Tips for Online Writing

I have had people, closest to me, tell me I cannot make a living writing online. Ironically, in a relatively short period of time, I have made more than I could working for minimum wage. I do not take failure lightly, however I when I receive negative criticism it only fuels the inner fire. There are more than ample opportunities to make a good living as a writer. Associated Content is definitely a huge bonus in the creative process and pay promptly. My wife is going to start eating her words shortly, which I am going to thoroughly enjoy.

The first month is a testing process for me. I look at how much I am making and get an average figure per article. Next, I determine how much time it took for me to finish my articles. These are essential in determining how much I want to make. Of course, I set a goal for how many articles to write in a day. I have to take my wife's schedule into consideration, since I cannot get anything accomplished with her home. This means I have to make sure I write on the days she is working. My wife is the type of person who cannot keep quiet and is a constant nuisance, when I am trying to write. I love her to death, but I cherish any quiet moments I get.

Speaking of space, you have to have a location to work in. I personally cannot write with noises in the background, so I prefer writing in the den. This is the quietest location in the house, which is the perfect spot to set up the computer. I love working on the computer, because it is the easiest way to save materials someplace I will always remember. It is a far cry from keeping a file cabinet with all your ideas. You have to love how technology has simplified our lives.

Writing is only half the battle, if you want to succeed in making a living online. You have to make time for networking, this means you want to make sure you keep in touch with other writers in the community. Many of your ideas will come from articles you have read, either online or off. Another essential part of writing is paying attention. Always keep your eyes and ears open for new ideas, you never know where they will come from. The truth is, you have to have the desire to succeed. Sometimes this takes a lot of patience, but the rewards you reap will be many.

Another imperative fact about reading other writer's submissions is that you should be honest. You do not want anyone giving you a false critique, those never help you determine the areas you need to work on. I would not recommend being rude, such as leaving a comment like, "you suck!" You will never win any brownie points with the community that way and you are not helping the writer out with that type of harsh criticism. Another thing I believe in highly is leaving comments. If you read someone's article, you should always leave a comment. This only helps promote your name and material to the rest of the community.

A long time ago I was an Advisor on Epinions in the movie category. When I got the Advisor position I did not have the time to do as much writing as I had before, because it was necessary to review other submissions at the time. It was up to me to help the newer members get established and evaluate their submissions. This was a fantastic learning experience for me, which is why I feel so strongly about leaving comments in everything I read.

Finally, you can sit back and watch your viewership rise. Oh, and do not forget always let people know what you have written, where you wrote it, and when you wrote it. No matter where you are at, whether you are online or off, you want to promote yourself. Promote your friends as well, remember they could do the same for you. You never know when someone could become a big fan!

Here is my recap.
1. Figure out how much you want to make!
2. Set a goal for yourself!
3. Read as much as you write!
4. Look for new ideas!
5. Leave comments behind!
6. Always promote yourself and friends!