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Changes at Today.com
Felicia | Jan 26, 2009 | Comments 13
I’ve heard rumblings about the goings on over at Today.com. In an earlier post I mentioned how I signed up to blog there. I guess I jumped on the bandwagon just at the right time. Since then there seems to have been some changes.
A few of my readers shared pertinent information about their experience with Today. After reading their posts, I decided to do a little investigation on my own. I went to the Forums and the Today FAQ page and here’s what I found:
From the Forum
After weeding through many posts about promotions and links to blogs and general conversation, I found a closed post that stated:
“We’ve changed the starting rates for NEWLY CREATED BLOGS. This does not affect CURRENT blogs.
From now on new blogs get:
+ $2.00 per thousand unique visitors.
+ After a 30 day provisional period outstanding blogs may be promoted to our pay per post program.
If you participate in the referral program please make note of these changes when advertising today.com. We’ve changed the referral program so new incoming referred blogs will need to post at least 20 times over 20 days to become a qualified referred blogger.”
I guess the moderator knew that it would generate much conversation so the post was marked closed.
FAQ
Then I went over to the FAQ of my VIP account and read the following:
“…How much you make in the long term will depend on a number of factors including the popularity of your topic and writing. Generally speaking, the more steady readers the inbound links and you attract, the better. As you gain in popularity your earnings will increase. To get you started we guarantee you will earn at least $1.00 per daily post for at least 1 month. Your blog will be evaluated monthly and payments may be adjusted up or down depending on how well you are doing. “
My Take on the Situation
As a new blogger, I hardly find it worthwhile to earn $2 per thousand unique visitors. 
Just to give you an idea, I started blogging there in mid December. I made 17 “approved” posts in December and I posted 8 in January. I don’t know if my January posts are “approved” as yet because they have not been reviewed. Who knows, according to the info in the FAQ, they may review my blog and decide it’s no longer worth $1 per post.
As a result of the two months of posting I had 325 unique visits in December and so far 319 in January; a far cry from a thousand unique visitors on which a new blogger would earn $2. Unless you seriously market your blog and gain a quick following, you won’t make much at all. At my current rate, having a total of 644 unique visitors translates into a total of $1.34 in residual income.
On top of that I’ve earned $20 in referrals. That will dry up as soon as I explain the new payment structure to potential Today.com bloggers. Not everyone wants to write 20 blog posts for 20 days for such little reward. I know I wouldn’t.
I’ve got to admit; currently I put very little work into the blog. I sign in once a week, pre date three blog posts and I’m done. I only sign into my account if I receive a comment that needs to be approved. At $1 per post, it’s barely worth the trouble, but I’m a long-term thinker and believe over time the residuals will begin to pick up.
I’m willing to give it a few months before I throw my hands up and say, “It’s not worth it.” But, I’ve got to say; I don’t think I would sign up for a Today.com blog under the current pay structure. It seems that they want you to put in a lot of work for 30 days to see if your blog is worth $1 per post plus residuals. I think there are more lucrative opportunities on the internet without having to jump through such hoops. That’s just my opinion.
Filed Under: Legitimate • Opportunities • Today.com
I got the same email, Felicia. Somehow I had the feeling when signing up as a VIP blogger that Today was too good to be true. And so it is, alas.
Well, it’s official. I’m dropping Today.com from my freelance writing arsenal (or should I say they’re dropping me). I realize that my posting frequency stalled to a stand still. I only made two posts this month and I believe my lack of activity was duly noted. I received the following email yesterday (2/18/09) for changes that took place on 2/12/09:
The good thing is that as of yesterday, I earned a little over the $50 minimum payment so it couldn’t have happened at a better time.
I started with Today.com in 3 January 2009. I seem to be moving along ok. So far, I’ve been approved for $17.77 in January and around $15 for February. It took awhile for my initial posts to be approved. I still have to get to that $50 notch to get paid, but I should receive some money in April. I’ll let you know.
Hey, great site by the way. I was referred here by http://onlinewritingincome.today.com/. Do you mind if I add you to my blogroll? Check me out and see if you would be interested in linking me as well. Thanks for the info.
Lees last blog post..New York Post Stimulate Racial Tensions
All nine of mine were approved today! Maybe because I posted on their forum about it.
Julie Ms last blog post..Different Styles of Writing: Finding Your Voice
I’m with you Julie. I have 10 that are yet to be approved.
Not for me.
I have 9 posts still not approved!
Julie Ms last blog post..Taking A Week Off From eHow Experiment
Good for you!
I’d love to say that it was the power of the No Job for Mom Blog, but that isn’t the case. Has to be coincidence.
I guess I should check my stats to see if they approved any of my posts too.
I’ll be damned! (Can I curse a little bit on your blog?) Only a few hours after making the above comment, Today approved 5 of my posts and my earnings are now $5.13 … wow! Do you think they read your blog post about Today and the subsequent comments — or is it just a coincidence?
I guess it pays to be a squeaky wheel.
I signed up for Today on 12/16. While my first post was approved, my subsequent posts were neither reviewed nor approved. During the holidays, I received an email from Today, informing me that I’d need to post more often or be stripped of my VIP status. (Mind you, I never received $1 per post — not even for the first one — so I’d like to know what VIP status is!) Anyway, I did post more often after the New Year, when I had more time.
How much have I earned after 6 weeks? About 12 cents.
So, I’ve pretty much given up hope where Today is concerned. I’ll keep the blog going, but I’ll post only when I feel like it. The blog will be reclassified as a ‘hobby’ blog … and nothing more.
I only started my blog at Today.com but didn’t do it for the money, although I thought it had the potential for being an added bonus. There were lots of rules, etc but I did it more just because I needed a place to put some writing that was rolling around in my head.
Writers!
I thought the traffic potential was much more desirable than the money payout feature anyways. The jury is still out for me.
Suzes last blog post..What Do You See When You Look At Your Body?
This is good information. I actually was going to start writing there more since I haven’t been doing that. I still will write there regardless. I write there about a subject I am interested in – teaching. I also do not do any SEO there, so it is a break from that. But, good info to know. I guess we will see how it pans out. Thanks!
Julie Ms last blog post..Taking A Week Off From eHow Experiment
Hi there: Very well written, I am doubting myself that I’ll ever reach that $50.00 payout the way they keep changing things over there on today.com really sad too!!
wolfpsirits last blog post..Stop whining and Be thankful!
That’s good info, Felicia. I agree it makes a big difference in whether or not it is worth it to write at Today.
Julie @ Write for eHows last blog post..A New eHow Author and Ebook Review