what is fluff writing

What does “No filler or fluff” mean in content writing?

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…

How to calculate freelance writer hourly rate

How to calculate your freelance writer hourly rate

“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…

Why reading feeds your writing soul

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…

Proofread your own writing — more than once!

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…

How does content help people connect?

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…

“Unnecessary” quotation marks

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…

How to format your titles

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,…

When to use a comma

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…

Should you apologise or apologize?

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…

An introduction to writing

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,…

How to write a blog

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,…

Why Google Translate does not make you a writer

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…

The Top 5 Apps for Freelance Writers

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…

Using Words to Trigger Emotions

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…

10 challenges only a writer can understand

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…

Can you start a sentence with ‘yet’?

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,…

Top tips for writing igaming content

The demand for quality content has never been greater and so is 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…

Can you start a sentence with also?

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…

10 signs that show you are a writer

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…

Business Quality Writing: How great content is created

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…

Can you start a sentence with a number?

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…

Can you start a sentence with or?

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,…

Can you start a sentence with so?

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,…

How to prepare for a job application with Topcontent

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…

19 grammar errors we HAVE to stop making

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…

Can you start a sentence with but?

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.…

Woman thinking while using a laptop

Can you start a sentence with however?

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…