I mentioned in a past post that I started writing for Suite 101. I have a total of 30 articles on the site and I am still learning the basics of posting, providing sources, and figuring out the right voice. On Associated Content, I currently have a little over $24 in page views for the month, which is ridiculously low. I don't know if Panda reared its ugly head again or what.
On Suite 101, I'm noticing that my page views climb a little bit each day. I currently have much less in earnings, but also a lot less articles on the site. Suite 101 picked two of my wedding articles and featured those on the Home & Style section. I also had another article picked as a featured article on the home page! That was incredibly exciting for me!
I have to say that I'm actually liking Suite 101 a lot better than Associated Content right now. The editors are incredibly nice and leave comments that actually help. An editor pulled one article, sent me a message about finding sources, and when I added a sources, it went live again with a note from the editor, saying she appreciated my hard work.
With Associated Content, you get one shot and that is it. If an editor does not like one thing, your article is rejected for upfront payment. Suite 101 does not do upfront payments, but the editors are much more helpful. As of Saturday, I had around 700 page views and already exceeded the page view payment from YCN. I have the highest clout level, so I earn $2 per 1,000 page views at YCN.
Once I get more attuned to the type of articles and keyword basics, I think I can earn 3+ times on page views from Suite 101. I would like Associated Content to start buying some of my articles, but at the rate it's going now, I'm better off skipping the site and posting the articles on Suite 101.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Kindle Publishing Thoughts
I doubt that I will ever see myself making millions of dollars off my writing, but I would like to earn thousands. I'm seriously contemplating publishing a few books on the Kindle platform, in the hopes of increasing my residual income.
I found 40 pages of a book idea I started working on a few years ago. I assumed the work was long gone, given my bad luck with computers. Imagine my surprise when I uncovered the file hidden on an old laptop. I showed the work to my ex-boyfriend, who pretty much shot down the idea quickly. He had always helped me in the past, so if he said it was bad, I assumed that it was.
Reading through it now, it seems like something that would actually work. I think I could break it down into multiple stories, instead of doing one long book. I really like it and actually got hooked into the story when I re-read it. I might do a series on another idea too, but I'm not sure yet.
I found 40 pages of a book idea I started working on a few years ago. I assumed the work was long gone, given my bad luck with computers. Imagine my surprise when I uncovered the file hidden on an old laptop. I showed the work to my ex-boyfriend, who pretty much shot down the idea quickly. He had always helped me in the past, so if he said it was bad, I assumed that it was.
Reading through it now, it seems like something that would actually work. I think I could break it down into multiple stories, instead of doing one long book. I really like it and actually got hooked into the story when I re-read it. I might do a series on another idea too, but I'm not sure yet.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Extremely Frustrated at YCN/Associated Content
I am extremely frustrated with Associated Content, i.e. Yahoo Contributor's Network right now. Of that last 13 articles I submitted for upfront payment, all 13 were denied. Half the articles were declined because the review said that the articles would not bring traffic to the site, the other half said information on the topic was readily available online.
What really annoys me is an article I wrote on "How to Avoid ___ and ___ This Winter." It was denied for upfront payment because the topic was too readily available. One week later, I came across an article just published on the site that was titled "Tips for Avoiding ___ and ___ During the Winter." I checked out the article and it included the same tips I used, except this writer is one of the top 100 contributors, so of course got paid for the piece.
I knew I would never get rich from the site, but I still expected to at least get something. I only had two articles receive upfront payments in the last few weeks. Oddly enough, one was one hotel discounts and it got a $4 upfront. I had another one turned down, with the comment that it would not draw traffic to the site. Yet in the first day it went live (display only), I got almost 300 page views and the views kept rising.
Maybe posting recipes on the site is hurting me? The recipes bring in a few pennies and page views a day, but not like the big power YCN peeps. On top of that, I had a news article rejected because I did not include a link on how I knew the actor went to school in a specific town. Um, maybe because I live there and have for most of my life? It also took over 24 hours to review the article, so I deleted it. What is the point of posting a news story if it posts days after it occurs?
What really annoys me is an article I wrote on "How to Avoid ___ and ___ This Winter." It was denied for upfront payment because the topic was too readily available. One week later, I came across an article just published on the site that was titled "Tips for Avoiding ___ and ___ During the Winter." I checked out the article and it included the same tips I used, except this writer is one of the top 100 contributors, so of course got paid for the piece.
I knew I would never get rich from the site, but I still expected to at least get something. I only had two articles receive upfront payments in the last few weeks. Oddly enough, one was one hotel discounts and it got a $4 upfront. I had another one turned down, with the comment that it would not draw traffic to the site. Yet in the first day it went live (display only), I got almost 300 page views and the views kept rising.
Maybe posting recipes on the site is hurting me? The recipes bring in a few pennies and page views a day, but not like the big power YCN peeps. On top of that, I had a news article rejected because I did not include a link on how I knew the actor went to school in a specific town. Um, maybe because I live there and have for most of my life? It also took over 24 hours to review the article, so I deleted it. What is the point of posting a news story if it posts days after it occurs?
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Grr and Argh
I think something fishy is going on with YCN. Over the past few days, the site listed a messaging, saying that page views were not updating. Now that they have, my page views took a huge nosedive. My lowest day in October was just over 2,000 views, which is far less than a lot of other writers. Since November 1, my highest page views were at around 700.
Granted I do have a lot of articles on haunted places and ghosts, but those page views are still seriously low. I cannot even remember the last time I logged on and saw page views that far down!
I also discovered that most of my articles I submitted last week were turned down for upfront payments. Apparently the site now requires that you include a photo you took yourself for craft articles. Sorry, but when you only give me a total of $3-4, you are not getting one of my own photos. I also had one on Charlie Brown get turned down because it wasn't a popular search term. I'm sure that the millions of Peanuts fans are sorely disappointed.
On a positive note, I had my first article for Suite 101 approved, so I can now post without going through the editor. My favorite part is that the article was a craft article that YCN turned down. It made $.08 in its first day without any marketing on my part. I can't wait to see what happens next!
Granted I do have a lot of articles on haunted places and ghosts, but those page views are still seriously low. I cannot even remember the last time I logged on and saw page views that far down!
I also discovered that most of my articles I submitted last week were turned down for upfront payments. Apparently the site now requires that you include a photo you took yourself for craft articles. Sorry, but when you only give me a total of $3-4, you are not getting one of my own photos. I also had one on Charlie Brown get turned down because it wasn't a popular search term. I'm sure that the millions of Peanuts fans are sorely disappointed.
On a positive note, I had my first article for Suite 101 approved, so I can now post without going through the editor. My favorite part is that the article was a craft article that YCN turned down. It made $.08 in its first day without any marketing on my part. I can't wait to see what happens next!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Weekly Goals: 11/7/11
This week my goals are as follows:
YCN: 7 Articles
Squidoo: 7 Articles
Hubpages: 7 Articles
Suite 101: 7 Articles
DMS: 10 Articles
Private Client: 10 Articles
I got a new client this week that only pays once a month. It kind of sucks because he doesn't pay until the end of the month, so for what I do in November, I won't get until the end of December. At the same time, rent is due the first of the month, so what I do for him will go a long way towards paying my rent.
I only managed to write and upload four articles to YCN in the last week and a half. They offered $3-4 for each one, except for one. I wrote an article on finding the perfect boots that was turned down. Oh and one I did before the latest was turned down too. It was on finding cheap ways to throw a holiday dinner, so that surprises me.
I did upload several Hubpages and get four followers, so that's exciting! I would love to get my earnings up to around $100 from each site and then work on increasing that amount.
YCN: 7 Articles
Squidoo: 7 Articles
Hubpages: 7 Articles
Suite 101: 7 Articles
DMS: 10 Articles
Private Client: 10 Articles
I got a new client this week that only pays once a month. It kind of sucks because he doesn't pay until the end of the month, so for what I do in November, I won't get until the end of December. At the same time, rent is due the first of the month, so what I do for him will go a long way towards paying my rent.
I only managed to write and upload four articles to YCN in the last week and a half. They offered $3-4 for each one, except for one. I wrote an article on finding the perfect boots that was turned down. Oh and one I did before the latest was turned down too. It was on finding cheap ways to throw a holiday dinner, so that surprises me.
I did upload several Hubpages and get four followers, so that's exciting! I would love to get my earnings up to around $100 from each site and then work on increasing that amount.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Suite 101 and Squiddo
This might sound odd, but I completely forgot I had a Suite 101 account LOL. When I created the account, you had to apply and be accepted into a certain program. Despite running a long-time horror movie blog, I was turned down from the movie section, but accepted into the history section. When I learned that I had to write only on topics in my area, I never went back.
I am pleased to say that this week I actually wrote an article. It covers cleaning clothes during the winter, so we will see what happens. I'm not crazy about submitting an article and having it sit with an editor who approves or denies it though. I would prefer that since I do not get upfront pay, having the article go live.
I also created an account at Squidoo, just to see what happens. I wrote a few things on R.L. Stine, Sweet Valley High, Sweet Valley Confidential, and just finished one on Muppets gift ideas. It should be interesting to see if my lenses move up or down!
I am pleased to say that this week I actually wrote an article. It covers cleaning clothes during the winter, so we will see what happens. I'm not crazy about submitting an article and having it sit with an editor who approves or denies it though. I would prefer that since I do not get upfront pay, having the article go live.
I also created an account at Squidoo, just to see what happens. I wrote a few things on R.L. Stine, Sweet Valley High, Sweet Valley Confidential, and just finished one on Muppets gift ideas. It should be interesting to see if my lenses move up or down!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Helium Announces New Changes!
So, Helium announced some big changes this week. The site is now paying for page views, rather than the secret algorithm they used before. The amount you earn depends on your channel. I found this on the forums:
Autos $2.00
Health & Fitness $2.00
Law & Legal Information $2.00
Style & Beauty $2.00
Travel $2.00
Business $1.75
Home & Garden $1.75
Jobs & Careers $1.75
Local Guides $1.75
Personal Finance $1.75
Computers & Technology $1.50
Education $1.50
Food & Drink $1.50
Parenting & Pregnancy $1.50
Pets & Animals $1.50
Sciences $1.50
Arts & Humanities $1.25
Celebrations & Holidays $1.25
Creative Writing $1.25
Entertainment $1.25
General $1.25
Hobbies & Games $1.25
Politics, News & Issues $1.25
Relationships & Family $1.25
Religion & Spirituality $1.25
Society & Lifestyle $1.25
Sports & Recreation $1.25
This is actually pretty exciting for someone like me that started there years ago. It is only November 4 and I already earned almost $7 off page views. Granted I have a ton of stuff there, but it's better than nothing. I may start putting more articles up and see if I can get my earnings up. My goal for Helium is just to save some cash in my account for a new laptop.
Autos $2.00
Health & Fitness $2.00
Law & Legal Information $2.00
Style & Beauty $2.00
Travel $2.00
Business $1.75
Home & Garden $1.75
Jobs & Careers $1.75
Local Guides $1.75
Personal Finance $1.75
Computers & Technology $1.50
Education $1.50
Food & Drink $1.50
Parenting & Pregnancy $1.50
Pets & Animals $1.50
Sciences $1.50
Arts & Humanities $1.25
Celebrations & Holidays $1.25
Creative Writing $1.25
Entertainment $1.25
General $1.25
Hobbies & Games $1.25
Politics, News & Issues $1.25
Relationships & Family $1.25
Religion & Spirituality $1.25
Society & Lifestyle $1.25
Sports & Recreation $1.25
This is actually pretty exciting for someone like me that started there years ago. It is only November 4 and I already earned almost $7 off page views. Granted I have a ton of stuff there, but it's better than nothing. I may start putting more articles up and see if I can get my earnings up. My goal for Helium is just to save some cash in my account for a new laptop.
The Water Bill Saga
I posted earlier about being on a payment plan for my water bill. Well, it turns out that is not exactly true! My boyfriend woke up on Monday morning, went to refill the cats' water dish and discovered that we had no water. He called the water company and according to the very rude woman he talked to, we defaulted on our payment plan.
I called back and spoke to a different man. According to him, once you create a payment plan with our city, the department is under no obligation to notify you of anything pertaining to the bill. He said that the woman who setup the payment plan, should have told us that our first payment was due October 20. She did not and I know because I am the one who called. Our water department doesn't even have to warn you when they are coming to turn it off after a payment plan!
Also, because of the "payment plan", we could not make any type of arrangement. Luckily, I had a payment coming in on Tuesday, but we still spent Monday without any water. I also discovered that they added more to the bill from the last tenants! Apparently the $90 was an "estimate" and when they did a final read in July, they added an additional $105 to that total. Our water bill was $240, so only $135 was ours. Needless to say, the landlord is not getting his total rent check.
I did get some other bills, so at least now I know who I owe what to. My November goals are now updated.
Rent: $565
Electric: $107
Gas: $81
Internet/Cable: $162
That now comes to $915, which is a little less than my earlier estimate. I'm also hoping to put back some money for Christmas this month, or at least get a few gifts purchased.
I called back and spoke to a different man. According to him, once you create a payment plan with our city, the department is under no obligation to notify you of anything pertaining to the bill. He said that the woman who setup the payment plan, should have told us that our first payment was due October 20. She did not and I know because I am the one who called. Our water department doesn't even have to warn you when they are coming to turn it off after a payment plan!
Also, because of the "payment plan", we could not make any type of arrangement. Luckily, I had a payment coming in on Tuesday, but we still spent Monday without any water. I also discovered that they added more to the bill from the last tenants! Apparently the $90 was an "estimate" and when they did a final read in July, they added an additional $105 to that total. Our water bill was $240, so only $135 was ours. Needless to say, the landlord is not getting his total rent check.
I did get some other bills, so at least now I know who I owe what to. My November goals are now updated.
Rent: $565
Electric: $107
Gas: $81
Internet/Cable: $162
That now comes to $915, which is a little less than my earlier estimate. I'm also hoping to put back some money for Christmas this month, or at least get a few gifts purchased.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
October Earnings
The only way to actually keep myself on track is by listing my earnings every month and checking for an increase or decrease. In October, I earned:
Helium: $20
Demand Studios: $1,700-still my highest earner, even in the midst of the First Look program, which I'm not in.
YCN: $20+ upfront payments, $70 page views
Private Client #1: $30-started the last few days of October
Private Client #2: $20-sample article, start regular writing in November
I earned a total of $1,860, which is more than I need to survive. Sadly, I spent some of that income on Halloween decorations and had less than I expected due to a cat emergency. We will see how November goes.
Helium: $20
Demand Studios: $1,700-still my highest earner, even in the midst of the First Look program, which I'm not in.
YCN: $20+ upfront payments, $70 page views
Private Client #1: $30-started the last few days of October
Private Client #2: $20-sample article, start regular writing in November
I earned a total of $1,860, which is more than I need to survive. Sadly, I spent some of that income on Halloween decorations and had less than I expected due to a cat emergency. We will see how November goes.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
What I Need
As the sole income provider for my household, I know that my bills are going to rise starting this winter. Right now I have the following:
Rent: $565
Electric: $150-ish
Water: 50-ish
Gas: $100-ish, we will see what happens.
Cable/Internet: $85
That comes to a total of $950. I also need roughly $200 every week to pay miscellaneous bills, buy groceries, cat food, gas, and other items. That comes to $1,750, which is a lot less than many people need for survival. I need around $440 every week to pay my bills. It would be much easier if I had some help around here, which sadly I do not.
November is the deciding month for me. If I cannot make enough to get through the month, I plan on cutting back on my living expenses by moving in with my parents. I should also point out that we are currently behind on water, due to a mistake by the landlord.
The previous tenants had an unpaid water bill when we moved into the house back in the summer. The water company could not switch the account into our name, until someone paid the old bill. The landlord promised to pay it in July. See where this is going? Basically, we got a water bill for several hundred dollars that he never paid. We finally paid part of the old bill and setup a payment plan, supposedly. Cut to last week, when we got a $300 water bill. Anyway, I did get us setup on a payment plan for electric, which lowers our monthly payments. Hopefully, I figure this all out.
Rent: $565
Electric: $150-ish
Water: 50-ish
Gas: $100-ish, we will see what happens.
Cable/Internet: $85
That comes to a total of $950. I also need roughly $200 every week to pay miscellaneous bills, buy groceries, cat food, gas, and other items. That comes to $1,750, which is a lot less than many people need for survival. I need around $440 every week to pay my bills. It would be much easier if I had some help around here, which sadly I do not.
November is the deciding month for me. If I cannot make enough to get through the month, I plan on cutting back on my living expenses by moving in with my parents. I should also point out that we are currently behind on water, due to a mistake by the landlord.
The previous tenants had an unpaid water bill when we moved into the house back in the summer. The water company could not switch the account into our name, until someone paid the old bill. The landlord promised to pay it in July. See where this is going? Basically, we got a water bill for several hundred dollars that he never paid. We finally paid part of the old bill and setup a payment plan, supposedly. Cut to last week, when we got a $300 water bill. Anyway, I did get us setup on a payment plan for electric, which lowers our monthly payments. Hopefully, I figure this all out.
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