When did you join Topcontent and how did you hear about us? I joined Topcontent at the beginning of November. I sometimes work with a translation agency of friends who live in Spain. They had been working for Topcontent for some time and told me that they were looking for additional translators for a large…
Living through a pandemic has brought changes into our lives we had never before considered. One of the biggest shifts has been our working patterns. In April 2020, almost half of Britons did work from home according to ONS. But even without factoring in Coronavirus, home-working was on the rise anyway. Effective remote working can…
As content writers, we are frequently told to avoid “filler or fluff” as part of the instructions in our content brief. But this is often easier said than done. This article seeks to define fluff and help freelancers avoid fluff writing. What is fluff writing: unnecessary details Fluff definition can be summarised as unnecessary details…
We’ve always said remote workforces can revolutionize companies. However, it took a worldwide pandemic for some businesses to actually make the leap! Over the past few months, thousands of workers have gone digital – and some of them are finding the reality of working from home lonely. Is working from home lonely? We’ve known for…
How many times during these past few months have people reached out to you for networking purposes and then signed off their own message to you with “stay safe”? This has probably happened far too many times. The Stay Safe slogan just feels as ordinary now as saying take care or look forward to hearing…
If you’re currently on the lookout for freelance writing jobs, you’ll definitely have come across Topcontent. Topcontent is a global content company that’s always on the lookout for great writers. This article explains why Topcontent is a good Upwork alternative and why you should choose to write with us instead of other sites. Who and…
Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a job that also happens to be their passion. For me, being a freelance writer is no less than a blessing. Yes, starting out can be challenging, and finding a balance when working from home takes a little time. But once you’ve found your feet, the world is…
“The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates and a monthly salary.” Nicolas Taleb Being a freelance writer comes with many challenges. And, like any other job, one of the main concerns is no doubt the financial side of things. Sure, we write because it’s our passion, but there’s nothing wrong with getting paid for…
Have you decided to step on a new career path as a freelance writer, or are you perhaps looking for a way to make some extra cash next to your full-time job? This article explores the freelance writer rates of different writing jobs online. Types of freelance writing jobs In this time of uncertainty, making…
Working from home. Sounds like the dream, right? You roll out of bed and straight to the sofa, sit around in your pyjamas all day, and the snacks are never out of reach. Well, we hate to break it to you, but if you want to be productive when working from home, there are a…
As the world goes internet, more and more companies are moving towards a totally remote workforce. Going digital is greatly advantageous for both company and employee: companies benefit from reduced needs and related costs for office spaces, while workers enjoy flexibility and the freedom to roam, among others. It’s in everyone’s interest that such a…
Every writer has their own story. Each of us has our own style, type of creative expression and preferred medium for writing. The realities of being a freelance writer, however, differ greatly from those of your typical novelist. The technological revolution is the playground of thousands of content writers from all over the world, and…
I was never a maths person. The very thought of numbers has my forehead breaking out in pimples and my armpits become suspiciously moist. Languages were always my forte. Well, one language: English. Yet, despite English not being my mother tongue, I have always been able to wrap the little bugger around my finger. And…
Recently, a first-time novelist by the name of William Giraldi made a worrying observation about today’s culture: More and more modern-day writers exhibit a disinclination to read. The most well-known of these, perhaps, is JK Rowling (of the Harry Potter series) who, despite professing that she rarely picks up a book – unless to sign…
So you’ve never written anything before, and now you’re staring at a blank screen, cursor blinking away, just waiting for that first brainwave to strike. Not as easy as it looks, is it? I feel you. Don’t worry – we’re here to help you take your first steps down that path you’ve been dreaming of…
Inspiration. That elusive creature that, like some ethereal fairy, often flutters just beyond reach – perhaps in those few dreamlike seconds just before waking, or when you’re teetering on the edge of sleep. Sometimes, an almost ordinary moment has me reaching for my trusty, battered laptop: the flash of gold in my son’s eyes on…
Every evening, 18% of people don’t set their alarm for an early start the next morning. Every morning, 18% of workers don’t inch themselves out from under the bedcovers and put on crumpled workwear in the semi-dark. Every late afternoon, 18% of employees don’t fight for leg room on their commute after a long day…
Humans are social animals. A statement that has always puzzled the introvert that is myself. Growing up, I fit the stereotype of the nerdy writer to a tee. I was constantly daydreaming, buried in some far-off adventure, and it seemed only natural that social ineptitude would follow. Even today, as a supposedly self-assured adult, the…
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Eleonor Roosevelt When I was a child, I was convinced that, if I practised enough, I could actually learn to fly. Years later, my feet are still firmly planted on the ground, but, looking back, I can’t help but admire my childish…
Being a freelance writer may rock, but writing regularly also comes with a very particular set of challenges. Balancing work and home life is not always the easiest of tasks, the costs of travel may sometimes seem insurmountable, and other times, your muse seems to have taken a hike along with your imagination. It’s at…
Bad habits… we all have them! Some of which are worse than others. Either way, they can seriously slow down your pace and prevent you from achieving goals you have set in your writing and worse still, your life. It can be a challenge to see our own faults for what they are and therefore…
Good-quality content is more than just a way to fill your website. Premium content has a host of advantages both for owner and reader; one of the most important, however, is the creation of a connection between both. You might think that engaging texts are more akin to novel-writing, but this article is out to…
As an aspiring writer, we endeavour to have consistent and interesting work to keep us busy. To reach this point takes dedication, after all, writing is hard work. It takes more than just sitting down for an hour and tapping out a few paragraphs. Many people don’t take into consideration the time and effort it…
Let’s take English as an example. Some say it’s a difficult language to learn, and others say it’s easy. I guess that’s something that changes from person to person, but one thing that can be said for this widely spoken language is that what you see written down isn’t always what you hear. Unlike many…
Grammar rules are an important part of being a writer. A particularly sore point for many writers can be punctuation, with quotation marks being especially befuddling. This article outlines what quotation marks are, what they are used for, and when they are practically unnecessary. What are quotation marks? According to Collins Dictionary, quotation marks are…
If you have ever compared titles throughout several different articles, you may be wondering why there are differences in styles and most importantly, which one is correct. After all, we want our work to look and feel professional. You will find that there are several different formats you can choose from when constructing your title,…
Name: Jane Lundin Role: Senior Content Manager Location: Malta, Florida, Spain … wherever the world takes me! Jane, you are one of our senior content managers at Topcontent. How did you end up here? Well I started freelancing at Topcontent, back when it was still known as Sidekick Content, when I was living on the…
The rules of punctuation can be befuddling for the best of us at times. A good content writer has to be very mindful about their punctuation, as this may affect the quality of their text and potentially cost them good clients. This article focuses on that little punctuation mark that is commonly a sore point…
How grammar impacts SEO and why knowing what your client wants is important In the modern world, that marvellous little tool in your back pocket is literally the reason the world is our oyster. The internet – and all devices able to connect to it – is why search engines were invented in the first…
Are you looking to become a writer and earn money with your writing online? I have good news; it is completely possible if you know what you are doing. Writing is something that many of us dream of, but few dare to attempt. For most of us, we start reading at a young age, however,…
A blank canvas can be pretty daunting but if you flip it and look at it from the other side, it gives you the freedom to express yourself however you see fit. The main purpose of a blog is to present information and ideas about your specialised topic in an informal, almost chatty way. Remember,…
Google is by far the most formidable virtual entity on the planet. Omnipresent, all-powerful, and a constant sidekick to most of our phone-wielding generation, the idea of surviving without it is almost inconceivable. From solving family arguments, to predicting the weather, to providing users with a barrage of information, the usefulness of this giant of…
No matter whether it is in written or spoken form, questions help us to get answers. But are we asking the right questions to get the answer that we want? If you see an issue with your business, partnership, friendship or other elements in your life that don’t appear quite so successful, well, the answer…
Years ago, when it was still possible to spend lazy days by the beach, my husband bought me a Kindle. We were still kid-free, and taking my eyes off the rippling waves for more than a few seconds wouldn’t have me struggling to my feet, sand-covered knees creaking, to wipe noses or soaked faces a…
Life as a freelancer is funny. Not funny “ha ha”. Funny because that sought-after flexibility needs careful management; days are way shorter than you ever thought possible; the temptation to sleep in, stay up late (or both) is super strong; and wine is only ever a cupboard away. Funny because life as a freelancer is…
Many of us take words for granted, using them purely as a basic means of communication. But they’re a lot more than that, especially if we use them correctly. When used well, words can trigger a whole range of additional emotions rather than leaving readers with something bland and rather forgettable. The range of emotions…
Nowadays, being a writer is heavily advertised as the easiest of easy jobs. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Not only is our work scrutinised by dozens of pairs of eagle eyes, we are also faced with a specific set of irksome challenges that most nine-to-fivers are blissfully unaware of. Perhaps the biggest challenge…
It’s 6 am and, as the first rays of sunlight dispel the darkness of the night before, the whole world stirs sleepily. Coffee is brewed, grains of cereal rattle noisily into ceramic bowls, workwear is hastily pulled on and there is the mandatory frantic search for misplaced house keys before the front door is pulled…
Writers often find themselves with a number of issues when it comes to beginning a sentence. It shouldn’t be that hard to start a line of writing, but somehow it is. One of the biggest areas of confusion arises when we start a sentence with a conjunction. That can be any of these words: yet,…
The demand for quality content has never been greater and so has the demand for good content writers. If you’re new to the freelance writing scene, finding your first assignment for your skill set may prove somewhat difficult. When I was first starting out and searching for a gig, I found a sheer abundance of…
When it comes to our writing, we don’t often know all the rules. This is especially true when it comes to starting sentences with different parts of speech. We also do different things and follow different rules when we speak versus when we write, and the two can get carried over. With all that in…
Writers are a very particular type of people. Right up there with all the other artistic types of the world, such as painters and musicians, they are often likely to be seen as fascinating, highly creative individuals capable of creating literary masterpieces. The modern writer may be far removed from the classic stereotype of the…
At Topcontent, we have two quality-levels: Standard Quality (SQ) and Business Quality (BQ). For BQ tasks, we only trust our highest quality freelancers to do the job. Here, one of our German freelancers, Joel, shares his experience with Business Quality writing. Travel and content writing hand in hand In February this year, I spent a…
When you are writing, the flow can carry you off, and before you know it, you would have made some silly grammar mistakes. Surprisingly, one of the more common mistakes often happens at the start of a sentence. Writers often ask, “Can I start my sentence with a conjunction, a number, or an adverb?” Many…
We’ve all had those days when we simply can’t face another day at the office. When we throw on the first thing that comes to hand in the morning, drink our coffee without even tasting its energy-bearing flavour, stare blankly into space on our morning commute and get through the whole day in a total…
You needn’t be the most avid of bookworms for word of the literary genius that is Stephen King to have reached your ears. Most famously known for his horror stories – the likes of It and The Green Mile, which have both been made into films – this highly accomplished author has, literally word by…
When writing, it is always important to be able to have a flowing and readable structure. One of the fastest and most noticeable ways to mess this up is by beginning a sentence incorrectly. Both new and experienced writers often struggle with what they can and cannot start a sentence with, often having been taught…
Many writers struggle with knowing whether a sentence can be started with the word or. For most of us, starting a sentence with a conjunction was always a big no-no when it came to high-school English classes. But in fact, we can use a conjunction such as or, but, so etc. to start a sentence,…
Name: Elina Özek (Pöyry) Role: Content Manager Location: Istanbul, Turkey Thank you, Elina for taking the time to have a chat with me. I’m really excited that our readers are going to hear from you and get to know you. Elina, you’ve been with Topcontent for over a year now. Can you tell us a…
One of my favourite definitions of content is the one given by Business Dictionary, which compares content to the glue that sticks a website together, pulls visitors in and, once they’re effectively lured, keeps them from leaving. If we were to continue that analogy, your job as a content writer would be to tailor-make, customise…
There are a lot of books in the world, close to 130 million actually, with new ones being published every single day. Each book is a window to the soul of the person, or people, who wrote it. Choosing which books to read with the limited amount of time we have can be a complete…
Starting a sentence with a conjunction has long been a point of contention. Many of us have grown up with this grammatical style strongly enforced by our teachers. However, it might not be as wrong as we think. Recently, there has been a resurgence in its use with some likening it to um, and like,…
Let us help you become part of our team! Job roles are a dime a dozen and nowadays, all companies are using buzz words such as “great culture”, “beer Fridays”, “free lunches”, “learning and development opportunities”. These are all fantastic attributes that make a company attractive and certainly providing a great place for employees to…
One of the main purposes of our lives is to bring in enough money to support our lifestyle, whatever that may be. How much effort we put into it is another matter altogether. How great would it be if we didn’t even have to lift a finger and nevertheless have a good income regularly rolling…
In these modern times, to say the future is virtual hardly qualifies as a sweeping statement. Schoolchildren text faster than they can write; pen and paper has been rendered practically obsolete; leaving the house without a mobile device is unthinkable and living without a wi-fi connection unfathomable. In the working world, too, companies are currently…
It’s one thing to love writing, and it’s quite another to be grammatically correct. Many of us love putting a few words down on paper, but are we always following the rules when doing so? We were taught that lax writing reveals disrespect to the reader, but sometimes it is hard – especially when the…
Name: Asta Siiskonen Role: Senior Content Manager Location: Madrid, Spain When did you join Topcontent and what is your role? I signed up as a Finnish freelancer in Autumn 2014. I combined writing and doing translations with my studies, and when in 2015 I was offered Content Manager position in Malta, I didn’t think twice…
Avoiding starting a sentence with because is arguably one of the sillier grammar rules out there. Bizarrely, though, it is one of the ones that a lot of people pick on if you get it wrong. One of the main arguments against using because at the beginning of a sentence is that it’s not “proper”…
In a nutshell, yes! There are a number of confusing grammar rules in the English language, and whether or not it’s okay to start a sentence with and is one of them. Many of us, from a very young age, have grown up being told that starting a sentence with a conjunction such as and…
In the constantly digitalising world working either fully or part-time from home has become more popular than ever. According to a research from 2017 approximately eight million Americans benefit from the favourable conditions of teleworking – and this number has most likely increased since then. Remote workers can enjoy multiple benefits, such as bid farewell…
Kylie Grech has been blessed to have spent her childhood on two contrasting islands. From the biggest island in the world – the thriving new world of Australia, to a tiny island in the Mediterranean – the equally thriving yet ancient island of not just Malta, but her sister island Gozo. Kylie spent a lot…
It is no secret that most of us do not save any money. In fact, several surveys show that most people do not save nearly enough – most save nothing at all. Whilst being in employment can mitigate the need for savings, someday you might just need a Fuck Off Fund… I have been in…
A relatively new hip term that is making its way around is the gig economy. This is being quoted on social media, blogs and other platforms. In reality, the gig economy is not really a new term; it’s been around for ages. A gig economy is a free market system in which temporary positions are…
For many of us, we were indoctrinated into the belief that starting a sentence with conjunction was, “A BAD THING!” This rule has haunted some of us throughout our writing life with active avoidance at putting anything such as but, and or so anywhere near the start of a sentence for fear of some reprimand.…
One of the most common questions asked by writers, no matter their proficiency level, is whether or not however can be used at the start of the sentence. The short answer is yes, indeed it can, but the long answer requires a little more explaining. That’s because the way you use however will determine whether…
Ok, let’s start with the basics. When did you join Topcontent and what do you do here? I joined Topcontent [previously known as Sidekick Content] in May 2017. I joined the team as a Norwegian Content Manager, working with Norwegian projects and tasks (writing, translation, proofreading, QC). Being able to work with content and languages…
We all have some kind of plans for our lives. Someday I will start to work on writing jobs which I truly love, someday I will travel the world, someday I will be the king of my castle. Yet, somehow, we do not fully realise that our lives are actually made up of the today’s…
Yearning for swaying palm trees, sprawling white beaches and azure waters? Think ‘exotic’ and Europe is probably the last destination to spring to mind. What with exploding airfares and endlessly long flights, though, modern tourists are now looking for closer, same-hemisphere alternatives. The same goes for digital workers looking for affordable destinations where they can…
The misconception that content writing services is an “easy” job is certainly one of the most misplaced in modern times. Accomplished wordsmith or not, anyone who’s attempted even the shortest of writing tasks will tell you that a substantial effort is required in order to produce something worth reading. Apart from the obvious time investment,…
As a freelance writer, the world is your office! You can work from home, the beach under a palm tree, in bed or even from the car (as long as you’re not on the road, of course!). At the same time, many writers prefer to work from different office spaces, such as a room in…
Even before the first computers were introduced, using the user-friendly – if not exactly noiseless – typewriter was blatantly obvious. Chief among these advantages was – and still is – speed. Accomplished touch typists can reach admirable speeds of up to 120 words per minute, potentially saving a lot of precious time and money. Nowadays,…
You’ve probably read tons of articles about the advantages of working from home. You’ve seen how remote workers benefit from the ultimate comfort and flexibility, wear what they want and lead practically carefree lives. And we certainly hope you’re not bored of reading them. Because, in an increasingly technological world, to say remote jobs are…
You’ve heard about how writing is good for the soul. It’s therapeutic, you might have read. Or, You can work through stuff by keeping a journal. Or even, You can express your feelings in a way you could never do by saying them out loud. All true – if you only keep the writer’s needs…
Why having a source of income can boost your travel enjoyment. “Live your life with a compass, not a clock.” This motto may prove somewhat difficult to adopt if your life revolves around your job. With early mornings, commutes, office meetings and a host of other work-related responsibilities very much part of the daily grind,…
“You don’t get much fun when you’re an adult, do you?” Michael McIntyre’s rhetorical question remains one of my most favourite one-liners to repeat whenever I feel the need to overcome my morbid fear of prolonged silences (which is pretty often!). As far as ice-breakers go, I find it unfailingly manages to provoke an animated…
The dust from the last few days of 2018 hasn’t even settled yet, but chances are most of your new year’s resolutions have already flown out of the window. The problem with most resolutions is that they rarely present realistic goals – which is why we find it difficult to keep them! But wasting talent…
Dress to impress? You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. However, considering that it takes the average person just five to seven seconds to form that all-important first impression – most of which is based largely on appearance – we humbly beg to differ. And no one is more aware of the importance of…
The Christmas holidays arrive after a long year filled with hard work, so it’s no wonder we always look so forward to them. The holidays are a way of looking back over the past year with satisfaction (and quite possibly a few regrets) while contemplating the possibility of a brighter, better year than the one…
Even before the last crazily grinning pumpkin has shrivelled and died, December starts to stir. Come November, a couple of stores dedicate a half-hearted corner of their displays to Christmas decor. A few days later, the whole window has been taken over by Yuletide paraphernalia. It’s not long before passers-by cotton on to the fast…
Every moment of our waking lives, we are bombarded by information. Colourful pictures, scrolling screens, rhythmic (and sometimes decidedly less so!) music and rapidly moving images flash continually before our eyes. This is the generation of today’s times. A world through which all that is digital runs rampant, intertwining seamlessly with our everyday lives. A…
I did it and so can you! Riding a bike. Speaking in public. Playing an instrument. Eating 20 hamburgers in five minutes. What all these pursuits have in common is one crucial thing – a mantra, if you will. Practise makes perfect. This also applies when you are looking to take on writing or proofreading…
Everyone starts out with no experience! If you’re reading this blog post, chances are you already are, or are thinking, to start copywriting. Copywriting is a great way of improving your language skills, making some spare cash as well as preparing for your next big step. Maybe it’s getting into journalism or finally making a…
bucket list (NOUN/inf.) – A number of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime. Shrouded in drama and glamour and carrying significant connotations to wild, wild freedom, the highly desirous “travel the world” ambition probably featured prominently on most people’s bucket lists when they were younger. But…
“I have no time …” “Twenty-four hours just isn’t enough.” “I want to have freelance jobs … ” We’ve all uttered at least one of these phrases at some point in our lives. Many of us think that freelance jobs will give us freedom and we’re craving it. We’ve had moments when we’ve undoubtedly felt…
We’ve all been there: Getting up at a painfully early hour in the morning. Re-fuelling with a cup of what can only be described as sludge from some dodgy subway coffee machine. Searching the bus for an empty seat while fervently hoping your neighbour will not leer, smell strongly of dogs or keep up a…
Love it or hate it, there’s no doubt our daily lives would be much, much less comfortable without the financial security afforded to us by earning a regular income. With today’s prices skyrocketing at the speed of light, many hard-working individuals find it a challenging task to keep up with the costs of living as…
Having a job in modern times is a necessity in more ways than one. Some of us have even nabbed ourselves one of those work from home jobs. Earning a steady income enables a person to cope financially with the costs of living, which, let’s face it, are climbing higher every day. It also provides…
We all know at least one person who never seems to settle down in what is deemed a “conventional” way. Charmingly creative, at times slightly eccentric, yet always endearingly lovable. These one-of-a-kind individuals are often given much less credit than they deserve. They are the believers they can make it happen when working from home.…