Does Your Web Writing Do That?

                                    Image via Wikipedia
I just got done reading an article by web writing genius, Dr. Patsi Krakoff. Her last two posts have been about neuromarketing. In this post she wrote something that I couldn't get out of my head.

"When something catches our attention, if we want to know more, and if it triggers one of our drives (acquire it, eat it, bond with it, use it to save time, energy or money or protect family) we will remember it so that we can take action on it." You can read her whole article here.

Web Write For Emotional Connection

 

Web writing is nothing more than trying to trap a reader's attention in some emotional way. If it is helpful, time or money saving, or protection related, our minds will want to latch on to it. We are a very self-centered animal amidst a very greedy culture. What does it do for me?

This is the reason that "time saving" and "money making" blogs, sites and content are so popular on the web today. We take an already convenient and superfast platform for information, such as the internet, and we search for products, advice and services that will make our life even more convenient.

Web Writing Ideas

 

So, the next time you're thinking about your next article for HubPages or InfoBarrel keep the following questions in mind for the best chance of interaction and getting the reader to do something with your content.

What do you know best? Can your web writing turn out a "How-To" article about it? Can that article be so tightly written and easy to understand that a person will be able to accomplish the task right then and there?

What most concerns you about the safety of your children or yourself? Web writing on those particular topics can be particularly effective. If you can convince the reader that they should follow your advice, or safety tips, then the message will be branded somewhere deep in the consciousness, almost feeling guilty if they don't follow it. Loved ones are a great motivator.

A recipe? Web writing about food, and especially recipes, are terribly action causing. Doesn't it feel like you always spend more in a grocery store when you're hungry? Now, imagine making someone's mouth water as they're searching for a pot roast recipe. If they liked it…they'll come back. Why? Because you have just satisfied one of the most primal, powerful and original human physiological warnings-hunger.

Web Writing can be a very powerful tool. That's why companies pay millions of dollars annually for good web writing and content. The ability to imprint themselves on the psyche of their customers can mean a lifelong commitment to their brand or service. Does your web writing do that?

Related articles

• Tips On Web Writing For Money: Go to InfoBarrel! (tipsonwebwriting.blogspot.com)
• Web Writing For Money With HubPages (tipsonwebwriting.blogspot.com)
• Earn Money Online Web Writing (tipsonwebwriting.blogspot.com)

Tips On Web Writing For Money: Go to InfoBarrel!

Continuing on the theme of where web writers can earn money residually let’s talk a little bit today about InfoBarrel.  I haven’t written for InfoBarrel much but I am in the middle of writing a series of web friendly articles to place on the site.  So, let’s get down to business!

Pay

You need a Google Adsense account.  Surprise, right?  Once you implement your Adsense publishers ID into the InfoBarrel system you’ll start earning 75% of the all the revenue that those ads produce. That’s really good, actually. 

Perhaps the best thing that InfoBarrel has got going over other web writing publishing platforms is the fact you can choose which kinds of ads are going to appear on your content; text, image or both.  This is great because you should have a pretty good idea of what will be more effective on your own content.

Use

The platform is easy to use.  I really the “signature block” feature.  This is a little profile picture with a blurb that can contain links and really ads a personalization to the content, as well as a very visible anchor text link back to a profile page or your blog.

You create a title and, check the availability and start writing!  You’re allowed two contextual links within the content as long as it pertains to the content or has some relation.  All links are “do follow”. 

Recommendation:  I would use only one self-serving contextual link in the main content and allow your “signature” to do the rest.  If people like you they’ll seek you out and InfoBarrel makes it easy for them to do it.  Too many contextual links within the content will be distracting to the reader and may result in your article being rejected.  More on that below.

Per the InforBarrel site here are the rules:

Your content:

1. Should be at least 325 words, with an ideal size of 400 or more words. Articles under 400 words will most likely NOT appear on the index.

2. Must be original, created by you and must not have been submitted or posted elsewhere on the web.
3. Must not be a sales document, advertisement or any other type of promotional document.
4. Must be written in proper English with correct spelling, grammar and structure.
5. Must not be derogatory, hateful, pornographic or defamatory in any manner.
6. Must not have external links in the first paragraph. Links to other InfoBarrel content is ok.
7. Maximum of 2 self-serving links per article.
8. Content must contain value for the reader and mustn't be written solely for the purposes of manipulating search engines.

Particulars About InfoBarrel That I Like!

Web writers can do more than upload written content.  You can also publish video, photos and sound clips. 

Each and every submission is reviewed by someone on the InfoBarrel team so your content won’t be published right away.  You may think that this is a hindrance at first, especially if you’re use to writing for some place like HubPages where you are published immediately but may be flagged later.  I actually think it is awesome though!

This ensures that every article written for InfoBarrel is original and of high quality.  This is great for reputation and results in return readers.

All in all, InfoBarrel gets a big thumbs up here and I would be a great place for web writers to make money with their content.  If you have any web writing tips, hints, or leads on how to make good money on InfoBarrel or anywhere else, please let us know in the comments.  Web writers need to stick together!

Web Writing Equals Good Writing Plus SEO

                                  Image via WikipediaWe do a lot of talking here and everywhere else about writing for the web and the importance of SEO implemented into your writing.  But, my friends, let me ask you this:  Are you writing for SEO (search engine optimization) and SERPs (search engine results pages) so much that your writing isn't YOUR writing anymore? Does each and every sentence now owe it's structure to Google?

Even Flow Versus SEO

Yup, that's my new mantra!  And, it's cool because it rhymes.  I ask myself that question each and every time I hit the "publish" button now.  (Or, before I hit the "publish" button.  Besides, we don't really "hit" buttons do we?  It's more of a finger tap, if anything.)

Let's just put it out there, okay?

SEO gets you noticed by the Search Engine and Virtual "Robots" that scan web pages.


Good writing that flows naturally gets you noticed, read and returned to by readers who actually like what you have to say.

So, which one are you more concerned with?  Well, that's a sticky conversation, and I'm apt to say the second, the "good writing" piece.  However, if you want to actually allow people an easier way to actually visit your pages, blogs, articles, etc., then you're going to have to be found by the search engines.

This is why SEO is so important in Web Writing For Money.  I can't think of a situation with web writing that will result in you making MORE money with less readers or visitors.  If you get paid on a CPM (views per thousand) base then you need visitors.  If you get paid by people actually coming to your site and clicking on ads then you need a lot of readers and visitors.  If you're trying to promote a service or product in your writing then you need conversion. 

After being in marketing and sales (and the hardest sales market in the world, in my opinion.  Army recruiting in a time of sustained combat?  Yeah, it takes skill!) I have learned that to get conversion you need two things above all else:

1.  A great message.
2.  A deep well of leads.

Every time a person has the opportunity to see your writing on the web through good SEO practices and being found with a quick search, then you should consider that a lead.  Your message is what is in the content of your web writing.  Does it contain a "call to action" or in any way try to get the reader to do what you want them to do?  Does it get the message that you wanted to convey to the reader?

Of course, we have to be careful with this, too.  You can't "tell" or "ask" readers to click on ads or you will be banished to the depths Hades itself by the "Big G".  However, with good WEB WRITING which is comprised of smart SEO and good writing then you'll attain a following.  You'll be easily found by search engines and people will actually want to read and visit your articles, pages, site, blogs, etc.  Then you'll find that some are just a wee-bit curious about that text or image ad in the upper left hand corner (remember our discussion on ad placement?)of your page (right below the header and left or center of the content) and a few will click through to the advertisers site.  See?  Everyone's happy now.  You have great web writing skills and actually do something that you love and make a little money from it.  Google is happy because they are appeasing another advertiser and people keep using their search engine and ad program.  And the advertiser is happy because they know that a deep well of leads is important.

It's an amazing cycle that leaves a lot of people happy and it all starts with your good web writing.  Doesn't that make you feel good?

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Is Your Web Writing Too Complicated For Readers?

               Image by basheem via Flickr

A couple of months ago I came across this article on Perry Marshall's website and I am finally getting around to doing a post about it.  I think it is definitely relative to what we talk about here on web writing tips for money.

Mr. Marshall claims that he owes his success in copy writing because at the level he writes at a level that doesn't require you to use any brain power. And believe me, Perry Marshall gets it done.  In many circles he is considered the premiere authority for Google Adwords conversion.  When advertisers want the attention of prospective clients and customers then they refer to Perry Marshall's expertise.

As  a web writer your conversion is of utmost importance so don't you think you would do well to listen to a guru like Marshall when it comes to getting people to click, take action and do exactly what you want them to do with just a couple words?  Uhm…YEAH.

Check out this tool that Marshall provides on his website:  Grade Of Your Text

According to that tool this text has a reading of a 8^th grader and a 13 year old kid.  Pretty easy to digest, right?

So, does that make this better?  I'm not sure.  I mean, who am I to argue a master like Marshall but…

I think there's a danger in that though.  How far away are we from web writers having a certain tone and language but then purposely "writing down" to their readers.  Personally, I'd be pissed if I knew someone was writing down to me on one of my favorite blogs.

Sure, I understand that there is obvious dangers, too, in being too smart or technical in web writing, copy writing or any writing but shouldn't be decided by the reader?  

On second thought:  Is that already happening?  Do people like Darren Rowse, Seth Godin and Brian Clark talk down to me?  They're all very successful.  Does that mean they "got me" by writing down to my level?

I don't think so.  What do you think?

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Web Writing Success Is About 3 Things

Image via Wikipedia
The title? Yeah, simple and catchy and 100% TRUE. There are only 3 things you really need to be concerned with when it comes to web writing for money. The new web content/SEO software that I've decided to promote is called Scribe. Scribe Makes SEO Simple

The 3 Most Important Web Writing For Money Characteristics

1. Keywords
2. Content
3. Links

Do you know why your web writing for money online depends so greatly on those 3 things? Because those are the three key elements in SEO. Implement SEO and you get attention grabbing content that people want to read and, more importantly…share with their friends and business partners.

People trust a peer or relative recommendation 70% than they do an advertisement. Do advertisements still work? Sure, but only in a purely organic way. If you want someone to take action then you need to recommend that they do so and they better trust you when you do it.

How Does Scribe Make Your Web Writing Better?

• First, the Scribe keyword research tool tunes you into the right language before you write. Once your content is created, the Scribe keyword suggestion service shows you keyword phrases you might have missed.

• Second, Scribe analyzes your natural, reader-focused content, and tells you how to gently tweak it to spoon feed search engines based on 15 SEO best practices.

• Third, Scribe’s link building tools help you build back links from other sites, crosslink the content within your own site, and identify influential social media users who want to share your stuff.

Sure, we can all do a little keyword research and tweak our own text until it reads crisp, natural and optimally enhanced for conversion. So, the first and second aspects of what Scribe does is just more of an "instant outsource. It takes the thought out of it and allows you to do what you do: Write for the Web.

Personally, I like the 3rd aspect the most. With Scribe's link building tools you're almost assured re-Tweets, shares, RSS subscriptions and email passes. Scribe takes the most influential people in your niche and places your content in their face. What does this mean? Huge audiences that follow a trusted name in the niche. Remember: People trust a peer or relative recommendation 70% than they do an advertisement.

And here's two other great things about Scribe that made me want to promote their product.

1. Follow the very next link you see in this article and get a FREE, NO OBLIGATION, 27 page report by Copyblogger founder Brian Clark. He'll explain:

• Why SEO Copywriting Still Matters
• How Search Engines Work
• Why You Have to Spoon Feed Search Engines
• The 5 Essential Elements of Keyword Research
• How to Create Cornerstone Content That Google Loves
• Five Link Building Strategies That Work
• Five Areas to Focus On for Effective SEO Copywriting
• Why Writing for People Works for Search Engines
• How to Make SEO Simple

Here is that link! Click here to grab your free SEO report

2. If you decide that you don't have enough information and that you'd rather test the waters for a bit? No problem. You can get a FREE 30-day trial. Once you sign up you can CANCEL AT ANY TIME. It's easy. They make it easy. Brian doesn't want be one of "those guys" that sell products and services that are near impossible to rid yourself of later. Inside your myScribe account area, you’ll see a top navigation option labeled Cancel My Account on each and every page. Click that link at any time to end your subscription.

Here's the FREE TRIAL LINK: Take Scribe On A Risk-Free Test Drive

I think by now you can see how Scribe can help you in your web writing endeavor. Imagine your Hubs going viral? Imagine your Squidoo Lens being featured on the front page? Imagine your blog post being dispersed by a huge personality in your niche?

Can you see it?  Does it look great? Then you need to check Scribe out. See Scribe SEO In Action!

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Web Writing Isn't Everything

Image by 7th U.S. Army JMTC via FlickrI'm at my best in the mornings. You would think that I use that as my writing time.  I don't.

Call me a fool but I choose to use my night, quiet time as my writing time.  Sure, I'm at my best before 9 a.m.  While I'm at my best in the mornings, my best web writing happens at night. Gimme' a couple cups of coffee and a cigarette and I'm ready to roll.  Most of the good stuff happens then and I choose to use it for stuff other than writing.

• Work out.

One of the thing that I think many web writers and bloggers forget about is their physical fitness.  Well, I'd like to remind you all of two things.  One, health and life insurance isn't cheap so it greatly  benefits you to stay in goo shape.  I mean, "not on the brink of death if you get up to get a cup of coffee" shape.  And, secondly, we all want to make lots of money with our web writing but what good is it if we die when we're young.  Work out!

• Chores/Housework

I'm a geographical bachelor which, in the military, is a common term.  What it basically means is this:  I'm happily married with lots of kids but they don't live with me.  I have to maintain my household, keep it in living conditions and ensure that I'm not getting over run with cockroaches.  I do this in the mornings, too.

• I Surf The Web

This may come as a surprise but web writers, especially those wanting to earn money, need to keep up with the latest trends, hot topics and styles.  I do this in the mornings.  I read blogs, read the news, research topics and check stats.  I don't want to be bothered with this "crap" at night when I'm actually writing.

I'm not rich.  I'm not the world's Number 1 Web Writer.  I make money from my writing though, and I want to help you to do it, too.  So subscribe and let's go for a ride!

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What Do You Make Per Word?

                                     Image via Wikipedia I know.  A lot of web writers don't want to say what they make per word.  It's embarrassing.  Well, no; I take that back.  To web writers it isn't embarrassing because all of us have been in a spot where we are making peanuts.  To others though...brrr.

People who can't write will cringe at the fact that you might make a penny or less per word.  There's a simple reason for it.  They don't like to write.  To write 100 words for them is like pulling out finger nails and being water-boarded at the same time.  To us, writers/web writers, words come quick and easy.

When I first started writing on the web for money I was doing ALL of my work for a place called LondonBrokers.net .  I promise you.  I'll probably never do that again.  They were paying something likey $6.86 for a 500 word article plus 2 re-writes.  1500 words, 2 hours...for less than seven bucks.  Frig' that...and frig' them.

So, did I work my way through the web writing ranks and now make a lot of money?  Not exactly.  Though, I make a little more than a penny or two per word now. 

I joined Break Studios about 1 year ago and started writing some article or blog posts for Made Manual and Break which are their highly trafficked sites.  I started out like everyone else.  One article of 250-700 words made $8 and at the time it was a landfall.

I guess someone there liked me because they chose me for a program where the articles make $12 and have a lot better topics and titles to write. 

And you know what?  I haven't written much for them since. 

Why?  I don't know.  I guess that was one of the reasons I decided to start my own blogs and do my own web writing for my own domains.  My money is my money.  My effort is my effort and it was a validation that I could do this; at least a little bit.   It is at times like those that I constantly think about the 2004 Red Sox World Series win and their motto in the playoffs:

"Why Not US?" so...

WHY NOT ME?

And you know what?  WHY NOT YOU?

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You're A Web Writer? I Didn't Know That...

                                 Image via WikipediaAre you a web writer that makes most of their money grappling for jobs from up-front paying sites like Textbroker?  How would you like to have people seeking you out, at prices that you name, rather than lunging at jobs while they're available at prices that some no-face editor designated as your "skill level"?

The best way to do this is with your own personal website with a blog to go with it.  But what do you want to place on that site?

Here are a bunch of ways to make sure that your professional web writing site is optimized for earning money and gaining the attention of possible paying clients!

Some Light In The Tunnel

                                   Image via WikipediaIf you own a blog that you post on then you're a web writer.  If you have ads and hope to bring in some cash with that blog then you're a web writer for money.  If you don't have one of those things going on then I suggest that you start immediately.  Why write only for other people?  Write for yourself, too!  Pick a topic that you love and get to writing and creating content for you.


 

Don't Be A Web Writng Snob

Image via Wikipedia
There are a lot of web writers, content writers, freelance writers...whatever you want to call us, that don't really define themselves as "a writer".  They're either wary of doing so because they lack confidence in their abilities, they lack confidence in the web's ability to sustain them enough to call it a job, or it's REALLY not their job.

And there's nothing wrong with that.  Some people don't want to label their web writing as a job because it's more of a hobby for them and when they start calling it "work" it becomes work instead of just this fun thing.  Now, there are people who will disparage the leisurely web writer. They'll say that "those people" are ruining the trade or profession.

Why Are PLR Articles So Popular Right Now?

Image by 777thAngel via FlickrFrom a web writer's standpoint it's okay to write what the client asks.  Using PLR articles as a web writer is worst then a late night, sneaky uncle though.  It's just icky.  That's the only way I can describe it.  As long as you're getting paid and not being promised compensation with traffic or fame.  What those clients do with the articles that we write is kind of out of our hands once we send it off to them.

Web Writers: Write YOUR Blog Posts, Not Someone Else's

Image via CrunchBaseIt bothers me.  No, it drive me freakin' bananas.  I hate to see great writers construct great blog posts and make a penny or two per word! Geezum!  This is America!  (That's where I am anyway!)  Why should people toil for hours and put crack their brains doing keyword research for someone else's hosted or self-hosted domain blog?  It just doesn't make sense that web writers make other people lots of money while they make themselves the minimum money.

Web Writing For The Human Eye!

                                  Image via Wikipedia
About a week ago I wrote an article about how to optimize your web writing for the reader and not yourself. Realizing that you are writing for the pure experience of a stranger can be overwhelming and intimidating.

What do you write?

How do you write it?

Should you have voice?

Should it be a technical "how to"?

Okay, those are all important questions. But what if you knew exactly where the human eye falls when it reads web text? That would make it easier, right? Why? Well you would know where exactly a reader is more likely to look first and if you know the market and audience you're writing for then you have a chance to lock in their attention (steal it!) right away. Then….BANG!

So What Do We Know About Web Writing Already?

 

1. Readers arrive looking for information or entertainment.

2. 95% of the time they'll never read an article from beginning to end.

3. They scan the web writing for the information or words they're looking for.

To accomplish the "theft of attention" you do the following:

1. Make sure that you have a catch phrase with your key word up-front. Maybe you ask a question.

2. As web writers we don' do "fluff" so in an attempt to ensure all information is pertinent and attention getting we never write anything for the web that the article doesn't need. We get to the point and use engaging text.

3. We use bold words, bold subheadings, and the correct keywords throughout (but not stuffed) into the text so that the reader can easily find the information and stay engaged.

Below is a "heat map" from the Yahoo! Style Guide and the text that precedes it:

"When people do decide to read a page, their eyes sweep horizontally from left to right, often focusing on a roughly triangular area in the upper-left corner of a webpage, or the upper-left corner of the webpage’s main block of content. But this pattern varies depending on a page’s layout and purpose. For example, a person’s eyes will move differently over a photo-heavy slideshow, a text-heavy blog, or a page with a two- or three-column layout."

As you can see when the person first lands on the page they are concentrating on the upper-left hand corner of the main content on that page.  This is the reason why so many people (and rightly so) do two important things with that area:  They put the keyword in the title and first sentence of their web writing and they put in an advertisement around it. 

Notice this page's upper-left hand corner.  There's a large area for both subscription and a Google Adsense unit...a big one!   Just to the right is my title (keyword included) then my main text (first sentence keyword included).  I then go through my text and I use bold subheadings and other bold words that I think the reader may find interest in.

Web writing for money is a tricky thing.  I always try to offer quality articles, posts, and text throughout the page.  (I particularly like the "word of the week")  BUT...if a person does not find what he or she wants on this page then they can always click out by way of an advert or a link to one of my other posts. 

What are some of your best practices that you could share with us? I'd like to know!  Don't forget to subscribe!  
 

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Web Writing Topics Can Be A Drag Somtimes

Image via WikipediaIf you've started writing for the web already and you're looking to make some money doing it then no doubt you have been to one of those sites that pay decent and always have work.  Dream come true, right?  Eh...

Are you having issues with there being plenty of work about everything you have no idea about?  I've had issues with that in the past. I'll back and forth through the job boards and say to myself (in a whining inner whimper) "but I don't know about any of that stuff."  Plus, many of them are B-O-R-I-N-G

Recently I learned a lesson due to my own stupidity and impatience that will benefit me in the long run.  I thought I'd share it with you.

Lesson 1:  If You Don't Know The Web Writing Topic Just Do Some Research

I started a blog about "what girls want".  I have 2 teenage daughters, an adult daughter, a wife, a bunch of female friends...hell, I've even got a female parrot! 

I wrote 2 posts and I was like "uhm, yeah...now what."  I was stumped.  I didn't know what to write about next.  I was in that rut where I couldn't think of another thing that a girl might want.

How did I fix this? I did research online.  I searched, read and studied other blogs of the same niche and got some pretty good ideas.  And this led to me to my next problem...

Lesson 2:  Consult An Expert

In this case it was easy. I went to my 17 yearn old, junior in high school daughter and started paying her for blog posts.  She's brilliant.  Besides her being part of my target audience age group, she's also the subject of my blog-a girl.

Both of these lessons learned can be applied to any kind of web writing.  Don't just skid over a job labeled "400 words on the cut-o-matic 3xyz2D" because it just might be a damned blender.  You can do that! And if you really don't know the stuff then go and do some research on it.  Or, ask a spouse, a friend, or daughter/son that might have some expertise on the subject.

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Are You Writing For The Web Or Your Ego?

Cover of Writing Skills (Essential Managers)Many web writers make the mistake of thinking people are on the page because of their fine writing skills.  They're not.  People come to web pages to find the answer to a problem or be entertained.  If you're writing your web content with those two things in mind then you're probably writing for yourself rather than the reader.

Try employing these 3 simple steps in your web writing and you may find that people are coming back to your Web Writing and reading more of your pages.

• Avoid Large Chunks Of Text

Whatever it is you have to do to split up that text then do it.  Bullet points, numbered lists, subheadings...whatever.  Just break it up and make it easier to scan.  Remember we talked about that?  People read web writing differently than print.  They scan.  So make it easier for them!

• Front Load Paragraphs

Again, we're making it easier for the reader.  They came looking for an answer and when they find it in the first few sentences then they're happy.  Satisfied.  They know they've come to the right place and they'll continue on.  This is where they may shift from scanning to reading.  However, once they hit an area without substance they start scanning again. So, BANGO!  You hit e'm with another separation...

• Links, Links, Links

Links make the content interactive.  If you mention a keyword in your text that may answer another of your readers questions (providing it's relevant) then link for them.  They get "click" and web readers love to click.

These were just a quick into some of Web Writing's Best Practices but they were one my mind so I figured I'd get them off my chest! 

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Writing Web Content? Listen To Google!

Image by djwudi via Flickr

If you're a web writer online you're always going to be trying to figure out how to do it and get the traffic and the conversion.  In most cases, you're ability to earn money online by writing web content will rely greatly (around 95%) on people being drawn to your sites and clicking on ads and buying from advertisers or buying your products.  Either way you're going to need great content.

Good Web Writing Produces Content That:

• Hits Search Engines Quickly and Powerfully In The Rankings 
• Traps A Readers Attention Once They're On the Page 
• Has A Definitive Call To Action 
• Draws People Back To Your Content And Pages Via Subscriptions and RSS

The Hand That Feeds The Traffic Monster

So if you're trying to write the kind of good content that gets people to your site why wouldn't you listen to the mother of all search engines…The Big G, The Goog's…Los Google.

Google actually provides and in-depth, 32 page, Search Engine Optimization Guide.   The Google Guide Deals with these focus points to help you enhance your web writing and web pages for search engine visibility:

SEO Basics Improving Site Structure

Optimizing Content 

Dealing With Crawlers

SEO for Mobile

Promotion and Analysis

Are you saying, "What the - -!  I didn't know that Google does all that for me.  Now I can make my stuff ready to be crawled and indexed for the maximum money making opportunity for my web writing?"

I thought you might be!  See? Aren't you glad you stopped by? If you're interested in other tips on blogging, web writing, SEO and just plain fun then visit me at BloggingDudes.com, an online resource for Blogging Dads!

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"How To" Guide For Good Web Writing

Image by CC Chapman via FlickrThere are many schools of thought out there on what makes good web writing and when you're looking to make money doing it then knowing how is most of the battle. 

Here are 10 Keys to Good Web Writing.

Write Relevant

Writing about your pet bird must be great but if he or she or it doesn't have anything to do with your topic or page then stay away from it.  Hell, start another page or article if you have to.  Just make sure that you aren't putting personal need and interest before what will appeal to everyone.

The Best Money Making Web Writing Is Blogging...Eventually.



world wide web writer

The best way for you to make money web writing is to own and operate your own blog.  With a self-hosted blog that has quality content and advertisement on it you stand to make a good sum of money, especially if your blog has a lot of traffic. 

Unfortunately, many web content writers don't believe that.  They see the immediate gratification that they get from up-front paying sites and jump all over it.  Also, many talented web content writers will write highly successful articles and posts for sites like Hubpages, Squidoo and Associated Content only to have to share the money that it makes.

Web Writing For Money: Do Your Homework

Image via WikipediaWeb writing isn't just a hobby.  I can't stand it when I see that written somewhere on the web.  You should have pride in everything you do.  I sometimes have to pull my emotions in, keep them in check when I see things on blogs.


"Sometimes you have to blogs to keeps the contents freshly on your site."  I read that today somewhere and, yeah, it pissed me off.  I run another blog for work at home dads over bloggingdudes.com and I know I make grammatical errors in there.  I might make some here, right now.  The difference is this:  I make web writing mistakes because I have ADD.  I'm impatient.  When I see blogs that should obviously be written in another language then I get aggravatded.

So, what is the point of this post?  Why am I writing on web writing and venting about web writing?  Because.  Because, I want you to take pride in the writing that you do.  When you write a piece for $2.00 or $32.00 I want you to take pride in what you're doing.  That little piece of text could possibly be seen and read by millions of people.  Whether those people see it right away or over a period of time, a lot of people are going to see your writing (maybe not a million, but a lot).  You owe it to everyone else who writes for the web to do your best at all times.

Is there any particular post that you all want to see?  Anything you want to know?   Lemme' know...  See you on the flip side!

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Web Writing Best Practices

Image by hongxing128 via Flickr

Web writing is just like any other type of thing that you'll get into in hopes of making money.  There are professionals and there are the new guys and gals, or "newbies".  The good news is that whether you're a seasoned veteran or just starting out now, reading this post, and trying to learn the in's and out's of writing for money online, then you can STILL MAKE MONEY.

Here are 5 Tips of Web Writing

1.    1.   Learn SEO:  You're bound to hear "SEO" In your journey down the web writing path.  And, yes, it's as important as everyone says.  SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is what is done to your writing, by you, which makes it easily (or easier) found on the internet when someone searches for it.  If you're new to this sort of thing then do some research on keywords, meta tags, meta titles, sub-headings and html designation (h1, h2, h3, etc. tags).  And you can contact me at muisings@yahoo.com  I'll send you a FREE keyword guide!

2.  2..      Expect To Start Small:  Unless you're a professional writer already, with lots of web writing experience then you should expect to start at a lower-rate than seasoned professionals.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again-here and now-don't work for less than .001 (a penny) per word.  Starting out?  Check out textbroker  or ecopywriters.com for some decent rates. 

3.    3.  Join the Multitudes: Web writing is a business and just like any other, there are slow and busy times.  Join as many sites that you can get accepted to that don't expect you to hit a certain word or article limit per week.  And don't forget the residual sites like Hubpages and Squidoo!  When times are slow at up-front paying sites you can always write an article for them and earn from ads!

4.      4.  Don't Put Forth Anything But Your Best!  When I first started writing for Break Studios I was making $8 per article of 250-700 words.  Well, they liked me and I now make $12 per article.  Just do your best at all times and sooner or later you'll get a small break somewhere along the line.

5.     5.  Start A Business Blog:  Create a business blog that advertises your writing services. Explain what you can do, where you've worked, provide writing samples and ways to contact you.  You never know who will stumble on it and decide they need services.  Here's a sample of my Blogger writing page for content services.  Muisings  It's important that you only advertise your services on your business site.  One, it looks unprofessional and, two, you could see contextual advertisement for you competitors on your business blog…bad, bad!

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