Why Suite101 and eHow are My Favorite Places to Make Money Writing

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I began writing around 2005 when I had some down time at my job. I learned of a website called "Write for Cash" on a work at home forum. Write for Cash was willing to pay a guaranteed rate for articles. To write for them you had to pass a grammar/spelling test. I researched and wrote my first article "How to Repair a Washing Machine" which I am still able to find online today. If I remember correctly, the pay was $10-$15 for the article. I am not a washing machine repair person, but I remembered from school how to research and write. I submitted approximately 10 articles to "Write for Cash" before they closed their website.

Associated Content **
I then learned about Associated Content. I wrote 2 articles there. The first one was accepted and they paid me $5.00. This article has earned $1.50 residuals since publication. The second article I submitted was rejected for being "over-done." I guess I'm not fond of rejection, because I stopped writing there. I've heard other writers saying their up-front payment has dropped and you just never know what they will accept. Being an established writer at AC might help views, but I think my time is better spent elsewhere.

eHow *****
I had given up on web content writing as a solid form of income until I heard about in March of 2008. I submitted several articles, for fun, and was surprised to earn a consistent $1.00 a month per article at eHow. The more I wrote the more my earnings increased.

I had such a good experience with eHow, that I began branching out and applying to other websites as a freelance writer again. I tried Helium, Suite101 and Constant Content, Squidoo, eXaminer, Brighthub, Life123, and InfoBarrel, and some others that aren't worth mentioning. I also tried bidding on writing work at Elance. I also learned that you can waste a lot of time applying for new writing opportunities online and not actually writing and earning anything.

Helium *
When I think of Helium, I think of writing and rating stars. UGH! Helium did teach me that good web content has headings. Web readers like to scan and headings allow them to scan quickly without reading text like a novel.

My writing didn't earn squat at Helium. I think if you have badges this improves. I've gotten email messages from Helium recently requesting that I submit my work history in the field of finance to receive a badge. I have not done it because I am not that impressed with them.

Elance *
I have heard people talk about making very good money from Elance, but you spend so much time proposing bids and submitting work that it significantly limits your income. If I spend 20 hours writing and earn $400, that seems like good money - $20 an hour! But, when you consider you may have to spend 20 hours bidding on jobs before you land that job...well you've knocked your rate down to $1o per hour of time spent. When contracting as a freelance writer you also run the risk of not being paid. For anyone that wants to work for an client, I suggest textbroker or Constant-Content instead. Both of these websites allow someone to hire you directly for a project. I have received short-term job offers at both places.

Suite101 ****
I started writing for Suite101 and found their earnings stable and consistent like eHow. Suite requires longer articles than eHow and my earnings per article are closer to 75 cents per article per month. But, I still consistently earn without doing anything accept writing. I enjoy websites that pay me consistent passive income on my articles. I believe my eHow articles earn a little better because of ad placement and more accurate advertisements. Suite sometimes misses the mark a little when trying to match ads with content. I love the editorial process on , as it ensures my work will be published with well-written content. It also encourages me to do my best as a writer.

Constant Content ***
I submitted a few articles to constant content for fun. I sold usage rights on the same article 4 times to date at $5.00 per use, so I've earned $20 from that article. That is enough to suggest to me that Constant Content has great potential, but I am having so much fun building up my articles libraries with Suite101 and eHow, that I haven't taken the time to add articles at CC.

Textbroker ***
I enjoy writing for textbroker when I am contacted by a client for a direct order. The link above takes you to my article explaining how I get direct orders at Textbroker. The website allows you to set your own rates for direct orders.

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May 26, 2011 10:54pm

jpwriter
"I also learned that you can waste a lot of time applying for new writing opportunities online and not actually writing and earning anything."
Boy, that's for sure!!

I've not used Suite 101, so I don't know if this applies. Have you tried changing your Adsense settings to get better ads there? I turn off my "interest based ads" because when it's on the ads are not solely based on content, but the previous sites someone looked at. Try it to see if it makes a difference.

I hope you give IB another shot. What a blow from eHow, huh? I don't know if you sold to eHow or are removing your articles, but either way I remember your articles there and you could do really well here. I commented on your forum post on the self-serving links. It took me a year to earn here, but I've learned way more than eHow ever taught me. I've hit so many learning curves it's amazing.

Anyhow, let me know if you need some help here and I'll do my best. Take care.