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The Beginners Guide To Writing An EpinionJun 20 '01 (Updated Jun 22 '01) Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line For the Epinionator just starting out or starting to get frustrated, a little helping hand can go a long way.
So what exactly do I have to be an authority on writing a “how-to” epinion? While I am not an expert, or an advisor or whatever, I like what I do and I feel I do it well, and that I enjoy what I do is the key to my own personal success. I have also been writing regularly for about 10 years which I think helps. I have seen the mistakes many new writers have done and I am hoping that this epinion will be a catalyst towards avoiding at least some of those mistakes (just as some worthwhile advice about this site from member Hard_To_Please was a catalyst for me to write this article). It’s often that a new writer will write about 10 opinions, get discouraged and never come back because no one either read their work or hasn’t put them on their WOT (web of trust). A lot of the time this is because the writer didn’t let themselves be known on the site by reading, rating and commenting on other people’s work. These things are essential to success on Epinions, but above all else, success starts with good solid writing. This is not to say that good writing alone will cause a flood of members to come knocking on your door (many good writers will agree to that), but it is definitely true that poor writing will cause them to turn away and never look back. The 100 Word Requirement So you’ve joined up and want to write your first (or second, or third…) review. You’re looking at that 100 word requirement thing and you think, “100 words? Hey this is easy!” If you’re serious about writing on Epinions (or anywhere for that matter), you’ll need to abandon such thoughts. Many new writers seem to think that the 100 word requirement means that a good review need only be 100 words. Unless you have mastered the art of word compression that Haiku writers of yore seemed to have done, you’ll more than likely want to forget that such a requirement even exists. If, on the other hand, you’re struggling to reach the 100 word limit because you just want to churn out as many half-assed “opinions” as possible in hopes of making a fast buck, leave this article now because nothing I say will help… except for maybe this: it doesn’t work. The Devil's In The Details Saying something is cool or not cool and not much else will get you nowhere fast. Remember that you’re not talking to someone on the phone or someone on an Instant Messenger, you’re writing a product review for potentially MILLIONS of people to see. If you write it well -- that means with enough description of the product, it’s plusses, it’s minuses and everything in between -- you will most certainly receive a VH (Very Helpful) or at least some worthwhile advice in the comments section. Serious Epinion writers will know who is just starting out and needs a helping hand and who is bulls*itting the system. If you’re from the former group, remember one thing: if you were the reader, what would you want to know about the product (or about the situation if it’s an editorial)? The more in-depth about a product you can get, the more appreciative your readers will be. Just Not TOO Many Details, Mmkay? Now I sound like I’m going back on what I’ve just said but I’m really not, I assure you. Like any truly good story, there has to be some sort of balance between too little information and too much information and a lot of it depends on the writer. The best reviews I have read were concise about what they wanted to say, might have put more emphasis on things they really liked (or really hated) but didn’t bore me with endless rambling. They went in knowing what needed to be said, said it and got out. A lot of it will have to depend on feel. It’s hard to say when there is “too much” or “too little” detail. In the end, it's really best for you to pre-write the article, sit on it for a bit (even just 20 minutes helps) and go back. If it feels empty and you feel bewildered, chances are your readers will too. If it feels more like a manual then a review, chances are your readers will also feel this and leave quickly. If on the other hand the review flows from one point to another, never dragging its feet like an uninvited guest drags his feet at the door, you’ve found that balance and should submit the review! Grammar and Punctuation (a collective groan can be heard from a distance) If you happened to miss this class while you were taking Sophomore English, I’m sorry. Your writing, no matter what, needs to at least maintain some semblance of Grammar and Punctuation competency. With the advent of spelling and grammar checkers on such programs as Microsoft Word this has become much easier to do. However, a lot of Epinion writers are going to find it much easier to just do the writing cold and submit it immediately. This isn’t recommended but not impossible if you’re confident in your skills in these two fields and feel your on-the-spot writing is good enough for the task. However, if you feel that you really don’t know your “their”s from your “there”s and your “they’re”s you might want to write a first draft and then go over it to make sure it’s clean. Writing a first draft is really the best thing to do anyway because first drafts are never as good as second or third ones. If you write an article and go back to it sometime later (how long is up to you but it should be at least 20-30 minutes), you’ll more than likely find plenty of stuff in need of correction and correcting it before it's been submitted is certainly easier than online editing. Besides, it makes you look better if you got it all down right the first time out. Don’t worry if you happen to miss some things here and there (I know I’ve probably missed some in here) but just be careful not to make the “sloppy mistakes” that should have been corrected in an earlier draft. Personality! One thing to remember, above all else is to have fun with it. You’re not writing for school, you’re not writing for work, and you’re not writing as if your life depended on it. If you feel you are writing because your life depended on it, you’ve put way too much importance in this and should turn off your computer right now and get as far away from computers as humanly possible. When you’re having fun with the writing, your own unique personality will flow through freely. When I’m writing, I am having a good time and it shows through the writing. When a writer is either writing to make the money or writing because he thinks he has to, that also shows in the writing. It comes out forced, or boring, or lifeless. Now, you might naturally write stuff that I as a reader feel is boring. You can’t please everyone, you won’t even if you try (especially if you try!), but you have to please yourself. Like I have said before, if you go back and read what you’ve just written and you’re bored out of your mind, more than likely your reader will be too. Writing with yourself in mind doesn’t necessarily mean you can curse like a sailor or throw around slang words like so much confetti but it does mean you are able to find something to like in it, something that is unique and distinctly you. Patience (just a little patience, yeaaah,yeah...) Now here is the little bit that isn’t about the writing that I just wanted to throw in if you begin to get discouraged about the lack of members joining your WOT. Don’t get discouraged. Veteran writers want to be careful who they put on their web of trust because it's something that reflects them. If their WOT is full of writers who wrote two 100 word reviews each and stopped, they'll be considered guilty by association. You just need a little patience. A lot of times if another writer likes your style, they’ll keep an eye on future reviews to see if you’re consistent. If you are, then a lot of time they will put you on their WOT. It would also be a good idea for you read and rate other member’s reviews as well. Getting your name out in the open shows that you want to be an integral part of the Epinions community. Someone who just writes reviews, even good reviews, will often be forgotten because they have not exposed themselves to the rest of the community. Leaving comments is also a good idea. I personally feel comments like “you rock!” or “Nice writing” can only take you so far. Real comments on reviews, maybe asking a question, maybe explaining why they felt “you rocked!” or did some “nice writing” are more insightful and give the writer of the article more reason to check out your reviews. Fin I definitely hope I have been of some help to the new writers of Epinions. Once you find your niche, Epinions is truly a great forum to be heard. Not only do you get to read the writings of many other people you might not have otherwise been able to see, but you are also honing your own skills. If you’re like myself, writing is going to be a big part of your future career. This site allows you to become a stronger writer and, in turn, a stronger thinker. Remember one thing: you might start out here because of the money, but if you hope to succeed you need to do it for the writing. If you love what you do, you’ll never stop, whether it’s writing for Epinions or for a magazine, a newspaper, your own novel even! You can’t do it for the money, you have to do it for your own happiness. If any of you have any more questions, you are free to either leave a comment down below (preferred as it might be a question on many people’s minds) or you can email me. I am glad to have been able to share what I know here today and I wish you all good luck in your future writings here at Epinions.  |
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