The STILETTO PEN

Top 10 Websites That Pay You to Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 01:53:00 +0000

In a previous post, I mentioned some different reasons why bloggers blog. One aspect of blogging I would like to mention next is the fact that blogs can make you money.

Bloggers sometimes like to blog for money via advertisements placed throughout their blog(s), but another viable alternative to making money from your blog(s) is by writing and posting blog posts and/or reviews.

These types of jobs are usually made available by signing up to a third-party website that accepts sign-ups from companies as well as bloggers who wish to make money by writing about companies, products or a website. Generally, the paid blogging websites will pay bloggers for hire via PayPal once or twice a month, sometimes even weekly. You generally get to select the kinds of blog posts or reviews you would like to write about so that they will blend into the content and theme of your blog.

Pay for each blog post or review typically ranges from $5-$25 per post, and can reach into the hundreds of dollars for more well-known bloggers. An average blog post ranges anywhere from 100 to 300 words. You can often write more if you so desire, but most websites only expect a minimum word count from 100 to 300 words.

If you are interested in this type of writing opportunity, here are the top 10 paid blogging websites I have taken notice of over the last year:

Blog Advertising Store

Stiletto of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 03:45:00 +0000

"The most essential gift for a good writer is a built-in, shockproof shit detector. This is the writer's radar and all great writers have had it." - Ernest Hemingway, interview in Paris Review, Spring 1958

Stiletto of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 04:40:00 +0000

"Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass."
-Anton Chekhov-

A Morning in the Life of a Freelance Writer

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 21:12:00 +0000

I am a freelance writer, and I have had a good morning. I woke up around nine o’clock, stumbled out into the living room and sat down at my computer. I had an article due at noon today, so I did not have time to take a shower this morning. That’s okay though. My jammies are actually quite comfortable.

My husband, who is currently looking for work, made some coffee and helped get our kid's breakfast, while I sat and wrote. I took a short break to get our kids going on their schoolwork, and then I went back to the writing. After finishing the article and submitting a piece that I’m sure will win me a Pulitzer, I checked over the schoolwork and instructed my husband on how to fill and frost peanut butter cup cupcakes. After that, it was time to shower.

While in the shower, I formulated the outline for the next piece I needed to work on. Feeling not so thin today, I chose to wear my favorite jeans and one of my husband’s button-down shirts. It’s somewhat chilly today, so I kept on my cozy slippers. After refilling my coffee cup and grabbing one of the successfully completed cupcakes, I sat back down to work while my kids went outside to play.

That description alone should be enough to make anyone understand why I became a freelance writer. The truth of the matter is that I became a writer because I love words. I love to read them, hear them and write them down. I have always been a word lover, and it just made sense to me to try to find a way to make money doing what I love.

It wasn’t easy, and I definitely paid my dues by writing articles on things that bored me to tears, but perseverance and confidence have enabled me to be at the position where I choose what I want to write about. I write what I know, I write what I love, and I write things that make me happy. That’s why I wanted to freelance. The slippers are just a fringe benefit.

Contributing Guest Writer

Reasons Bloggers Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 17:38:00 +0000

Bloggers blog for many reasons. Some want to obtain prestige or become famous. Other bloggers enjoy blogging for the sheer pleasure. Other bloggers blog to promote a product or some other professional service. Some bloggers just want to make money as writers or from paid advertisements. Or they use their blog as a calling card, or online portfolio. Why do you blog?

Another aspect about blogging that you may not be aware of are paid blogging gigs. That's right. You can make a sum of money writing for other people's blogs. You might not get rich, but it may be your cup of tea. It could sharpen your resume or CV, or just put some extra cash in your pocket. It could help you develop your niche writing market. The possibilities are limitless.

I came across two paid blogging sites, ContentQuake.com and Families.com. I have never applied or blogged for these companies, but if you have a story to share let us know.

Stiletto of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 06:36:00 +0000

"When once the itch of literature comes over a man, nothing can cure it but the scratching of a pen. But if you have not a pen, I suppose you must scratch any way you can." - Samuel Lover, Handy Andy, 1842

Need a Writers Break?

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 21:30:00 +0000

Break Studios is hiring, a content producer similar to Demand Studios - THE content producer of the web. If the shoe fits - wear it - I always say. The really crucial difference lies in Break Studios search for witty writers. The topics are also slightly risque at times.

I haven't applied, although I give BS and writers who apply to BS two thumbs up. What I do know is they pay $8 per article. I think this would be a fun gig when a time-out is absolutely necessary from other serious gigs when pay is not a deciding factor.

Need a break from some of your draining, less witty projects? Sometimes, a breather is worth far more than pay to keep the creative juices flowing. I know Break Studios might be a suitable candidate for myself one day if I fall into total burnout and am looking for a content producer gig.

Stiletto of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 03:19:00 +0000

"I would hurl words into this darkness and wait for an echo, and if an echo sounded, no matter how faintly, I would send other words to tell, to march, to fight, to create a sense of hunger for life that gnaws in us all."

- Richard Wright, American Hunger, 1977

Has Burnout Knocked on Your Door?

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 04:49:00 +0000

One thing freelance writers can never avoid completely is when burnout comes knocking at the door. Right when you have a looming deadline, and you stare at the screen with absolutely no way to transcribe thought to words.

You get through it vowing you'll never take another boring project, article or gig like that again. Until next time. But next time, your memory serves as an enemy, reminding you how awful it really is going to be all over again. And next time is even worse than the time before.

Our minds and bodies are trying to tell us something when this happens. We can choose to listen, or choose not to, but eventually if we refuse to listen the body, mind or both starts to collapse.

Have you ever experienced burnout or writer's block? How do you deal with these very real career and creativity obstacles, which threaten to block your success?

So You Want to Be a Writer: Do You Have What it Takes?

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 04:52:00 +0000

So you want to be a writer: Do you have what it takes? First thing on the to-do list is to perform a few online grammar and editing tests. Let’s face it - if you score low, you have a lot of polishing up ahead of you (notice – I didn’t advise you to get a day job). I happen to be one of those encouraging souls (I loathe to squash a dream and believe in the human spirit), and believe passion stretches farther than natural talent. There’s a lot of wasted natural talent out there with really bad and self-destructive attitudes stamped all over their foreheads. The worst enemy is thy self.

Besides, how many best seller novelists were, at one time, advised to pack it all in and get a day job?

Next on your to-do-list is to experiment with a few behavioral assessments. Your behavioral pattern may have more to do with your success as a writer than your talent. Luckily, for employees with behavioral patterns antagonistic to self-directed work, your behavior isn’t engraved in stone as much as your biologically determined personality is.

You’re in the driver’s seat of your destiny - don’t let unconscious habits dictate your future.

Once you’ve assessed these tests, you’ll either decide you really don’t want to be a professional writer or that you have some brushing up to do. A smaller percentage of you will discover “I am ready to write.” People who feel they have obstacles usually find their obstacles are either themselves due to their habitual tendencies, or scripts people have told them about themselves. Once you’ve overcome these barriers you’ll be driving full speed ahead toward your dreams.

Professional Behavioral Assessment Profile

DISC

Diagnostic Grammar Online Test

Online Test

Demand Media Now Hiring UK and Canadian Writers

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:09:00 +0000

Demand Media has issued a press release stating they are now hiring UK and Canadian resident writers into the fold. Previously, Demand Studios was only open to American writers. The average payment per article is $15 USD, but prices range from $25 to $80 or more for special assignment positions.

Demand Media

Ghost Writing: An Enduring Craft

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:09:00 +0000

Ghostwriting and copy writing have been around a while. Historically, there are two niche markets of ghostwriting. The first is where a customer has an idea and engages a ghostwriter to pen a fictitious account or non-fictional autobiography. The second is wherever a client requires content or advertisement, known as copy writing.

In the former instance, the customer may employ a ghostwriting service because they don't have the time or the acquisitions to express an idea to fruition. The profit of employing a ghostwriter is that the client is able to envision her idea in print regardless the degree of writing ability. The rights to the body of work will belong to the client. The ghostwriter simply pens the novel and obtains a one-time fee.

In the latter example, the client needs content or copy advert for their business website or enterprise. These days advertisement is sought after by company websites. This implies that content seekers require a dependable provision of content or advert that keeps people interested in their website.

In this situation, the website demands continually fresh and interesting perspectives. By hiring a ghostwriting service, the website proprietor guarantees their content will be provided in a timely fashion and with a fresh outlook on the subject. The copyright ghostwriter will additionally contribute key words for search engine optimization.

The profit of employing a ghostwriting service is that you need not spend time composing content. This is time that you could spend running your website. By engaging a ghostwriter or copy write master, you'll be assured each article will be grammatically correct as well as interesting. The additional benefit of engaging a ghostwriting service is that it's a great deal more cost-efficient for the customer and each article will be unique.

When a client hires a ghostwriting service they're contracting a professional. Most ghostwriters write because they enjoy what they practice, and this will often bear witness in the completed project. When you hire a ghostwriter or copywriter you'll be contracting an article written by a pro.

Numerous clients who have attempted to compose their own content have discovered that the writing and research involved is far harder than they first anticipated. Clients don't understand how much time and exertion goes into producing original content. Employing a ghostwriter means that you'll be able to profit from the years of experience a writer has under her belt, and participate in an enduring craft.

Stiletto of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:41:00 +0000

"The writer must believe that what he is doing is the most important thing in the world. And he must hold to this illusion even when he knows it is not true."
-John Steinbeck-

Developing Your Quality Content Website

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Sat, 16 May 2009 22:19:00 +0000

The importance of original content for a newbie website is fundamental. Without original content, an internet site may get buried in search engine results. The work demanded to keep up a website in the search rankings can be substantial. What are your alternatives if you don’t pen articles? Some alternatives are laid out below for you.

Content producing sites, such as Constant Content allow persons to buy articles or content composed in the writing style of your intended audience. Website owners needing blog content may enjoy the services of content providers, such as Blogsvertise. The prices deviate by quality, word count and purpose. This is a fast method for getting a new website off the ground at the beginning.

Content bought from content producers often allow customers to possess the future rights to the content. This is helpful therein you're allowed to circularize the content on any of your websites. Should you require something in print, it would be from these sites that you could purchase an article for that intent. Frequently the selective information contained is generic and wide-ranging, but not always. Keeping this in mind, you might discover an author you can work with on a continual basis for more unique content.

Search out a bid content site, such as oDesk and post an article project for your website. This allows you to be flexible in the pricing for your project. A writer qualified in the field you're searching for often considers several clients for employment. Here you can determine what the general deadlines will be and a likely price range together.

Once your budget is decided and you've chosen a writer, the writer can produce made-to-order content and subject matter particular to your needs. With all this in mind, this will help the original content of your website to be noticed by search engines. Pair this with the experience of a writer in your field, and keyword-dense content, and you will rank higher in search engine results.

Free of charge content is always another option. It’s not uncommon that such content producers are persons not knowledgeable in the specialized terminology you’ll need for your project. This will furnish you with mediocre content, but if your content requirement is not highly specialized this may be your cup of tea. Even with a keyword-rich body of work, this isn't the most ideal path when attempting to rank higher in search engines with highly specialized topic areas.

In addition, you might consider composing the content yourself. This alternative can be time squandering if you're focusing on other aspects of your website. Writing it yourself will enable you to produce content that's particular to your purpose. The trade-off could make this alternative worthwhile if you enjoy writing, and write proficiently.

However, most people don’t enjoy writing content, and don’t realize the laborious amount of time and work that goes into one singular article or publication until they begin their project. Another option is to seek out a copywriter who has a portfolio of their work available online, and can write content tailored to your needs for a fee, without the costs of a third party website involved.

This is an excellent option for those seeking a niche writer and for those wanting to work closely with one writer for the best content. Some ways to find copywriters is through word of mouth or simply performing a search engine query for independent copywriters who freelance their writing skills.

/Contributing Writer/

Stiletto of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Fri, 08 May 2009 03:37:00 +0000

"All Words are Pegs to Hang Ideas On."
-Henry Ward Beecher-

Basic Guidelines for Getting Your Freelance Portfolio Noticed

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Sun, 03 May 2009 22:17:00 +0000

If you're a writer, web designer, or photographer freelancing for online media, you'll sooner or later require a website for your portfolio. Most professionals agree an online portfolio is an important component to building a freelance business these days.

When you're ready to create an online portfolio you'll want to be noticed in the search engines for this will send you new contacts, while also pointing your current clients to your new portfolio. For writers, linking a blog to your portfolio can work out advantageously, while the reciprocal links that are developed will help to further your Google rank. Having a portfolio that no one can find serves little purpose.

The easiest way to view web ranking and how web pages get listed in the search engines is to view search engines like robots who spider the web. A spider doesn't cogitate as people do, but operates as a bounded and comparatively outdated cyberspace automaton. These crawlers reiterate simple tasks at quicker rates than humans can. They serve a purpose, but also have their limits.

Search engine robots spider for information across the web at incredible speeds recording data, such as reciprocal links associated with webpages. The more links you have, the higher your ranking. When good web design helps search robots locate all your content, your content is indexed quickly. When your blueprint is not search friendly, it may take some time to get indexed. However, not everyone wants to sacrifice aesthetic design for functionality, thus a happy compromise is sometimes the best solution.

There are several aspects that go into high ranking websites, but the primary operative is to build a friendly search engine web design, and increase external links to your website and blog. These are not the only two factors in getting quickly indexed, but they are a good starting point.

There are numerous methods to develop external links to your portfolio, which can get your webpages noticed on the Internet faster. That means more exposure for your work. More about external links next time.

Stiletto of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:35:00 +0000

"Like stones, words are laborious and unforgiving, and the fitting of them together, like the fitting of stones, demands great patience and strength of purpose and particular skill."

-Edmund Morrison-

How to Publicize a Press Release

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:15:00 +0000

A press release is news worthy. If you would like to kickoff a new virtual venture, a great way to obtain targeted hits to your new internet website is to write a press release. While penning your press release here are a few tips to prevent your press release from coming across as aggressive self-promotion. Even though a press release is self-promotional, it's crucial it doesn't end up sounding like a paid advertisement. A skillful release should sound like a third party, which has nothing to gain, letting interested parties know about an interesting Internet site, new publication or enterprise.

A press release is impartial and unbiased. The first matter to bear in mind while publishing a press release is you will want to convince the reader that you're supplying researched data instead of hyperbole. A great technique to show the reader that the information contained in a press release is factual is to offer statistics within the body of the content. Figures and facts will give your press release credibility. When providing statistics, stick with simple figures that help exemplify or support assertions constructed within the press release, which won’t burden the reader.

A press release is interesting. Second, make certain your press release is composed in an interesting style. Write in an entertaining voice, even as facts are being introduced. Compose your press release in the same style as a news story or something that's going to be read for publicity. A boring press release comprised with nothing but facts and figures won’t create an interesting read, and won't produce the same readership interest that an entertaining press release will.

A good press release sells itself. Lastly, while penning your publicity don't constantly reference your URL or internet site. A press release will feature a link field for media and that field will afford you the opportunity to supply the relevant URL. Advertising the site URL by offering a web address once in the body of the press release is also normal practice. Adding the URL into the press release anymore than once will make your press release appear like nothing more than a walking billboard.

A good press release is positive publicity. Finally, don't overindulge your press release and readers with keywords and jargon. A press release isn't a pitch – it is a form of publicity and news. It's acceptable to publicize yourself and your site without looking desperate.

Stiletto Pen

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:31:00 +0000

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword -

Bulwer-Lytton