July 2009 Challenge: Alternative Angles - Who's In?
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:39 pm
Okay, it's a new month. Last month we floated two ideas and decided to postpone this one for July. Here we are - it's July! It's time to explore alternative angles. Here's the concept from the original post:
An article on "Benefits of Yoga" might discuss strength training, flexibility, breathing, spirtual connections, clearing the mind, etc, right? So, if a requester asks for such an article, most of us would cover these more obvious benefits. What if you were to write two articles: one covering the benefits (so that you fulfill the customer's request) and another exploring a different angle or a more specific focus? Perhaps an article on "Benefits of Yoga for the Elderly" or "Prenatal Yoga." Okay, still a little on the benefits side, but still different enough to allow your article to stand out from the crowd. What about "Common Yoga Injuries," "Yoga Extremists," or an article answering questions such as "Do I have to become a vegetarian if I practice yoga?" While these different articles might not be what the customer had in mind, they could be of interest. If nothing else, you'll have a set of unique articles that go beyond the run-of-the-mill and will likely eventually find a home.
The challenge this month is to pick a request (or two or three) and write two articles: One fulfilling the request; the other exploring an alternative angle. Keep in mind that these alternative articles might not be appropriate for the original requester. Use the request as a launching pad for creativity. For example, if the original request is for "Healthy Dog Treats" and you write an alternative article about "The Healthy Dog Treat Rip-Off Machine," it's a pretty safe bet that the original requester isn't going to want that second article (though someone else might). Use your discretion as far as approaching customers with alternative articles. The idea is more for us to look at articles from unique angles, not necessarily change the requester's mind about what he wants. If the alternative angle is appropriate, great! Go ahead and pitch it. But if it's not right for the request, submit it to the general public.
If you don't want to take a request as an example but still want to explore different angles, take a topic of your own choosing instead. Do you want to write about "Safe Investments in a Down Economy"? Go ahead. Then, when you're done, write about "Risky Investments that Paid Off Big Time in the 1930s" or "The Most Foolish Investments Ever." Want to write about growing beautiful roses? Do it. Then, write about removing unwanted rose bushes and how to kill them once and for all.
Have fun with this one!
An article on "Benefits of Yoga" might discuss strength training, flexibility, breathing, spirtual connections, clearing the mind, etc, right? So, if a requester asks for such an article, most of us would cover these more obvious benefits. What if you were to write two articles: one covering the benefits (so that you fulfill the customer's request) and another exploring a different angle or a more specific focus? Perhaps an article on "Benefits of Yoga for the Elderly" or "Prenatal Yoga." Okay, still a little on the benefits side, but still different enough to allow your article to stand out from the crowd. What about "Common Yoga Injuries," "Yoga Extremists," or an article answering questions such as "Do I have to become a vegetarian if I practice yoga?" While these different articles might not be what the customer had in mind, they could be of interest. If nothing else, you'll have a set of unique articles that go beyond the run-of-the-mill and will likely eventually find a home.
The challenge this month is to pick a request (or two or three) and write two articles: One fulfilling the request; the other exploring an alternative angle. Keep in mind that these alternative articles might not be appropriate for the original requester. Use the request as a launching pad for creativity. For example, if the original request is for "Healthy Dog Treats" and you write an alternative article about "The Healthy Dog Treat Rip-Off Machine," it's a pretty safe bet that the original requester isn't going to want that second article (though someone else might). Use your discretion as far as approaching customers with alternative articles. The idea is more for us to look at articles from unique angles, not necessarily change the requester's mind about what he wants. If the alternative angle is appropriate, great! Go ahead and pitch it. But if it's not right for the request, submit it to the general public.
If you don't want to take a request as an example but still want to explore different angles, take a topic of your own choosing instead. Do you want to write about "Safe Investments in a Down Economy"? Go ahead. Then, when you're done, write about "Risky Investments that Paid Off Big Time in the 1930s" or "The Most Foolish Investments Ever." Want to write about growing beautiful roses? Do it. Then, write about removing unwanted rose bushes and how to kill them once and for all.
Have fun with this one!
