Article Critique and Pricing Question

Lovelife

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Hey guys. I want to get into some article writing. I would like to try to get private clients instead of going through a company like TextBroker. The problem is I don't know if my writing is decent enough. I also don't know what the best price point would be for my writing ability.

So, all critiques are welcome and all pricing suggestions as well. I know this isn't a normal IM article topic (though I think it could be used for a physical product), but I just wrote on something I knew about to show style/ability. It's almost 400 words and keyword Hula Hooping.

Thanks for the help. :)

Article:

Hula Hooping For Fun And Fitness

What do the words "Hula Hooping" mean to you? Many would be instantly taken back to their childhood. To the days of lazy summers and firefly filled nights. Maybe it just brings a smile to your face. No matter the memory or feelings evoked, the amount of joy this exercise brings is what is important.

We all know that exercise is important. We are constantly bombarded with news reports, doctors orders, and well-meaning friends and family. Unfortunately, what usually ends up happening is a large dose of guilt. After a long day at work the last thing we want to do is something hard, boring, and even more taxing. So, we choose to watch TV instead and feel guilty about it later.

Fortunately, hula hooping can solve your exercise woes. It's been around since as early as 1000 BC and it isn't going anywhere. Hooping is an exercise everyone can do from small children to senior citizens. It?s inexpensive, portable, and easy to start. You?ll need to make sure you get an adult sized hoop. Which you can make yourself or buy online. Once your hoop arrives you can start right away. Some people pick it up quickly, while others take a bit more time. As long as you keep trying you?ll be hooping like a pro in no time.

After you?ve mastered the ?around your waist? basics. There are tons of tricks to learn. There are tutorial videos online for free. You could also, just as easily, rely on your own creativity and make your own tricks. For those who are struggling or learn better with in-person teaching classes may be a good idea. In larger cities there are fitness hooping and hoop dancing classes. If you are unable to find any in your area there are online classes as well.

The best part about this form of exercise is the amount of fun. When you are truly enjoying yourself exercise becomes second nature. It will no longer be something you dread and feel guilty about. It will be something you look forward to. When your friends notice your weight loss you won?t have to grumble about a horrible diet and workout plan. Instead, you can turn to them with a big smile and say, ? What do the words Hula Hooping mean to you??.
 
Pretty decent I would say, and I have a lot of experience with writing. I would imagine that you could charge around $1.00 per 100 words, maybe more, but with the competition out there $1.00 for every 100 words is realistic.
 
good so far you may want to look at keyword desity as well just to make sure... i wouls prodly post your articles for no less then 6 bucks each

if you can pull off 2 ready to go articles and hour that 12 bucks an hour you are making...

decent

Rob
 
Benny: Thank you for your help. $1 per 100 is pretty exciting to me actually. I was a little concerned about grammar. I read a lot, but rarely write. I haven't had any grammar training since high school which was quite awhile ago. Since you said you have a lot of experience with writing I was wondering if you could suggest some good places where I could find clients?

Rob: Thanks for the suggestion. I do know about keyword density. I'm not sure if you were saying my kw density was too low or too high. I used it 3 times in a 392 word article. People seem to have different preferences for kw density. So, I tried to stick with no more than 1 per 100 words, but I would ask the client what they preferred.
 
Hey man,

I'm actually charging 5$ per 500 words.

If you want to beat competition, i would suggest you to charge 4$ per 500words, so you might have more orders ;)

Johnny
 
Yeah that's right about my level. I'm looking at 5$ per 500 for now too I guess, really depends on the competition. For example, right now I have tons of free time and no clients... so its like wasted time. Try starting to get private clients now, would help you in the long run.
 
johnny: Thanks for the tip. ;)

benny: Got it. Pm'd back.

bsbear: That's the plan. I think private clients seem like the more profitable idea. I hope you find some as well. Good Luck!
 
I would agree with everyone else and say that 1$/100 is a good price point for your writing. I've written for TB at times when I need the money and I enjoy their system, but it can be pretty stressful constantly being rated. The real goal of any content writer is to build up a private base.
 
Thanks Moko.. Yeah I have signed up for TB. I just would feel more comfortable being able to speak more directly with clients and the constant rating is stressful. Besides, cutting out the middleman is always a more profitable idea. ;)
 
Spelling, grammar looks excellent to me :)

Think about using lists and bullet points for your articles, they're very popular with readers (short attention spans), and I think potential clients would be impressed too:

  • Hula Hoops are fun!
  • Lightweight
  • Portable
  • Nausea-Inducing
Maybe you could find some clients at the warrior forum. You could post some sample articles on a free blog and point them to it.
 
$1/100 words, especially if you can keep the flow of the article continuous throughout even with larger word orders.
 
racyc: Good tip. I know that the trend seems to be bullet points and/or step articles, ie. 5 Steps to a New You. I'm not used to writing that way normally so for this article I didn't try. I will look at some articles online and start working on writing in that style.

Griller: Thank you for the help. I feel a little better about my ability since a few of you guys who are already writers have suggested the 1/100 price point. Would you say that my sample article had decent flow (for the word count)? Any suggestions for raising my abilities in that area?
 
Hula Hooping For Fun And Fitness

What do the words "Hula Hooping" mean to you? Many would be instantly taken back to their childhood. To the days of lazy summers and firefly filled nights. Maybe it just brings a smile to your face. No matter the memory or feelings evoked, the amount of joy this exercise brings is what is important.

We all know that exercise is important. We are constantly bombarded with news reports, doctors orders, and well-meaning friends and family. Unfortunately, what usually ends up happening is a large dose of guilt. After a long day at work the last thing we want to do is something hard, boring, and even more taxing. So, we choose to watch TV instead and feel guilty about it later.

Fortunately, hula hooping can solve your exercise woes. It's been around since as early as 1000 BC and it isn't going anywhere. Hooping is an exercise everyone can do from small children to senior citizens. It's inexpensive, portable, and easy to start. You'll need to make sure you get an adult sized hoop. Which you can make yourself or buy online. Once your hoop arrives you can start right away. Some people pick it up quickly, while others take a bit more time. As long as you keep trying you'll be hooping like a pro in no time.

After you've mastered the "around your waist" basics. There are tons of tricks to learn. There are tutorial videos online for free. You could also, just as easily, rely on your own creativity and make your own tricks. For those who are struggling or learn better with in-person teaching classes may be a good idea. In larger cities there are fitness hooping and hoop dancing classes. If you are unable to find any in your area there are online classes as well.

The best part about this form of exercise is the amount of fun. When you are truly enjoying yourself exercise becomes second nature. It will no longer be something you dread and feel guilty about. It will be something you look forward to. When your friends notice your weight loss you won't have to grumble about a horrible diet and workout plan. Instead, you can turn to them with a big smile and say, " What do the words Hula Hooping mean to you?".

The bolded sentence is a fragment.
 
$1/100 words is pretty standard, you could undercut that slightly to get more orders, especially while you're building up a reputation.
 
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