So You Want to Be a Content Writer

Monday, August 22, 2011

You want to be a content writer but you aren't sure where to start. If this is true of you, read on for tips on how to get started writing for the Internet. In recent years, it has become much easier to become a content writer. There are so many sites out there that will compensate people to create online content.

How to Get Started as a Content Writer

1. You register with sites that pay you to create articles. This usually takes mere minutes. (continue to the end of this article to see a listing of 30 sites)

2) You furnish your PayPal email so that you receive payment. You can join PayPal and register a free account.

Do Not Pay to Be a Content Writer!
Do not pay to join any content site. You are doing this to make money, not spend it. I'm leery of any site that claims a "processing or administrative fee" is required from wanna-be writers. In most cases this is sheer poppycock. Any legitimate site makes significant revenues and does not require up-front fees from new members.

As most of you know, content drives the whole show, and increasingly, sites that generate revenue are on the look-out for page after page to feed the search engines and these sites are willing to share a portion of revenue. In recent years, it has been recognized that people are for more likely to continue submitting content when they receive compensation for their efforts. This is a win-win for both parties and is likely to continue. Why spin your wheels writing for free? With so many writers out there, the supposed online publishing credit usually is worth a hill of beans. Far better to get started with a site that pays and that allows you to earn while you learn the ropes. Many content sites offer helpful tutorials or have on-site editors that will help you to bring your articles up to snuff.

Thinking of Writing for a Site? Check Page Ranking
There are many sites you can write for but I would suggest you stick to sites that have high page ranking. If you join a site, for example, that offers a 80%-100% revenue share but it receives very little traffic, you are no further ahead--even though the revenue share might be higher than that offered by a competitor site. One way I determine a site's clout is to make use of the Alexa toolbar, which shows me via stars, which sites have the most pull.

Stay Away From Newer Sites
It's a good idea to stay away from newer sites because, generally speaking, these sites do not attract a large enough audience for you to make any real income. Sites that have been around for some time offer greater potential in relation to earnings.

Staying Away From Sites That Grab Ongoing Electronic Rights
Read the terms and conditions prior to or while registering for any site. I would stay away from any site that does not allow you to remove your articles. If the site takes a nose-dive, as has happened with the recent PANDA algorithm change, do you really want your articles tied up indefinitely? Helium is one site that hangs on to your articles and because of this I would never recommend the site to someone who wants to become a content writer.

Placing Your Articles at Other Sites
If you create many articles, sooner or later, you will want to remove some of them to place at other sites. You should have the freedom to do so. As you gain experience as a content writer, you will develop a feel for which articles are best suited to which sites. Some sites offer multiple streams of income and you may choose to remove articles from a lower performing site, believing you will earn more by copy/pasting these somewhere else.

I do this occasionally, as I determine where a particular article might best perform. You can and should treat content writing as a business and make decisions that benefit you financially.

To help you to get started, here's a listing of sites that pay content writers.