Deborah Woehr

I’m sure you’ve heard all about Google’s attack on the blogosphere. If not, read Andy Beard’s Slapped by Google to get up to speed because this effects everyone who owns a blog. As a result of Google’s latest algorithm change, anyone who uses companies like Text Link Ads to monetize their blogs got slammed. Anyone who has one too many links on their blogs got slammed. As a result of this change, I am no longer writing for Syntagma Media, who got hit very hard.

The words Google and Microsoft became synonymous in my mind as I got into my car to go to work yesterday morning. I know what Google is doing, and I was very upset about it. Google has cost me my supplemental income. As the morning went on, I came to realize that I had made the same mistake my father-in-law had with his business. I had placed all my eggs in one basket.

Actually, I came to realize this some months ago and began researching other ways to make a good living as a writer as well as design. Copywriting is very lucrative field, both online and off. It’s a skill that every writer needs to have under their belt, especially if they plan to sell their books and/or services. I plan to do both.

I’ve been taking copious notes from Maria Veloso’s Webcopy That Sells. I’ll post a full review of this book once I finish and apply the knowledge I’ve gained. I’ll also be reviewing other books on the subject that have been sitting on my shelf for the past three years, due to my obsession with blogging and finishing that novel.

Designing books is also part of my plan. Copywriting and book design will go hand-in-hand, especially for future clients who are publishing non-fiction books. Needless to say, my plan of participating in this year’s NaNoWriMo contest is scrapped. I will be studying and building my portfolio instead.