Selling and Marketing Your Writing Online

I don't remember what search or link led me to the Associated Content website, but it happened late one sleepless night while I agonized over how to earn money without leaving my infant daughter each day.

I wrote something messy about a local event. Did that particular article earn me much? No. But it did hook me to see my name in print for the first time since the high-school poetry anthology was published (a very long time ago, indeed.)

Since then I've had a few accidental--and a few planned--successes. I've made a little money, and seen that amount increase each month.

Most importantly, I've learned how to target my articles to generate the most income, and then how to market them to continue that residual income flowing into my paypal account.

I am sure there are hundreds of answers to the question, "Where can I write and earn money?" However, the answers I know make up a short and manageable list.

My favorites, in no particular order, are Associated Content, Helium, and Squidoo. (Well, what did you expect?)

Associated Content is where I go to submit short articles for up-front payments (almost always under $5.00 per article) that can then generate monthly income based on the number of page-views earned. I recommend this site for anyone wanting to start building a small but respectable income quickly. They have plenty of articles on how to effectively write for the web (things I should have read in the beginning) to help build your skills. Finally, AC has a low rejection rate if your work is quality, so you can build confidence there as well.

Helium is a site I have been watching and drooling over for some time. While I was employed outside of the home I focused on submitting for guaranteed upfront payment, but the potential per article payout at Helium is significantly higher. If your submission is one of the top-ranked for a given contest, you can earn payment up to $60. Helium also offers a marketplace where publishers advertise the topics they are seeking and the amount they are willing to pay.

Squidoo I am obviously just learning. I spent time first to research the getting-started articles available and to check out some of their Top 100 Lenses. I like what I see so far and I am excited to give it a chance. Their potential for multiple streams of income is impressive.

Photo Credit: Zanetta Hardy. www.sxc.hu/profile/zizzy0104

Solving the HP Laserjet 3330 Driver Download Problem

My best performing article is one of my first. Truly an example of beginner's luck, it continues to earn pageviews at the highest rate.

What is it? A little opinionated how-to piece about installing an older printer on my new computer.

I wrote it because I spent over four hours online trying to find a driver for this old HP Laserjet MFP. I thought other people would want an abbreviated solution time, so I shared what I learned. There has been no better recipe for success in any of my subsequent writings.

Safe Home Remedies for Infant Skin Rashes

In strong running to become my second best performer, this article was actually a response to a "Call for Content" sent out by the web team. It fit my personal experience well, and I knew it wouldn't take me long to write it.

I also wrote this article because I hoped other readers would find help for their own families' skin problems. Based on the high star rankings it has earned, I believe that they have.

She's Having a Baby and He's In Iraq

My favorite article is something I wrote before I understood what makes online writing discoverable and popular. The keyword density of this piece is negligible, so even though my content is good, it is a dud for generating pageviews.

I wrote this piece because I was inspired by the story and I thought it might also interest others.

Don't Throw Away That Item! - Fun Places to Swap, Recycle, or Give Away Your Unwanted or Unsold Items

Recycling and other environmental topics are a minor passion of mine, so this article was another one written out of sheer personal interest. Read it! Use it! Thank you!

Geared especially toward those readers with no interest in joining the ebay frenzy, nor in hosting large and exhausting garage sales on a perfectly good Saturday.