There are five types of prepositions in the English language.
A preposition is a word that helps connect nouns and pronouns with a verb or adjective in a sentence.
The five types of prepositions are simple, double, compound, participle, and phrase prepositions.
Prepositional phrases contain a preposition plus a noun or pronoun.
There are five types of prepositions. They are simple, double, compound, participle, and phrase prepositions. A preposition is used to show a relationship between the noun, pronoun, or phrases in a sentence. They are used to connect people, objects, time, and locations.
What is a Preposition?
The definition of a preposition is a word or phrase that connects a noun or pronoun to a verb or adjective in a sentence. They are usually short words, and they normally are found in front of nouns. On rare occasions, prepositions can be found in front of gerund verbs.
If the subject, noun, and verb are the bricks of sentence, then prepositions are the mortar that connects them. They express position, movement, possession, time, and how an action is completed.
How Many Types of Prepositions are There?
There are five types of prepositions:
Simple preposition
Double preposition
Compound preposition
Participle preposition
Phrase preposition
These are spoken and written quite often in English. In fact, many of us use all types of prepositions naturally without realizing that they are distinct and have a name.
The Top 10 most common prepositions in the English language are: of, with, at, from, into, during, including, until, against. These represent the most frequently used prepositions. They are also called “simple prepositions.”
What is a Simple Type of Preposition?
Simple prepositions are the short words used to show the relationship between nouns, pronouns, or to join parts of a clause or sentence.
List of Simple Prepositions
Here are some of the most common, or simple prepositions:
aboard
about
above
across
after
against
along
alongside
amid
among
around
at
before
behind
below
beneath
beside
besides
between
beyond
but
by
concerning
considering
despite
down
during
except
excepting
for
from
in
inside
into
like
near
of
off
on
onto
opposite
out
outside
over
past
regarding
round
save
since
through
throughout
till
to
toward
under
underneath
until
unto
up
upon
via
with
within
without
Examples of Simple Prepositions Used in Sentences
The dog jumped out while the car was moving.
Car is the object of the preposition out.
Dorothy came upon the Tin Man.
Upon is the preposition. Tin Man is the object.
She came home without her homework.
Homework is the object and the preposition is without.
What are Prepositions of Place?
Writers use this type of preposition to describe where something is located. There are four Prepositions of Place. “At” describes a specific point in space. “In” describes an enclosed space. “On” describes an object’s relationship to a surface. “By” describes an object’s proximity to something else.
Many common prepositions are also “Prepositions of Place”. These are used to indicate a noun’s location.
Prepositions of Place Examples
“At”
Meet me at the library.
“In”
[example]I’m trapped in the elevator!
“On”
Is that a cat sleeping on your car?
“By”
I’ve always wanted to try that cafe by the train station.
Prepositions of Direction
If you ask “Where?”, this type of preposition is usually part of the answer. Prepositions of Direction let you know where something is going. They indicate which direction something is moving. There are dozens of examples, but the most common examples of Prepositions of Direction are:
“Without” is an example of a preposition of direction, a common preposition, and a simple preposition | QuickMeme – Creative Commons License
What is a Double Preposition?
Easily form a Double Prepositions by joining two simple prepositions.
Examples of Double Prepositions in Sentences
The dog jumped out of the moving car.
The child hid inside of the cabinet.
What is a Compound Preposition?
Double prepositions and compound prepositions are very similar. Both are two-word phrases. The double preposition is formed through the conjunction of two simple prepositions. Whereas the compound preposition is formed through the conjunction of a non-prepositional word and a simple preposition.
Note: Compound prepositions can sound dated or stuffy. For readability’s sake consider attempting to simplify the phrase.
according to
ahead of
along with
alongside of
apart from
around about
as against
as between
as compared with
as compared to
as for
at that point in time
at this point in time
at the point of
at the time of
because of
by force of
by means of
by reason of
by virtue of
by way of
due to
during the course of
except for
for fear of
for lack of
for the purpose of
for the reason that
for the sake of
from above
from among
from behind
from beneath
from between
from the point of view of
in accordance with
in a manner similar to
in care of
in case of
in close connection with
in common with
in comparison to
in compliance with
in connection with
on account of
on behalf of
on the basis of
on the part of
on the point of
on top of
out of
outside of
owing to
previous to
prior to
pursuant to
regardless of
relating to
relative to
short of
similar to
subsequent to
under cover of
what with
with a view to
with regard to
with reference to
with respect to
with the intention of
in consequence of
in consideration of
in contrast to
in default of
in deference to
in exchange for
in excess of
in favor of
in front of
in lieu of
in opposition to
in order to
in place of
in preference to
in receipt of
in regard to
in relation to
in search of
in spite of
in terms of
in the course of
in the event of
in the face of
in the immediate vicinity of
in the nature of
independently of
inside of
instead of
on account of
on behalf of
on the basis of
on the part of
on the point of
on top of
out of
outside of
owing to
previous to
prior to
pursuant to
regardless of
relating to
relative to
short of
similar to
subsequent to
under cover of
what with
with a view to
with regard to
with reference to
with respect to
with the intention of
Participle Prepositions
Participle prepositions have endings such as -ed and -ing.
assuming, barring, considering, during, given, notwithstanding, provided, regarding, and respected.
Prepositional Phrase Example Sentences
The baby cries during the day and sometimes at night.
All the children were in the classroom including the teacher.
Considering she was sick, she still put up her best times.
“Sing along” is an example of a command using a Preposition of Direction | The Bazillions
How do you Identify a Prepositional Phrase?
A prepositional phrase is a group of words that doesn’t contain a verb or a subject. It functions as a unified part of speech. A prepositional phrase normally has a simple preposition and a noun or a simple preposition and a pronoun.
Think of prepositional phrases as making a hamburger. You must have meat (or a protein) and bread. A simple preposition and the object of the preposition are the basics of a prepositional phrase.
You can jazz up your hamburger by adding cheese, grilled onions, mustard, tomatoes, etc. The same can be done for prepositional phrases. Add adverbs and adjectives to make your sentence more enjoyable to read.
Prepositional Phrase Examples
Prepositional phrases contain a preposition followed by an article followed by a noun.
The hamburger with cheese is yours.
Let’s spice up this sentence.
The hamburger with ooey-gooey cheese is yours.
I danced on the stage.
Next, we add more details.
I danced on the concert stage.
The puppy ran through the grass.
Adjectives make the sentence more enticing to read.
The puppy ran through the lush green grass.
Of the types of prepositions, I think simple prepositions are the easiest.
Adding a number adjective makes the sentence for informative.
Of the five types of prepositions, I think simple prepositions are the easiest.
The English language contains thousands of adjectives starting with A. We’ve put together this comprehensive list of adjectives that begin with A with practical examples.
Like tone words, adjectives are descriptive words. This basically means that they help describe a noun’s qualities or state of being.
Example adjectives that begin with the letter A are: average, amazing, attractive, achy, and angelic.
Let’s take a look at some astounding adjectives with A (see what we did there?) .
More A Adjective Examples
In grammar class, students are taught that adjectives are words that modify nouns. Adjectives do not modify verbs, adverbs or any other adjectives.
– Alice bought an amazing dress to wear to the dance.
– Adorable penguin chicks are fluffy.
– My car has alternate license plates.
– The angriest animal in the world is a hungry brother.
Descriptive Words That Start With A
Below is a list of adjectives that begin with the letter A. The header notes the use of the adjective and what it describes. A definition is included and an example sentence follows. We’ll continue to update and add to this list, so check back frequently.
– Her alluring personality ensured that she was constantly surrounded by interested suiters.
Amorous: expressive of or exciting sexual love or romance.
– The amorous couple was the envy of their friends.
Attractive: pleasing to look at; pleasing to all the senses.
– His attractive appearance and personality made him one of the most popular people on campus.
Interesting A Adjectives
Aberrant: departing from an accepted norm.
– The best man’s aberrant behavior caused the bride to blush.
Antic: attention-drawing act.
– Her antics at the PTA meeting embarrassed her children.
Antsy: nervous, agitated, or restless.
– The longer he spoke the antsier the crowd became.
Arboreal: living in trees.
– The fern is arboreal.
Astute: mental sharpness; clever; observing.
– The astute policeman knew the suspect was lying.
Auxiliary: providing additional support.
– The auxiliary unit stepped in to help.
Azure: bright blue color.
– Her azure eyes were hypnotizing.
How Are Adjectives Used in a Sentence?
Remember that adjectives can modify as well as describe other words. You will find it easier to identify them after reviewing the different kinds listed below. Content Tools like INK also help support proper adjective use.
Without further ado, here are some “A” adjective types with examples.
There are three articles, and they are all adjectives Two begin with the letter A. They are a and an. The is the third article.
A and an are used to discuss non-specific things and people. They’re referred to as indefinite articles.
Examples are:
– I’d like a car.
What brand of car? What color? How many people does it need to hold?
– Let’s go on an adventure.
What sort of adventure? Do you want to leave town? Could an adventure be a walk around your neighborhood?
Neither one of these sentence examples above provide any specifics.
The word the is a definite article. It’s used to indicate very specific people or things.
Here are a couple of examples:
– I’d like the red car. It’s the one that has the black stripe down the side.
– Let’s go on an adventure to the beach. The waves are high and perfect for surfing.
Coordinate Adjectives Starting With A
Coordinate adjectives are separated with commas or the word and. They modify the noun and are in sequential order. Think of them as a coordinated outfit.
For example:
– I was angry and agitated when I was awakened by the barking dog.
Angry and agitated are the coordinate adjectives.
– It was an adventurous, amazing drive.
Adventurous and amazing are separated by a comma and are the coordinate adjectives.
– He was described as artsy, affectionate, and animated.
Artsy, affectionate and animated are coordinate adjectives.
Countries, nationalities, regions, and even continents can also be descriptive words that start with A | Pingebat – Shutterstock.comLicense
Indefinite A Adjectives
Indefinite adjectives are used to discuss non-specific things. The most common A indefinite adjective is any.
– Do we have any soup?
Attributive Adjectives Starting With A
They discuss specific traits, qualities, or features. There are different kinds of attributive adjectives.
A Color Adjectives
apricot
aqua
apple green
amber
Origin A Adjectives
They tell the source of the noun.
American
Australian
Angolan
Armenian
African
Asian
Material A Adjectives
They describe what something is made of.
Angorawool
Antique silk
Argentan lace
Takeaways
Adjectives add spice to an otherwise simple dish. Consider peppering them throughout your writing. They help describe tone, build moods, add personality and paint a more realistic picture for readers.
A adjectives help make your writing a full sensory experience. They exploding with sounds and dynamic images that will stick with your reader.
An author uses tone words to project or insert their attitude and opinion into their writing. It’s the choice of grammar and how they put words and phrases together. Also, it’s the level of formality that is chosen.
In fiction, the narrator’s attitude is expressed using tone words. It gives shape to the story and provides the voice for characters.
In non-fiction, tone words are used to express the writer’s attitude toward his subject. It indicates to the reader how they should read the text — funny, serious, angry, friendly, etc.
What Is a Tone Word?
Tone words are a specific set of adjectives that make the author’s opinion on the subject matter known. They can generally be divided into three categories: positive, negative, or neutral connotation. But inside those categories, tone words can be happy, sarcastic, funny, or any other adjective you can think of.
Understanding someone’s tone gives insight into their intentions | QuickMeme.com
Example #1
Teacher: You made an A on the test.
Student: “That’s incredible news!”
– The tone of the student is positive.
Example #2
Teacher: You made a B on the test.
Student: “Of course. I knew it.”
– The student’s tone is sarcastic.
Example #3
“You made a pathetic C on the test.”
– The tone is negative in this example.
Example #4
“The student looked world-weary while taking the exam.”
– The tone is not positive or negative. It’s neutral.
Positive Tone
If you’re writing for a company use a positive tone. It’s clearer. The phrasing is simpler and it uses fewer words.
By positioning your messages positively, you encourage others to see the vision that the company is hoping to portray.
A positive tone is another way to build organic authority.
Negative Tone
A negative tone shouldn’t be used when representing a business. It makes your audience feel defensive.
Who wants to conduct business with someone who is not pleasant?
A negative tone has a useful place in creative writing and when expressing your opinion.
Don’t let the word “negative” make you feel as if you shouldn’t use it.
Think of how different the character of Mister Wilson in Dennis the Menace or Archie Bunker in All in the Family would have been without the use of negative tone words.
Neutral Tone
Remember the teacher in Ferris Bueller? This is how I imagine neutral tone sounds. It’s just the facts and not emotions.
A neutral tone leaves the reader to interpret how the author feels on the subject.
Never leave your tone up for interpretation unless this is an editorial choice.
List of Tone Words
This is the most well-organized and comprehensive list of tone words. After doing extensive research, I’ve broken them into positive, negative, and neutral categories. I have also included synonyms for easy reference.
Is Positive a Tone?
An author can absolutely use a positive tone. Here is a list of positive tone words:
Synonyms are key to helping with variations in your writing. INK is a web content optimization editor that recognizes when there are consecutive sentences that sound too similar. Using synonyms is paramount in quality writing.
Amused is a stronger tone word than pleased. It conveys a more emphatic emotion to the reader. However, if you’ve used amused already in the paragraph, pleased offers a nice alternative
Examining writing styles in different mediums is a great way to explore just how impactful tone is in writing.
A short story should have a completely different tone than an opinion piece in the New York Times. Read a featured article in People Magazine and then compare it to an article in Newsweek.
Poetry is overflowing with tone words that paint such a vivid picture that the reader can see in their mind’s eye what the author wants you to.
Try duplicating these different styles in your writing. It will help improve your tone word usage.
Her heart was filled with joy as she saw her baby for the first time.
The word joy is a positive tone word.
I’m resigned to the idea.
Resigned is a neutral tone word.
Tone Words in Poetry
The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe
“It was A LOW, DULL, QUICK SOUND – MUCH SUCH A SOUND AS A WATCH MAKES WHEN ENVELOPED IN COTTON. I gasped for breath, and yet the officers heard it not. I talked more quickly, more vehemently but the noise steadily increased. I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations; but the noise steadily increased. Why WOULD they not be gone? I paced the floor to and fro with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by the observations of the men, but the noise steadily increased. O God! What COULD I do?”
This is one of the most famous examples in literature of tone. You feel the character’s anxiety and fear.
Tone Words in a Novel
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
“There was a steaming mist in all the hollows, and it had roamed in its forlornness up the hill, like an evil spirit, seeking rest and finding none. A clammy and intensely cold mist, it made its slow way through the air in ripples that visibly followed and overspread one another, as the waves of an unwholesome sea might do. It was dense enough to shut out everything from the light of the coach-lamps but these its own workings, and a few yards of road; and the reek of the labouring horses steamed into it, as if they had made it all.”
The tone is felt as mysterious, secretive, ominous, or evil through the use of words like clammy, followed, and unwholesome.
Tone Examples in a News Article
This article is from CNN.com style discussing the SR-71 spy plane.
The Lockheed SR-71, designed in secrecy in the late 1950s, was able to cruise near the edge of space and out fly a missile. To this day, it holds the records for the highest altitude in horizontal flight and the fastest speed for a non-rocket powered aircraft.
It was part of a family of spy planes built to venture into enemy territory, without being shot down or even detected, in a time before satellites and drones.
The black paint job, designed to dissipate heat, earned it the nickname Blackbird, and paired with the sleek lines of the long fuselage, made the plane look unlike anything that had come before — a design that hasn’t lost any of its brilliance.
The tone is informative, yet you still feel the author’s sense of reverence for this plane when he calls the design brilliant.
Tone Words in an Informative News Article
Now, compare to a newspaper article found on Chron.com
The Big Oil majors aim to unload about $27 billion in oil and gas assets worldwide in order to cut costs and focus spending on their core projects.
U.S. giants Exxon Mobil and Chevron for instance are concentrating their oil and gas spending on West Texas’ booming Permian Basin, as well as Guyana for Exxon Mobil and Kazakhstan for Chevron, according to a new report from the Norwegian research firm Rystad Energy.
The United Kingdom’s BP aims to sell some assets in the U.S., including in New Mexico’s gassy San Juan Basin, after spending $10.5 billion to buy the Texas shale assets of BHP.
Houston’s ConocoPhillips, for instance, already wants to sell its newer position in the Louisiana Austin Chalk for less than $1 billion, although other Houston firms Marathon Oil and EOG Resources are still operating in the region.
The tone is neutral. One cannot gleam from the tone if the author is for or against oil companies selling their assets.
Tone of Voice Example in Speech
“And so, my fellow Americans: Ask not what your country can do for you–ask what you can do for your country.”
United States President John F. Kennedy, Jr. used presidential tone in his inauguration speech in 1961.
He wanted this line to be unifying and patriotic.
His goal was to get US citizens to rally behind him.
It’s now one of the most famous quotes ever.
How Do I Find the Right Tone for My Work?
Whether or you are writing a formal article for your client or a whimsical creative piece, it’s critical to determine your tone of voice before you begin. In formal writing, your tone should be authoritative and convey confidence. The reader should trust that you are providing them with the best information. In creative writing, your tone is what you choose it to be. Are you telling a sad or happy story? Is your story terrifying?
You must find the right tone for your work. Image from makeameme.org
Whatever tone you choose, it should be communicated clearly and the reader shouldn’t have to guess.
1. Why Am I Writing This?
Let’s be clear. If you’re struggling to answer this question, take a deep breath and strongly examine your motivations.
Writing is time-consuming and writing without a purpose makes no sense. Your readers will pick up on this and not connect with your piece.
2. Who Am I Writing This For?
Know your target audience and who you’re trying to connect with. Your tone is critical that it matches what your reader is expecting.
3. What Should the Reader’s Take Away Be From This Article?
In the end, your tone of voice influences your reader’s opinion or understanding of the topic.
This is a huge responsibility, especially if you’re writing an editorial or opinion piece.
Ensure your tone is appropriate and on-point.
What Is the Difference Between Tone and Voice?
Voice is the author’s personality shining through in their writing. It’s the fingerprint that is left behind that is a tell-tale sign of who authored a piece. We all have a style of speech that is unique to us. For some, it might be the infliction they put on certain words. Others might use a local dialect and vocabulary. This is voice. It’s more permanent.
Tone, on the other hand, is situational. It can change depending on your circumstances.
For example, if an author is crafting a short story about a particularly hard Chicago winter, they wouldn’t pepper the story with distinctly southern phrases.
Writing with a unanimous company voice is critical to the brand.
Can you hear your tone and voice in your company’s literature? Hurca | Shutterstock
Is your company voice friendly and informative? Are you witty and add puns to your text?
Example of Voice
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is an example of a character’s voice. Scout narrates the story. When she is young her voice sounds immature. As she grows, so does her vocabulary.
Scout also uses first-person to paint a scene that the reader can get lost in.
Example of Tone
The tone of To Kill a Mockingbird changes over the course of the novel as Scout’s voice changes.
It evolves from innocent to dark and knowing.
What Is the Difference Between Tone and Mood?
Tone and mood are often confused.
Mood is what the reader feels as they read the author’s words. It’s the environment or atmosphere created by the author.
The mood of a story can by haunting, joyous, thrilling, etc.
Mood can change throughout the story as the plot develops, or it can stay consistent.
Mood is how the reader interprets the author’s tone.
What Is the Difference Between Tone and Attitude?
There is not a lot of difference between tone and attitude. That’s why it is often confused. Attitude refers to the voice of the author and is more characteristic of the speaker’s own.
The tone of the text conveys the writer’s attitude toward the subject but can be adapted to different contexts.
A great example of the difference between attitude and tone is represented in a letter composed by Martin Luther King Jr.
While confined here in the Birmingham city jail, I came across your recent statement calling our present activities “unwise and untimely.” Seldom, if ever, do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas. If I sought to answer all of the criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would be engaged in little else in the course of the day, and I would have no time for constructive work. But since I feel that you are men of genuine good will and your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I would like to answer your statement in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms.
Because Mr. King was in jail, his attitude was most likely one of frustration, anger, and exhaustion. However, the tone of his letter comes across as controlled and logical.
Takeaways
Knowing your tone of voice before you begin writing is critical to accurately convey the right message.
Use the list of positive, negative, and neutral tone words provided in this article to spice up your writing. Also, try using the synonyms to change up your word usage. Don’t forget to give INK a try to help with repetitive word usage.
Digital Content Creators are responsible for producing blog posts, articles, news, images, videos, emails, social updates, and any other media for the internet. Graphic designers and web developers also fall under the content creator umbrella.
As a web content creator, I’m frequently asked what I actually do for a living. My response is, “I use my writing skills to help the owners of websites and blogs make their hard work more easily found by their target audience.” But a web content creator is really so much more than that.
According to the Content Marketing Institute, our work generates over three times as many leads as outbound marketing and costs 62% less.
Let’s face it. The Internet is not a fad. It’s only becoming more and more influential in our lives and content creators are the driving force behind everything that is viewed online.
Content creators aren’t weird. We just use both sides of our brain | kellieelmore.com
If I were to write a job description for a web content creator I’d post this:
Looking for a digital content creator who is great at both right-brain and left-brain exercises. Must possess creativity and professionalism, be detail-oriented, while crafting digital content for the web that is innovative and unique.
Content producers use analytics to determine how we approach our creation while relying on our empathetic nature to craft a masterpiece that will hopefully be viewed by many.
Even though a content creator does more than write web content, I’m going to focus on this because it’s my specialty.
What Does the Day in the Life of a Content Creator Look Like?
For me, I’m a morning person and start my day early. I’m at the top of my game from about 7:00 am – 4:00 pm. However, I’ve worked with other content creators that are night owls and don’t begin work until the evening or even after the kids have gone to bed. Part of being a great content creator is knowing when to take creative breaks, refocus, and then start again.
So with all that being said, I think this is a pretty good generalization of what my day looks like.
7:00 AM
Pour a cup of coffee! 65% of content creators say they drink their coffee while they check email. Maybe this is a professional requirement?
Web content writers must understand these changes and how they will affect not just their current projects but also content written in the past.
These updates to the Google AI give me an opportunity to reach out to past clients. I can educate them on the changes, and we can discuss ensuring their content is still properly optimized.
This is not keyword stuffing or repeating a phrase a certain number of times.
Keyword research gives your client’s articles the best possible chance of ranking at the top of Google.
The first step toward ranking competitively is solid keyword research | MakeAMeme.org
(Keep reading and I’ll share the tools I use to achieve this.)
Once I’ve established my key phrases, I enter them in the Google search bar.
It’s important to read the sites that have already been rewarded with a high ranking position.
I look for tone, vocabulary usage, length of the content, and use of images and videos.
Google has already deemed these sites the most relevant answer to my search question. Why reinvent the wheel?
10:00 AM
Armed with the key phrases that I believe my content can dominate, I create my outline. This is a good opportunity to organize my thoughts and see logically how the piece of content will come together.
It’s also a nice opportunity to check in with my client, so I send them my outline for approval. This is their chance to make any changes and ensure that we’re on the same page.
I’ve found that sharing my outline eliminates rounds of editing once the final piece is written.
Noon
This is when I take some time for myself. I think this is critical to ensuring that you are at your creative best.
Usually, I go for a run or do some other form of exercise.
My head is clear. I can think about the articles I have on my plate and how I want to approach them.
Web copywriters must take time to understand the user intent, keyword research, and digest information before they can write about it | hand idea – Shutterstock.comLicense
My best ideas happen during this time.
1:00 PM
If I haven’t heard back from my client with feedback on the outline, I start researching my next project.
If I have received client feedback, I make any changes and then begin writing.
Each piece of content is different. Some can be cranked out in an hour or two. Others require all day to write or maybe even a week or weeks.
4:30 PM
My goal is at 4:30 to begin wrapping up my day. To be honest, I don’t do a great job of this. As my family can attest, I’m always looking for just a few more minutes.
It’s incredibly difficult for me to turn off the creative side of my brain and switch my focus to kid’s homework, dinner, and all the other family activities.
I’m forever jotting down notes so I can remember my mindset when I pick up where I left off.
I’ve been known to open my laptop and add just a few more sentences before bedtime.
What Tools Do Content Creators Use?
Content Creators do not work in a vacuum. We have an arsenal of tools at our disposal to ensure our content is researched, edited, and optimized. Some of these apps are free while others are subscription-based. Think of them as an investment in your career. Just as a professional golfer wouldn’t think of using subpar clubs and expect to win The Masters, you shouldn’t rely just on your gut instincts, love of grammar, and a bit of luck for your content to rank.
These are the tools I use from start to finish.
Keyword Research
I use KW Finder. Before you begin crafting your content you must determine what key phrases you’re writing for. You’re looking for keywords that provide the best opportunity to be on the first page of Google while also having a high search volume.
There is a cost associated with it.
Screenshot from KW Finder
This tool helps me laser-focus my writing. I want to ensure my client’s content is not only on point but is found by their audience.
Ubersuggest is a free keyword search tool that yields similar results.
Screenshot of Ubersuggest
Analytics
Ahrefs tagline is “Ahrefs helps you learn why your competitors rank so high and what you need to do to outrank them.” It’s a backlink reference tool where you enter a URL and Ahrefs shows what keywords or key phrases are linking to it.
I appreciate the presentation of data and prefer to pay to use it.
If you’re looking for a free tool, try Google Analytics.
Either tool is critical in helping me find the low-hanging fruit keyword opportunities in the top ranking sites of my competition.
Optimizing Content
Recently, I’ve been using a web content editor optimizer called INK. It has the same familiarity with a word processing app like Word or Docs. But INK also offers word tasks similar to Grammarly.
INK’s real-time tasks help content creators optimize their work for search
Here’s the main reason I’ve switched to INK. It also optimizes for SEO.
Before switching to INK, I was using a rules-based optimization program. The suggestions seemed forced, and I was never absolutely confident that my content was one hundred percent properly optimized.
INK uses AI to compare the content I’m creating with the top-ranking sites on Google providing customized tips, so I can ensure my content is on-point.
Word Processor
I’m old-school I guess. I like Word and have been using it since I received my first computer as a kid. It’s like a grilled cheese sandwich and a cup of tomato soup. Word is comfort food.
In the past, I wrote in Microsoft Word and then cut and pasted my work into Grammarly.
I also like Google Docs and after a couple of lost work sessions in Word, I transitioned. I love that Docs constantly saves my work. Since I switched, I haven’t lost any content.
However, none of these programs I mention help with search engine optimization.
Images
For Images, I usually rely on Shutterstock. You must pay for usage.
Pro Tip: Don’t use boring stock images that are synonymous with the industry you’re writing for.
For example, the customer service industry uses the smiling guy wearing a headset, or fitness companies feature a pony-tailed woman running a treadmill.
Snore!
Your goal is for your images to assist in telling your client’s story. They also an overlooked tool for search engine optimization.
One of the other reasons, I really like INK, it that it optimizes my images when I upload them. I don’t have to worry any longer about file size, etc. It does it all for me.
Why Do YOU Want to Be a Content Creator?
Website content writing is interesting, challenging, every day is different, and it’s a ton of fun. Let me share with you why it’s so important. The content we create lives on the Internet forever. Unlike paid promotion or advertising, content produced in 2017 can still be relevant and have influence for many years down the road.
Content creators want their articles to go viral — even if it’s five years later | memegenerator.com.
We refer to this as evergreen content.
A couple of hours spent creating a compelling piece of content can bring visitors to your site and lead to conversions for years to come.
Notice the date. This article was posted on Edgy.app blog on April 1, 2017. It”s still one of the top pieces of performing content.
What Degree Do You Need to Be a Content Creator?
Anyone with a passion for writing can be a web content creator. A degree is not necessarily required. In my circle of web copywriter friends, I’m one of the few that has a degree that is relevant to writing. (Bachelor of Science in Journalism). Most have a degree in liberal arts. One writer’s degree is in mathematics. What’s most important is that you have a strong and deep understanding of SEO and how it works. Otherwise, the content will not have the best chance of achieving its desired goal.
If you want to specialize in a certain field like content creation for the healthcare industry, it’s a good idea to have more specialized knowledge. This makes you more marketable to those specific clients.
Digital Content Producers have some of the diverse backgrounds, from Engineering to Journalism to no formal education at all | Cienpies Design – Shutterstock.comLicense
What’s most important is that you have a strong and deep understanding of SEO and how it works. Otherwise, the content will not have the best chance of achieving its desired goal.
How Much Money Does a Content Creator Make?
A web content creator’s pay is quite varied. Like with any industry, the level of experience dictates salary. And, of course, a great portfolio makes you more in demand. Specialized knowledge of an industry with the ability to write and explain it is also an asset that agencies and employers will pay more for. Then, there are the geological differences in pay and whether you’re salaried or freelance.
With that being said, here are some generalizations of what a content creator can make in they are salaried.
Salaried Content Creator
Screenshot from a content creator job post in the Bay Area on Indeed.com
Indeed.com has a job posting for a social media content creator in San Francisco. Payscale is $50,000-$80,000 a year.
In comparison, here is another listing for a similar job title and responsibilities in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Social Media Coordinators are also considered digital content creators | Indeed.com
Freelance Content Creator
Now let’s compare with a content creator who is a freelancer and bills hourly.
An example of what one content producer’s hourly rate might look like | Upwork.com
This freelancer charges $38.00 per hour and is advertising himself as someone who is not industry-specific.
Whereas the following freelancer specializes in the hotel and travel industry. She also has a degree in her specialty. Because of these qualifications, she can ask $27 more per hour.
An example of what a highly-specialized content writer might expect as compensation | Upwork.com
Hiring a writer or paying a freelancer are just two of many other options.
For large content writing projects, you might consider hiring an agency that specializes in content creation with a focus on search engine optimization.
There are subscription services where you pay for a certain number of pages of content created per month. This works well if you’re slowly building your site.
Even for freelancers, there are different ways they charge for their services.
The freelancers featured above charge per hour. Some charge per word or per 100 words.
The point is that you have many different options and you can explore the ones that are right for your situation.
How Do I Start a Content Creator?
A web content creator can be a huge asset to your business. You’re hiring an expert to make sure your content is on point. Here’s why you want a content creator in your corner.
Content is a big deal. No one should argue with Ron Burgundy | memegenerator.net.
Think of your Internet presence as putting your best foot forward. You wouldn’t wear jeans and a T-shirt to a black-tie event and you don’t want to present your business as sloppy and unprofessional.
Well crafted content that drives site visits, is shared and converts to downloads, more business or whatever you deem as a success. It establishes you as an authority on your subject matter.
In a competitive marketplace having an expert elevate your Internet presence can be a differentiator and key to your success.
Time Saver
You might choke on the idea of paying a freelancer $65.00 per hour to create content for you, but in the end what is your time worth?
A web copywriter may be able to generate content in hours when it takes you days to create.
You’re paying for our experience, knowledge, and SEO techniques while you can focus on what you are most experienced in.
Where Do I Look for a Content Creator?
I’m a huge proponent of word of mouth. Ask people in your networking circles, employees, and members of your community. Post on your social media accounts. You’d be amazed at the talents your neighbors have. Your local college or university is another great place to look for a content creator to help you with your website. Campus employment agencies are eager to place one of their graduates with your company.
If word of mouth isn’t an option, Upwork.com and Indeed.com are great online sources and might be just what you’re looking for.
This is a great site if you’re interested in going the freelancer route. You can review a candidate’s writing samples and learn about their work history. Freelancer’s list what they’ve charged for various projects.
Upwork gives you a great opportunity to vet potential website content writers before you contact them.
I also love you can see their availability. This helps set your expectations of how quickly they’ll be able to turn around your project.
According to Expressworks, 24% of freelance content writers bill at least 25 hours a week.
Indeed is the number one job site in the world. Post a job description detailing exactly what your expectations are.
Have potential candidates submit writing samples. Check for the basics like proper grammar and spelling. But also make sure that their writing is engaging.
Ask yourself if you enjoyed what they submitted or was it tedious to read.
Before you make a digital content creator an offer, have them meet with the team they’ll be supporting. Personality match is critical to long term success.
Takeaways
Whether you’re researching the exciting field of content creation because you see yourself excelling here or you are looking to hire a web content creator for your site, I’m thrilled that I could share my career with you.
I’d love for you to leave me a comment on how content creators have improved your online presence or if you’re a content creator share your best advice for those wanting to become one.
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