Today, I want to bring readers up to speed on HubPages and income you can earn from the pages you create.
I got started with HubPages 2 years ago and had submitted a number of previously published health articles, which I later pulled, because they were flagged for containing links to a health site. You can link at your HubPages but this is limited to 2 links per site.
I continued with HubPages and in the last couple of months have created over 94 pages, which are now earning me income.
As well, I have actively linked to others' HubPages, as recommended at the site to spread the Hub Love.
All of this has paid off and I will share with you what has been happening in relation to earning from HubPages.
You won't get rich writing HubPages but you can net an additional income stream if you submit quality content and work at it consistently.
Adsense Earnings
* My AdSense earnings have reached the point where I have received a check and am now expecting another payment.
Referrals
* My referral efforts have paid off, as the chart below demonstrates.
As well, Hubbers can create Flagship Hubs: Flagship Hubs: get paid 25$ upfront for writing an article on Hubpages !.
You can write and earn with HubPages: Write and earn with Hubpages
Learn more About Hubpages
It's easy to get started with HubPages. Check out why you should sign up: HubPages - Why You Should Sign Up.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
HubPages Income
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Why Sponsored Reviews is a Good Opportunity
SponsoredReviews is a good opportunity for writers/bloggers because you can bid on different projects for your different blogs. You set a price and if advertisers agree you are assigned the task and will get paid for your efforts.
What I like about SponsoredReviews
* You can check your blog's PR ranking
* You can bid on multiple projects
* Advertisers may contact you (this happened to me recently)
* You earn more by writing quality reviews. Advertisers rate completed reviews. Bloggers with good ratings can earn 300%-500% more per review.
* You earn still more by referring advertisers and bloggers
SponsoredReviews Affiliate Program
You earn a percentage when you refer advertisers or bloggers to SponsoredReviews.
Advertisers
The average advertiser may pay a couple of hundred dollars which means a payment to you of approximately $25.00-$175.00.
Bloggers
Spread the word about your experiences with SponsoredReviews and you can earn on any bloggers you refer.
In my books, SponsoredReviews has the process nailed down, offering 4 ways that bloggers are paid for their efforts. If this sounds like a good opportunity to you, simply click on the badge below to get started.
Boost your Freelance Writing Income with Reprints
HubPages Referral Income
PrintNPost Income
Write and Get Paid
*If you found this post helpful, please spread the word by bookmarking it at one of the sites below.*
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Smorty Referrals
Hello Everyone,
I see that some of you have joined Smorty.
Once you register at Smorty with your details, make sure that you include your blog or blogs. You then access the Smorty site to see if your blog has been accepted or declined. After that, all you need to do is check back with Smorty.
Once your blog has been approved, log in as a blogger and go to the New Tasks tab up top. That will contain any New Opportunities. Check back frequently because new tasks are grabbed quickly.
You will receive a starred rating and rates go up as you successfully complete posts.
Once you have the process down, it is easy to blog with Smorty.
* Make sure you read through the Blogger FAQs and the Rules before you get started.
* As well, once you are up and running, read through Smorty's Referral info, so that you can refer others and earn when they also complete opportunities.
Greeting Card Markets
Many writers have branched out into writing for greeting card markets. Writing for these particular markets can be lucrative.
Companies such as Hallmark, American Greetings, or Gibson Greetings command a large share of the market but may not be open to freelance material. Many other smaller greeting card companies are in operation and these usually take unsolicited submissions.
The submission process differs so you'll need to read through writer's guidelines and submit your verses in the applicable format.
If this strikes your interest you can check out information at sites such as The Greeting Card Association or Greeting Card Writing or Writing World. Writer's Market also lists different greeting card publishers.
Benefits of Writing for Greeting Card Markets
* You don't have to draw
* Some markets encourage those who do!
* Verses don't have to rhyme
* Crafting verses is a quick process
* Pay rates are attractive
The Internet offers a wealth of information for those looking to break into this exciting writing market. Do a browser search for "Greeting Card Markets" and you can easily tap into information to get you started.
Greeting Cards have become hot and you, as a writer, can capitalize on this trend.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Web Hosting Options
If you are building a presence online, you've probably thought about web hosting options. Is all web hosting the same? Are there differences to hosting services?
One factor you'll want to consider is the impact to you if your hosting goes down. This could tamper with sales, traffic, etc. Hosting should embody a backup network and indeed you may choose to go with a company that offers this service.
Three web hosting companies that offer good value for the money are Host Monster, Host Gator, and Yahoo Host.
I like the look of Host Monster. Web hosting includes free setup with no hidden fees. Other freebies include a domain name, site promotion, and a shopping cart. You can try a Live Demo to check out the numerous options and a toll-free number is available if you have questions. For someone on a tight budget, Host Monster offers much.
Host Gator also offers a budget-friendly service that includes Instant Setup and a 99.9% Uptime Guarantee. You can build a professional looking site in minutes. Host Gator includes a Site Builder Demo, which allows you to "try before you buy." Host Gator ranks as one of the top 10 largest web hosting companies. Web hosting plans come with a 45-day money back guarantee. With 4500 site templates, setting up a site via Host Gator is relatively easy.
Yahoo Web Hosting is another company offering everything you need to create a great site. Yahoo offers easy 'drag and drop' editing capability and marketing discounts. If you like being able to access performance reports, Yahoo offers all this and more. Yahoo allows for larger site content and data transfer, so if you are looking to grow your small business, services offered through Yahoo may be just what you need to take things to the desired level. You can build a good online presence and branding with Yahoo Web Hosting services.
The hosting service you decide to go with can make a big difference, not only in functionality but in reliability. These three web hosting services really make the grade.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
PageRank and Blogging Income
If you have a blog, your PageRank can make a big difference to the amount you get paid for creating blog posts.
It's a simple formula: as your PR goes up, you qualify for higher paying blog posts.
Can you make $100.00 per day blogging? Yes. Is it easy? No. If you work at it, however, it can become a reality.
What rates can you realistically expect?
Rates
* $40.00 (200 words)
* $125.00 (200 words)
* $50.00 (50 words)
* $25.00 (200 words)
These rates are entirely possible if you have a blog with a PR of anywhere from 4-7.
If you create quality content, readers will come. If you can help your readers in some fashion, they will return.
For freelance writers, blogging for pay is a good supplemental source of income. And from the foregoing, it's obvious that these particular potboilers are lucrative.
Boost your Freelance Writing Income with Reprints
HubPages Referral Income
PrintNPost Income
Write and Get Paid
*If you found this post helpful, please spread the word by bookmarking it at one of the sites below.*
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Writing End Pieces
Whether you are a newer or an established writer, you may choose to craft an end piece.
What is an end piece? An end piece or essay page is often found towards the end in popular periodicals. End pieces usually run around 1000 words and allow for the writer to express his or her point of view.
"End" pieces can actually be found at the front, middle, and back of magazines but are relatively easy to spot with titles such as: "Finally," "Light Housekeeping," "Last Laugh," and so on.
End pieces take a more personalized approach and can make for a nice change from "grunt" articles that may be more factual.
End pieces are the perfect platform to share insights, ask questions, discuss trends, or share personal triumphs or strategies for living.
These compact snatches of everyday life offer a personal touch that readers can relate to.
Best of all, end pieces are generally are open to freelancers.
Boost your Freelance Writing Income with Reprints
HubPages Referral Income
PrintNPost Income
Write and Get Paid
*If you found this post helpful, please spread the word by bookmarking it at one of the sites below.*
Monday, March 17, 2008
Earn Money with Smorty
The nice thing about getting paid to blog is that this is one of the fastest routes to cash that I know of. If you can type reasonably fast and can create accurate and truthful content, you can supplement your income by writing posts for advertisers.
Today, I'll share my experiences of blogging for Smorty. Smorty pays you to create 150 words posts for advertisers. Now, right out of the starting gate, you can see why blogging for Smorty is a winning proposition. Why take an article assignment that requires crafting and proofreading, say, 400-500 words, when you can get paid the same amount or close to it, creating a post via Smorty? (For that matter, why go to the trouble of writing actual articles for the same payment amount at all?)
I always check the word count before taking any post. Let's face it, word count is a big factor when accepting and then writing a post for payment. Word count determines, to a large extent, the amount of time it will take you to create a post. And time is a commodity that most of us are short on.
Once you join Smorty and accept a paid post, you simply read through the information provided and then create an accurate and timely blog post detailing the services offered at the site you visit--and you get paid for doing so.
Certain places will pay $5.00-10.00 per post. So, if you think in terms of: 150 words = $5.00 or $6.00, you can see why blogging for payment is a good way to earn a little something extra. Pay rates go up with Smorty over time, depending on the quality of your posts.
I've found Smorty a good site: reasonably easy to navigate and they pay you, as stated. I can recommend it to current and future bloggers.
* If you found this post helpful, please spread the word by bookmarking it at one of the sites below.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Query Letters: Finding a Slant
If your query letters are nosediving, it may be time to check on the slant that you as the writer are taking.
One of the biggest problems with query letters is that they fail to incorporate an arresting slant that captures an editor's attention.
It's important to make a distinction between the subject and the slant. A slant isn't the subject. The slant is the particular take that you the writer adopts for the subject. In a nutshell, it is the cord that ties it all together.
The path to acceptance is paved when you come up with a fresh presentation of the subject you are writing about. The old saying: "nothing new under the sun" is true; however, the way that you discuss and present ideas is flexible. Fresh slants hook readers because they are not just reading a recycling of old information but instead are seeing information in a different light.
When a query letter peaks an editor's interest, it may be that the editor thinks: Wow! Now that's different--or Wow! What a way of presenting this to readers! Imagine receiving hundreds of queries discussing the same tired subjects. Which would you choose?
So instead of just presenting a subject, think of how you can present it. Instead of an article on condo living, what about an article that details who is best suited for condo living?
Ask yourself some why questions. For example, a query letter that relates that it will discuss Italian men as lovers may not stir an editor's interest (How many times has this been done to death in novels and movies?) but a query letter that promises to answer why Italian men make good lovers may garner some interest.
This reminds me of the movie, You've Got Mail. The writer took the common scenario of two people meeting and put an interesting twist on it. Instead of the typical "boy meets girl" in the usual fashion, the two people meet via the Internet. This, at the time, was a new approach on the way that people hook up. It sparked interest because it showed that in modern times, romance and love can blossom in unconventional ways, using methods that weren't possible formerly.
If your slant offers an unusual perspective it stands a better chance of gaining attention, which translates into acceptance for you.
Additional writing resources:
How to become a freelance writer
Freelance Writing
How to Write Great Query Letters
Don'ts for Query Letters
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Boosting Your Freelance Income With Reprints
If you want to boost your freelance writing income, a good approach is to sell reprints.
By selling reprints of your articles, you can get paid two or three times or more for the same piece. The beauty of this approach is that you do the work once but get paid over and over again.
And let's face it, most writers don't make enough on any one piece to make it worth all the time it takes to craft and polish it.
If you plan on selling reprint rights to your article, you must first own the rights to it. If you sign work-for-hire or all-rights agreements, you are waiving your rights to resell the piece at a later date. Read publishing contracts carefully before signing them.
I'll always remember one publication I submitted an story to. I was informed that they liked the piece and wanted to publish it in the near future. This sounded great. A prompt response on any submission always generates excitement. The contract, however, was a different matter. I would have signed away all rights to my story. I amended the contract and sent it back, then spent months waiting for my story to be published. I contacted the editor and explained that I usually resold my work so wasn't comfortable signing away all rights. The editor seemingly agreed and I received vague promises. The merry-go-round continued until we mutually agreed to cancel publication of the piece. In the aftermath, I sold it--repeatedly. As you can probably winkle out, I will not waste my time targeting that particular publication again.
When you are reading through a contract, check for time limits. Some magazines require 90-day or 6-month exclusivity, which precludes you reselling until the time has expired.
Most magazines will send a courtesy copy in which your work appears. Make a note on the outside of your copy, so that you know when you can resell that piece. Keep a Hard Copy record of all published work (with the possible exception of Internet-based material that can be readily accessed and sent electronically)and mark in red when it is available for resale.
It's a good idea to keep track of where and when you publish each piece and to mention these details in your cover letter, when sending it out for the second, third, or fourth time.
It's worthwhile to protect your rights so that you can resell your work. The rewards pay off in the end.
AdSense Income with PrintNPost
Writing for Suite 101
Make Money with HubPages: Earn Income 4 different Ways
Writing for Triond
Turn Your Writing Skills into Cash
Letting Your Writing Sit
One of the best "tools" you can use as a writer is patience. Once you've written something, no matter how good you believe it to be, put it to bed and let it sit a while.
Why should you do this?
Often, when we are in the act of creating, we are emotionally attached to our words and still dialed in to the creative process. Because we've been busy creating, the mechanics may not be fully nailed down.
By letting your work sit and then coming back to it with a fresh eye, you will be amazed how you can immediately spot areas that need revision. Letting your work sit will also aid you when you proofread it for spelling and grammatical errors. These are so much easier to spot when you've taken a break and obtained some distance.
Letting your work sit it also effective when you are stuck on a particular section, paragraph, or sentence. If you can't get the words to flow the way you want, don't send it out to an editor. Most likely, the editor will also note that it seems choppy. And even if it is published, you will have that gut feeling that it's not the best you could have made it.
Sometimes this process takes weeks or months but, in the end, it will be worth it. You will come back to your work and notice, almost magically, areas that could stand tightening.
By letting your work sit, the finished product will be of higher quality.
* Pet Markets
* Writing for Suite 101
* Earn Money from HubPages
* Why you Should Create HubPages
* Blogging Pays!
Friday, March 14, 2008
Rejection . . . So What?
Writers are engaged in a process that invariably leads to rejection. Indeed, acceptance and rejection could be likened to the pairing of salt and pepper. In other words, you can't have one without the other.
Interestingly enough, Pearl Buck received a rejection for one of her short stories the very week she won the Nobel Prize for Literature! This dual process is just part and parcel of being a writer.
In fact, if you can't handle rejection, writing may not be your particular oyster. Rejection, to a seasoned writer, just means submitting a piece elsewhere.
Rejection isn't always a sign that your writing is poor. I've had experiences where one editor hasn't liked something I've written, only to have the same submission praised by another editor and subsequently published. Editor's opinions are like belly buttons: everyone has one.
Sometimes a manuscript is rejected because a similar article or story has just been published by the publication you have targeted; other times, space constraints mean that a piece that was slated for an issue of magazine has to be dropped (if you are fortunate, you will be paid a kill fee); still other times, an editor may be biased against information you are presenting, or simply not be in tune with your style or your particular writer's voice.
For whatever reason, this doesn't necessarily mean that your writing is weak or that your topic isn't timely. It just means that you will need to send it out somewhere else. Another editor just may snatch it up.
When you think about it, if you send out something that has been rejected and it is published later, this is a vindication of sorts. So, believe in yourself and in your writing. If your instinct tells you a piece is good, don't toss it on the burn pile or delete it based on one or two rejections. Instead, send it out repeatedly.
Rejection should be viewed as a mere drop in the bucket--a slight ripple that may be disturbing but that will not prevent you from going where you want to go . . . in fact, if you allow it to, it can propel you forward.
* Rejection: Rising Above it
* The Writing Life
* Misconceptions About Writers
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Online Casinos: Sophistication in a Technologically Advanced Package
Recently, I had the chance to do some writing work related to online casinos. I was hired to write reviews of different online casino sites. Having limited experience, I found the whole endeavor interesting and, I must say, I learned a lot and was impressed with the sophistication of the different online casinos.
I learned about software technologies such as Playtech, Microgaming, RealTime Gaming (RTG), and Vegas Technology.
I visited the very best online casinos and learned about the types of casino games available, their tournaments, sound and graphic capabilities, security measures to protect gamers, financial options, fair gaming practices and Random Number Generators.
Some casinos embraced different themes: A glitzy Vegas or Wild West look; others offered fun-looking colorful games enhanced with engaging graphics.
I came away with a completely different outlook about casinos in general. Modern-day online casinos offer an interactive and fun experience for those looking for excitement.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Pet Markets
If you are looking to break into freelance writing, pet publications are a good starting point.
Pet magazines are often on the look-out for stories about people's animal companions or for general care articles. If you operate a pet-related business, you may be able to offer insights about your experiences.
I remember reading an article about proper precautions to take if you are a bird owner and experience a home fire. The author actually experienced this and recounted the events and what he learned from it.
Another writer who runs a home-based bird supply business regularly shares tips about bird care and nutrition.
Another reader wrote an article about allergies and pets in the home.
From the foregoing, you can see that there are many possible ideas you can draw from to create an article or story.
Pet Markets
Animals
Bird Talk
Parrots
Birds and Blooms
Cat Fancy
Cats
Dog Fancy
Dog World
Good Dog
Tropical Fish Hobbyist
Freshwater and Marine Aquarium
Modern Ferret
Mushing
Check online for writer's guidelines for whatever pet publication you decide to submit to. Stay within required word counts and check for style of articles and stories before submitting. Photos often help in saleability and can lead to higher pay rates. If you submit photos, check requirements for these.
Fortunately, many publications now take electronic submission so the whole process is much easier.
Pet publications are a viable opportunity for newer and accomplished writers.
Online Casino Reviews
The growth of the Internet has revolutionized the way that individuals and companies do business. Traditional businesses now operate online and information can be readily accessed about the services offered.
A good example of this is casinos. In the old days, gamers had to visit a physical location. Not any more. Casino gaming is gaining momentum and online casinos fill the bill nicely.
Information about online casinos can be easily accessed. For example, you can read reviews of popular online casinos before you decide on playing. Online reviews discuss the different games offered, graphics, sounds, and playing options, technical aspects and versions available for download or instant playing. Tournament and Bonus information are also touched on so that gamers can choose a casino that fits their needs.
If you are are looking for reviews or an online casino, this can be accomplished with a few clicks of your mouse.
For US residents, lists are provided of the best of online casinos accepting US players.
For players who want to get started, helpful Beginners Guides walk you through the whole process.
Online casino gaming has arrived in a big way, with a wide selection of games and casinos to choose from.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Your Writing Deserves a Voice
If you enjoy writing poetry, stories, or crafting writing-related articles, you may want to consider Tickled by Thunder fiction magazine.
Tickled by Thunder is a Canadian publication with the distinction of being nominated by Writer's Digest for Fiction's Fifty: a list detailing the best places for authors to submit to.
Tickled by Thunder sponsors nine writing contests per year. The process is even easier for subscribers because they can submit electronically without entry fees.
Contests
Short Story (annually)
Poetry (four times per year)
Articles (four times per year)
Tickled by Thunder is a small press that cares about writers, helping them to publication and recognition.
Commercial Mortgages for Business Expansion
Are you an entrepreneur? Many people choose to work from home, developing and promoting their own businesses, working from a home office. Many, in fact, have found success using virtual business building tools available in modern times.
A worldwide audience can now be reached using the Internet: easy to set up blogs, Web pages and virtual storefronts to advertise business products and services.
If your business has grown to the point where you are looking to expand, Web-based services are available that can ease the transition. Commercial Mortgages can be obtained so that you can take your business to the next level.
You can obtain a commercial mortgage with the lowest possible interest rates. Specialist advisers stand ready to assist you with your business objectives. Unlike bank-financed loans that can be time consuming and headache producing, Web-based commercial loan companies can get you where you want to go in record time.
Business expansion is possible, utilizing electronic search capability so that you are connected to the best terms and interest rates. With cost-effective financing in place, you can see your business goals materialize.
Commercial Mortgages
* New businesses
* Purchase of business premises
* Consolidation of existing finances
* Flexibility (past financial difficulties/undetermined credit history)
It makes sense to check out available options and financing solutions, so that you can expand your business as painlessly as possible.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Creative NonFiction
The words "creative nonfiction" are bandied about frequently. What does this type of writing encompass?
This form of "new journalism" came into being in the 1960s. Simply put, it is the use of literary devices the were formerly seen in fiction, used in nonfiction reports and articles.
This device works well for magazine writing. Indeed, Personal Experience stories are the perfect medium because you can enhance these.
Works by Norman Mailer or Terry Southern reflect this technique and if you want to branch out into this type of writing, it is helpful to examine how it has been used by accomplished authors.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Playing it Safe With Insurance
These days, it pays to have insurance, whether for your home, for your car or for your belongings. It's always a good idea to compare insurance companies and rates because all insurance isn't created equal. By doing your homework, you can save considerably on costs while still protecting your assets.
Insurance rates are based on many factors and these have to be factored into the equation when calculating insurance costs.
The whole process is made easy in modern times because you can review coverage via the Internet instead of having to make an appointment with an insurance agent. It really doesn't get any easier.
If you have a small business, you will want to consider coverage that is targeted for that. One site that offers competitive rates for Business Insurance is Autonet Insurance Group. You can easily check what's offered for all your needs and obtain one of the best online quotes within minutes.
Depending on the kind of business you have, you'll want to consider factors such as professional indemnity or office insurance. With a quick call or an e-mail, you can access appropriate information that is applicable to your particular situation.
Good insurance coverage gives peace of mind and should be competitive and affordable. Autonet Insurance Group helps you to make the right choices. Agents are available and ready to assist you.
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