Earning With Content Dump Sites
Is Freelancing for Pennies a Good Idea?
There are tons of content dump sites on the Internet which send out a siren song to freelance writers who are struggling to earn recognition for their efforts, income and the thrill of seeing their own names in print. But is freelancing for pennies a good idea for writers of any kind? Earning with these content dump sites may seem great when the refrigerator is empty and bills are piling up. But in terms of establishing a writing career, how much good do these sites really do?
Content Dump Sites
What is a content dump site? Most freelancers, whether they know it or not, are very familiar with this particular brand of Web site. Sites like Associated Content, Demand Studios, eHow, Examiner and Helium accept articles from freelancers on almost any topic under the sun. That’s why these online locales are good places for writers to “dump” content that they otherwise can’t sell or gain traditional assignments to create. Each one of these sites, and several others, will pay for the content they receive. Some have extensive sign-up and acceptance procedures; some do not. In almost all cases, however, even relatively inexperienced or unpublished writers can experience the thrill of having their work published and showcased online.
Freelancing for Pennies
Though these content sites all operate in generally the same way – they provide payment for articles written not by assignment but the author’s choosing – they all vary in how much and what type of payment is offered. Demand Studios, for instance, provides payment per article (the current rate is around $15 USD for each). Other sites provide payment based upon page-click revenue. This means revenues go up when more Internet traffic visits the page where the article is displayed (page clicks). Page-click revenue pays, at best, less than $0.50 per click. Generally, the rate is no more than a few pennies for each visitor received. Any way it shakes out, the freelance writer in question stands to receive a relatively small amount of compensation for the amount of words they provide.
Are Content Dump Sites the Answer for Freelance Writers?
In today’s trouble economic climate, almost anything that earns real money can start to sound like a good idea. Working for several hours to earn hardly more than $5 may be attractive when there seem to be no other earning options on the proverbial table. Is it? Are these content dump sites the answer for freelance writers who want to earn for their efforts?
In a pinch (or a financial bind), it’s true that almost any writing job that could earn will do. Even content dump sites can become well-known, and any content has the capability of bringing in readers. Any writer who can turn out well-written content has something to offer, though it’s true the payment offered through these sites can be very small indeed. Content dump sites may not offer enough money to sustain full-time freelance employment, but when the ends aren’t quite meeting budget-wise they can provide a bit of a monetary bailout. Many, many writers make use of these sites to supplement their income, but don’t count on them to provide a full-fledged freelancing career.
Freelancing for Pennies
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