SAHM Writer Blog

Get Paid to Write Articles – Lots of Questions!

19th November, 2009 - Posted by admin - No Comments

I got a short, but BIG question-packed email asking about the best way to get paid to write articles. So, buckle up and let’s GOOOOoooo!!

Sue,
I am wondering if there are ever any places that need first person articles?? I have written a few things in the 1st person & I have been told they are really funny.  I have never written before & I also find that I it is fun & easy to do.  I have had a hard time just writing samples to send – how do you know what to write about??  and how to do it??

Karen E.

Karen – Great questions!!

We’ll take them one at a time:

1. First-person articles… yes, and no. The sites that pay you based on a revenue-sharing model (people read, people click, you get paid a few cents each time) don’t typically want any first- or second-person pronouns in the article. They like a more journalistic flavor.

   I hate writing for that kind of site for a couple of reasons… but there are children present so I won’t go into them! : ) lol… seriously, though – it feels a tad restrictive.

   However, I’ve had TONS of writing assignment for clients who prefer to have that conversational tone to their articles. If you get gigs writing blogs, that’s another place where it’s totally appropriate. B2B writing… not so much.

2. What to write about for your samples, and how to do it… I recommend writing about things you know very well – also write the kinds of articles people like to read. (Sounds funny, putting that in writing!) So, if you’re a parent, write an article on 7 ways to get your kids to brush their teeth. If you have pets, write about 5 secrets for handling shedding. If you live somewhere people like to visit, do one on 10 sites visitors should see.

   See what I mean? Write several articles – in fact, every day you don’t have a paying gig, write another one for your portfolio. If you write about what you know, you’ll end up with a nice assortment and will be able to send something relevant to any prospective clients who ask to see a sample.

Who’s buying articles like this?

(Yeah… I know, you didn’t ask this – but it’s always good to know your customer!)

• Internet Marketers have an absolutely insatiable appetite for new content. They often order articles in packs of 10, 100, even 1000! You can find them… online : )

• Local clients – if they’ve got websites, they need content. They may need articles like this for a newsletter, too.
• Job board clients – yeah, you’ll have to sift through those who want to pay $2 for an article, but there are also some DREAM clients who just keep coming back for more, paying very well, with interesting topics  – and they are wonderful!

We’re wrapping up our final Writers Mastermind Group for 2009 – and will likely start the next one in January. If anyone’s interested, your first step is to get my how to get paid to write system. Business is crazy busy… gigs are yours for the taking!!