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Visit the MediaShower website and you'll notice that "Content is King," according to them. (We understand that at WOW! Women on Writing!) MediaShower, which has some good success stories, started nearly two decades ago to provide great content to its clients, which enables their clients to get to the top page of results when someone searches Google. John Hargrave believes that although everyone wants to get to the top of Google results, great content and promotion is what will get the clients there. WOW asked him about what MediaShower is looking for in its freelance writers and what opportunities are available. John shared what the company is looking for and some of the company's success stories.

WOW: How did your company get its start and what's its mission, besides "Content is King"?  

John: One of our goals is to create the world's most powerful network of journalists and authors. While writers have had a difficult time over the past few years, we believe that power is slowly returning back to writers who work hard to build a following. Google is behind this change: it is gradually placing more importance on authors who have "citations," which means you have a Google+ page with plenty of followers, and you link all your writing to your Google+ page (and vice versa). These writers will be able to command much higher prices in the near future. At Media Shower, we educate and train our writers on how to take advantage of this power shift, which benefits both us and them.

WOW: What kind of content is Media Shower looking for from its writers? 

John: We write on every topic imaginable, so versatility is important. We always have plenty of work in the small business, personal finance, and insurance fields—especially from writers who are able to tackle those topics in a way that's interesting and fun to read.

WOW: Does Media Shower hire other editorial professionals?

John: Yes, we have a team of world-class editors who serve two roles: they come up with story ideas for our writers, and they edit and deliver the final piece to the client.

WOW: Does Media Shower provide the assignments?

John: Yes. We also provide a style guide—the "Media Shower style"�so it's easy for our writers to quickly grab an assignment from our website and get started. Highly motivated freelance writers thrive in our environment.

WOW: What kind of experience are you looking for from an applicant and does a writer need to know SEO?

John: First, we're looking for great writers—people who can really grab readers' attention and hook them. Because we produce so much great content, you need to be incredibly reliable at hitting deadlines. Being able to write on a wide variety of subjects is helpful. While SEO knowledge is not required, you do need to know how to write for the Web—it's difficult to train print journalists with no Web experience. More information, and signup form, at http://mediashower.com/content?Action=WriterApp

WOW: When Media Shower is looking for a multimedia article, what does that mean?  

John: We pride ourselves in delivering beautiful content, so all of our articles come with photos included. We have several sources that writers can use to find these photos; it takes only a few minutes at the end of an assignment.

WOW: Who are some of Media Shower's clients?

John: We work with the largest provider of personal finance software, the largest B2B website, one of the largest auto insurance providers, as well as many other clients (both small and large). Working with Media Shower is an opportunity to associate yourself with powerful brands.

WOW: And, of course, what is the pay rate for Media Shower? How often are writers paid?

John: Pay is variable, and we are very reliable on payment, which is monthly. We just released a new version of our writer website, which calculates our writer payments automatically, freeing them from the hassle of invoicing. Our goal is to eliminate the "overhead" of running a freelance writing business, so our folks can do what they do best—write!

WOW: Thank you, John, for your responses to our questions!

Elizabeth King Humphrey is a writer and editor living in Wilmington, NC. She is a regular contributor to WOW! Women on Writing.

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In honor of Independence Day, we thought you'd enjoy this special selection of writers' markets that celebrate being American. From cake decorating to motorcycling, there's bound to be something for you. So as you're barbecuing, picnicking, or enjoying a fireworks show, remember to take mental notes of potential story ideas. As always, although we try to be as accurate as possible, make sure you double-check with the editor for any changes in guidelines and their current needs. Happy 4th of July!


http://www.artistdaily.com/
About: American Artist is a magazine of ideas and inspiration for practicing artists living in the United States. It includes both profile articles and step-by-step demonstrations. Service articles provide methods by which artists can improve their skills and collectors can improve their knowledge of fine art. It covers a balance of art mediums including oil painting, watercolor, acrylics, drawing, sculpture, and printmaking.
Needs: Feature articles on contemporary American realist artists; instructional articles written by artists themselves explaining in detail their techniques, including brand names of materials used; articles on the business aspects of art; articles on art materials and equipment.
Pay: $500 for articles of about 1,500 to 2,000 words, on acceptance.
Guidelines: http://www.artistdaily.com/media/p/45249.aspx
Submit: Send a query letter along with your resume and clips to Michael Gormley, Editorial Director, American Artist magazines, 133 W. 19th St., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10011

http://www.parents.com/american-baby-magazine/
About: American Baby is a monthly magazine for expectant and new mothers with a child up to two years old. "It's the complete guide to new parenthood, giving young families all of the information they need on prenatal care, baby's growth and development, and family health and lifestyle changes, including mom's beauty needs, relationships and family finances."
Needs: How-to, general interest, humor, fitness, personal experience, beauty.
Pay: Varies, but writers report $600-$800 for a 1,000 word article.
Submit: Send a query letter with SASE to American Baby Magazine, 375 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017

http://www.americancakedecorating.com/
About: American Cake Decorating is a magazine for cake decorators of all levels--those who pursue it as a hobby as well as those who make a business of it. It publishes step-by-step instructional articles, hints and tips, expert commentary, quick decorating ideas, a gallery of cake photos, book reviews, new products, a calendar of events, and topical articles.
Needs: Birthday (including Sweet 16, Bar/Bat Mitzvah) cakes, novelty and special occasion cakes, wedding cakes. Looking for work in more traditional American media such as buttercream, royal icing, and/.or chocolate.
Pay: Varies, but writers report $0.02-.05 per word.
Submit: Mail or email a query letter with images to editor[at]americancakedecorating[dot]com or to Space Downtown, re: American Cake D

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