Write it!

Hello Everyone,

In my last post, I mentioned that I would be discussing using keywords in your articles.

Keywords are important because they help search engines to index your articles. When your articles are indexed properly, this helps with your article traffic.

Before you even write an article, you should do a quick check of the keywords you plan on using to see how popular they are and to gain ideas for additional keywords to use in your articles.

A good free tool you can use to generate keywords is the Google AdWords Keyword Tool. Simply go to the site and enter your keyword or keyword phrase into the box, type in the requested characters, and wait while a search is conducted for your query.

You’ll be surprised at the different keyword terms that come up.

Using appropriate keywords will increase your reader views and you’ll see a tangible difference in your article earnings.

Keyword Tip:
* Try to use words that someone would type into their browser to find an article. These are your keywords.

Hello Everyone,

In today’s post we will be discussing writing for content sites. If you’ve been following this blog, you’ll have a good working knowledge of some different content sites you can join as a writer to increase your earnings.

If you haven’t done so already, go to the tab up top entitled “work from home” and check out the different online content site opportunities. Click on the links to go to the actual content sites.

Tips for Writing for Content Sites

1) Nail down your subject matter: babies
2) Determine the slant: premature babies
3) Online writing is different from hard copy. Use short paragraphs, subheadings, lists and bullets. Conclude with a closing paragraph that sums up your article’s thrust
4) Include pictures, where applicable, to make your content visually appealing

Think “volume” when writing for content sites. The more articles you produce, the more you will make.

Goals for Content Site Writing
Commit to a certain number of articles each day. For newer writers, this may only be one or two, for seasoned writers, this could be five to ten.

You’ll also want to use keywords when writing for content sites. I’ll discuss this in a future post.

That’s it for today!

Many writers wonder if they should invest time in blogging. While, admittedly, a blog takes work, it can be a good way to increase your presence online.

If you are serious about writing, blogging is another way to hone your writing skills, network with others, show your stuff, and even earn additional income.

Why You Should Blog
1) Blog posts can be used when you need to provide writing samples or, in some cases, you can direct a potential client to your blog, if they want to check out your writing style.

2) Financial opportunities open via blogging, from paid posts to job offers, from AdSense earnings to affiliate commissions.

3) Additionally, a blog is an excellent place to link to your other articles. Why is this important? If you are creating content, one way to drive traffic is to link to it. Your blog posts can do double duty, driving traffic to your blog and to your other articles.

4) What I particularly like about blogging is that you can place an article widget on your blog, thus shining a spotlight on a number of your articles.

5) You can even create your own widget and place it on your other blogs.

6) You can do the same thing with a headline animator that shows your recent blog posts and advertises your blog.

As can be seen, blogs offer incredibly flexible publishing tools that writers can use to their benefit.

Hello Everyone,

The morning is bright and sunny in this part of Canada. I hope you are enjoying similar weather and that you’ve been enjoying reading this blog and have been motivated to start on your freelance writing journey.

Writing Resources
Today I’m going to discuss writing resources and where to find same. Whatever your preference, whether for information on writing jobs or writing markets, links to content sites, insights about hard copy or online writing, where to locate book publishers, etc, one site I would recommend is Web Lens.

Web Lens Hint:
* Bookmark Web Lens
* Save Web Lens as a shortcut on your desktop so that with one click you can access it

Web Lens is a launching pad to all things writing, giving you the goods on a mind boggling array of writing resources.

Web Lens Writing Resources
* Writing Jobs
* Writing Markets
* Writer’s Organizations
* Writing How-to’s
* Book Publishers
* Literary Agents
* Publishing Industry

Let’s take a look at Web Lens’ first heading. When you visit the site, after the intro, you’ll notice “Online Writing Opportunities (& Pitfalls).” You’ll see “Freelance Writing Projects” and then a listing. Click on the second link “Articles Wanted.”

What Do You See?
You are taken to Elance and a host of article writing jobs.

Knowing where to find applicable writing resources is key to finding wriing jobs and writing-related information.

* If you found this article helpful, please spread the word by Stumbling it.

If you are looking for online writing opportunities, another site worth mentioning is Demand Studios.

What is Offered to Those who Write for Demand Studios?
* Demand Studios recruits freelance writers and videographers, offering compensation for submitted material.

* Your articles and videos are optimized for the web and reach a wide audience of readers.

* You are paid for approved assignments.

Getting started With Demand Studios
How do you get started with Demand Studios? You fill out a Demand Studios application, providing general information along with a resume and work samples. Demand Studios matches you up with suitable writing opps. based on your interests and skills.

What Do Demand Studios Writers and Videographers Say About Their Experiences?
Testimonials include insights about prompt payment and a helpful team to work with.

Demand Studios offers yet another way to earn from online writing.

If you have been searching for sites that accept content from online writers, you may have come across a site called Associated Content.

In today’s post, I will describe AC’s offerings.

Associated Content
Associated Content allows you to publish content in different formats, ranging from text to video to audio to images–and you get paid for it.

You decide what you want to submit, or, if you are stuck for ideas, check out Associated Content’s “Call for Contents Program,” which generates topics for you.

A Sampling of Associated Content Categories
Arts and Entertainment
Automotive
Health
Home Improvement
Opinion
News
Politics
Sports
Travel

These are just some of the categories you can write for when you join Associated Content.

Fast Facts About Associated Content
* Associated Content is free to join
* Associated Content is a platform that helps you to develop a readership and a following for your content
* AC pays you based on the performance of submitted material
* You keep earning on your content
* Associated Content allows for different rights: Exclusive, Non Exclusive, Display Only
* Your content earns you Upfront Payments and Performance Payments

Flexible Content Requirments                                                                                                There is no minimum or maximum for content, which means you, as the creator, have lattitude.

Submission Requirments
Associated Content Frequently Asked * Questions.

Before joining Associated Content, make sure you check that your country of residence qualifies for content creation that will net you payment.

I’ve heard from writers who are happy with their experience writing for Associated Content.

If you already write for Associated content, please share your experiences and I will include them at this blog.

Readers of my other writing blog Write and Earn a Living will be aware that I create HubPages.

HubPages is a free-to-join program allowing you create pages about a wide range of topics.

Why I Like HubPages

* HubPages is flexible.
You include videos, news and product capsules, link and picture capsules and RSS Feeds. These elements make for content-rich pages that tend to be search engine friendly.

* Ongoing Earnings.
HubPages incorporates AdSense ads and Kontera text link advertising on your pages and you earn from these. You also earn when someone purchases a product from either Amazon or E-Bay.

* Additonal Income Opportunities
Link to others’ HubPages, refer others, and earn even more.

* Traffic Generation
HubPages offers a handy article widget that can be installed in other places, such a blogs, which directs readers to your HubPage articles. You can link to your other pages via HubPages. (HubPages allows two links.)

The HubPages publishing platform particularly lends itself to how-to articles because you can use pictures to demonstrate different steps, whether how to make homemade noodles or how to carve a pumpkin.

If you’ve gotten started with online writing, you may want to take it one step further and create HubPages.

Today’s post will be a compilation of helpful articles about online writing and paid content. Some are my own, some are from other writers.

I’m including links to these and hope you find the insights helpful.

Since I’ve encouraged newer writers to join Triond and PrintNPost, this first set of articles discusses these opportunities.

• Triond Article Secrets: Craft Articles that Have a Domino Effect
  
• My Highest Paying Triond Articles
• How to Find Your Muse and Really Get Paid for It
• AdSense Earnings From PrintNPost
  

Now, if you are looking to expand your writing efforts, the next set of articles covers general online writing and paid content sites.

• Why I Enjoy Being an Online Writer
• Five Great Sites to Find Freelance Writing Jobs
• How to Promote Your Associated Content Articles
• The Best Way to Earn With Paid Content

These articles should help you to get started, giving you fresh ideas as to how to approach online writing and paid content sites, that can ultimately benefit you, the writer.

That’s it for today! Let me know how you are making out.

Do you like to write stories?

While pumping out articles can result in almost instant earnings, many writers hold fiction as their first love. Fiction, by its very nature, appeals to the creative side.

StoryMash is the perfect blend of creativity and earning potential.

StoryMash 

• Allows you to unleash your creative talent
• You collaborate with other writers on story creation
• You earn money on chapters you write (50% ad revenue)
• You can opt to enter StoryMash writing contests, for even more in earnings

StoryMash is a creative writing community with a discussion forum where finished story chapters receive review from other writers.

StoryMash is a great way to network with other writers, develop your writing skills, and earn as you go.

• StoryMash 
• StoryMash Blog
  
• StoryMash Forum

If crafting stories is what you love to do best, join StoryMash to gain experience with creative writing, meet other writers, and earn a little for your writing efforts.
 

Could you write short how-to articles? If so, E-How might be the perfect fit for you.

E-How allows you to share your ideas and earn for your efforts.

What I like about E-How is that article lengths are generally shorter. As well, how-to articles follow a certain, easy-to-implement format.

You describe how to do something in a series of logical steps. For a newer writer, this style of writing may be one of the easiest to manage.

E-How Article Format

1. Intro
2. Necessary items/supplies
3. Step-by-step instructions
4. Conclusion

Getting Started With E-How

• Register with E-How’s Writer’s Compensation Program
• Check out the Writer’s Academy for tips on how to make the most of your published articles.
• Become familiar with “Write Great Articles” to choose topics with wide appeal.

E-How’s suggested article lengths run from 400-600 words; however, many of the articles are shorter.

Why I Like E-How

• You can include photos or videos with your content.
• E-How offers insights about effective use of keywords and insights on how to drive traffic to your articles.
• Writers can join the E-How community and forums.

I’m in favor of writing opps. that do double duty: you get paid; you receive training about writing for the Internet.

What Do E-How Articles Look Like?

• How to Avoid Making Emotional Decisions
• How to Get Rid of Fleas

In sum, E-How looks like a solid opportunity for newer writers wanting to cut their teeth on online writing.

2008-10-09

Readers will notice some changes to this blog. I switched templates. While I loved the little blue bird, the new scene is perhaps even more suited to the process of writing–where the mind and imagination explore new and enticing realms.

You’ll notice more writing links over on the right. Keep an eye on these because I will be adding more as time goes on.

Readership is increasing daily and so far I’ve referred 3 new bloggers.

This is encouraging to see. This blog is growing in popularity because of you! So, a big thank you to all my readers.

Please leave your comments or writing questions and I will try to address these, as time allows.

Recap of what has been discussed in recent posts:

• Writing for Triond

• Submitting Pictures to Triond

• How You Can Make Money Writing for PrintNPost

• Why You Should Link to Your Articles

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If you’ve started freelance writing, you may be wondering how to generate article ideas.

This may seem difficult at first but the process becomes easier over time. As with all things writing-related, “practice makes perfect.”
Most online content sites that you write for have categories for articles and blog posts, so this makes your job easier. If you are stuck for article ideas, simply browse through the categories to decide on a topic to write about.

Usually a search through the categories will spark ideas for articles.

Newer writers, at times, struggle to come up with ideas but generating article ideas improves with practice.

It also helps to jot down your article ideas in a notebook or create a file and save it so that you have them at the ready.

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If you’ve followed my recent posts, by now you will have begun your freelance writing career. You will have joined Triond and PrintNPost and will have gotten started creating shorter blogs and articles.

As well, you’ll have noticed that your earnings are growing.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that breaking into freelance writing isn’t extremely difficult–especially with the online opportunities that allow you to earn revenue from the content you produce.

In line with this, I’m including a video (How I Got Started Writing Articles Online for a Living) about starting a freelance writing career. It’s encouraging and affirming to listen to others who have started down the same path.

You really can start a career as a freelance writer. If you haven’t joined online writing opportunities, you are leaving money on the table.

• Please let me know how you are making out.

In my last couple of posts, I discussed writing for Triond and for PrintNPost, to help you to get your feet wet with online writing.

By now, you’ll have signed up for either Triond or for PrintNPost (hopefully for both!) and if you’ve been checking your earnings you will see that these have materialized.

Earnings will be small but they demonstrate that a newer writer can write and actually earn a little for their efforts, even if they don’t have much experience.

Okay, I’ve Gotten Started . . .What’s Next?

The next thing you’ll want to concentrate on is creating as much content as possible. It helps to set daily writing goals.

Goals
A good goal out of the starting gate is to commit to writing one blog post for PNP and one article for Triond. These don’t have to be long. Aim for around 250-300 words, which is only a couple of paragraphs. Try to do this each day, so that you get as many pages as possible up and running. If you are writing about similar subjects don’t forget to link to your other blogs and articles.

In a nutshell: the more pages you create, the more you can potentially earn.

Okay, that’s it for today. See you back tomorrow!

Credit: mconners

In today’s post, we will discuss linking. Each time you write an article or blog post, you should give consideration to linking to other related articles or posts you’ve written.

Why? We all know that the name of the game for online writing, such as I mentioned in previous posts, is this simple formula: readers = page views = earnings.

If you are creating content, you need to develop strategies to drive traffic. One of the easiest methods to do this is to link to related articles.

Again, let’s ask: why?

Think about it: you already have an audience that is reading one of your articles because they are interested in the subject matter. It’s very likely that if they see a link to another article discussing another facet of the subject that interests them, they may click on the link, because it’s a handy way to learn more.

Linking increases your credibility as an author and increases the likelihood that readers will click on advertising, thus earning you revenue for your efforts.

In my last post, I discussed PrintNPost.

Today, we will take a look at what it’s like to write for PrintNPost.

1) What does the site look like? For starters, let’s swing by PrintNPost.

You’ll  notice that PNP has a number of sections to help get you started. You’ll want to check out: Getting Started and FAQs before you write for PrintNPost. Next, scroll over on the right and browse through the categories. This will give you an idea of the topics you can write for.

2) What Does an Article Actually Look Like?
AdSense Income from PrintNPost 

This little article of mine did well, earning 4 stars–even though, for some reason, the fonts got a bit enlarged.

3) What does a blog look like?

Online Writing Opportunities 

I wrote this blog piece as a sort of foundation piece, a blog posting that is a springboard to some of my other articles.

Hey . . . I noticed that! 

4)  So, to recap: what important aspect about PNP have you learned about today? Yes . . . when you write for PrintNPost, you can also link to your other articles. Why is this important?

When you write for PrintNPost, you can make your articles do double and triple duty!

• In my next post, I’ll be discussing linking and why you should do it when you create articles and blogs.

Writing for PrintNPost

In a recent post, I detailed writing for Triond.

Today, I’m going to discuss another site where you get paid for submitting content.

Writing for PrintNPost

You compose short articles (called blogs) and longer pieces. Advertising is placed on your pages and you get paid ad. revenue.

You’ll need a Google Account. You will have to include your AdSense Client ID and your Channel ID at PNP but once you do, you are set to go.

1. You write for a number of different categories.
2. If you submit content on a regular basis, you will see your earnings increase.

For newer or seasoned writers, writing for PrintNPost offers a way to make income from your writing.

* Please comment and let me know how you are making out.

Credit: Ronnie B