Newspapers and magazines are diminishing in popularity due to competition from other media sources. The need for speed is reflected in 24/7 news reporting through TV channels such as CNN or Headline News and the internet. For writers the online opportunity is great, writing freelance for online magazines or open content sites. Following is a review of three writing sites.
Make Money Writing Online for Suite 101
Suite 101 is an independent online magazine. To become a writer, an application and two samples of writing are required. If accepted, a writer agrees to contract terms, and commits to writing a minimum of ten articles quarterly. Articles must be original and Suite 101 retains exclusive digital rights for one year.
Articles of at least 400 words can be written on any subject, written in third person. Section editors will review each article for article quality and adherence to guidelines, requesting changes be made, if needed. The site offers professional, editorial guidance, a library of writing guides and tools, and an interactive writing network.
Their software writing tool is simple to use and articles can be published immediately, with up to five pictures included. Writers are provided real time article page view (PV) statistics throughout the day, as well as search terms that brought readers to each article.
Earnings are based on revenue sharing, through an arrangement made between Suite 101 and Google Adwords. Google provides ads on each article based on content, and if a reader clicks through to an ad, the writer earns a percentage of the revenue paid to Suite 101. The amount differs based on the article’s subject, with higher income potential for advertisers paying the best. Ongoing Performance payments are paid through Paypal on the 15th of each month, with a minimum payout of $10.00. Contests are offered monthly.
Make Money Writing Online for Associated Content
Associated Content (AC) is an "Open Content Network". The concept allows anyone to publish content on any topic through multiple formats: text, audio, video or images (slideshow). Writers agree to contract terms, and with permission from sources, AC will also consider articles for distribution to partner sites. Their community section has helpful tutorials, and an interactive writer forum.
Articles are submitted as exclusive or non-exclusive, must be a minimum of 400 words, and can be written in any voice perspective on any subject. AC accepts news articles, local venues, creative writing, memoirs, editorial opinions, interviews and reviews. AC gives writers quite a bit of latitude to get creative, and published articles are not closely scrutinized. Writing contests are held regularly.
Writers can submit articles for up-front payment in addition to ongoing performance payments which are based on page views (PV). If an article is subsequently distributed to a partner site, an additional payment is paid to the writer. Daily PV statistics are reported by article. (Searched terms are not provided). Payments are made monthly to Paypal.
Make Money Writing Online for Helium
Helium is a writing “cooperative” with an involved platform whereby writers agree to more than just being a writer. In addition to submitting articles, writers contractually agree to also act as editors, reviewing published articles and rating them. Writing and rating earn members “stars”.
Helium accepts 400 word minimum “magazine” style articles, news, and creating writing. All articles on Helium are published on a non-exclusive basis in a “thread”, meaning that the same article with the same title can be written by other competing writers. All articles for that thread are “ranked” by other Helium members, the best one rising to the top of the heap. When a search engine draws a reader to the article’s title, all versions of that article are found, with the best rated article on top, earning primary visibility and the most money.
Helium pays on a revenue sharing basis. They offer upfront payments, bonuses, hold weekly contests and pay upfront a flat $1 for every “new” article thread a writer starts. Helium also has a marketplace where writing opportunities are posted for writing projects, requested by publishers willing to pay a per-article fee. Earned revenue is paid on the 10th of every month with a $10 minimum payout. If a writer chooses, their earnings can be donated to charity. There is a catch, however: If a writer does not maintain at least one rating star, they lose accumulated revenue.
Which site is best? That answer may vary between writers. When considering writing online, writers should review each site’s policies and learn as much as possible about how they operate. There is no fast money writing online, but by writing regularly on a good site, as a writer's portfolio of articles increase, so will their revenues. Further, by reading the site’s internal blogs early on, new writers can learn how veteran writers on the site feel, and determine which ones are worth their time.
Recommended Related Reading:
"How Much Money Can Online Writers Make?"
 |
 |
 |
