Jennifer Parris reports (sample letter included):

"As part of your job search strategy, you should consider writing letters of inquiry to companies you’d like to work for. Much like the name connotes, a letter of inquiry (also known as a letter of interest) is a professional way of reaching out to a potential employer to establish a connection when they haven’t advertised any job openings you’d be a match for. The benefit of a letter of inquiry is that it puts your qualifications and accomplishments in the spotlight. But if writing a letter of inquiry has got you groaning, don’t worry...Since taking the time to write a letter of inquiry is time-consuming, the last thing you want is for it to get tossed in the trash before even being read. That’s why you should look for a good contact to send it to. Go through your network first (check out your LinkedIn, as well as other former colleagues and bosses) to see if you already have a connection at the company. If not, you should address the letter of inquiry to a management-level contact who would in theory be your boss should you be hired. Another option is to send it to an HR director if you can’t track down any other solid leads. Under no circumstances, though, should you blindly send your letter of inquiry to a company and address it 'Dear Sir' or 'To Whom It May Concern.'...Remember, you’re not applying for a real job, so your letter of inquiry should not be a regurgitation of your resume or mimic a traditional cover letter. Brevity is the hallmark of a letter of inquiry, so make sure to include the reason you’re contacting the company (i.e., why working for that particular company would mean so much to you), as well as the skills and work experience that would make you an asset to their organization...Since you’re looking for a flexible job (one that allows you to work remotely or perhaps to get hired for freelance assignments), it’s a smart move to mention this in your letter of inquiry. After all, an employer might not be hiring full-timers, but could be on the lookout for contract workers for special on-occasion assignments. Putting your flexible work needs out there might make the difference in getting called in for a job interview!...Sure, almost everything is done online today, including applying for jobs. With a letter of inquiry, though, it can be in your best interest to send in an actual letter along with a printed copy of your resume. The chances of it being read are higher and give your letter a better impression upon a potential boss. Sending in an emailed letter of inquiry could be deleted more easily and without much thought...A letter of inquiry can be a great way to establish a connection with a company that you’d like to work for. It can put you on a company’s radar—and put your resume at the top of the hiring pile, too."

Update: Here are the top 60 remote work websites for new opportunities in 2022 provided by iReviews.

Stephanie Haywood reports:

"Marketing is often a huge expense for small businesses. The good news is that you don’t always need to hire a marketing agency or spend thousands on traditional advertising. You can be your own marketing department and cut down on the costs of marketing. It’s important to first understand the language of marketing. So let’s examine some popular marketing terms and see how you can become your own marketing department. Need effective marketing content for your business and website? Connect with Mister Line Editor for all your proofreading, editing, and SEO writing needs!...Marketing channels are various ways companies can communicate their advertising messages to consumers. Marketing channels are used to reach as many customers as possible by delivering a particular message about your brand. Marketing channels are available online and offline. Online channels include things like email marketing, blogging, and social media, while offline channels include things like telephone poles, billboards, and coffee shops...Marketing messaging is an idea that can be applied to many industries. This refers to how your company communicates with customers online and offline. This type of communication aims to build trust with customers and encourage them to move on to the next step in the sales process or conversion process. Moreover, this gives you insight into what your target audience wants. From there, you can position your brand to cater to your customers’ needs more effectively and more efficiently...Did your marketing campaign work? It can be difficult to know what works in marketing, especially when trying to reach new people. There are five ways you can tell if your marketing campaign was successful.

● Increased website visitors
● Social media interactions are increasing
● Customers and clients leave positive feedback
● Sales increase or conversions
● Your feedback
Launching a new product can be complicated. You can overcome these problems in your marketing by creating a go-to-market strategy template. This will include your business plan, marketing strategy, product launch data, and other information...There are a number of ways you can promote your business. The important thing is to find the marketing channels that work best for you and your company. Here, we’ll discuss some different methods you can use to market your business and get your name out there...Email marketing is one of the most popular marketing tools. It allows businesses to send emails to their customers, which can include any kind of information, like announcements about new arrivals, sales, or updates on your company. When utilizing email marketing, you want to make sure you're using catchy subject lines. It’s also important to present content that addresses your clients’ needs and interests...Blogging is one of the best marketing channels for companies to use. It allows you to create content on your site while also promoting your company and services. Blogging is a great way to tell people about the value of your products or services. You can also use other platforms like Facebook or Instagram to share blog posts with your followers...Social media is an important part of digital marketing. It is very powerful and can be used to reach new potential customers. One popular social media site is Facebook, which has almost 3 billion monthly active users. With this many people on the network, it’s easy to spread the word about your business and connect with prospects. Other social networks include Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, Snapchat, and YouTube...While digital marketing is essential to your business’s success, don’t neglect traditional marketing methods. For instance, a business card can create a lasting impression and give potential customers something to remember you by. You can create business cards inexpensively by utilizing a free online business card maker. Simply choose a template and add your own design elements and copy. It’s possible to market your business effectively without hiring an agency. Use the above tips to make a powerful and lasting impression on your customers."

Jamie Schwartz reports:

"Sponsored articles are articles written on a community-driven or news website that are paid for by the advertiser to be a part of the community posts or editorial content of the website, but they include a contextual link. The benefit that they provide is blending the sponsored article with other editorial articles or content from the host website and showcasing it in front of the host website’s readers.
Pros of sponsored articles:

• Increase your target audience: By showcasing your educational content on another company’s website you are leveraging their audience reach and expanding the number of eyes that see your content. You can redirect them to your website by including a few links on your post.

• Build on your brand personality: Writing sponsored content helps a larger pool of people than you usually reach acknowledge your expertise in an area and learn about your products or services. Educating others helps you build your brand awareness and allows your target audience retain a positive memory of you.

• Grow your thought leadership presence: Encouraging a few of your senior staff members to write articles on professional development within your industry or industry trends can enhance your target audience’s sentiment towards your brand as it will educate and inspire your readers.

How to create your sponsored articles:

• Decide what you want to write about and who you want to target. Afterward, you will want to identify a few websites [that] fit the target audience you have selected and focus on either providing the value you want to write about or working with similar customers as yourself. This will help you ensure that your content will be showcased to readers who care about what you have to say and can learn from it.
• Once you have your audience, topic, and host website selected you can start drafting a few topics to write about. Start with a general topic and come up with some great headlines. The more engaging your headline is the more likely people will click on your article to read it. Buzz[S]umo did some great research on this topic[;] check out what they have to say here.
• Craft your article by following our digital writing tips. Don’t forget to engage your reader by setting up a good plotline with an exciting story always featuring a hero tackling down dragons and rescuing the day; in other terms presenting business challenges and how you recommend solving them.
• Last but not least, don’t forget to include your logo, pictures you have crafted or infographics, conclude with your main message, and link back to your site."
  

Chris Daniels reports:

"Whether for business, research or philanthropy, a proposal is your case for securing resources and permission to pursue a project. The cover letter to your proposal is the first chance to make a favorable impression. As opposed to the executive summary of your project, a good cover letter explains how the organization will benefit from your proposal...Address the cover letter to the person who will be evaluating the proposal. If you do not know, opt for a more personable salutation such as 'Dear Reader' rather than the impersonal 'To Whom It May Concern.'...Introduce the project you are proposing and the amount of funding [you] are requesting in the first sentence...Describe how your project will further the goals of the organization. For a philanthropic organization, this will be its charitable mission. For research, this will be the overall benefit to scientific, medical or technical knowledge. For your business, this will be profits and opportunities gained...Reference any prior contact or interaction you have had with the evaluator of the proposal...List the contents of your proposal without going into depth about the specific contents; this is best left for the executive summary...Provide contact details for the proposal leader in case the evaluator has any further questions. Also, the cover letter should be signed by hand by the project leader."

Cynthia Myers reports:

"Writing for the greeting card market requires the brevity of a poet and the knack for tapping into popular culture and ideas. Every card company has its own style and looks for cards that set it apart from the competition. Study the market and follow submission guidelines for individual companies to get paid for writing greeting cards...A visit to the greeting card section at your local supermarket or discount superstore will give you a good idea of what's on the market. Study styles of cards you like and check for the names of companies on the back of them. Note that some companies specialize in funny cards, [and] others go for more serious messages, while still others focus on religious messages. Some companies want rhyming poetry, while others prefer short, pithy sayings...Research the guidelines for companies you'd like to write for. Visit company websites for submission requirements. Determine the types of cards the company is looking for – funny, serious, rhyming or not – and the themes they most need – love, birthdays, cards for men. Some companies accept submissions only via email or an online form, while others will only accept snail mail submissions...Writers create the messages on both the outside and [the] inside of the card, while artists create the illustration and other elements. A writer's job is to come up with messages that convey the feelings people have trouble putting into words themselves. Because companies publish thousands of cards each year, strive for uniqueness and avoid clichés. You may need to brainstorm and write many ideas before you find the ones that will appeal to card companies...Card companies pay from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars for card ideas, but they discard many more ideas than they use. To make money writing for greeting cards, you have to be prolific and persistent. Most successful greeting card writers submit ideas in batches and target several companies. Once you become a regular contributor to a card company, it may solicit new ideas from you."

Ruth Mayhew reports:

"The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself to the reader with a compelling reason why she should review your resume and invite you to interview for the job. A good cover letter contains a concise statement of your education, background, skills and qualifications -- all of which are qualities of interest to recruiters and hiring managers. A disability isn't included in the reasons why you should be interviewed and it shouldn't be a factor in explaining why you're a qualified candidate, unless there is a specific recruitment push for hiring workers with disabilities...Disclosing your disability in your cover letter is up to you. However, even though the ADA is on the books and most employers are careful to avoid engaging in unfair employment practices against applicants and employees with disabilities, it is in your best interest to avoid any explanation of a disability in your cover letter. It can happen that a recruiter doesn't believe you can perform the job functions and will discard your resume in favor of an applicant [who] she believes can do the job better than you, based simply on your sharing that you have a disability...If the job posting specifically encourages individuals with disability to apply, then by all means, explain your disability in the cover letter. Companies that develop creative outreach methods for recruitment purposes sometimes target the disabled workers' community as a group that represents the kind of diversity their organization is seeking. In this case, it's in your best interest to disclose your disability...If you choose to write a cover letter that includes an explanation of your disability, establish a foundation that supports your ability to do the kind of work required in the job posting. Begin your cover letter as you would for any job -- with an introductory paragraph. For example, in your first paragraph of the cover letter, write a couple of sentences that briefly describe your background and why you want to learn more about the job opening...Your disclosure should come after your introduction. In the second paragraph of your letter, explain your professional background and counter your disclosure with concrete and verifiable statements about your ability to perform the job functions. For example, you could write, 'My background in alternative dispute resolution spans more than 15 years. In the first three years of my career, I investigated child welfare claims for the state government. I then obtained certification as a mediator and transitioned into my current role after spending a year with ABC Agency's investigative team, handling discrimination complaints and investigations. In total, I've mediated hundreds of cases and have been successful in performing my duties despite the fact that I am visually impaired.' This kind of description ensures that you are capable of performing the job duties and it also briefly mentions your disability without conveying that it's a crutch or a disabling trait that prevents you from performing your job functions...Since you've already disclosed your disability in the preceding paragraph, there's no reason to mention it again in your final paragraph. Use your final paragraph to restate your interest in the job and tell the reader when you're available for an interview. If you need to determine whether the recruiter's office building has the accommodations you need upon your arrival, such as whether the elevator buttons are Braille-equipped, save that for the conversation when you confirm your interview date and time."

Sarah Kuta reports:

"By definition, a comprehensive report is intended to explore a topic or an idea in great detail. In business, comprehensive reports are often used to evaluate and discuss a company's financial situation. Comprehensive reports may be used for other purposes as well, such as summarizing a new business trend or describing a new target market. Learning exactly how to write a comprehensive report can be a useful business skill for employees at any level...Before you start writing your comprehensive report, gather all the relevant information, data, charts, tables and documents you'll need to reference as you write. You should create an outline, a writing tool that can help you organize your thoughts into a structured format. An outline typically consists of short sentences or phrases that can serve as starting points for the various sections of your report. Though these sections will vary depending on the type of report you're writing, they may include an executive summary, an introduction, a table of contents, several main body paragraphs, a conclusion, an appendix and a references section...Using your outline to guide you, begin by writing a first draft of the comprehensive report. Begin with the introduction, which will tell readers what they are about to read and explain the main points that will be made in the report. After the introduction, add several [paragraphs or] specific sections that address the key points of your report. At the end of the report, write a conclusion that summarizes the report. The conclusion should consolidate all the main points you made in the report. It may include your recommendations or opinions on the topic at hand...Once you have written your report, it's helpful to write the executive summary. This consists of several paragraphs that summarize the entire report. The executive summary should give the reader a condensed preview of the comprehensive report so they can pick out the highlights. This section of the paper is often useful for busy executives who want to preview the report to get an understanding of what it’s about...List the source of any charts, tables or graphics you used in the report in the appendix and add your research sources to the references page. These supporting documents will add weight to your arguments...After your first draft is complete, go back through the comprehensive report to make changes and additions as you see fit. You may end up with several drafts by the end of the writing process. Throughout the writing process, keep your target audience in mind. The type of language you use will vary depending on who will be reading the comprehensive report. For instance, if you are writing for an expert in the field, you may include complex, industry-specific terms. But if you are writing for a layperson, avoid using jargon and confusing acronyms. In some instances, it may make sense to write a different comprehensive report for each group of stakeholders...Once you have completed the writing process, it's important to proofread your work several times, making any corrections as necessary. Before you send the comprehensive report to its intended audience, consider asking a member of your company's communications department to proofread and edit the document. This step is crucial if the comprehensive report will be read by members of the public in the future. Accuracy, proper grammar and spelling are key, especially if the report will be read by upper-level managers at your company. While your work won't be read by every member of the company's corporate office, a great comprehensive report can only make you look better when promotion time comes around."

Stephanie Haywood of mylifeboost.com reports:

"Part of the process of growing your business includes adding new employees to contribute to upcoming projects. If you’re on a constrained budget, you can opt for the freelance market. Hiring full-time employees can be overwhelming as you have to cover tax withholdings, employee benefits, paid time off, and other benefits. A freelancer will perform most of the tasks without requiring all these things. Freelancers, often called independent contractors, are not classified as employees of your business. You can get top skills without the expense of maintaining a full-time employee, and you can find top-quality expertise whenever you need it. Mister Line Editor offers the following ways you can find reliable freelancers for your
business...Before you scroll through freelancing platforms to hire a freelancer, you need to accurately define what needs outsourcing. There are different things you can assign to a freelancer, so make a list of the tasks they can do that your in-house team cannot. A simple formula to hire the right freelancers includes identifying tasks:
· Tasks your in-house team lacks the skills to complete
· Tasks you don’t like doing yourself
· Tasks you don’t have time to work on
For example, you might need content creation and editing for your website, social media platforms, or marketing materials to communicate your brand story and reach your audience. Explore the many ways Mister Line Editor can help, from producing SEO to proofreading a variety of materials...The next step includes looking into your business budget. Determine the amount you want to spend on the freelancer. This is important as different freelancers accept different rates. Some freelancers who are starting out may charge less, which does not always mean they cannot deliver the quality you expect. However, if you prefer high-quality, established freelancers, you might need a bigger budget. Of course, you can negotiate for a good deal, but before you do so, ensure you have a budget in mind...With your budget and priorities set, you need to look at the right places to find a freelancer. The majority of freelancers use platforms like Upwork, PeoplePerHour, and Fiverr. Among the benefits of these platforms include security through escrow payment, where your funds are withheld until the freelancer completes and delivers the work. If you’re not impressed
with the quality, you can get your money back. Outsourcing through these platforms will save you time as you can easily determine which freelancers are qualified for your project. The rating system shows what previous clients think of the freelancer, so it’s easy to vet who should join your team for outsourced work. For your company to attract the best and most qualified candidates, it’s also advisable to establish your [business’] legitimacy early on. Consider forming an LLC, which also comes with many benefits, including the ability to avoid double taxation and limit your personal liability...Once you post your job offer on outsourcing platforms, expect many offers. You will need to sift through applications and interview people to find the perfect match for your project. Don’t rush the process even if you want the project done quickly. Be meticulous to ensure you have defined and put down the most important requirements. Sometimes, you will encounter freelancers who like to use shortcuts, so be sharp when reviewing applications. One of the ways to ensure you’re dealing with someone who can deliver what you expect is by reviewing their portfolio. Ask for samples of work to see if it matches your expectations. When you don’t need to hire someone full-time, a freelancer is a great option. You can find professional freelancers on a variety of platforms. Ensure you have the time to review applicants to pick the best suited for your project. Lastly, prepare a contract that highlights deadlines and milestones, payment details, and any other requirements."

The Houston Chronicle reports:

"Administrative assistants provide organizational and clerical support to staff members. If a former administrative assistant asks you for a recommendation letter for a[n] administrative assistant role, you must determine whether you're qualified to write it. You should write the letter only if you can speak positively and credibly about the requester's work ethic...Start by saying that you're happy to recommend the requester for employment at the reader's company...Then state your relationship to the candidate, how long you worked with her and some positive traits that led you to hire her...Depending on how well you know the requester, the body of the reference letter for the office assistant may have up to three paragraphs. Use descriptive adjectives to define the assistant's personal characteristics and then say how her work ethics positively impacted you or the company...Before you end the recommendation letter for an executive secretary, mention the candidate's accomplishments or objectives...Sign off with 'Sincerely,' followed by your name and job title. If your job has a specific format for writing recommendation letters or employment references, follow it. For legal reasons, it might only allow you to give verifiable data, such as employment length, job title and final wages...If you can write your own letter, ask the requester if she wants you to include any specifics. Depending on the position, she might want you to highlight certain administrative tasks...Keep the letter factual and proofread it for errors. If you can't provide a positive recommendation or if you're not qualified to write it, let the requester know."

Jann Seal reports:

"Becoming a certified copy editor is a lot like working in the rodeo. You have to be able to lasso a writer's creatively expressed words and rein them in, all employing correct grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, accuracy, clarity and flow...A copy editor who is certified may gain additional confidence, since the certification represents further study in the field and adds prestige to a copywriter's resume; it may qualify that copywriter for a higher salary. Copy editors who are certified have the flexibility of getting professionally certified as well working online...A degree in journalism from a college or university, having strong writing skills, being well-read and having expertise in a particular field such as science, technology, medicine, fashion and politics are important for being hired as a copy editor. Getting a copy editor certification means you've taken extra steps toward improving your qualifications. In most cases, those steps mean taking specific courses either through a college or through professional organizations...Copy editors go deep into the text, correcting errors, establishing consistency with the publication's standards, fact-checking and examining the details of what has been written. A proofreader reads for content and looks for formatting errors. He often works on the final manuscript or typeset publication before it's printed for publication. If you're interested in becoming a proofreader, consider joining proofreading organizations...Working on high school, college or local newsletters or publications is a good start toward becoming a copy editor. Comfort in working digitally, using electronic tools and understanding [copy editing] software improve the prospects of getting work. Freelance editors face the stress of continuously finding work, learning the techniques of different employers and working under often difficult deadlines...Freelance certified copy editors can earn a substantial income as they link to content producers and the jobs they offer. Passing a skills test is often the first step. Paid by the piece, the freelancer has the ability to spread his opportunities to several employers and, as long as he meets their deadlines and as long as his work is professionally acceptable, he can work as much as he needs."