Would it be possible to have a mentoring program on HubPages?

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   lbrummerposted 9 years ago

   When I first came here from Squidoo I was so wishing there was a “someone”  I could communicate with who would answer my questions, or tell me where I could get the information I needed.  I did use the forums and received answers that helped me, but it would have been so nice to have someone I could ask any question of and who would answer, what I feared might be construed as  “stupid,” questions.
   
   What would be expected in a mentoring program?  In my opinion it would be a group of volunteers as mentors who would welcome the new mentee, answer their questions and check their hubs, giving them suggestions on possible changes.
   
   The length of time of the mentoring could be decided between the mentor and mentee, or have a stated time limit, say 6 weeks, a year, etc.
   
   I’m sure the hard part would be matching up a mentor and mentee.  Someone who writes poetry would probably not want to mentor someone who writes about computer games
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   Also there would have to be a polite way of changing mentor partners in case they didn’t get along with each other.  It would be necessary to give the relationship a “check-up” soon after the onset, to see if it was working, and to find a new partnership if it wasn’t.
   
   Of course, the only way that this would work would be with the help and guidance of HP management and an information sheet that would match up mentors and mentees according to interests and expectations.
   
   There is an article on mentoring at http://www.inc.com/guides/2010/04/start … ogram.html  that is interesting.
   
   In your opinion, would or wouldn’t a mentoring program work?

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      Christy Kirwanposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi lbrummer,
      
      As Millionaire Tips mentions, we did used to have a program similar to the one you suggest (the Hub Greeter Program). Unfortunately, most new users never responded to our Greeters' welcome messages and attempts to get in touch, so we decided that the program didn't benefit enough people to warrant its continuation.

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   2. 74

      Marie Flintposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I have attempted to help people by sending them a critique of a hub on an individual basis. Most were appreciative and would make corrections; others never responded. One hubber even became angry at me for making suggestions!
      
      Since I do not earn a great income here, I'm no SEO guru; however, I do understand mechanics and organization. Sorry to say, Ibrummer, I'm not available right now because I'm expecting my first grandchild and making a quilt for charity. Maybe by this fall I'll be more active at Hub Pages.
      
      Personally, I think a mentoring program for anyone, not just newcomers, expressing an interest and not a monthly income from their writing is a great idea. The Learning Center is helpful, but there's nothing like having someone encourage you!

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         Marie Flintposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Edit: not receiving a monthly income . . .

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   3. 63

      Daniel Carterposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      With as many online resources and tutorials, all you need to do is study and practice. Most people don't volunteer to mentor at HP because they don't have the time to. In addition to writing, they are also spending inordinate amounts of time with their secondary addiction, promoting.
      
      The tutorials and libraries at HP are quite good, very helpful and extremely high quality. I think the answer is that spoon feeding the masses isn't going to go well when what is required is study and practice.
      
      And yes, I taught music lessons for over 20 years and it is about practicing alone the bulk of the time.

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   Millionaire Tipsposted 9 years ago

   We used to have greeters who welcomed newcomers and helped show them the ropes.  The program was discontinued.

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      brakel2posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Why was it discontinued? I thought it was great, and they had it when I was new.

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   relacheposted 9 years ago

   What would these mentors receive for making such a huge contribution of their time and expertise?

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      Millionaire Tipsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      It's not always about money. Sometimes it is about the joy and satisfaction of helping someone else.

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         relacheposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Having unpaid people giving feedback and coaching online quickly turns into this,
         
         http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/128557

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4. 52

   Alley Allenposted 9 years ago

   Maybe 1/3 of a newcomers income for 4 months

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      relacheposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      It takes the average HubPages new user anywhere from 9 to 18 months to earn the $50 to make their first payout, so that would mean that mentors would get 1/3 of zero dollars for their efforts.

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5. 0

   calculus-geometryposted 9 years ago

   It can be arranged privately by small groups of users.  Somebody who is open to being a mentor can indicate so in their bio or make an announcement on a forum, a prospective mentee can contact them via the contact link.  All the mentoring can be done by email.

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6. 94

   aesta1posted 9 years ago

   I agree with Millionaire Tips that it is not always about money. I have read some comments here from people who genuinely want to help. I see several in the forum respond to pleas for help. For those who don't want to spend their time doing this, they don't have to respond but giving others who want to help the opportunity because they want to is good practice in any site.

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7. 94

   aesta1posted 9 years ago

   I just came across Bill Holland's The Writer's Mailbag. This is a form of mentoring which benefits him as well as the hubbers who are invited to ask questions about writing there. Thanks Bill for doing this.

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      Suzanne Dayposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      His Challenges can be great fun too! I have yet to do one, but I'm looking forward to taking part sometime

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8. 68

   Richard-Bivinsposted 9 years ago

   The problem with having a mentoring program is that the things to be mentored today will probably be out of date a few months from now.  Several years ago we had a few members offer to take in handfuls of new members and "teach them the ropes" for a few weeks but shortly after that the first Panda hit and changed the complete focus of the site.
   
   The best resource available now is the Learning Center http://hubpages.com/learningcenter/contents

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9. 90

   Millionaire Tipsposted 9 years ago

   I think the forums are the best place for receiving guidance. In that way, whoever is available at the time can provide what they know.  Also, other people can also chime in to make sure they do not provide incorrect opinions, and let the questioner know other points of view.

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    clivewilliamsposted 9 years ago

    ok i am available...20 bucks an hour :_)

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11. 52

    Alley Allenposted 9 years ago

    Wow, all of your information has been wonderful, and I very much appreciate your input.
    I've done some browsing over the forums, and I have searched the internet for "How to make money on hub pages".
    Could any of you verify what I have learned to be correct?
    The idea of HubPages is to start hubs with the goal of attracting followers.
    You get paid when the traffic you attract to your page clicks on an ad that is on your page.
    This means that you could also benefit from those not following your page.
    Once you set up your hub page, you have to link the ad accounts to your page, this is not done automatically.
    Do I understand correctly?
    Do 'discussions' I post, such as this one, help my hub page or help me earn money?

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    1. 76

       Barbara Kayposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       First of all, you should know that you don't earn money when other members of Hubpages visit your page. You earn money from the Hubpage ad program whenever anyone that isn't a member visits your page.
       
       You need a Google Adsense account before you can earn money here. Most of us earn money by opting into the Hubpage Ad Program. Once you are approved by the Adsense, you need to add your account number to your account. It will automatically put it on your hubs for you once you've done that. Then you can earn.
       
       Posts in the forums do not help you earn money. It may help you attract followers here. Having followers here may help if they share your hubs on Pinterest or Facebook.
       
       If you have any other questions, just ask. I hope this helps you.

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    brakel2posted 9 years ago

    I asked this question once and someone told me that member impressions do count. I guess we need a clear answer. Good info, Barbara Kay.

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       Barbara Kayposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       My understanding is that we can earn from other members clicking on Amazon or eBay, but nothing else. I'd like someone knowledgeable to clarify this.

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          Lisa HWposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          With all the changes that have gone on at this point, I wouldn't mind seeing clarification (or confirmation of what you just said) either.  I actually started to look in the Learning Center but couldn't find it fast enough, or easy enough, for me at the time.

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             Millionaire Tipsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

             My understanding is that you get earnings from impressions for the HP Ad program, and these impressions include other Hubbers.  Hubbers are encouraged not to click on ads, because they don't want to mess up anyone's Adsense account.  Most Hubbers probably also don't click on people's Amazon ads, but even if they did, you don't get paid per click on Amazon, but on actual purchases.

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                Alley Allenposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                Are any of you actually getting a check at this point?

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                   Barbara Kayposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                   There are many of us that get a payment every month. You've got to stick to it and continue to write more hubs. It is one of those things that takes patience and the payoff comes later.

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                Barbara Kayposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                Millionaire Tips, I hope you are right. Then I'll work harder to get other Hubpage members to read my articles.

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                   brakel2posted 9 years agoin reply to this

                   I wondered about the feelings about other hubbers' impressions counting. It certainly gives incentive to read articles and vice versa, and is similar to some other sites.

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13. 52

    Alley Allenposted 9 years ago

    How did all of you get approved for AdSense? Did you have to have a hub for awhile? They just turned down my application saying "Insufficient content".
    What is the YouTube Monetizing program and how does that work?

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    1. 76

       Barbara Kayposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Allen, It just means you need to write more hubs. The recommended number is 10 and some writers need 20. Just write more and then try again. Don't waste the 6 you've already written.
       
       Someone else needs to give you the info about the Youtube program. I've never used it.

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          Alley Allenposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          Thanks!

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