Online Content Writing: How Many Sites Are Too Many?

I write for several content writing sites. I won't name them all here, but let's just say, some of them I enjoy, some not so much. So why do I do it? Most writers will tell you, because it pays the bills. Most writers do write for several sites, and there is a very good reason for that.

"Don't Put all of Your Eggs in One Basket"

Content writers spread their work around so that they are assured of having an income. If a writer only writes for one content site, they run the risk of that site having technical issues, or just plain shutting down. This can hurt when the content writer is depending on that content site for an income.

Online content writers have learned to spread their eggs around, so to speak, by applying at several content writing sites. Some of these sites pay an upfront fee with no page view money. Some pay upfront plus page views. Some just pay page views. Some of the sites only take exclusives, which means you cannot do anything else with the article.

How to choose which sites to write for and which to ignore is an online content writer's personal choice. The factors depend on if you want a steady residual income for years to come, or if you need to be paid per article on a weekly basis.

Many online content writers make the choice to write for a mixture of content sites that pay up front, and that pay in page views every month. Their reasons vary with their choices. Some even write for sites with low pay, just because they enjoy the site.

So How Many Content Sites Can You Write For?

You can write for as many sites as you like. Some sites, like Associated Content and Helium, allow you to sign up, log in and start writing. Other sites, such as Demand Studios and Suite 101 require that you submit an application and writing samples.

These are just a few online content writing sites. There are many more to choose from: Firehow, Textbroker, Triond, Factoidz, BreakStudios and Wikinut are a group of online content writing sites also. Each has their own requirements and pay schedules. So, you can write for many sites, or just a few.

Even though you do not want to "have all of your eggs in one basket" you don't want to overextend yourself either. It doesn't hurt to check new sites out and see if you like one better than one you are writing at, but if you are writing on 20 different content sites it will be hard to build a large library of articles at any one of them, unless you plan to write night and day!

You will have to pick and choose the online content sites that work best for you. Another content writer can offer advice and tell you they love a particular site but that doesn't mean that site will be a good fit for you. That is okay, because there are plenty of online content sites and they all have different styles, formats and guidelines. They key is to find sites that you are happy with. If you do not enjoy the site, then move on and find another one, or add a site that you really enjoy to break the writing up.

Which sites and how many of them are each writer's personal choice. I would advise, however, never to write for just one site, if you depend on the money you earn from writing. Start with one online content writing site until you are confident about online writing, before you attempt several of them.

Once you have built up a library of articles, it is time to start exploring other writing possibilities. Try different styles and assignment writing. Every writer has their own niche they are comfortable with, and it shows in their writing and style. Explore, branch out, but only do what you are capable of doing or you will be overwhelmed. You will enjoy your writing much more!