Make Money Writing Online: My Balance of Earning and Waiting

Writing online is time-consuming, but fun. I'm definitely doing this for a number of reasons -- to express myself, to explore my interests and research fascinating topics, and also to earn online passive (and active) income. I've mentioned in other articles that after years of blogging for myself -- and only a few readers -- I started writing more seriously at InfoBarrel and HubPages in July of 2011. The revenue sharing models are great, and because the sites have more authority than my previous blogs, I know that my content is being read.

In addition to the benefit of having my content appear on more established platforms, it's also great that I've had the chance to earn some passive income from both HubPages and InfoBarrel (<--that's my referral link, join IB for free) since my articles have been published. "Passive" now only because the "active" work is done, and the articles can still earn as long as the web sites stay live. But what seems like a great problem among many revenue-sharing writers is follow-through, or continuity. Counting this one, I have a combined seventy-two (72) articles at the two sites, and I have a goal for a hundred by the end of 2011. I have also created a few niche/blog sites during the same period and have written a combined 55 blog posts of various lengths.

But I have seen many writer's profiles on both IB and HP where they've authored a few good, solid articles are then wander off, lose interest, or just go back into their busy lives. I don't want that to be me. I don't want to lose my drive, my edge... my momentum.

THE ADVICE I'VE BEEN GIVEN

Repeatedly since the summer, the advice I see echoed most among established writers, especially among those who are satisfied with their ever-growing body of works, and are now earning regular Google adsense payouts each month is pretty much the same: 1) keep generating good content, 2) don't give up and, 3) interlink your content, and 4) try to hang in there, and then just repeat 1-3!

We all believe that we have the resolve to hold the line until the returns come our way -- but it's also human nature to completely lose interest in something that's not working. Since I freely admit that earning income online is one of my goals here -- no offense to those who write just for personal reasons -- I needed a different plan. I need a way to incentivize myself to stay with this online content 'experiment' long-term.

ACTIVE vs. PASSIVE: "Instant Gratification vs. Patient Person"

I'm not the most patient person at times, so knowing that some people on InfoBarrel and HubPages who are NOW earning real money each month have been members since way back in 2009 (ha!) really makes me fidgety. And one such successful member posted an income article where he stated that a portion of his articles NEVER MAKE MONEY. (This is some variation of the 80/20 rule, - where 80% of your content does very little besides ranking, interlinking, etc, but that the other 20% earns all the income.) When I realize that 80% of my 72 live articles may not produce anything (about 58 articles), it makes me feel like I'm just starting. (72 - 57 = 15! yikes!)

MY CURRENT 'MOMENTUM' SOLUTION

To keep myself engaged in this whole process, I've been occasionally writing small gigs and content for various clients at Fiverr.com, and for a separate blog site client. Between those two sources, I've been able to earn more than a few hundred dollars for my writing in the same time period, while I wait for my revenue-sharing articles to rank, season, and get traffic. Even though this paid writing is done, sold, and gone forever -- I understand the immediate return and I'm happy with it (so is my super-supportive wife!). I've read about online writers waiting eight to twelve (8-12) months to make their first Google Adsense minimum payout ($100). It's great that these earnings are all based on organic click revenue, but writing for immediate pay will keep me patient while I wait for that first payout. (October I earned $12.88 with Adsense and this month so far its at $9.41. Still no Amazon affiliate sales on either site.)

I've also recently registered at Elance and will soon sign up for oDesk, so I can find even more writing for hire projects. It's a great supplement to my full-time job, it pays bills, or make my annual Roth IRA long-term savings contribution. And it gives me money to reinvest in my "online business" -- just got a hosting account! I have a few niche blog sites now to try to increase my Adsense revenue, and to take advantage of Amazon and other Affiliate programs from Commission Junction. But maybe I'll add more over the winter...

If you're impatient to earn money online while your articles rank and ripen, go do a direct writing gig -- there seem to be plenty of successful internet entrepreneurs that would rather outsource their content then create it themselves. And that outsourcer can be ME... (or you!).