Life123 Is No Longer Accepting Writing!

Apparently, the Life123 website has decided not to accept additional articles. This was posted in the WAHM forum on Sunday, January 31st.

"Thank you for participating in the Life123 Writer's Community beta launched last fall. We are closing the program at this time and are no longer accepting new submissions.
If you have submitted an article that was published on Life123.com between October 13th, 2009 and January 27th, 2010, AND have entered valid PayPal account details by January 29th, 2010, Life123 will pay the $20 maximum rate for each eligible article.
Payments will be made prior to the end of February 2010. Thanks again for your work.
If you have any questions about items other than payment, please write to editorialdesk@life123.com."

Earn Money Writing for Quality Gal

Quality Gal is a website that hires writers to complete article assignments for clients, similar to Textbroker, or eCopywriters. At Quality Gal, you can claim up to 5 titles at one time. To apply as a writer with Quality Gal, you fill out a form on their website under the link "Register for the Writer Panel" at the bottom of the Writer Application Page.

There are several forms on that page that must be completed and faxed prior to beginning work. However they are not accessible until you have registered as a writer. Once registered as a Quality Gal writer, you can login to the website and access the forms. After completing them you must fax them.

Writing for the Untrained Housewife

What is the Untrained Housewife? It is a website created by Angela England that features the writing of the web's best content writers.

I first came across Angela England on Suite101. Impressed with her writing and her website, I added her as a Facebook friend. Soon, I learned through Facebook, that Angela was putting together a website for herself and other writers. She called it the "Untrained Housewife." There is a link to an author application on the sites homepage. In Angela's words, here is a little more info about writing for the Untrained Housewife.


Within a month of going live the website reached a Google Page Rank of 4. Today, I have begun to see Google search results with the Untrained Housewife listed on page 1. Congrats to Angela and all the other writers at the Untrained Housewife on a job well done.

Writing for ZestBIT

In the Suite forums a writer posted that he used ZestBIT to promote his articles. From his post, I gathered that ZestBIT is like Xomba. Writers create short blurb, blogs, or promos for their articles and post a link to them from within ZestBIT.

I gave it a shot and I was pretty impressed with how easy ZestBIT is to use. As far as the writing interface tool, ZestBIT is pretty amazing. However they are supposed to pay writers for submitting content. I checked back today, and I am not getting credit for any of my views. I have some analytics software that allows me to see that my ZestBIT article IS indeed getting traffic from a link I established online, but ZestBIT isn't giving me credit for them.

So, my opinion is that if you want to use ZestBIT as a quick and easy way to promote your writing go ahead. ZestBit certainly has made it easy to write quick promos for your articles. Just don't count on getting paid for your writing at ZestBIT.

Applying to HumanRewriter.com

Today, I heard of a new website for writers, so I applied it is HumanRewriter.com. They require an AIM user name to apply. You can get a free aim account before you apply. After listing my writing experience and my work history, I submitted it and got a response that they would reply to my email address within 7 days.

I got a response withing 1 hour saying my application had been accepted and requested I complete a quiz in the hiring process. I took the test immediately. It included two parts. Part 1 was a review of the writer manual and then a quiz on the content. Part 2 was a request to rewrite sentences, paragraphs, and articles according to the manual. I got an auto response after completion that they notify those who pass when they are in need of new writers and that they are currently full-staffed, but to watch for email in the event that they have openings soon.

Why You Won't Get Rich Writing Web Content

Writing web content is a good way to earn some passive income online. But, I think it is important for everyone to know that you will not get rich doing this. I have seen writer's promote themselves by promising easy money by writing for specific sites using specific techniques. Usually this type of hype promotes their book, which they don't tell you is the real way they make money online. They sell the dream of earning lots of money to those who want to earn as much as they do. Frankly, this type of hype leaves a bad taste in my mouth, it is the reason so many writers flocked to eHow hoping to make thousands of dollars for very little work.

You can make money writing for eHow, and many other websites online, but you will not get rich. Writing is not a career choice for those aspiring to become wealthy. Also, it will take quite a bit of work to write good quality, SEO optimized articles with enough backlinks to keep them ranked well with the search engines.

I write because I have a little extra time when my children are at school and I like to be doing something productive with my time when I am not being a mom. It earns me some extra money, but I do not hope to get rich.

Writing for Suite101 and Google

Suite101 articles get pretty good ranking with the Google search engine. Today, something happened that utterly amazed me about Suite101. I couldn't help but mention it in a blog post to share the information about Suite101.

Most of the websites for which I write, eventually ensure my articles are crawled by Google without any special effort on my part. I do not do any search engine submission on my own, because after a week or so it gets done for me. Today, I submitted an article to Suite101. I was searching Google immediately after submitting this article... brainstorming for more keyword ideas on that particular topic. I found my article I had submitted only 10 minutes earlier on page 2 of Google. I am so shocked I still almost don't believe it myself. Here it is: Knifty Knitter Loom Instructions

How Much Money Can You Make Blogging?

Many freelance writers have a blog. A blog is a great way to backlink to your articles. To create a blog focused on your writing in general and include links to every article you write, you will need to create a blog about your writing that keeps your readers interested. Since my writing is on such a variety of topics, I decided to create blogs for each of my niches. I believe this is a better method because search engines prefer it. I started several niche blogs in October, and they are getting first page Google rank for some keywords now.

Although my blogging has helped my article rank, it hasn't helped me make a lot of money. Three months of blogging has accumulated in my adsense account only $1.71. Are you wondering which of my niche blogs makes the most money?
                             Views/Earnings
This Writing Blog 718 / $0.86
Crochet Blog 266 / $0.60
Knitting Blog 135 / $0.15
Gardening Blog 219 / $0.07
Down Syndrome Blog 186 / $0.02
Raw Food Blog 37 / $0.01
Raising Organic Free Range Chicken 72 / $0.00

Writing for Dummies.com

Today, I stumbled on yet another place to publish content as a freelance writer. Dummies.com is accepting freelance writer applications through their online form. They request the writer fill in areas of expertise and document their training and experience in that area. Freelance writers are also required to submit a writing sample and a brief explanation of their writing history. Dummies.com did not disclose on their website what their pay was for freelance writers.

I applied today (1/19/2010) to Dummies.com and About.com. Both companies immediately responded that they had received my application. I will post the results of my applications later. I applied in the two areas of writing that I have work experience and a degree: accounting and tax. Unfortunately, these are not the topics I enjoy writing about. Maybe there will be other writing options once I get my foot in the door.

Oh, and About.com offers $500 a month for contributing writers and requires 12 articles a month. It is difficult to get hired by About.com, but well worth the effort.

eHow Earnings

It isn't uncommon to have low days, but my eHow earnings have been low for several months and today hit a desperate low of $5-6. My top days of eHow earnings are always in the summer months and I've had days as high as $15.00.

I am hopeful that eHow earnings will rebound, but just in case they don't it is always a good idea to branch out and explore other writing opportunities. All your eggs in one basket can be devastating to a writer if a website fails. This list should provide you with some other options as a freelance writer.

Bukisa has Freelance Writing Opportunities Listed on the Homepage

I logged into the Bukisa website today and noticed that they have a scrolling list of freelance writing opportunities that seem to be legitimate. I am going to check this out over the next few days and see if they are worth a writer's time.

Freelance Writing Income History

Watch how writing for Residual Income builds up over time....

April 2010
ETS - 462.00
eHow - 372.50
Pearson - 179.82
Squidoo - 105.53
Experts123 - 40.00
Bright Hub - 34.00
Suite - 32.30 (Estimate)
Adsense - 6.07
---------------------
1232.22

March 2010
eHow - 432.71
Squidoo - 121.35
ETS - 40.00
Bright Hub - 30.00
Suite - 25.00 (Estimate)
eCopywriters - 8.90
Adsense - 1.83
---------------------
659.79

February 2010
Life123 - 430.00
eHow - 330.45
ETS - 240.00
Squidoo - 48.00
Suite - 27.00 (Estimate)
Adsense - 1.65
---------------------
1077.10

January 2010
eHow - 320.35
Squidoo - 24.00
Suite - 21.00 (Estimate)
Life123 - 5.00
eCopyWriters - 7.34
Constant-Content - 6.60
Adsense - 2.05
---------------------
386.34

December 2009
eHow - 335.77
Squidoo - 23.95
Suite - 16.00 (Estimate)
Life123 - 10.00
Adsense - .95
Associated Content - .02
---------------------
386.69

November 2009
ETS - 373.00
eHow - 288.08
Suite - 25.00 (Estimate)
Squidoo - 9.01
eCopywriters - 23.30
Life123 - 5.00
Adsense - .65
Associated Content - .03
---------------------
724.07

October 2009
eHow - 378.26
Suite - 25.00 (Estimate)
Squidoo - 21.77
Textbroker - 14.29
Adsense from Info Barrel - .99
Associated Content - .07
---------------------
440.38

September 2009
eHow - 354.33
Textbroker - 118.93
Examiner.com - 35.80
Suite - 21.00
Squidoo - 6.57
Associated Content - 2.50
---------------------
539.13

August 2009
eHow - 319.68
Suite - 13.29
Squidoo - 2.71
Associated Content 2.10
---------------------
337.78

July 2009
eHow - 274.03
Suite - 21.14
Helium - 18.00
Constant Content 6.60
Squidoo - 2.22
--------------
321.99

June 2009
eHow - 183.45
Suite - 10.05
--------------
193.50

May 2009
eHow - 177.12
--------------
177.12

April 2009
eHow - 148.70
Squidoo - 1.00
----------------
149.70

March 2009
eHow - 117.46
Constant Content - 6.50
----------------
123.96

February 2009
eHow - 86.49
Squidoo - 1.02
----------------
87.51

January 2009
eHow - 64.20
PayPerPost - 15.45
-----------------
79.65

December 2008
eHow - 65.20
-----------------
65.20

November 2008
eHow - 75.31
Squidoo - 2.86
-----------------
78.17

October 2008
eHow 89.92
Squidoo - 2.91
-----------------
92.83

September 2008
eHow - 91.56
-----------------
91.56

August 2008
eHow - 67.45
-----------------
67.45

Tips for Writing Squidoo Lenses

When you write a Squidoo lens, your lens should be about something you love, or at least are very interested in researching. Lenses are a way to organize web links so that they make sense to a reader. If you are researching a topic, lenses are great tools to organize your research so that it doesn't get lost. Lenses are a little like folders in your internet bookmarks. They should relate to one topic and give many web resources on that topic. The best lenses have a lot of content, lots of links, and most importantly, lots of pictures. People looking at Squidoo lenses don't really take the time to read all the text. They pick out pictures and follow your links. The old phrase a picture is worth a thousand words is the slogan of a Squidoo lens.

Also, because you are targeting web users that are scanning the page, use great headings. Place links, affiliate and product links, that a reader may want to follow throughout your lens.

Oh, and like all web content pay attention to the keywords you are targeting. Make sure your finished page has keyword density of 2-3.5% for maximum traffic. Also, when you are writing your first two sentences of your lens, make sure it will catch a readers attention. This is what shows up in search results. Make it eye grabbing.

When you have done all that, start networking with other Squidoo writers and make yourself known on SquidU. Return all the comments that are left on your lens. The stars do make a difference.

Finally, use the discovery tool to link related lenses together.

A Freelance Writing Mistake to Avoid: Don't Rush to Publish

When writing web content, never publish anything until you have spell checked it and proof read it. It is easy to get in a rush and publish articles prematurely. One of the risks of of setting goals to publish a minimum number of articles each week is publishing poor quality content. If you are focusing too much on earning income, or building up a content library, it might leave your work mediocre, or at least not your personal best.

Writing should be enjoyed. Take your time and enjoy your writing experience. Cherish your work. Put the time and energy into it to make it quality content each and every time before hitting that publish button. If you do not finish it today, there is always tomorrow. Putting out quality writing will boost your reputation and make people want to read your work.

Where to Write Articles

When I began writing I would publish content anywhere it was accepted and I could earn money. But, as I broadened the number of websites where I write articles, it became clear that I could decide where to publish my content. Earnings are not the only factor to consider. The finish look of the article, where pictures are allowed in the article, where links are allowed in the article, etc. determine the website I place it.

Suite101
Yes: Scholarly articles. They encourage citations.
No: Articles that require photos in the article. All Suite101's photos are added to the bottom of the article.

eHow
Yes: How to articles with distinct steps
No: Articles that are educational in nature, but do not necessarily have distinct actionable steps

Squidoo
Yes: Content with lots of links to outside sources. The purpose of a Squidoo "lens" is to encapsulate and organize content on the web. Lenses work well for organizing your own articles, creating backlinks, and also creating affiliate links.
No: Educational articles without links or pictures. For the most part, people don't really read lenses. They scan them for photos, headings and links. If a title catches their eye, they will read pieces of the textual content and keep scanning or skimming down the lens.

Life123
Yes: Any short text article (300 words)that you expect to reach 2000 views over it's life to reach maximum payout.
No: Articles with photos or links required. These aren't allowed.

Bright Hub
Yes: Any title your channel manager will approve.


eXaminer:
Yes: Buzz, hot topics, newsworthy articles
No: Informative articles that are not current news

9 Tips for a Better Squidoo Lens

1.       Write Squidoo lenses just like you would an article with keywords and SEO in mind.
2.       Put the keywords in ALL of these places throughout the lens: URL, Title, Intro paragraph, Module Titles, picture titles, and keyword tags
3.       Turn on the table of contents and discovery tool in the intro module. Link to your own related lenses in the discovery tool.
4.       Include a photo for every module. People like pictures.
5.       Run a health check on your lens and correct the problems listed.
7.       Update your lens at least once a month
8.       Make friends and rate the lenses of other lens masters to get comments and ratings
9.    Lensroll all your lenses.

Writing How-Tos for Mahalo

To begin writing how-tos for Mahalo, you visit their website at: Mahalo

Once at the website, the first step for signing up with the how-to team says it will send an email. Don't bother the email address doesn't work, at least it didn't for me.
1. Instead register for the website, or login if you are already registered.
2. Click on the "Mahalo Tasks" up by the search bar. If you are logged in, you will be able to see "open rush week tasks."
3. By completing a rush week task, you may be asked to join the how-to team.

Regardless of whether you are asked to join the team, simply completing a task pays Mahalo dollars. The tasks currently range from $3 to $7 mahalo dollars. Each Mahalo dollar is worth 75 cents and is paid to you by Paypal.

The Mahalo rush task I signed up for required 700 words and had lengthy instructions. It took me over 2 hours to complete the first rush task. Like all things, it probably becomes easier with experience.

Article Content Provider

Today, I applied to Article Content Provider. The web form asks you to provide a homepage and a blog. As a writer, it is always a good idea to have a professional webpage. Your webpage is like your portfolio, listing each of the websites where you write and lists your blogs too. A professional webpage makes quick and easy work of apply for new freelance writing jobs by submitting your website.

Back to Article Content Provider, the positions they are currently accepting application for are:
Article Writer
Blogger
Webpage Content Writer
Coder/Programmer
Web Designer
Virtual Assistant / Odd Jobs
Other (please explain under comments

After filling out the web form, I got a auto response in my email telling me my application had been submitted. For those that are considering applying... it went to my spam box. Check your spam folder if you apply and do not hear back.

Update:
After waiting 3 days, as the initial email indicated, I didn't hear anything from Article Content Provider. In addition, their website looked a little unprofessional. I have other writer friends that work for this website, so I am not going to dismiss this opportunity yet, but beware if you decide to apply.

Work at Home To Do List

1. Write the Mahalo rush How-to that I accepted.
2. Print my CAHSEE schedule for ETS.
   
3. Apply to Demand Studios
4. Apply to About.com
5. Write the article I accepted from eCopywriters that is due at 1:30 today.
   
6. Return the favor for all my eHow and Squidoo friends that comments.
   
7. Fix my Squidoo Lens 101 Best Websites for the Freelance Writer. The plexo voting tool went haywire and I lost half my links.
   
8. Set up links in this Squidoo lens: 9 Questions Every Freelance Writer Should Know Before Writing for a Website
9. Edit rejected Info Barrel article to be at least 400 words.
   
10. Finish 12 3 Squidoo lenses to become a Giant Squid:

• lens roll them
• add more content
• check the health stats and edit as needed
• link them all to my other lenses through the Discovery Tool.
  

Article Income

ArticleIncome.com is a website where freelance writers can earn money by publishing articles. As a new writer, you will earn 50% of Google Adsense profits. You must submit your Adsense ID to get started and you will be paid directly by Google. As you gain experience at Article Income your percentage of Adsense profits increases to a maximum amount of 75%. I signed up several months ago. Without ever having written an article, my earnings percentage has increased to 55% from 50%. Your current level of earnings is easily visible on your profile panel.

The Article Income website is well designed. The homepage has a Google pagerank of 4, which should get some traffic to your articles. You can also refer friends to join Article Income.

Publishing at Article Income
The website accepts unique and already published content. You can add links to already published content in the author resource box. Photos are allowed also. Articles must be at least 300 words.

UPDATE
I received the following message on 2/1/2010 from the article income staff. They are not accepting new writers at this time.
"Over the past few weeks, the ArticleIncome Team has spent a lot of
time and energy combating unethical users who open duplicate accounts
to garner points and referral credit, to game the screening system,
and to get back into our system after having been banned.

We have decided that the best way to solve this ornery problem is to
revamp our entire submission and registraton system. Consequently,
ArticleIncome.com will be closing the site for NEW members only."

HowHub

Yet another freelance writing website I visited because it made it to the list of 101 Websites for the Freelance Writer. On a scale of professional looking sites, I would give it an 6. The homepage is well designed.  The current Google pagerank of the site is only a 1.

The published articles are overwhelmed by google ads in the first paragraph. The photos attached to the submitted articles show up so small (a cubic cm) that you can hardly see them unless you click on them. Howhub allows 5 links in the resource section of published articles. These links can be to your own previously published work, but they can not be to affiliates.


Earning at HowHub
To get started writing at HowHub, you register your Google Adsense ID. You earn 50% of adsense earnings until you have invited 10 friends to join also. After you have referred 10 friends, your adsense increases to 100%.

Zestbit.com

I recently created a lens called 101 Websites for the freelance writer. In creating that lens, I explored many online writing opportunities. Some of them I had first-hand knowledge of, others I had only heard of and read reviews. One of the websites on the list, ZestBIT, was a website I'd heard of from another writer on a work at home forum. I wanted to check out the website, so I went to sign up.

I was immediately blown away by how easy it was to register and set up my profile. Literally, within a few minutes of visiting the site my profile was in place and the ZestBIT writer form was prodding me to type something. So, I did. There are a few steps to article submission, a step for the intro, a step for the body, etc. It has modules that can be used to add more functionality to the article if desired. These modules are similar to those available in Squidoo. Then you are taken to the last step (preview and publish). If you have just registered, ZestBIT will ask you to confirm a link sent to your email before it will accept your click on the "publish" button. That's all there is to it.

Here is my first article with ZestBIT. The website is so easy to use it took me all of 15 minutes to register, complete my profile and submit this article. "My First ZestBIT Article" The only question left to answer is "How much does it pay?" I will let you know. Oh, by the way the website is wonderfully professional looking.

Common Tax Deductions for the Freelance Writer

• Office space in your home (calculated as a percentage, in square feet, of your whole house). This percentage is then used to determine what percent of property taxes, insurance, and mortgage payment you can deduct as a business expense.
• Computer(s)
• Research Material
• Part of your utility expenses
• Internet expenses
• Travel Expenses to Conferences
• Website Expenses
• Services Purchased (such as website design or hosting)
• Software
• Medical insurance
  

Remember if you continue to show a loss, year after year, the IRS considers your business a "hobby," rather than a business for profit. Deductions can not be taken from "hobby income." Also, year after year business losses are an audit red flag.

My 2009 Writing Income

Doing my taxes and thought I would share some information to help those new to the world of writing. Looking at my total earnings for 2009, I went ahead and added in the previous years earnings as well. I took the total I've earned from each website and divided it by the number of articles I currently have on the website. Now, please understand that some websites I am actively publishing on daily so there are articles counted that may not have had time to earn yet at all. But, here it is:
Earnings     Articles   Earnings/Article
$3444.24    406         $8.48              eHow
14                 1       $14.00               Brighthub
22.41            3          $7.47              eCopywriters
133.18         21         $6.34              Textbroker
34.16            9          $3.80              eXaminer
131.74         42         $3.14              Suite101
84.6             42          $2.01            Squidoo
15                10         $1.50             Life123

My Quest to Become a Giant Squid

When I was new to Squidoo, in March of 2008, I noticed a "Giant Squid" program listed. To be a giant squid, you mist have 50 great lenses. If you become a giant squid, you have access to tools that can not otherwise be used as a "lens master." Squidoo also gives you special badges and notoriety as a giant squid.

It was taking a while to reach my goal of becoming a giant squid. At the beginning of December, I had 30 lenses. I received an email stating I had been nominated as a giant squid and to apply when I was ready. Knowing I do not meet the requirements, but wanting to be a big, enormous, lens making giant squid, my motivation is rejuvenated. The next deadline to apply as a giant squid is March 31st. Nobody knows how long it will continue. (more)

Today I published another lens: 5 Questions Every Freelance Writer Should Ask Before Writing for a Website 

I also have an eHow article that explains How to Make Money Writing for Squidoo


Why do I write for Squidoo? Backlinks! ..and what do you know I make money too! My best Squidoo lens has earned over $40 in 5 months.

If you want to start writing for Squidoo here is my referral: Write for Squidoo

Close

101 Best Websites for Freelance Writers

I am developing a squidoo lens with the best websites for freelance writers. One hundred and one of them to be exact. I placed it in squidoo because that website offers the voting plexo that allows readers to vote on the links to the websites. Over time, I hope the lens develops into something great.

I frequently search out the best places to write online. That is the great thing about a squidoo lens, it lets me organize things I have researched on the web into logical and easily accessible lens. Not like hand written notes in a folder that get lost, or bookmarks in my web browser that become forgotten amidst hundreds of other bookmarks.

Here is the lens: 101 Best Websites for Freelance Writers

How to Write Website Content Readers Can Find

To write website content choosing a niche is a good first step. This is an area of expertise or interest in which you plan to stay up-to-date. As an author with expertise in your niche you become an authority in this area.

Go to Google’s keyword tool. Type in a few keywords from your niche. You will see data about how many people are searching for these keywords. This is one way to find what internet readers want to read about. My secret is to develop my keywords around the internet searches for which it says “no data available,” in the US, but for which the global search volume is high. These phrases are often under-written US niches. But, let’s keep that between us. 

After developing a niche, make sure you are reading a variety of publications in this area. Magazines, newspapers, online subscriptions are all a great way to stay up-to-date with what is happening in your niche. If you know what is happening, you can website content with your own spin on the current issues in your niche. I have seen writers create blogs such as “my latest writing.” A blog like this has a niche focused on the writer. Unless there are many people who have an interest in that writer, as a person, this blog isn’t going to do well. Readers subscribe to blogs to follow the website content, not the writer. Make sure each of your online profiles are focused on your niche, not you as a writer.

Keep this up and you will eventually develop a following. Branch out and create profiles, online website content, answer questions and develop an internet presence around your niche. If you have the time and desire to develop more than one niche, you can do this for several. Just be careful not to spread yourself to thin.
How to Make More Money from Your eHow Articles

Writing Suggested Titles

In addition to writing about crochet and knitting, I've been writing a lot for Life123.com this past December. I started with Life123 on October 30th. Three articles have made payout and 3 more articles will make payout this month. For those of you that don't know, Life123 pays based on views. 50 views pays $5. The next 500 views pays another $5.

I usually prefer writing whatever I want to write as the inspiration hits me. But, when I am out of ideas, suggested titles are nice. I don't have to research keywords or estimate traffic with suggested titles. Instead, they tell me what to write and I write it.

Life123 came out with suggested titles this December. They were kind enough to email me a link to the ever changing list. I'm going to jump in and write them until they run out of suggested titles. The 300 word articles are quick and easy work. I can do 2 or 3 an hour if I stay focused. I'll keep you posted on how well they earn.

My first article "How to Make Herbal Pills" was written 10/30/09. It has earned $5.00 and is 330 views short of earning another $5.00. I expect it to reach the second payout by the end of April, 2010. If it meets my expectations, it will have taken only 6 months to earn $10 and has the potential to earn another $10 over it's life. Not bad for 30 minutes of work.

Seasonality of Writing and What Earns When

Most of my writing this month has been focused on crochet. I write crochet and knifty knitter articles for eHow under the alias of "Knifty Knitter." I also have a weekly crochet blog with photos of my work. My craft blogs and articles do well in the colder months and I spend most of my free time knitting or crocheting when I can't get outside.

Just to hit that point home on how well craft articles do in the winter. I have 20 crochet/knitting articles. Combined, they are currently earning $6.00 per day. That is $180 per month for only 20 articles. I have 350 articles under my main eHow profile. They won't earn much more than my 20 craft articles this month because many of them are gardening articles. It is important to understand the seasonality of some articles.

I have gardening articles that earn well in the spring and summer.
Canning articles that earn well in the fall.
Crochet and knitting articles that earn well in the winter.
Tax articles that also earn well in the winter.

My green, recycling, and organic beauty articles, on the other hand, earn pretty much the same all year round. My and natural remedies articles earn all year, but do better in the winter months. Just because your articles slow down in earnings.... do not assume they are dying! They may just be taking a seasonal lull and will pop back to performing well later in the year.

2009 Writing Income and Goals for 2010

I began writing web content in 2006, but didn't become serious about earning money at it until 2008. I earned $700 in 2008. With 2009 coming to a close, I am happy to report that my second year of writing yielded over $3,000. I owe most of that to eHow, but as I branch out and publish more places, I am learning there is a lot of opportunity for freelance writers. My goal for 2010 is to quadruple my writing income again, resulting in at least $15,000 the coming year.

I also pledge to donate all the profits from my down syndrome blog to the national down syndrome society in 2010.

Have a very happy New Year!

Heather