Any motley fool writers?

[IrishChik]

I'd like to pick your brain if you don't mind.

I was brought on the team last week. I have an accounting background, mostly tax, law, and business. Very little finance and not a whole lot of stock knowledge. I should still be able to write a post, but for some reason I am having a brain fart. For lack of a better word. Not really experiencing writer's block because I know some idea of what I should be writing about but not really sure. I always feel like this the first time I write a piece for someone.

Just wondering how you came up with your first piece. Do you follow the stock market or other websites to fill your brain with topics???

Thanks in advance for your help.

[karmicwindows]

My first piece was published and syndicated last week. I wrote about what I know, which in this case was the evolution of contracting, freelancing, outsourcing, and homesourcing.

From Contracting to Overseas and Back Again

Admittedly, for all of the writing I've done, finance was not a territory I had covered before. Your expertise is shared by me; taxes, contract law, and all things business. Roger was kind enough to give me some info after writing the piece. Use Yahoo Finance to find the companies stock index, avoid placing irrelevant tickers in the article, and write from a stand point of confidence.

So far, I have found Roger to helpful an patient. Which is good since I have no idea what I'm doing when it come to the stock market.

My advice, take a subject that you're strong in and look for what is going on now that may or may not affect it. In my article, I used the major banks as an example of companies that
had outsourced overseas and used their ticker info for links. I used companies that have brought back to the US their outsourcing and added their ticker info.

I'm learning as I go. I have been reading more about the market and how they work. I submitted my second article tonight but it took me 3 days to figure out what I was going to write about. I look for things that are not necessarily in the mainstream and do not have a lot of coverage but have the potential to affect a company's growth or demise.

Hope this helps. I know it's not much.

[beachsand]

I was looking at this a while ago. When you post a blog do you have to I.D. yourself with actual personal info? I seem to remember that each piece would be tided to a real name to prevent people writing pump and dump material.

[IrishChik]

Originally Posted by karmicwindows

My first piece was published and syndicated last week. I wrote about what I know, which in this case was the evolution of contracting, freelancing, outsourcing, and homesourcing.

From Contracting to Overseas and Back Again

Admittedly, for all of the writing I've done, finance was not a territory I had covered before. Your expertise is shared by me; taxes, contract law, and all things business. Roger was kind enough to give me some info after writing the piece. Use Yahoo Finance to find the companies stock index, avoid placing irrelevant tickers in the article, and write from a stand point of confidence.

So far, I have found Roger to helpful an patient. Which is good since I have no idea what I'm doing when it come to the stock market.

My advice, take a subject that you're strong in and look for what is going on now that may or may not affect it. In my article, I used the major banks as an example of companies that
had outsourced overseas and used their ticker info for links. I used companies that have brought back to the US their outsourcing and added their ticker info.

I'm learning as I go. I have been reading more about the market and how they work. I submitted my second article tonight but it took me 3 days to figure out what I was going to write about. I look for things that are not necessarily in the mainstream and do not have a lot of coverage but have the potential to affect a company's growth or demise.

Hope this helps. I know it's not much.

Actually that is quite helpful. I never really thought about taking something I know and THEN putting the related information in. I was trying to do it the other way around, taking the information and then writing, which was not being very helpful for me.

I think I will start with a list of topics I could write based on the business information and such that I do know, scan the news headlines, and scan the New York Times and see what is going on. That might prove to be the route I need to go.

I have not had much communication with Roger, I was afraid to email him and tell him I was stuck. LOL.

I also think I was under the impression that it had to be all about stocks and the stock market and I was just making things harder by thinking that.

Pretty sure I can come up with a subject that has a ticker symbol.

Thanks again.

[IrishChik]

Originally Posted by beachsand

I was looking at this a while ago. When you post a blog do you have to I.D. yourself with actual personal info? I seem to remember that each piece would be tided to a real name to prevent people writing pump and dump material.

From what I remember you do have to be yourself, more or less. When it comes to financial information, when I have found, because of legalities they tend to shy away from "mill style content" and pen names. Every tax website I have written for, real name and ID was requirement. I dont see why Fool would be any different since you are talking about financial matters and they have a high reputation to uphold.

[IrishChik]

Originally Posted by karmicwindows

My first piece was published and syndicated last week. I wrote about what I know, which in this case was the evolution of contracting, freelancing, outsourcing, and homesourcing.

From Contracting to Overseas and Back Again

Just read both your articles. Good stuff and they were a HUGE help!

[karmicwindows]

Originally Posted by IrishChik

Just read both your articles. Good stuff and they were a HUGE help!

Thank you, for the read.

I'm glad I was able to help.

[karmicwindows]

Originally Posted by beachsand

I was looking at this a while ago. When you post a blog do you have to I.D. yourself with actual personal info? I seem to remember that each piece would be tided to a real name to prevent people writing pump and dump material.

I do use a pen name with MF but they also have all disclosures from me. Which is easy because I don't own any stock.They have the info required by law for me and can provide to anyone who asks.

[IrishChik]

Originally Posted by karmicwindows

I do use a pen name with MF but they also have all disclosures from me. Which is easy because I don't own any stock.They have the info required by law for me and can provide to anyone who asks.

I do own stock so I had a set of papers to read through and state I would follow. I can't write about my stocks within a certain amount of days after a trade and some other rules to follow. I don't see it being a problem at all. I won't be doing any insider trading LOL

[karmicwindows]

Originally Posted by IrishChik

I do own stock so I had a set of papers to read through and state I would follow. I can't write about my stocks within a certain amount of days after a trade and some other rules to follow. I don't see it being a problem at all. I won't be doing any insider trading LOL

I know the feeling. Nothing to hide.