How to Spot Non Paying Sites for Article Writing

Melanie L. Marten
Thousands of freelance writers, stay at home moms and dads, college students, and other people looking to make some extra money turn to paying sites for article writing online. Writing articles, or web copy, can be a effective way of adding to your income. However, amid all of the companies that can assist you in making money, there are plenty of nonpaying sites for article writing as well.

Learning how to spot these non paying sites for article writing is of the utmost importance if your goal is to build a sustainable income. After all, who wants to spend their time and energy writing articles that will do nothing for them?

How to Spot Non Paying Sites for Article Writing - Payout

New article and content sites with high payouts should raise red flags to those looking to make money online. The higher the payout, the more time the website owner has to collect keyword-rich content that will make him money from advertising or affiliate programs before he has to pay anything to the writers. There have been instances of high payout programs vanishing or changing their terms of payment before many people reach the payout threshhold.

This is not to say that every paying sites for article writing that have higher payouts are scams. Simply beware of the possibility.

How to Spot Non Paying Sites for Article Writing - Terms

When joining a new program, many people click the "I Agree" box without reading the Terms of Service at all. Instead, educate yourself about what exactly the terms say about payment and the rights that you are selling to the company. If a supposedly paying sites for article writing claims all rights to your work, even if they fail or breach their own terms, it is a warning that they may intend to use your content without compensation.

How to Spot Non Paying Sites for Article Writing - Reviews

There are many paying sites for article writing online, and many cropping up all the time. Perhaps the best way to spot non paying ones is to pay attention to reviews and experiences of other writers. Join writing communities and network with other freelancers to gain experienced information about new paying sites for article writing that can earn you good money.

Unfortunately for freelance writers, non paying sites for article writing are prevelant on the internet these days. With the ease of setting up a website that promises residual pay or connections with interested publications, scammers can work with amazing speed and seeming professionalism. Arm yourself with the knowledge to catch these non paying sites for article writing online and focus on those that are sustainable and long-term instead.

Published by Melanie L. Marten

Melanie Marten is self-taught and self-employed. Besides freelance writing, she dabbles in website design and owns dozens of websites and blogs. Work is squeezed in between parenting two boys, homeschoolin...  View profile

24 Comments

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  • Sebastian Thomas5/22/2012

    Very good to know, thanks

  • Abby Willow4/16/2011

    All I can say is, "Fortitude Magazine." Not only did I stupidly PAY to join (another red flag) but I never got a penny. Now I think the site went down since I can't find it anywhere ("no longer exists") BEWARE!!

  • Carrie LeBlanc12/22/2010

    This was very helpful. Thanks for writing it.

  • Kristen Wilkerson11/24/2010

    Excellent information about writing for online websites. I found it very helpful. Thanks!

  • jackie s11/8/2010

    Thanks for this helpful information! :) good job.. look forward to reading more

  • Tina Szybisty, RD11/8/2010

    Thanks for the great advice.

  • Terrie Brockmann10/23/2010

    Well written reminder to all of us that we need to investigate a deal thoroughly before signing on the dotted line.

  • Mary Beth Magee10/16/2010

    Great info, Melanie. Thanks for pulling it together for us.

  • Mildred Windham9/6/2010

    Great article, well written.

  • Jeanne Baney8/29/2010

    Excellent information. Thanks!

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