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Making the Move from Articles to Videos

By Susan Barton | November 18, 2011 - 8:39 pm | making online videos

Anyone who makes a “living” writing articles on the Web knows things have gotten pretty darn tough lately. Assignments are just about slim to none.Demand Media Studios hit their writers with a sucker punch to the gut when they fired a whole slew of them, then began what they call a First Look Program and now consistently decline to release any assignments. Sure, you can call us freelancers, not worthy of a typical employee status, but pulling the proverbial rug right out from underneath your bread and butter is dirty and underhanded. After all, who’s making all the money and raising your stocks for you, DMS?

The Evil Panda Monster

So what happened? Some (or most) will blame it on the Panda Monster who gobbled up
(Googled up?) the so-called content farms and spit them out on their
low-quality behinds. Article sites like eHow, Suite101 and others were hit hard
and below the belt by the Google Panda. The problem is, not all freelance writers who write for these sites are hacks; sitting at computers in their underwear and informing the public one more time how to unclog a toilet with a plunger. Yes, that was one of mine, but in my defense I write what eHow asks me to write. I did write it while fully clothed, however.

DMS to Begin Relying on Video?

What’s a freelance writer to do? According to the rumors, DMS
is making a move towards video tutorials and away from the written word, but do
they honestly think people prefer to learn everything online via video? Some
subjects simply don’t transfer well into video. Some subjects are far too
involved to be condensed into a five-minute tutorial.

Test the Video-Making Waters

If you’re a writer, you may be wondering if you need to run out and purchase video
equipment and editing software. I don’t think it hurts to diversify. You can easily try your
hand at video tutorials. Most people have a camcorder or a camera with video
recording capabilities. There are some really nice, inexpensive HD video
recorders available. (I did a video review of the Flip UltraHD, which costs just $58.99 at Walmart.com.). Movie Maker comes standard with most computers nowadays. Start a free blog on Blogger or WordPress (although if you chose Blogger you can enable Adsense) and post some video tutorials to get a feel for it.

In this day and age of texting, YouTube, Instant Messaging, Facebook and Twitter, some people might think that reading actual articles online (or just about anywhere for that matter) is passé. I disagree, as do most other writers. It’ll be interesting to see how the eHow drama plays out over the next few weeks.

Step Away From The Facebook

By Susan Barton | June 27, 2011 - 12:02 am | Facebook

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I doubt even Mark Zuckerberg anticipated what Facebook would one day become. Just about everyone has a Facebook account. In theory, it was a good idea. And it still can be when used for good instead of evil. But as with most things internet-related some people have a tendency to abuse the ambiguity it provides.

You’re mad at your mailman? Trash him on Facebook

Relationship status updates, wall comments, photos and friends lists are all prime targets for those seeking to let someone (and everyone else) know they have an issue with a friend or loved one. We get the idea. You’re angry at your spouse, son, daughter, mother, father, mailman, but do you have to make it public? Some people enjoy having an audience and they use social networks like Facebook to their fullest attention-getting advantage. You never have to actually let the person know you’re angry with them. All you have to do is change your relationship status, remove your photo tag or defriend them. Not only do they now know, but so does everyone else.

Exhibitionism on Facebook?

Chances are, full-blown arguments have appeared on your Facebook feed a time or two. And you may be wondering, don’t these people realize everyone can see this? Are they trying to get their “friends” to take sides? Or perhaps they’re looking for sympathy or an opportunity to fill onlookers in on the gory details? Is this a new form of exhibitionism?

You’re pissed off, have a Facebook page and you know how to use it

Passive/aggressive behavior is not a new term but social networks certainly give it a whole new meaning. Why would you possibly want to call someone or speak to them face to face to let them know they’ve done something to piss you off when you can do it subtly (or not so subtly) on Facebook? After all, how would you gain hundreds of supporters during a private conversation?

Everything you need to know you learned in kindergarten

Remember what we learned in kindergarten? Play nice? Get along with each other? Use your nice words? Why are these simple lessons forgotten as soon as we sit down at a computer screen? You aren’t anonymous on Facebook. Words hurt whether they are written or spoken. There are consequences for your actions. Think before you write. Step away from the Facebook and take some time to cool off. Ask yourself, “Is this something I would say or do in real life?” Most often the answer is probably not. Facebook doesn’t ruin relationships. People ruin relationships.