If you do, you are on your way to a distinguished road.
Image by: Michal Zacharzewski
Perhaps a goal that every freelancers share is to have a business of their own. And business entails lots of writing. To kickstart a freelancing business you need, of course, an avenue to showcase your works and for people to see you. Meaning you must have a website. There you must tell prospect customers why should they choose your services and what makes you reliable. Refer to #1 and #2.
It is practical to do more with less people involved. If you can write, you won’t have the need to hire a writer. Or in the case when you will really need to hire one, at least you have already experienced writing and know how things work (one way to avoid a scammer). *laughs*
Image by: Quynhyen
Days will pass swiftly and many will not even notice until they’re already about to retire. It will be a liberating experience for a few months until you realize you are actually no longer being productive. Depression will kick in and wrinkles will be carved. Nobody wants that, right?
Realize that you can actually be more productive while helping people get up their feet. A simple analogy for MMORPG gamers: when you finally reach the maximum level what do you usually do? That’s right, help people. With all the experience you have your knowledge of things will surely benefit young people, and they will love you for that. And mind you, the internet has overcome the Great Wall of China, which makes connecting to people very easy. Because of the internet and its fast revolutions you can reach millions of audience. You can be a mentor.
Writers should go outside of their comfort zone and write on different niches. Practice different writing styles, imitate famous journalists and novelists, and you will be super! By stepping out of your zone you make yourself vulnerable to harsh elements like criticisms for a poorly-written article or worse no audience at all. But the risk and pain involved is inversely proportional to the knowledge you will gain.
I love sharing personal experiences (in case some of my readers have noticed) and now I will tell you a very short one.
I began writing love poems back in high school, they were so terrible that I dared not show them to anyone. Soon I started writing short stories and I joined my school’s official paper. I wrote feature articles and became an editor. And during my last year in college I was an editor of my college’s official paper. Now I am writing for 1stWD and I am very happy. From pesky poem writer to short stories to more serious business I daresay I have improved quite a bit, but there’s still an ocean of knowledge I need to swim on. And I will!
/Boring Story
When you write, you share
When you share, you help
When you help, you make the world better
When the world becomes better, living becomes easier
Living easily means more happy people
Happy people are inspired people
When people are inspired, they share
And what they want to share, they write
I know my writing is not that great but I am willing to help people! Just ask and I will be there, I’m pretty quick at replying. Feel free to criticize (creatively) things because when you do, you help people improve. Share your suggestions or violent reactions below. Please?
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Rean is the editor of 1stwebdesigner. He regularly writes about freelancing, technology, web design, and web development. Rean also writes at Knowledge Salad, a blog filled with weird and interesting facts. One of his goals is to help his fellow Filipinos earn money online, to help them build a career out of working from home, just like what he has been doing for years now.
Thursday, January 19th, 2012 06:33
Hey Rean, a very good article. i myself is s webdesigner but never thought of writing anything. but your article inspired me alot. need you help to get started.
Thursday, December 29th, 2011 12:28
How beautifully motivational article! Love it and congratulate you for this great article and tips! Will try to launch my blog soon! Keep tuned!
Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011 11:17
Great article.
you do know how to write and inspire people
good luck and best wishes!
Thursday, April 7th, 2011 02:43
I think it’s very important to be able to write in any occupation because it is a trait that is hard to find these days and helps give one a more professional appeal.
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011 01:42
The other important reason designers and developers should learn to write is so they can recognise good content when they see it. You need to know when to bring in a copywriter/editor, and be able to judge the effectiveness of any text that’s been written by writers or clients. The designer is often in the best position to understand the project’s communication objectives. When doing design mock-ups, I nearly always include real text, at least for headlines and feature areas. The actual words are SO important in establishing the tone of voice of the website – it’s just as important a part of the branding as the visual design.
Tuesday, January 25th, 2011 00:50
Some great points there :) Most of them are exactly my reasons for starting a blog!
Monday, January 24th, 2011 22:46
#5: Teambuilding
I have found that blogging can be a great tool for teambuilding, especially in remote working environments. Since we implemented a blog on to our site, our developers and other employees have been able to share their unique learning experiences and perspectives with one another.
This is a great quote of yours: “When people are inspired, they share.” We hope to perpetuate the cycle.
Thanks!
Friday, January 7th, 2011 09:00
This would pass for a great slogan!
Saturday, January 1st, 2011 05:41
Thank you for the kind words and for taking interest, I would really love to hear more. :)
Happy New Year! :)
Friday, December 31st, 2010 19:20
“I know my writing is not that great but I am willing to help people! Just ask and I will be there, I’m pretty quick at replying.”
Rean,
Your writing is pretty good if you ask me :)
My name is Vladimir and I’d like to discuss with you some ideas.
For some reasons I believe that it will be interesting for you to participate in their implementation, because ideas have very high potential and are not too hard to implement quickly.
Keep in mind that I can’t provide financial reward for your help on this stage.
But I believe your support will be a great help for my team and eventually for many people.
Would you like to contact me?
Happy New Year everybody!
Friday, December 31st, 2010 10:12
Thank you very much. More to come! :) Have a happy new year!
Friday, December 31st, 2010 09:35
Very nice article enjoyed reading it.
Friday, December 31st, 2010 05:10
Thank you. :)
Friday, December 31st, 2010 05:08
Ah yes, as time advances everyone who’s not writing well/communicating well will learn. Of course there are authority figures in the field of writing+skill, that’s when finding a mentor or someone for inspiration enters. A little risk too is necessary. Perhaps the hardest part of learning to write is one can’t really learn writing fast enough, the skill is more like accessed naturally than taught.
Friday, December 31st, 2010 05:03
Yes, and while sharing your thoughts of course people will comment and will expand the horizon of knowledge that is already written. Everybody will have their share of “no drive” to do work, it is normal and that’s when the mentor enters! :)
Thursday, December 30th, 2010 23:18
Nice article! thanks for share us. :)
Thursday, December 30th, 2010 15:33
I like “It is good to write things you know because:” :)
Thursday, December 30th, 2010 04:34
Wonderful tips and a great post…
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010 21:32
Thanks a lot for the article. I myself really need to improve my writing skill and I’ll try very hard for that.
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010 17:18
Aren’t you forgetting the most important reason to learn to write (and write well)? To communicate.
Poor writers are poor communicators, and learning to write is learning to think effectively.
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010 12:19
Ability to help others is important and self-confident should be present to everyone to developed ability to write.
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010 10:41
Great tips indeed! I don’t think people are aware of the fact that writing informational articles is the key to becoming an authority figure on the internet. The next step is of course, to write. Many people have the knowledge, they just don’t have the drive.
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Dan R.
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010 10:41
Great tips indeed! I don’t think people are aware of the fact that writing informational articles is the key to becoming an authority figure on the internet. The next step is of course, to write. Many people have the knowledge, they just don’t have the drive.
Darmesh
Thursday, December 30th, 2010 23:18
Nice article! thanks for share us. :)
Rean John Uehara
Friday, December 31st, 2010 05:03
Yes, and while sharing your thoughts of course people will comment and will expand the horizon of knowledge that is already written. Everybody will have their share of “no drive” to do work, it is normal and that’s when the mentor enters! :)
Rean John Uehara
Friday, December 31st, 2010 05:08
Ah yes, as time advances everyone who’s not writing well/communicating well will learn. Of course there are authority figures in the field of writing+skill, that’s when finding a mentor or someone for inspiration enters. A little risk too is necessary. Perhaps the hardest part of learning to write is one can’t really learn writing fast enough, the skill is more like accessed naturally than taught.
Rean John Uehara
Friday, December 31st, 2010 05:10
Thank you. :)
Jakub Jankiewicz
Thursday, December 30th, 2010 15:33
I like “It is good to write things you know because:” :)
Rajasegar C
Thursday, December 30th, 2010 04:34
Wonderful tips and a great post…
Pedro
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010 11:37
Awesome!
Rahul
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010 12:19
Ability to help others is important and self-confident should be present to everyone to developed ability to write.
El
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010 17:18
Aren’t you forgetting the most important reason to learn to write (and write well)? To communicate.
Poor writers are poor communicators, and learning to write is learning to think effectively.
Renato Alves
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010 21:32
Thanks a lot for the article. I myself really need to improve my writing skill and I’ll try very hard for that.
Joshbedo
Friday, December 31st, 2010 09:35
Very nice article enjoyed reading it.
Rean John Uehara
Friday, December 31st, 2010 10:12
Thank you very much. More to come! :) Have a happy new year!
Brett Widmann
Thursday, April 7th, 2011 02:43
I think it’s very important to be able to write in any occupation because it is a trait that is hard to find these days and helps give one a more professional appeal.
Wasim Fatair
Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011 11:17
Great article.
you do know how to write and inspire people
good luck and best wishes!
Izhar
Thursday, December 29th, 2011 12:28
How beautifully motivational article! Love it and congratulate you for this great article and tips! Will try to launch my blog soon! Keep tuned!
Madhu
Thursday, January 19th, 2012 06:33
Hey Rean, a very good article. i myself is s webdesigner but never thought of writing anything. but your article inspired me alot. need you help to get started.
Amar
Tuesday, February 15th, 2011 13:23
Good post….keep posting
Carolyn King
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011 01:42
The other important reason designers and developers should learn to write is so they can recognise good content when they see it. You need to know when to bring in a copywriter/editor, and be able to judge the effectiveness of any text that’s been written by writers or clients. The designer is often in the best position to understand the project’s communication objectives. When doing design mock-ups, I nearly always include real text, at least for headlines and feature areas. The actual words are SO important in establishing the tone of voice of the website – it’s just as important a part of the branding as the visual design.
Vladimir
Friday, December 31st, 2010 19:20
“I know my writing is not that great but I am willing to help people! Just ask and I will be there, I’m pretty quick at replying.”
Rean,
Your writing is pretty good if you ask me :)
My name is Vladimir and I’d like to discuss with you some ideas.
For some reasons I believe that it will be interesting for you to participate in their implementation, because ideas have very high potential and are not too hard to implement quickly.
Keep in mind that I can’t provide financial reward for your help on this stage.
But I believe your support will be a great help for my team and eventually for many people.
Would you like to contact me?
Happy New Year everybody!
Rean John Uehara
Saturday, January 1st, 2011 05:41
Thank you for the kind words and for taking interest, I would really love to hear more. :)
Happy New Year! :)
Rean John Uehara
Friday, January 7th, 2011 09:00
This would pass for a great slogan!
Claudiu
Tuesday, January 25th, 2011 00:50
Some great points there :) Most of them are exactly my reasons for starting a blog!
Vivian
Monday, January 24th, 2011 22:46
#5: Teambuilding
I have found that blogging can be a great tool for teambuilding, especially in remote working environments. Since we implemented a blog on to our site, our developers and other employees have been able to share their unique learning experiences and perspectives with one another.
This is a great quote of yours: “When people are inspired, they share.” We hope to perpetuate the cycle.
Thanks!