All The Things I Do to Make Money Writing

For most of my career, I have been a ghost writer. I started off in a hopeful way. I had a short story, a poem, and an article published my first year in business. I went on to enjoy publishing credits at two herbal medicine magazines and one travel publication.

Then, I discovered writing on the internet and much of this involved ghost writing. After several years and pounds and pounds of weight gain, I finally had the guts to step away. I went through a transition period where I kept taking on assignments, but I've walked away and am finished now.

With that said, don't let me discourage you away from ghost writing. It's just that I know it isn't for me. So, I've taken a step backwards and am rebuilding my career.

Before we go any further, let me just say that some sites that I have used in the past have been omitted. That is because I am not using them anymore. You may notice, for example, that I am not going to talk about Associated Content which is very popular. Over the years I've built up over 100 articles in my account and have not made a lot of money.

Also understand that these sites should be thought of as "training" and not "bread and butter". In the case of Associated Content, I feel as if I have gotten out of that site what I could have, and my time with them is finished.

Another site I don't use but also seems to be fairly popular is Demand Studios. There are several reasons. The main one is that I am very unhappy that the Expert program is gone, and so is the Writer's Compensation Program. Both had been very good to me in the past. While I understand that the company did what they thought was best, that doesn't mean I have to like it.

So I did sign up over at Demand so that I could write some articles. For the rates they are paying (usually around $15) I feel that they expect a lot out of you. Not only that, but with the Expert program I was writing about a passion of mine - herbal medicine. Lots of strikes against it, so no thanks.

I had a lot of fun telling you the two popular sites that I either refuse to use, or that I am simply done with. If you want to try them, be my guest. I, on the other hand, am all set. In fact, the sites I am using now are also temporary. I am using them as a stepping stone and as a way to jump start my income.

For years I have made the mistake of believing that these sites are the bread and butter of my career. That and ghost writing. I am not going to make this mistake ever again. So, my goal is to write 100 articles at each of these sites and then I am going to cease writing for them.

Note - an amendment. I chose 100 articles because I assumed that is how much I would need to make one sale, which is ultimately my goal. I will submit articles in five article spurts until I make a sale. Why write 100 articles if I don't need to?

I am also using both Hubpages and Squidoo but I will likely continue writing at both of these sites as my income picks up. This is simply because I think that both of these sites are fun to use and provide me with a way to do some "escape writing" and also help others in the process.

Constant Content

A few years ago, I sold two of my articles. Now, I can't seem to get any articles published. It's driving me crazy, and I plan to turn things around for myself. My goal is to submit (and have them accept) 100 articles. It might be a long road ahead but I feel as if I will be rewarded even if people only buy a few of my articles.

The nice thing is that you can set your own prices - and the average appears to be a lot higher nowadays than they were a few years ago when I first signed up. Interesting trend, and one that I plan on putting to work for me.

The Content Authority

It's almost ridiculous how low paying these articles are, but I consider writing 140 articles with them to be my "last hoorah" so to speak. Even though this isn't exactly ghost writing, the type of writing is exactly the same. You don't get a byline, the rates are low, clients benefit from your article instead of you...

Actually I take that back. TCA is ghost writing without a deadline. And, you don't know who the clients are. The clients buy the articles, but you can complete the articles at your own pace. But man, the articles are low priced.

After these goals are finished, I am walking away from both of these sites. Staying here is what is causing me to be in my situation of not increasing my income. What I need is residual earnings.

I've been a freelance writer since 2002 and this whole time, I've been stuck in the "beginner's mindset" which was basically a vicious circle. The problem is, I didn't have the guts to walk away from the lower paying work.

These writing sites are my last hoorah because the fact is, I do still need money. I am finally diligent and am working on creating my own websites using a variety of strategies like blogging tactics and bum marketing... but I do need to have a little money trickling in until my income streams start bringing in cash.

That's where my plan to write on Hubpages, Squidoo, Constant Content, and The Content Authority is so important. Once my income from my websites pics up, I plan on walking away from CC and TCA. And I do have some other projects in the works, such as writing PLR and selling them on my private PLR site (which has yet to be set up.

Okay, I will list some sites real quick so that you can get started writing. I can't let my own biases cause me to be unhelpful! I mentioned the first four already.

• Associated Content
• Constant Content
• The Content Authority
• Demand Studios
• Textbroker
• Infobarrel
• Seekyt
• Hubpages
• Squidoo
• Bukisa
• Triond
• eCopywriters

I don't have experience with all of these. I only know that some people use them and like them. The ones I know a lot about, I've really already mentioned.