To help you get started, here are a few guidelines that will help you through your first texts.
Do not forget to check and follow our code of conduct and terms and conditions.
When you start your first tasks, step by step
Your goal is to produce SEO-friendly content that will rank high in search engines and to provide well-written texts. In addition, you will also create and deliver unique content and quality information aimed at the target audience.
Here you can find excellent advice and some links to help you get started.
- Read the instructions
Look at the client’s specific instructions or requirements.
Identify the intended audience.
Read the external briefs, examples, or already approved texts if provided. - Research the subject
Researching the subject is extremely important. The client expects the texts to be correct and that any claims or facts are well-founded. Therefore, if you mention a study for instance, make sure that you also mention the source and enough supporting information to be found and referenced by the client and reader.
You will primarily do your research on the internet by reading already published material. Good and approved sources are news articles from magazines or newspapers, press releases from organizations, peer-reviewed materials, and studies.
You may also find additional support in this article. - Use the appropriate tone of voice
Look where the client intends to publish the text. Then adapt your style and tone accordingly. Also, use the same terminology and expressions. Finally, always follow the given instructions and keep a consistent brand voice.
Use the correct terminology for the context; swearing is prohibited. - Create a meaningful text
Make sure to write so that every sentence has the purpose of capturing the reader’s interest. Your intention should be to convey a message and your knowledge about the subject. - The structure of your text is important
A well-structured text will keep the reader focused. Work with your headings to indicate the context of the subsequent paragraphs. Do not forget that your headings are perfect for keywords.
Conjunctions are essential for the structure as they lead and instruct the reader through the text. You can find more information here. - Fluff and extensive wording
Fluff in a text are the words you often use, or sentences that have no real meaning or purpose. We all have them, we all write them, and they are a part of our identity. But when it comes to writing professionally, it is of utmost importance to avoid this.
What Topcontent expects from you
All your texts must be unique and written in your own words. You may not reuse any material from another source, nor are you allowed to mirror and translate a text from another language.
When you finish writing your article, you must review it for grammar issues and spelling. Do not forget to check that it follows the guidelines for the requested tone of voice and the clients’ instructions.
Also, consider reading it out loud to yourself. Many writers find it easier to spot inconsistencies and errors that way.
Challenges
Do not take on a task if you do not have knowledge of the subject or are not prepared to do the necessary research for the task. Only take on the tasks you intend to finish and if you find out that you cannot complete the job within a reasonable time, we kindly ask you to drop it.
At first, it might be tempting to take on longer texts that seem to pay more but it is generally harder to keep a longer text together and it gets harder not to make any repetitions. You may want to consider taking on some of the shorter tasks to get you going, and with experience and feedback, it will get easier to grab the longer ones.
If you have any questions, you can always send a support ticket by clicking the drop button and checking “Technical issue.” Please briefly explain your issue in English.
When you submit your text:
After writing your text, please use the checklist to evaluate your work and once you feel confident that you have written a good quality text, you should submit it.
- Does the text follow all the given instructions?
- Is my research correct and up to date?
- Do I need to reference any sources?
- Have I read it through at least once to check for unnecessary words and sentences, spelling mistakes, grammar issues, and repetitions?
- Are my headings in the correct order?
- Is my text paragraphed correctly?
- Does the text follow the requested tone of voice?
- Have I used the correct terminology for the subject?
Checklist to correct a text:
To ensure you deliver the highest possible quality, our skilled proofreaders will review your work and provide you with any necessary feedback and advice on improving your writing and your skills to fulfill our client’s expectations. In addition, a proofreader will return a text for corrections from time to time. It is a standard and common practice.
If this happens it does not mean that you have done a bad job; you may get feedback to improve some items before your text can be approved. You must follow the feedback to the point, even if you disagree. If you do not understand the feedback, ask the proofreader what they meant.
Before submitting a text after a second review, you must ask yourself the following:
- Have I made all the necessary corrections?
- Have I read it through an extra time?
- Have I made any corrections that the proofreader did not ask me to do?
- Have I notified the proofreader of any extra corrections or edits in the comments section?
- Do I find that the text is easier to read after the corrections and edits?
- Have I learned anything from the feedback?
The proofreader’s feedback is a valuable tool for developing your writing skills. When you have made all the necessary corrections according to the feedback, the task should get approved, and you will get paid. Then it is the proofreader’s responsibility unless your changes introduce new issues.
We hope that this will help you get your first tasks approved.
Happy writing!