Article writing is a very complicated way to make a living. Your money is limited by how many article ideas you can generate. There are a million ways to get article ideas, however. The thing is, most article ideas will never actually generate any page views. How do you generate article ideas while still making sure they are articles that will be viewed and generate income?

This article will help you figure that out. Here are a few ideas for how to generate money makers, based on my own experience and the advice of others greater than I:

1. Use Google Trends - Google Trends is a great resource to know what is hot. It is a list of the hottest search trends on Google. If it is hot on Google, you can be relatively sure it is hot everywhere. The thing about using Google trends is that it is often being used by thousands if not millions of other online writers. How do you bypass that?

Simply by finding your slant. Here is a tip. Find a hot Google Trends story. Now find another one on the list that is related. How can you mix the two together? For example:

Free Money is a hot trend. (always)

Playing Games is a hot trend. (always)

Why not do an article about how to get free money playing games? (yes, you can do that believe it or not)

Google Trends is valuable.

2. Sign Up at Wordtracker.com – This is one of the coolest little tools on the Internet. You put in a search term and it sends you back hot article titles. Honestly, this is the coolest thing ever and worth your time. Give it whirl. You will be glad you did. This tool is my favorite thing. Just punch in ideas and get free information. Free is always good.

3. Sign up for Problogger.com’s email updates – While you may or may not be a blogger, this guy always puts out information that can really help with article ideas. The email updates are very non-invasive, and they always are worthwhile. I take the time to read everything that comes from him, and it has made a huge difference.

4. Keep a journal of article ideas on your person 24 hours a day. Seriously. I have a pen and pad beside my bed. I never leave to even go to the store without it. If you do not write it down, you will never ever remember it tomorrow. Write it down!

5. Watch the local news – If you need ammunition, then the news will give you all the article ideas you can think of. Foodie writers have it made. They can simply turn on the Food Network or Emeril and have tons of ideas. Us writers that write on boring stuff have the same resources if we think in that way. Think outside the box and use those 5000 channels your satellite service provides.

I hope that this will at least get you juiced up and ready for some great writing. Be sure and subscribe to the blog, and I will see you tomorrow!

If you’re a freelance writer who is looking for some extra cash, you may have thought about www.examiner.com. The website is considered to be comparable to Associated Content. Is Examiner really worth all the hype though? Or is it nothing more than just a waste of time? Here’s one writer’s opinion on the Examiner.

How it Works

Examiner works a lot like Associated Content with its Display Only content option. Once you have been accepted to the website and have written your first article that requires approval, you will be able to publish whenever you want. You are required to publish 3-5 times per week. Keep in mind that the more you publish, the more you will have to show for in terms of your monthly earnings.

One of the main differences between this website and Associated Content is that you will not be allowed to write about just anything. You will need to write within the channel that you get accepted to. At this point, writers are able to have up to two channels. Another one of the differences is that Examiner requires you to apply either at the National level or at the Local level, which means that you may be writing for the Miami edition.

Payment

The Examiner does not pay any type of upfront offer for content that you submit. This means that you are only getting paid for website traffic. Does this mean that www.examiner.com is worse than www.associatedcontent.com in terms of money? Absolutely not. Associated Content pays up to $2.00 per 1,000 page views, depending on your performance as a member. The Examiner pays a flat rate of $10.00 per 1,000 page views. Payment is sent out on the 20th of the month following the month of your earnings.

The Pros

When you go to the “Publishing Tool” on Examiner, you will have a dropdown tool available to you. You will be able to select from “Today,” “Yesterday,” “Current Week Sunday to Saturday,” “Current Month,” “Last Month,” “Current Year,” and “Last Year.” If you click on one of these options, you will be able to see the amount of money that you earned during each time. This is great if you want to have a new way to keep up with your financial records, which can be challenging as a freelance writer.

Unlike certain websites, such as www.demandstudios, you will not be required to do a whole lot of research or follow a particular formatting structure on Examiner. It is recommended that you choose to write in a channel that you love or are a specialist in, so that you will not need to do too much research. There is not a set word limit, but you should try to keep your articles at about 250 words. This is nothing compared to the minimum word requirements at many websites.

The Cons

Unlike on Associated Content, you are not able to click on each article to see how well it is doing in terms of page views. It has been said that this is a function that Examiner is working on getting due to complaints, however.

The Examiner also often has a lot of technical problems, but what website doesn’t? The turnaround for getting them fixed does seem slightly quicker than other sites though.

Is Examiner Worth the Hype?

Yes, it is definitely is. As long as you choose the right channel to write for and consistently produce high quality pieces, it is likely that you will be quite pleased with your earnings on Examiner. This freelance writer highly recommends you to apply to write for this website if you haven’t already.

For years I wanted to have my very own blog, and was always unsure of doing so. Not because of content or information. I had oceans of that. The problem I had with starting my own blog stemmed from my dependence over the years on Blogger.com. I did not think I could actually get my own domain name, and start a “real” blog. I thought it took extensive knowledge in areas that I knew little about, and that my limited knowledge of html would be a huge problem.

Man, do I feel stupid now.

I wanted a wordpress blog, and briefly had a free one. I loved the simplicity of the blog, but I did not like that I could not put adsense on it. Again, I feel stupid now. Adsense is allowed if you get your own blog hosting and domain. I did not know that either.

Anyway, I finally took the plunge blindly, and went over to Bluehost.com. These guys set me up with hosting and domains, and simplescripts loaded up WordPress services quick and painlessly. Now I have that blog that I have always wanted (three to be exact) – all with their own domains and complete control on my part.

Having finally done it, I would say that you need not worry about it. The process is simple as it can be, and you are up and running fast. I am new to the blogging world in this way, but my blogs are already doing better traffic wise than older ones I had on Blogger for months.

In other words, I am now converted. Never again will I have to take the route of free blogging on Blogger to monetize a blog. I am quite happy thus far. If you are considering getting your own blog with WordPress, I can honestly say that you need to do so right away. The service is fantastic, and the interface is easy as pie.

One of the main reasons that many people make the decision to quit their day jobs in order to become freelance writers is because they think that they are going to rich. Is this actually possible though? What are the chances of you getting rich simply by making the decision to become a freelance writer? Here are some of the different things that you should think about before giving your two week notice.

Can a Freelance Writer Get Rich?

The most important thing to remember is that anything is possible. There are many freelance writers who earn a decent amount of money. One writer, whose blog you can find here, has reported earnings that many people will never reach at their day jobs. Does this necessarily mean that you will get rich? Absolutely not. In fact, there is a strong possibility that you will never get rich with this career choice. That being said, you never know what type of opportunities you may find by choosing to pursue a career in freelance writing.

Can You Get Rich Quick as a Freelance Writer?

No way. If anyone tells you that they have found some website or other method to get rich quick just by writing a few articles a day, it is important to keep in mind that this is most likely a scam. Although it is very possible for freelance writers to earn a large sum of money, this will usually happen over time. A lot of factors will also contribute to how much money you can potentially earn as a freelance writer, such as how much you market yourself and how much work you are able to do on a daily basis. For most people, it will take months or even years before they begin to see a large amount of money getting transferred to their bank account.

How Can You Increase Money-Making Opportunities?

Many people choose a few websites to write for, such as Associated Content and Demand Studios. There is nothing wrong with doing this. The most important thing is to make sure that you do not throw all of your eggs into one basket. What would happen if one of the main website that you write for shuts down or stops paying for work? You will lose out on money. Looking for other ways to make money, such as finding private clients, is one of the best ways to ensure that you will have a consistent flow of income.

Most freelance writers will never get rich in their lifetimes, but this does not mean that it can’t happen. There are so many different opportunities available to you. Just like with any other career that you may make the decision to pursue, it is possible for your career success to progress over time when you are a freelance writer. Learning all that you can about freelance writing and managing your time are just two ways to help you reach the goals that you have as a freelance writer.

If you are just getting started writing for the web, then earning a little cash has to be on the list of things you are looking to do. Getting your start is not always easy. Earning money as a writer can seem nearly impossible at first. Inevitably, new writers turn to the online writing sites that litter the web.

While these online writing sites are wonderful at their best, they are horrid at their worst. The key is to find the good ones and not waste time with the others. To that end, I have decided to tout the three online writing websites that helped me the most as a new writer. These websites all have their ups and downs, but they all are beneficial to a new writer.

Here they are:

Associated Content - This web writing giant has had a number of ups and downs over the years, and they certainly are not perfect. One thing I will say about Associated Content is that they are quite punctual with payment and they generally do a good job of keeping your web writing in the search engines. They pay an upfront amount for your work if it is well done, keyworded, optimized for the web, and they do not already have a large amount on the subject. They also pay you a page view bonus each month based on the number of views you garner.

Associated Content also has a special place in my heart for another reason. They awarded me 5000 bucks for a contest.

Demand Studios - Demand Studios is a step up in compensation and expectations. They are a little tougher than AC when it comes to editing, etc. Still, they offer upfront money as well. I earned a great deal of money from them over a year’s time, and they taught me a lot about writing for the web. I highly recommend them to anyone interested in writing for the web and earning money.

Hubpages – Hubpages is a bit different in that they do not pay upfront. Instead you put your adsense code in and are paid on a percentage basis of your views. The thing I love about Hubpages is the fact that you can really garner some serious page views. Also, you are free to add pics, Amazon, Ebay affiliates, and a number of other great earning sites. Finally, Hubpages gives you a fantastic way to build pages that can include video, pics, polls, and more. Hubpages is highly addicting! You can make money on Hubpages!

Hopefully you will check out some of the great websites I have listed, and do not give up. Though you are starting there, you will not finish there if you are dedicated. More earning power will come from these sites over time, and you will quickly find private clients are more than willing to pay for great content!

Many freelance writers work without the television on, as it can be a major distraction. There are others who make the decision to listen to music while they write, however. Not only can it be entertaining, but it can also help ensure that the time passes by slightly quicker for you. Listening to the right type of music can make all the difference when it comes to writing. Some types of music may be able to improve your work day. Here are some of the different types of music to listen to while working on freelance writing projects.

Upbeat Music

Have you ever heard that listening to upbeat music can help you workout quicker? It is also known to make people drive faster. Well, there are many typists who believe that upbeat music can also make you type quicker. Listening to artists such as Beyonce, Michael Jackson, or Justin Timberlake can really help you get the job done in a timely manner. All that you need to do is put on some of the songs that you would normally listen to when working out, or taking an aerobic dance class.

Soothing Music

There are other people who believe that the best type of music to listen to when writing is soft, soothing music. It is important to keep in mind that the actual artists or songs that meet this description will vary according to person. Some people feel that the Fray is the most soothing, while others would prefer to listen to LeAnn Rimes or even Hans Zimmer. Whether you find country or classical to be the most soothing, it can help prevent you from getting too distracted to finish your work. If you like the idea of just relaxing and listening to music while you work on writing the day away, then soft music is a great choice.

Inspirational Music

Are there some songs that just really inspire you? A good example of an inspirational song may be “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban. Another good example may be “Strong Enough” by Cher. Just try to think of artists which inspire you to do better. This can really depend on what you want to be inspired to do, and your own musical tastes. Many writers find that inspirational music is one of the most effective ways to get through the work day.

When selecting music to listen to while you are writing, the best thing that you can do is see what works the best for you. Some types of music may be more likely to help you succeed, while there are other types which really may be nothing more than a distraction. Learning what will help you get the work done in the timeliest manner is really the best thing that you can do when selecting music to listen to for writing purposes. Although there are some types of music which are ideal for some writers to listen to, other types of music may do more harm than good.

It happens to almost everyone: you have promised to get a certain freelance writing project done in time, but something has happened that will cause you to be late. While you can always email the client to let them know that you need a later deadline, there are some clients who are simply uncooperative. After all, you’re the one who said that you would have it done in time…

The only thing that you can think of doing without causing yourself to look bad is asking for the help of a fellow writer. Is it wrong to do this, however? Here are some of the things that you should think about prior to asking for other writers for help with the project that needs to be completed.

Has the Client Specifically Asked You Not to Do This?

If the client that you are working for has asked you at any point to ensure that the work you provide them is entirely your own, it may be a bad idea to ask another writer friend for help. On the other hand, how will your client ever know? By doing a bit of editing, you can help ensure that the articles will look a lot more like your own. If you were told that you should never provide work that was completely by a team of writers, it is best to avoid doing so, however.

Do You Actually Trust the Writer You’re Asking For Help?

Remember that there are measures that you can take to ensure that the work you are about to send one of your clients has not been plagiarized. You should not think about having to do this, however. It is important to think about how much you really trust the writer friend who you are asking for help. If you really feel that this writer will provide you with 100% honest and good work, then you should feel slightly better about asking for help.

Would You Think About Telling Your Client?

Some clients may be more open to the idea of multiple clients working on their projects than others would be. If you feel that your client is open to the idea, you may want to think about telling them. Simply let them know what the situation is, and tell them that you can still provide the same turnaround if they are okay with the idea of another writer completing some of the project. Your client may either reject the idea or they may extend the deadline so that you can finish it on your own, but there is a good chance that they will be appreciative of your honesty. Be sure to consider how long you have worked for the client, and the type of relationship that you have had with them so far before making the decision to ask them about this.

Many writers make the decision to ask for the help of their friends. The best thing that you can do is use your intuition. If the idea seems wrong even after you have given it much thought, then you may be better off trying to ask for an extension so that you can finish the project all on your own.

Here are some tips for managing your time as a freelance writer, to prevent yourself from getting into this situation in the first place.

Every writer comes to a point in time when they are faced with the decision to take a low paying job. Is it really a good idea for you to take a low paying job, however? Many writers do not feel that they should change their payment standards in order to accommodate to the needs of a particular client. Here are some things to consider when trying to decide if you should take low paying jobs.

Do You Need the Money?

If you really need to make some extra cash, taking a low paying job can be a great way to earn it. There are many low paying jobs out there. Unlike many of the moderate to high paying jobs for writers, the low paying ones aren’t quite so competitive. Those who really need the money should be sure to think about taking a low paying job. It can be one of the best and easiest ways for a freelance writer to earn some extra pocket change.

Are You Knowledgeable on the Subject?

You don’t want to spend a lot of time doing research if you are not getting paid too much for the work that you are doing. Taking low paying jobs in areas that you have a lot of knowledge about is a good idea. Think about how many articles you could do per hour, and see what the pay rate will be for you. This is a good way to determine if the job is worth what you put into it.

Do You Want a Regular Client?

One of the main benefits of taking low paying jobs is that there is a possibility that you may be able to find a long-term client. If you want to ensure that you have a consistent flow of work, this can be highly beneficial. Knowing that you will always have the stability of getting work that you can get paid for is one of the main reasons to think about taking a lower paying job. You may even want to ask the client if they can provide you with consistent work if you agree to do the job according to their pay scale.

Have You Considered Other Options?

Instead of taking lower paying jobs, you may want to think about other options. Websites like Associated Content may be able to provide you with the extra cash that you need. The turnaround is quick, and you will be able to keep earning on the work that you have produced through page views. If you really do not want to lower your pay standards for work, this can be a great idea.

Taking low paying jobs is something that writers have their own opinions about. A lot of writers also have their own opinions about what they consider to be low pay. While one writer may be satisfied with making $5 per article, there are others who would not consider taking even $15. Coming up with your own pay scale, and sticking to what you believe can be very important for most writers. There may come a time when a low paying job is ideal for you, however.

If you are looking for a website that will allow you to sell your articles for a price that you set on your own, there are two popular options. The first is Constant Content. The second is Daily Article, which is a website that is not quite as popular among freelance writers. Is Daily Article worth trying out? Here are some things that you should know before applying to this website.

Daily article is not quite as popular as Constant Content. What this means is that they see less buyers than CC does. Does this mean that you won’t sell the articles that you put on Daily Article? Absolutely not. I have personally sold about 75% of the articles that I have posted on Daily Article.

Pros

The percentage of money that Daily Article keeps is known to be lower than what Constant Content keeps when you make a sale. The website only keeps about 4% of the total sales rate. This is not bad at all for a website like this.

When you submit an article, you need to write a brief description about your article. If you are good at this, it can be a great way to help you secure a sale.

You do not need to pay any type of fees to signup to or remain a member of Daily Article. This means that trying out DA is of no cost to you.

As with most other websites that writers use, payment is made via PayPal.

Many writers have found that Daily Article’s requirements for content are less stringent than Constant Content’s. The content is checked for plagiarism, but it is not denied on the basis of bad grammar.

Cons

Just like any other website where you post an article, it can take awhile before you actually make a sale. It has taken months before I have sold several articles on the website, while others have sold after about a week or so.

Payment seems to be made randomly, which can be considered either good or bad. From my personal experience, it seems to come on the 30th of the month. However, it has also come during the middle of the month as well. It may be that payment is sent when there is a sale.

You are giving up full rights to your content when you make the decision to sell it on Daily Article.

The Verdict

Daily Article is absolutely worth trying out. It is important to keep in mind that the types of content that you write will determine the overall amount of success that you have with DA. Articles in certain areas, such as health and marketing, are known to do better than those in other areas. It really depends on the exact topic that you are writing about, however. While it would be a bad idea to rely on Daily Article for all of your income, it is a great option if you are looking for a new place to earn some extra cash.

A common misconception is that freelance writing is a job that’s ideal for everyone. This couldn’t be any further from the truth. Although freelance writing is a very suiting career for many individuals, it is not an online job that is the right choice for just anyone. Here are some of the reasons to rethink quitting your day job to pursue a career in freelance writing.

You can’t type quickly. Freelance writing allows you to work at your own pace, for the most part. However, you are going to have deadlines. If the idea of typing a lot of words in a short period of time seems challenging for you, then it may be a good idea to rethink pursuing a career in freelance writing. To make the most money and ensure that your clients are always happy, typing at the quickest pace possible is ideal. Here are some tips for improving typing speed and accuracy.

You have poor grammar skills. If you do not have very good skills in grammar or punctuation, a career in freelance writing is definitely not ideal for you. Have you ever browsed the internet, and found websites that were filled with typos? No one enjoys this. Unless you are willing to brush up on your grammar skills, it is a good idea to avoid a career in freelance writing.

You don’t enjoy doing research. Ultimately, you are going to be able to decide what freelance writing assignments you want to take on. However, the pickier that you are about what you want to write, the less money you are going to earn over time. Those who do not feel comfortable writing about topics that they are not familiar with may struggle with this. Doing internet research, and knowing how to provide sources when necessary, is one of the main keys to being a successful freelance writer.

You have very poor editing skills. Most freelance writers are their own editors because it costs too much money to hire a third person to do this job. If you do not have an eye for what looks right or wrong and if you tend to overlook the mistakes that you make, there is a possibility that freelance writing may not be for you. Here are some tips for editing your own work.

Although many people will make great freelance writers, there are some will not be too successful at this online job. Considering all of the factors prior to making the decision to pursue this as a career choice is very important. It is best to see how it works out for you on a part-time basis before quitting your day job to become a full-time freelance writer to pay the bills.