Traffic or write...or patience?

1. 79

   Sheri Fayeposted 11 years ago

   So, a few months into this hub thing, I am looking for advice from more seasoned hubbers. I spend a great deal of time researching and writing and re-writing my hubs…I have a lot to learn and am a bit of a perfectionist…however I find I am overwhelmed by the marketing part of this online writing thing. Within the Hub community I have found some wonderful people, very supportive and very talented, but find myself spending so much time reading and commenting on and responding to comments on this site, and marketing on face book, pinstrest, linked in, stumble upon and. one I just found today via a post here, bubblews..(by the way…mostly crap writing there…makes me a little proud to be a part of hub where the standards are much higher).  So I guess my question is, should I just trust that the traffic will come, or do I need to spend all this time marketing, when what I want to do is write quality articles, live up to my own standards, spend time learning and practising the art of writing, or, prostitute myself to social media, (I am quoting my hub buddy BillyBuc - on the prostitute/social media thing). I spent today promoting (and lots of other days), and it did kick traffic up a bit.  I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

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2. 86

   Marisa Wrightposted 11 years ago

   If you want to make money writing on sites like HubPages, and on your own blog,  you need to be editor, marketer, salesperson, all rolled into one - and you need to spend more time doing all those things than you do writing your core work. 
   
   If you're not comfortable with that, then you'd be better off becoming a freelancer and selling your work on sites like Elance, Odesk etc.   There's a learning curve for that, too, but if you're a quality writer then you will eventually build a reputation and will be able to charge what you're worth.
   
   Promoting your site on sites like Stumbleupon and bubblews is an amateur's strategy.  Marketing on Facebook won't do you a lot of good if you're just harassing your friends. 
   
   You need to look into guest posting, forum and blog comments.

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   1. 79

      Sheri Fayeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Marisa thank you for taking the time to comment. I read some of your hubs and found the one on social or business hubbing very helpful. I don't mind the business end of it-I have been in business all my life-and I appreciate your suggestions about guest posting as that seems like a more fruitful direction. I wish you continued success.

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3. 93

   jansharesposted 11 years ago

   In a nutshell? I would say write, patience, traffic, in that order. I'm learning that you have to create a good amount of quality hubs before real traffic becomes consistent. It takes time. Hp is the perfect place, to do that.
   
   I agree with billybuc but I've come to realize that promoting is part of the game with online writing. Marisa is correct about selling your brand, ie, promoting your articles, taking up most of your time. It's a business. I know from experience with my private practice that I spend more time with paper work and running the business than doing therapy. Online writing is very similar.
   
   I do think it is up to the individual to allot time to write and time to promote. They go hand-in-hand.

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