Is HubPages worth the effort?

1. 51

   ghostoftolkienposted 9 years ago

   I love to write, and I'm seeking a platform within which to condense and organize my thoughts, and through which to appeal to those who may have an interest in what comes from my heart and mind.  I may actually end up with a legitimate article or two. 
   
   In any case, I appeal to Hubdom with the question, "Is HubPages an arena with legitimate capacity for drawing an audience, provided the blogger is worthy?"  In other words, can HubPages (potentially) work for me if my writings are worth reading?

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   1. 93

      Sue Adamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Welcome to HubPages ghostoftolkien.
      
      It may take a year or two but if you provide useful, interesting and unique information on issues that people are "Googling", and follow the rules, then HubPages is a great platform to be heard and to make some money.
      
      You can get far greater exposure here than you ever would on your own website because HubPages has an established reputation and ranks high with search engines.
      
      So the answer is a definite Yes, HubPages can work for you.

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      1. 69

         makingamarkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         That's a very big claim re "greater exposure" via HubPages
         
         When putting my art on online galleries I very soon learned that although the site might be big and get a lot of traffic my art was also submerged within all the other content belonging to lots of other artists. Net effect - it was difficult to find!
         
         By way of contrast, if you create your own site you've got all the hard work of elevating its profile and generating traffic - nobody does it for you. However at the end of the day you know that people who follow you do so because of your site (not somebody else's). Furthermore you can set up a consensual relationship with them away from the site e.g. via a newsletter.
         
         There's lot of good things about HubPages I'm sure - but let's not "overegg the pudding" with claims for better exposure for individuals which are unsubstantiated and fail to identify the fact that alternatives also have some additional and better benefits.
         
         By which I mean obviously HubPages has an established reputation and ranks high with search engines. However that's a claim that can justifiably made for the site - but not for each and every individual hub.
         
         How much exposure your hub gets can be very different.

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   2. 86

      rebekahELLEposted 9 years agoin reply to this

        Sometimes the effort alone makes writing here worth it. Numerous hubbers have stated that their writing has vastly improved while writing on HP. People write on HubPages for a variety of reasons.  I know there are many hubbers who follow and read and comment on each others hubs.  They don't frequent the forums often because they spend time reading and writing hubs. Depending on what you write about, the quality of your writing, and your overall goals, you may find HP a worthy effort.
      
      While a blog may do well, one still has to find readers and know how to maintain a successful blog.  It's not easy.  At least here, HP has a built in writing/publishing platform and a community of interesting writers who may decide to follow you and share your work.  Welcome. It takes time.

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   3. 53

      Shinkickerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I think creativity is stifled to the needs of the Google search engine. Just one example is the title of your Hub. You can't create an original and clever title because it won't get picked up by Google so you have to conform to the boring standard keywords. "Top 10 thing..." "The best of" etc.
      
      Content might not even get read as I get the feeling that many people just browse for quick information. So lots of photos, tables, links etc get rewarded rather than wonderful writing.

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      1. 85

         Marisa Wrightposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Everything you say is true but it's not specific to HubPages.   All websites and blogs are subject to the same limitations:   we all rely on search engines to find stuff on the internet, so unless the website/blog/article can attract the search engines, practically no one will know it exists.

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   4. 83

      peachpurpleposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      i have been here for five years now. In the beginning, the rules weren't that strict, 400 words, my hubs still get featured but now, at least 700 words and limited ebay/amazon capsules. Overall, it is a nice place to share your knowledge but rants will not work here

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   5. 85

      Hezekiahposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Most people just give up in the early stages, think they can get fast riches. I think if you stick at it then it will slowly pay off in the end.

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   6. 61

      The Examiner-1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Welcome to HubPages ghostoftolkien!
      Yes, you have only been here two weeks. Just give it some time and find your  proper niche to write about. That is one of the secrets but there are others to learn as you write. The more that you write, the better you become and the more that you learn - and that includes reading also.

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2. 82

   psycheskinnerposted 9 years ago

   If your goal is to develop a personal following, it would make more sense to do that on you own blog where you have control of the platform. A content site is more helpful for monetizing content easily, which each page of content being largely independent.

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   1. 85

      Marisa Wrightposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Exactly.
      
      On HubPages, you cannot build a following because there is no mechanism to enable readers to follow you.  There is also no mechanism for you to know who your readers are.
      
      The only people who can "follow" you are HubPages members, who are not readers - they're fellow writers.

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      1. 84

         Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

         This is a great point. I have my articles pinned on Pinterest and they get repined by others. The only reason I am lingering is because I can use Pinterest and Facebook as awareness avenues.

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      2. 62

         tlcsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Marisa, I have finally cracked it, thank you for your advise earlier!

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3. 59

   tandygposted 9 years ago

   Yes.

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4. 60

   treaderindposted 9 years ago

   no,

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5. 67

   word55posted 9 years ago

   It's good to share information and also get things off your chest. HP is an outlet for us that need to express ourselves, share knowledge and ideas, basically. HP can work for you in many ways other than for money. Some people must make a lot of money while some people don't. If you're also endowed with writing skills and follow the HP rules then maybe you can make a living via HP.

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6. 67

   Arachneaposted 9 years ago

   Yes.

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7. 51

   ghostoftolkienposted 9 years ago

   Thanks to all for the constructive replies.
   
   It's disappointing that HP doesn't have a "Follow" function - I guess they prefer a million shotguns to a thousand rifles when it comes to patronage.
   
   Still, it is good for the soul to exercise the mind through writing, and I'm happy for the medium.  I think I'll stick around for a while!

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8. 60

   treaderindposted 9 years ago

   I think creating own blog and putting dedicated efforts for six months or so shall be more benefitcial in the long term

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9. 51

   ghostoftolkienposted 9 years ago

   Solid reasoning, mark, and many thanks for the input.  There's so much difficulty drawing consistent click-thru to an individual site, which makes the endeavor daunting and requires greater patience, perseverance, and hope for success than most of us possess. 
   
   The great conundrum is that while HP may potentially bring exposure, each "segment" of popularity is isolated by the absence of "follow" functionality.

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10. 0

    ShirleyJCJohnsonposted 9 years ago

    I was unsure about hubpages when I first started because the readers/viewers trickled in about as fast as frozen molasses running uphill; but, as time has progressed, I have had the opportunity to watch my reader statistics for from frozen molasses to a steady drip in the faucet.  It's not as much as I'd like yet; but, it's getting there.  I have learned to stylize my writing more to what the viewers want, and as I write I am able to extend my research to combine several articles through their commonality.  It does take a while, as others have mentioned; but, one can get it accomplished.

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11. 75

    CelebrateUSAposted 9 years ago

    Great question! I have been several years and while I do not make a living at this (and I am not devoting significant hours), this is the only part time job that I have ever had that continues to pay me.
    The pennies that I earn are nominal. The knowledge that I have taken away is priceless. I can talk SEO, keyword tool, links, back links, etc..
    I don't view HubPages as a social site; I do try to keep it all business.
    If I were young and a writer, I would stuck with it and look to having my own business with writing as a small (but solid) piece of the revenue stream.
    Anything worthwhile takes time and dedication. Stick with it and you will see results, not riches but solid and consistent results.

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12. 62

    tlcsposted 9 years ago

    I love your response ShirleyJCJohnson, I would say you need patience and determination. Hubpages is a great way to write and meet follow writers. I would definitely say it is worth the effort,  I have met lots of virtual friends since I have been hubbing however don't expect miracles.

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