One topic I'm getting into a lot in this blogs is different online venues that allow writers to post and promote their own work with the potential of making money. Again, each of these places do things a little differently. On Associated Content you have several publication options, which includes upfront payment under some circumstances. On Hub Pages, the writer's earnings come entirely from ad revenue, and to make a little money you will have to sign up for those different services and activate them on your Hub pages account after you have posted several good hubs. AC is more journalistic, but hub pages can also get a lot of traffic and has a fun and artistically appealing interface for creating your 'Hubs'. Helium is another website that allows people who like to write to earn money from sharing their work.
It is possible to write for all three of these places, and several others, at the same time. It should be noted that to do it well you're not going to be able to focus on three or more at once unless you have time to treat it like a full time job. Over time, if you experiment with several and link some of your work together, you will up your traffic and earn more. If you are not already doing this and want to try one to begin with, I'd suggest that you join Associated Content first , look through the notes here, and then start experimenting with the other options. There are a lot of options, but AC is one good place you can start that I can verify payment from.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Creating Hub Pages
Since I'm experimenting with multiple online venues for writing, I finally posted to hub pages. I've researched a lot about Associated Content, Hub Pages, Helium, AmTurk, ODesk, and a lot of other places writers can submit their content to and potentially earn money. Each of those spots have different arrangements, and I've heard positive and negative reports on all of them. I think the best way to know is to try them all.
One thing I like about the interface hub pages uses is the capsule form of adding photos, text, videos, links and related information. They don't offer the same up front payment options that Associated Content does, but quite a few writers swear that it works well for them. To see the difference between what a hub page with pictures and what an AC article with pictures looks like, check out these two examples I put together.
Hub Page: Gas Works Park is One of the Best Parks to Visit in Seattle
Associated Content: Beautiful Places Near Seattle: Mt. Si and Mt. Terriniffe
Any thoughts on what you like more or less about the look and feel of each?
One thing I like about the interface hub pages uses is the capsule form of adding photos, text, videos, links and related information. They don't offer the same up front payment options that Associated Content does, but quite a few writers swear that it works well for them. To see the difference between what a hub page with pictures and what an AC article with pictures looks like, check out these two examples I put together.
Hub Page: Gas Works Park is One of the Best Parks to Visit in Seattle
Associated Content: Beautiful Places Near Seattle: Mt. Si and Mt. Terriniffe
Any thoughts on what you like more or less about the look and feel of each?
777 Words on Free Writing
It's easy to underestimate the usefulness of free writing, once you get to the point that you are working on all kinds of 'official' or 'professional' writing projects. I've been doing free writing since I was a kid, which I think I started doing when I was about 9 and my third grade teacher did a creative writing project with the kids. I was already writing on my own, and had figured out that you could string pretty words together to make poetry.
Free writing is something that even a child can do, but many adult writers seem confused about what it is or how you do it. It's not unlike meditation in it's simplicity, and simultaneous difficulty. You just sit down and write, that's all. Write about what? Whatever you want. You can do it in journal style and simply talk about your day and what you're doing, feeling, or thinking about. You can also pick a specific topic and write about it for a certain period of time, or a certain number of pages.
This for example is actually free writing on free writing. I'm simply typing away at my thoughts about free writing, and how it can be very useful to the writing process at any level. I can share examples from my childhood, when I was developing early writing skills. I can also describe how freewriting is useful at a more professional level.
Taking a little time every day to just sit and write about whatever comes to mind can help clear out intellectual and emotional cob webs. If you really let yourself go with it in a journal style, it can help you to see what's going on inside of your mental landscape on a subconscious level. In this, it can be very therapeutic. It can also help you to "catch thoughts" which may turn out to be useful starting points for articles; essays, blog entries, term papers, class exercises, stories, songs, poetry, and whatever else you happen to like creating.
If you also do the same kind of thing based on a specific topic or concept it can help you to create a lot of raw material quickly. You don't have to feel intimidated by it, because all you are doing is babbling at the page. You can go back through it later, read it, analyze it, see if there is anything useful in it. With specific topics it will help you to see your own level of knowledge and experience, as well as where you need to do further research or work. You can get a lot of phrases and paragraphs that may work for a more well crafted article or paper, if you give yourself the time to do this. Like meditation, the more frequently you do it, the easier it will become, and the more apparent the benefits of the exercise.
Whether you are free writing in a very free journal style, or with specific topics in mind, there are a few techniques you may find useful. Try to write without stopping for the most part. I mean, take a breath, or have a sip of coffee or a cigarette when you need- your creature comforts whatever they may be will help you relax into the right frame of mind. The point however is to keep writing, and rapidly, without a lot of self-editing as yo do. Editing your work may be a very important part of the process, but so is freeing your mind.
You may find it useful to create a personal ritual around your own free writing. That can be anything that helps establish the pattern and trigger your mind. For one person that might mean that they do three pages of writing after they have their morning coffee, before they do anything else. For another it might mean that they always do it in the same room, and light incense and a candle to symbolize inspiration. Someone else might choose to take a journal into the woods for an afternoon walk every day. However you do it, you will find that it helps to get the creative juices flowing.
Some people like to discipline themselves to a certain amount of time, or a certain number of pages or words. Online, 750 Words (link) has me actually doing it myself again. It's like meditation; you will fall off the wagon, realize it was better when you were practicing regularly, and get back on the wagon. Most people who get into free writing find it useful for all kinds of applications, and they go in cycles with it but still find it a useful lifelong practice.
Free writing is something that even a child can do, but many adult writers seem confused about what it is or how you do it. It's not unlike meditation in it's simplicity, and simultaneous difficulty. You just sit down and write, that's all. Write about what? Whatever you want. You can do it in journal style and simply talk about your day and what you're doing, feeling, or thinking about. You can also pick a specific topic and write about it for a certain period of time, or a certain number of pages.
This for example is actually free writing on free writing. I'm simply typing away at my thoughts about free writing, and how it can be very useful to the writing process at any level. I can share examples from my childhood, when I was developing early writing skills. I can also describe how freewriting is useful at a more professional level.
Taking a little time every day to just sit and write about whatever comes to mind can help clear out intellectual and emotional cob webs. If you really let yourself go with it in a journal style, it can help you to see what's going on inside of your mental landscape on a subconscious level. In this, it can be very therapeutic. It can also help you to "catch thoughts" which may turn out to be useful starting points for articles; essays, blog entries, term papers, class exercises, stories, songs, poetry, and whatever else you happen to like creating.
If you also do the same kind of thing based on a specific topic or concept it can help you to create a lot of raw material quickly. You don't have to feel intimidated by it, because all you are doing is babbling at the page. You can go back through it later, read it, analyze it, see if there is anything useful in it. With specific topics it will help you to see your own level of knowledge and experience, as well as where you need to do further research or work. You can get a lot of phrases and paragraphs that may work for a more well crafted article or paper, if you give yourself the time to do this. Like meditation, the more frequently you do it, the easier it will become, and the more apparent the benefits of the exercise.
Whether you are free writing in a very free journal style, or with specific topics in mind, there are a few techniques you may find useful. Try to write without stopping for the most part. I mean, take a breath, or have a sip of coffee or a cigarette when you need- your creature comforts whatever they may be will help you relax into the right frame of mind. The point however is to keep writing, and rapidly, without a lot of self-editing as yo do. Editing your work may be a very important part of the process, but so is freeing your mind.
You may find it useful to create a personal ritual around your own free writing. That can be anything that helps establish the pattern and trigger your mind. For one person that might mean that they do three pages of writing after they have their morning coffee, before they do anything else. For another it might mean that they always do it in the same room, and light incense and a candle to symbolize inspiration. Someone else might choose to take a journal into the woods for an afternoon walk every day. However you do it, you will find that it helps to get the creative juices flowing.
Some people like to discipline themselves to a certain amount of time, or a certain number of pages or words. Online, 750 Words (link) has me actually doing it myself again. It's like meditation; you will fall off the wagon, realize it was better when you were practicing regularly, and get back on the wagon. Most people who get into free writing find it useful for all kinds of applications, and they go in cycles with it but still find it a useful lifelong practice.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
More Toys for Writers... Type Trigger :-)
Ooh, this looks fun too. Type trigger posts a 'trigger' every few hours, encouraging you to write up to 300 words from the suggestion. It can be a story, an essay, poetry, or whatever you want. It's something like communal free writing. The same trigger is available to all the other creative folks using the site at the same time. You can see things that other people are posting on the current trigger as well as previous triggers. It's really entertaining to see how one person will take the word "vacuum" and write about space, and another person will write a poem about how the dog is scared of the vacuum cleaner. ;-)~
Go to the page, hit the join button and request an invite. You'll get a link by email probably later the same night, like I did. This could be fun, and could be a good place to check into whenever you need a little inspiration.
Typetrigger
Go to the page, hit the join button and request an invite. You'll get a link by email probably later the same night, like I did. This could be fun, and could be a good place to check into whenever you need a little inspiration.
Typetrigger
Friday, October 15, 2010
Toys for Writer's....750 Words
Okay, this is cool, you should try it. The basic idea is that you use 750 words to do some regular free writing, and when you do it will break it down into algorithms that tell you things about what you were feeling and thinking. I'll babble more about it later, but I'm in the middle of writing another 750 words ;-)~
Check it out here:
750 Words
Check it out here:
750 Words
Swipe File Project
* in progress for a page to be added, feel free to leave suggestions in the comments. :D
Swipe File
Ideas for Articles and Collections of Essays
Interesting Quotes
Possible Topics
Philosophy/Physics
---Slit experiment- both possibilities a reality /2 slits/ with observer 1 then other.
---Quantum Physics
---What is reality?
---Objective Philosophy
---Subjective Reality
---String Theory
---Nikola Tesla
College
--- Tips for college students, how to pick the right classes; make the most of college life, cook on a budget with leftovers, why take philosophy, etc. Pychological Concepts
---How to develop self discipline
---Fritz Pearls/ Gestalt Therapy
Writing
--- How to look for poetic inspiration
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Using Shvoong to Promote Your Work and Share Thier Profit
Shvoong is another way to promote your blogs, articles, and other content on the web. Shvoong allows users to post reviews of Books, Movies, Newspapers, Websites, Articles and other media. Do some searches and you will find all kinds of useful reviews and summaries from folks that enjoy using this site.
It's a bit of a double opportunity for you writers out there. Shooving is another place you can promote your own articles and other writing, by doing a review and posting it with links on the Shooving website. Interested people that read your reviews may be lead back to your websites, blogs, articles and whatever you share. It's a good place to find information on things you're interested in, and a way to share all kinds of fun ideas with others.
Shvoong makes it's money from advertising revenue, with adds placed variously on their review pages. They share a portion of the revenue with the writers who post summaries and reviews. Over time, based on the traffic your entries pull, you will also earn a small amount from shvoong.
Click Here to Check Shooving Out :-)
It's a bit of a double opportunity for you writers out there. Shooving is another place you can promote your own articles and other writing, by doing a review and posting it with links on the Shooving website. Interested people that read your reviews may be lead back to your websites, blogs, articles and whatever you share. It's a good place to find information on things you're interested in, and a way to share all kinds of fun ideas with others.
Shvoong makes it's money from advertising revenue, with adds placed variously on their review pages. They share a portion of the revenue with the writers who post summaries and reviews. Over time, based on the traffic your entries pull, you will also earn a small amount from shvoong.
Click Here to Check Shooving Out :-)
Back Up Your Writing : A Repeated Learning Experience
This morning's reminder is to back up what you write, submit and post- at least if it's something you might want to see again.
My example today comes from a much earlier post, where I talked about travel writing on a website and community called Ruba. It was a pretty neat idea, a social interface that allowed people to join and share travel photo's and tips, creating their own guides to favorite places in various cities. I remembered posting a lot of cool stuff there when I came across the post I mentioned it in here,and went back to that site to have another look. Instead of finding my profile, I found a note from the creators of that site that they've moved on to bigger and better things.
The site was so well put together that I thought it would be around for a while. Whoops! Oh, well. It's not like I don't remember all the places I wrote about, or couldn't put my own similar guides together without the use of a site like that- in fact, some of my articles on Associated Content are travel guides about fun things to do in some of the cool places I like.
But it does remind me to keep copies of everything I submit anywhere that could in some fashion be useful later. It's why I have a 'hidden' blog, where I keep copies of submitted articles, so I can go back and use the information in them for further research. It is also one more way to prove authorship, a time stamped record.
My example today comes from a much earlier post, where I talked about travel writing on a website and community called Ruba. It was a pretty neat idea, a social interface that allowed people to join and share travel photo's and tips, creating their own guides to favorite places in various cities. I remembered posting a lot of cool stuff there when I came across the post I mentioned it in here,and went back to that site to have another look. Instead of finding my profile, I found a note from the creators of that site that they've moved on to bigger and better things.
The site was so well put together that I thought it would be around for a while. Whoops! Oh, well. It's not like I don't remember all the places I wrote about, or couldn't put my own similar guides together without the use of a site like that- in fact, some of my articles on Associated Content are travel guides about fun things to do in some of the cool places I like.
But it does remind me to keep copies of everything I submit anywhere that could in some fashion be useful later. It's why I have a 'hidden' blog, where I keep copies of submitted articles, so I can go back and use the information in them for further research. It is also one more way to prove authorship, a time stamped record.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Get Paid to Write: Examples of Articles that Pay
A few days ago I submitted four more articles to Associated Content, all of which were accepted for upfront payment. They paid slightly higher than some of the previous articles I submitted, so I must be doing something right. I focused on things of local interest, useful information, and tips. The article I added photography to made the most, which is another thing to take into account. One thing I had to remind myself to do was convert my resource links to properly hyper-linked text, but that's fairly easy to do within the AC text editor.
Check out these three articles as examples of some that have been accepted for up front as well as performance payents:
Fun things to do Near the Space Needle
Ten Tips for Traveling by Bus
Beautiful Places to Visit Near Seattle: Mt Si and Mt. Teriniffe
Check out these three articles as examples of some that have been accepted for up front as well as performance payents:
Fun things to do Near the Space Needle
Ten Tips for Traveling by Bus
Beautiful Places to Visit Near Seattle: Mt Si and Mt. Teriniffe
Friday, October 8, 2010
Swagbucks Update
I suggested in a post somewhere earlier that it might be useful to use swag bucks as a search engine while doing research for articles. I find a lot of interesting bits of information through their search engine along with several others, and whenever I use their service I get points towards various prizes. Now I'm actually starting to redeem those points and wanted to post proof. Here's a screen shot of my account on restaurant.com, after redeeming a $25 gift certificate I got from swag bucks.
If you haven't already tried it,swagbucks is worth joining!
Adding Slide Shows to Your AC Content
People like pictures, and often articles with pictures or slide shows on a theme get more hits than text based articles alone. If you are using Associated Content as a platform to share your writing, you can add slide shows made up of your own photography.
Here are some examples of slide shows I've put together. :-) :
Traveling by Bus
Civil War Reenactment
Greenfield Village Train Ride
Henry Ford Museum Exhibits
It can be useful to create slide shows related to things you write about, because you can inter-link them all. For instance, I've been writing a few articles about things to do in Seattle. If I were to go out to places I've referenced in some of those articles and snap pictures, it could make the presentation more dynamic through the use of photography. You don't have to be anything like an expert photographer to make this work, all you really need is a digital camera and a laptop. :-)
Here are some examples of slide shows I've put together. :-) :
Traveling by Bus
Civil War Reenactment
Greenfield Village Train Ride
Henry Ford Museum Exhibits
It can be useful to create slide shows related to things you write about, because you can inter-link them all. For instance, I've been writing a few articles about things to do in Seattle. If I were to go out to places I've referenced in some of those articles and snap pictures, it could make the presentation more dynamic through the use of photography. You don't have to be anything like an expert photographer to make this work, all you really need is a digital camera and a laptop. :-)
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Whats a Swipe File?
A swipe file is for days like today. I'm writing for six places, it's early, the coffee hasn't kicked in yet. I have to get my creative juices flowing. If I had a swipe file, it'd help me out while my mind is still in Zombie land.
You can create your own swipe file to help generate ideas and inspiration very easily. You can use your computer to do it on or offline, or you can create a physical swipe file, or both. Create it in Google notebook, an office document, or a shoebox under your bed. Whatever works for you.
A swipe file is a place to put all kinds of ideas you like, to look back at for further inspiration later. You should probably create different sections, to help organize the clippings you'll save. If you keep your eyes open through the course of your normal day, you'll find lots of things to put in it.
Possible sections might be.....
Amazing Titles
Article Topics
Interesting Quotes
Great Openings
Tips
Moving Closings
Appealing Offers and Deals
Images that made Me Look
Videos that Made Me Watch
Songs I listened to 100 times
Inspiring Poetry and Lyrics
Story Ideas
How to Outlines
Related to My Blog
You can also create different files for subjects that really interest you. Your own swipe file can have anything you want in it. It will become highly personal, and linked to the kinds of writing you do. A Steampunk fiction writer might have a file called "Inventions that Would be Cool", and a seamstress who blogs about costumes might have a file called "Costume Ideas" .
A swipe file is intended as a kick-start to your own writing. By collecting examples of what inspires or moves you, you may have examples of what draws peoples attention. You can learn a lot about what works and what doesn't by taking a look at a good idea, and figuring out what makes it interesting or useful.
A swipe file can also be very useful as a way to mix and match components of great ideas. Say you have a great article idea, and you don't know what you want to call it. You may be able to look at your page of title ideas that are totally unrelated to your subject, and find catchy elements you can reuse in a new way.
It should be noted that a swipe file is intended to help you get inspiration and ideas to do your own work from. Nothing you're copying to look at later should be plagiarized or used inappropriately. It's just a way to more deliberately try to learn from other people who are good at writing. It will also be useful to make note of where you found things you decided to clip into your file, in case you decide you want to use it as a direct credited resource.
If you work with other writers, it can also be interesting to set up swipe files that can be shared with one another. Different people will stumble across different things that may be useful to others as well as them. Since we all have different experiences and perspectives, each person will notice and save different kinds of things. Sharing swipe files may be a way for writers to share the components of effective writing with each other. Using Google Notebooks or Docs would be one easy way to do this and keep the information accessible to everyone online.
You can create your own swipe file to help generate ideas and inspiration very easily. You can use your computer to do it on or offline, or you can create a physical swipe file, or both. Create it in Google notebook, an office document, or a shoebox under your bed. Whatever works for you.
A swipe file is a place to put all kinds of ideas you like, to look back at for further inspiration later. You should probably create different sections, to help organize the clippings you'll save. If you keep your eyes open through the course of your normal day, you'll find lots of things to put in it.
Possible sections might be.....
Amazing Titles
Article Topics
Interesting Quotes
Great Openings
Tips
Moving Closings
Appealing Offers and Deals
Images that made Me Look
Videos that Made Me Watch
Songs I listened to 100 times
Inspiring Poetry and Lyrics
Story Ideas
How to Outlines
Related to My Blog
You can also create different files for subjects that really interest you. Your own swipe file can have anything you want in it. It will become highly personal, and linked to the kinds of writing you do. A Steampunk fiction writer might have a file called "Inventions that Would be Cool", and a seamstress who blogs about costumes might have a file called "Costume Ideas" .
A swipe file is intended as a kick-start to your own writing. By collecting examples of what inspires or moves you, you may have examples of what draws peoples attention. You can learn a lot about what works and what doesn't by taking a look at a good idea, and figuring out what makes it interesting or useful.
A swipe file can also be very useful as a way to mix and match components of great ideas. Say you have a great article idea, and you don't know what you want to call it. You may be able to look at your page of title ideas that are totally unrelated to your subject, and find catchy elements you can reuse in a new way.
It should be noted that a swipe file is intended to help you get inspiration and ideas to do your own work from. Nothing you're copying to look at later should be plagiarized or used inappropriately. It's just a way to more deliberately try to learn from other people who are good at writing. It will also be useful to make note of where you found things you decided to clip into your file, in case you decide you want to use it as a direct credited resource.
If you work with other writers, it can also be interesting to set up swipe files that can be shared with one another. Different people will stumble across different things that may be useful to others as well as them. Since we all have different experiences and perspectives, each person will notice and save different kinds of things. Sharing swipe files may be a way for writers to share the components of effective writing with each other. Using Google Notebooks or Docs would be one easy way to do this and keep the information accessible to everyone online.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Using Images from Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons is one place you can get free images that you can legally use along with your articles, blog posts, and wherever you like. This can be very helpful, as articles and blogs with images often seem more dynamic and interesting to the visitor.
New Orleans is my favorite city in the World. It is so full of art, music, and culture that if you visit there you'll never run out of interesting things to do.
The photo above is a historical sign that tells a little bit about the history of the Crescent City.
It's also an example of a photo I found on Wiki Media Commons, to use as an example. The photo was taken by Justin Watt and can be found on Wikimedia if you do a search for New Orleans. It can also be seen along with some other great photos here: Spring Break in New Orleans.
It's important when using images from Wikimedia to scroll down and read what kind of permissions are granted. This one is free to use without any stipulations, but I mentioned the photographer above because it's generally considered proper etiquette to mention the source if you use artwork, photography, or writing that came from someone else. It's more friendly, whether or not it's required. Wikimedia is free to use, and if you sign up you can also share your own work if you like. Your spring break photo's may help another writer, artist, or teacher somewhere down the line.
In my case, I have another blog that happens to be about New Orleans. When I get into playing with that one, this is a good example of a photo I might use, particularly if I was making a post about the history of the city. If you'd like to see that blog, you can find it here: Keys to New Orleans . It could also be useful, if I was writing an article for Associated Content, or one of the other places I write.
In any case, check out Wikimedia when you get a chance, if you don't already use it as a resource.
The photo above is a historical sign that tells a little bit about the history of the Crescent City.
It's also an example of a photo I found on Wiki Media Commons, to use as an example. The photo was taken by Justin Watt and can be found on Wikimedia if you do a search for New Orleans. It can also be seen along with some other great photos here: Spring Break in New Orleans.
It's important when using images from Wikimedia to scroll down and read what kind of permissions are granted. This one is free to use without any stipulations, but I mentioned the photographer above because it's generally considered proper etiquette to mention the source if you use artwork, photography, or writing that came from someone else. It's more friendly, whether or not it's required. Wikimedia is free to use, and if you sign up you can also share your own work if you like. Your spring break photo's may help another writer, artist, or teacher somewhere down the line.
In my case, I have another blog that happens to be about New Orleans. When I get into playing with that one, this is a good example of a photo I might use, particularly if I was making a post about the history of the city. If you'd like to see that blog, you can find it here: Keys to New Orleans . It could also be useful, if I was writing an article for Associated Content, or one of the other places I write.
In any case, check out Wikimedia when you get a chance, if you don't already use it as a resource.
Another Day in the Life
My writing sample got accepted at Experts 123, and now I'm just waiting for them to approve my profile so I can post some articles and see what happens. I was particularly delighted, because they sent me back a very nice acceptance letter. Of course, I can't be sure if that's what they send everyone- but it's nice when someone compliments your style.
After reading some reviews by other folks, I decided to also give Bukisa a try. They are very similar to Associated Content in terms of submitting content, but the payments work a little differently. Unlike AC, they don't offer up front payments. However, the rate they pay on the number of page views is a little more than twice what AC pays.
I'm not sure which of the available online publishers is "the best" to be honest. That's one reason I'm trying as many of them as possible. Another reason is the concept of cross-linking. As long as the links are relevant and make sense, it can only help. Different people will find your writing in different online venues, and may follow the links if you have other related content.
For instance, I have a short article on making money with Amazon Mechanial Turk posted here and on Associated Content. It focuses on some of the pros and cons of using it. Say I wrote another related article, on how to get better qualifications and offers on AmTurk. I could post it on Bukisa, and then link it to my AC article and vice versa. In theory, people interested in the subject would likely go on to read the other article. Because each service caters to a different crowd, one could conceivably get a lot more exposure by publishing in multiple venues.
If you've never heard of Buksia before and want to try it out yourself, you can join here:
After reading some reviews by other folks, I decided to also give Bukisa a try. They are very similar to Associated Content in terms of submitting content, but the payments work a little differently. Unlike AC, they don't offer up front payments. However, the rate they pay on the number of page views is a little more than twice what AC pays.
I'm not sure which of the available online publishers is "the best" to be honest. That's one reason I'm trying as many of them as possible. Another reason is the concept of cross-linking. As long as the links are relevant and make sense, it can only help. Different people will find your writing in different online venues, and may follow the links if you have other related content.
For instance, I have a short article on making money with Amazon Mechanial Turk posted here and on Associated Content. It focuses on some of the pros and cons of using it. Say I wrote another related article, on how to get better qualifications and offers on AmTurk. I could post it on Bukisa, and then link it to my AC article and vice versa. In theory, people interested in the subject would likely go on to read the other article. Because each service caters to a different crowd, one could conceivably get a lot more exposure by publishing in multiple venues.
If you've never heard of Buksia before and want to try it out yourself, you can join here:
If you stumble through here and have experience with these different places to publish your work, leave us a message and let us know what kind of results you've had with each. :-)
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
A Day in the Life
How do I find freelance writing gigs that actually pay? The answer is that I'm constantly doing research and writing. To be able to make money online as a freelance writer, you have to do a lot more than just write in your free time.
You have to know where to submit your articles, and what kind of payment arrangements each online publisher offers. You should probably be writing in more than one place, and link those different places together through a blog or a website that serves as an online portfolio. Or several. This helps to market your work, which you are primarily responsible for when you try doing this kind of work.
Can you make a living at it? Yes. Is it easy? Not so much. Let me take you on my journey today, at least what I remember from it.
I checked my account at Associated Content, which I usually do after I get up. Still "author clout 4", but closer to "author clout 5" because I had a few more readers last night. My article on "How to Sell Books Online" went up, and was even given a small up front payment. (Woo-hoo! Hippies makin' money, who would have thought it possible?)
I had also sent a note to one of the community admins, asking for help editing a mistake in another article. I was extraordinarily happy that they fixed the errors in my "World Steam Punk Expo" piece. I had a lot of fun checking that convention out, and apparently a lot of other people are interested because it's gotten a lot of views. I didn't want to promote that article much until the errors were fixed, basically because I was embarrassed and didn't think it would look professional. ( The first paragraph made it into the published copy twice, with spacing and spelling errors in the first version viewable! Aaack! ) It happens, even to great writers.
I also noticed that my fun little articles about the Sims 3 game and the New Orleans Blues Musician Coco Robicheaux are getting more views, too. That's important if you write for Associated Content. Part of how they pay you is based on how popular your article becomes. I've only been with them for about a month, but have about 20 articles up already. I'm noticing that every time I publish a new one, it helps reader find the things I've already written and my page views go up.
That was all just in the first hour. Then I did a bunch of research on other online writing opportunities. It's Tuesday, and every week an online a newsletter called "Morning Coffee" is posted on freelance writing.com . The newsletter lists current freelance writing opportunities. I followed one of the links to the problogger job board , where I reread a notice about Experts123 looking for people to write articles.
Initially it hadn't really seemed like my thing, but I decided to take another look. It looks like they may offer better pay than a number of places I'm experimenting with, so I did my application and am waiting for approval. I'll update in the future about how that goes.
See what I mean? We're only at hour two, and I've already done a lot of things. I feel like I have to start a new post, because I want to showcase some other great sites I found, and don't want them to be lost on short-attention-span theater. :-)
You have to know where to submit your articles, and what kind of payment arrangements each online publisher offers. You should probably be writing in more than one place, and link those different places together through a blog or a website that serves as an online portfolio. Or several. This helps to market your work, which you are primarily responsible for when you try doing this kind of work.
Can you make a living at it? Yes. Is it easy? Not so much. Let me take you on my journey today, at least what I remember from it.
I checked my account at Associated Content, which I usually do after I get up. Still "author clout 4", but closer to "author clout 5" because I had a few more readers last night. My article on "How to Sell Books Online" went up, and was even given a small up front payment. (Woo-hoo! Hippies makin' money, who would have thought it possible?)
I had also sent a note to one of the community admins, asking for help editing a mistake in another article. I was extraordinarily happy that they fixed the errors in my "World Steam Punk Expo" piece. I had a lot of fun checking that convention out, and apparently a lot of other people are interested because it's gotten a lot of views. I didn't want to promote that article much until the errors were fixed, basically because I was embarrassed and didn't think it would look professional. ( The first paragraph made it into the published copy twice, with spacing and spelling errors in the first version viewable! Aaack! ) It happens, even to great writers.
I also noticed that my fun little articles about the Sims 3 game and the New Orleans Blues Musician Coco Robicheaux are getting more views, too. That's important if you write for Associated Content. Part of how they pay you is based on how popular your article becomes. I've only been with them for about a month, but have about 20 articles up already. I'm noticing that every time I publish a new one, it helps reader find the things I've already written and my page views go up.
That was all just in the first hour. Then I did a bunch of research on other online writing opportunities. It's Tuesday, and every week an online a newsletter called "Morning Coffee" is posted on freelance writing.com . The newsletter lists current freelance writing opportunities. I followed one of the links to the problogger job board , where I reread a notice about Experts123 looking for people to write articles.
Initially it hadn't really seemed like my thing, but I decided to take another look. It looks like they may offer better pay than a number of places I'm experimenting with, so I did my application and am waiting for approval. I'll update in the future about how that goes.
See what I mean? We're only at hour two, and I've already done a lot of things. I feel like I have to start a new post, because I want to showcase some other great sites I found, and don't want them to be lost on short-attention-span theater. :-)
Monday, June 14, 2010
Win Stuff While Doing Article Research!
No sh*#, it's real?! If you haven't already- go ahead and give Swagbucks a whirl.
What is Swagbucks and how is it useful? Swagbucks is a search and win service. Basically, you use their search field instead of going to the Google or Yahoo page, and the results come from Google and Ask.com . I'm skeptical about most of that sort of thing, but I did the research on it that makes me comfortable telling my readers that it's legit.
With a lot of sites that offer prizes for surveys, games, searching and other things you read a lot about all the great prizes they give out, but when you search you can't find much in the way of proof from real people who use it. What I found while looking into Swagbucks was kind of the opposite. Screen shots of prize orders, blog posts that are clearly personal, and even videos of people opening boxes with things like Nintendo Wii and Xbox game consoles and games.
I'm not saying you should devote a significant portion of your day to geeking out with swagbuck searches, or that you're going to get rich with it. However, lots of people have earned thousands of dollars worth of Amazon gift cards; actual money, and pretty cool prizes.
I'm using it now, I mean- why not get rewarded for searching for stuff online? Just by doing the normal searches I do anyway to research a lot of things I write about, I'm racking up points. Eventually I'll trade them all in for something really cool, or do my holiday shopping with all the accumulated Amazon gift cards.
I suppose this post isn't really about freelance writing- but if you are writing online you are probably also doing lot of research like I do. For me, it was kind of a no brainier, particularly since they seem to be fairly spam free. Click on the link below to sign up and give it a try. Remember where this blog is. If you do well with it, pop back and let us know what you got! :-)
What is Swagbucks and how is it useful? Swagbucks is a search and win service. Basically, you use their search field instead of going to the Google or Yahoo page, and the results come from Google and Ask.com . I'm skeptical about most of that sort of thing, but I did the research on it that makes me comfortable telling my readers that it's legit.
With a lot of sites that offer prizes for surveys, games, searching and other things you read a lot about all the great prizes they give out, but when you search you can't find much in the way of proof from real people who use it. What I found while looking into Swagbucks was kind of the opposite. Screen shots of prize orders, blog posts that are clearly personal, and even videos of people opening boxes with things like Nintendo Wii and Xbox game consoles and games.
I'm not saying you should devote a significant portion of your day to geeking out with swagbuck searches, or that you're going to get rich with it. However, lots of people have earned thousands of dollars worth of Amazon gift cards; actual money, and pretty cool prizes.
I'm using it now, I mean- why not get rewarded for searching for stuff online? Just by doing the normal searches I do anyway to research a lot of things I write about, I'm racking up points. Eventually I'll trade them all in for something really cool, or do my holiday shopping with all the accumulated Amazon gift cards.
I suppose this post isn't really about freelance writing- but if you are writing online you are probably also doing lot of research like I do. For me, it was kind of a no brainier, particularly since they seem to be fairly spam free. Click on the link below to sign up and give it a try. Remember where this blog is. If you do well with it, pop back and let us know what you got! :-)
Sunday, June 13, 2010
It's Social Networking Week: Welcome to Gather
If you are reading this blog, chances are it's because you're another writer. Like me, you look for ideas and pointers everywhere, and are hoping you'll find something useful here. I hope you do too, otherwise keeping this blog would be pointless- LOL. ;-)~
Social Networking is a buzz phrase these days. If you want to write and make something of it, you have to have readers. One of the best ways to show people who you are as a person, and as a writer, is to be actively involved in social networks. Many of the people who read my articles and blogs stumbled in through Face Book and other similar places. Most people are aware of Face Book and My Space, and I think we all know that they both have some high points and some low points.
A social network that has been gaining a lot of popularity you may not have tried out yet is called Gather. It's especially gaining notice from a lot of people in their thirties and up. It seems to be a fun forum for sharing, but has a more adult edge than some of the other social networks. They also reward the participants with points that can be used for gift cards and other things, and offer some opportunities for those who would like to commit to regularly writing. If you haven't already, I think this one is worth joining.
Social Networking is a buzz phrase these days. If you want to write and make something of it, you have to have readers. One of the best ways to show people who you are as a person, and as a writer, is to be actively involved in social networks. Many of the people who read my articles and blogs stumbled in through Face Book and other similar places. Most people are aware of Face Book and My Space, and I think we all know that they both have some high points and some low points.
A social network that has been gaining a lot of popularity you may not have tried out yet is called Gather. It's especially gaining notice from a lot of people in their thirties and up. It seems to be a fun forum for sharing, but has a more adult edge than some of the other social networks. They also reward the participants with points that can be used for gift cards and other things, and offer some opportunities for those who would like to commit to regularly writing. If you haven't already, I think this one is worth joining.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Video Game Reviws on Associated Content
I am experimenting with a lot of different topics and styles of writing on Associated Content. Video Game Reviews are popular, and games for PC and console game systems can be a lot of fun. I played with Sims 3- Ambitions for the first time recently, and decided to add a review of the game to my published content on AC.
The publishing menu for video game reviews on AC is set up nicely to help the writer add useful information. Here's my article about Sims 3 as an example of how to write a video game review on AC, if you'd like to check it out. I added information about the development and production; my thoughts on the game play, system requirements, information about game testing cheat codes, and links
Sims 3 Ambitions Review on Associated Content
The publishing menu for video game reviews on AC is set up nicely to help the writer add useful information. Here's my article about Sims 3 as an example of how to write a video game review on AC, if you'd like to check it out. I added information about the development and production; my thoughts on the game play, system requirements, information about game testing cheat codes, and links
Sims 3 Ambitions Review on Associated Content
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Share Photography on Associated Content
Another thing you can do on associated content is share pictures through a slide show. Like with published articles, you'll get paid a small amount from people checking your slide show out. If you're using associated content, a slide show can be a good idea because people are often more initially drawn by vivid photo's. You may increase your page view for other articles by adding slide shows. Do take note of the rules about photo submissions, and have fun with it.
Here's an example, which is the first slide show I published on Associated Content. It shows some of the cool displays at Henry Ford Museum. Please check it out! :-)
Great Pictures from Henry Ford Museum! :-)
Here's an example, which is the first slide show I published on Associated Content. It shows some of the cool displays at Henry Ford Museum. Please check it out! :-)
Great Pictures from Henry Ford Museum! :-)
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
This week I've been playing with Associate Content a lot. I've got to get back to eZine, Constant Content, AmTurk, and several others...lol The point of that is of course that the more you write, and the more places you use to share your work, the more likely you will be successful at freelance writing.
I'm becoming impressed with A.C. in ways I didn't expect. I had a major issue the other day when I discovered that another contributor had posted content of mine. The piece is something I wrote on amTurk, but it doesn't look like the contributor is the one who purchased the rights to it. Technically, it's not "stealing" my work, or plagiarism, if the person who bought the content was given full rights and sold them to someone else... but I'm not really sure what happened. What is certain is that on Associated content you are only supposed to post work you really wrote. Having the copyright to something does not give you the right to post something there that someone else wrote with your name on it. On one level it might not be plagiarism- but it is actually fraud, which is a felony. That person is now gaining "clout" because of writing that they did not originate. They can make money from the page views, and if the writing is good they could get and fraudulently accept job offers based on skills that aren't theirs.
This is making me edgy about using AmTurk, because to do well with it you have to accept lots of hits from many people who may have intentions and motivations that aren't disclosed. However, I did successfully make over a hundred dollars with amTurk in the last couple of weeks. It's also not something I just want to give up on yet.
What impressed me about Associate Content i that when I posted about it in the forum in a general way, I got a lot of helpful and encouraging responses from other writer's that use the service to publish and share their writing. There are many different ways to make money writing online, but this route also includes a nice community of other writers- which could be very useful. If you're trying freelance writing and haven't experimented with writing online with Associated Content, I encourage you to give this one a whirl. Click on the link below to sign up, and check out my articles when you have time! :-)
I'm becoming impressed with A.C. in ways I didn't expect. I had a major issue the other day when I discovered that another contributor had posted content of mine. The piece is something I wrote on amTurk, but it doesn't look like the contributor is the one who purchased the rights to it. Technically, it's not "stealing" my work, or plagiarism, if the person who bought the content was given full rights and sold them to someone else... but I'm not really sure what happened. What is certain is that on Associated content you are only supposed to post work you really wrote. Having the copyright to something does not give you the right to post something there that someone else wrote with your name on it. On one level it might not be plagiarism- but it is actually fraud, which is a felony. That person is now gaining "clout" because of writing that they did not originate. They can make money from the page views, and if the writing is good they could get and fraudulently accept job offers based on skills that aren't theirs.
This is making me edgy about using AmTurk, because to do well with it you have to accept lots of hits from many people who may have intentions and motivations that aren't disclosed. However, I did successfully make over a hundred dollars with amTurk in the last couple of weeks. It's also not something I just want to give up on yet.
What impressed me about Associate Content i that when I posted about it in the forum in a general way, I got a lot of helpful and encouraging responses from other writer's that use the service to publish and share their writing. There are many different ways to make money writing online, but this route also includes a nice community of other writers- which could be very useful. If you're trying freelance writing and haven't experimented with writing online with Associated Content, I encourage you to give this one a whirl. Click on the link below to sign up, and check out my articles when you have time! :-)
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