Good ol' Days

In the good ol’ days (pre-panda and pre-WCP closure), I used to write articles based on what I was doing. When I was reformatting my computer and ran into a problem, I’d find the solution and write an article about it. When I figured out how and when to transplant a hydrangea bush, I’d write an article about it. Oh, wait, I never did write that article. I have yet to successfully transplant a hydrangea bush.

I’m getting a little off topic but you understand where I’m coming from. With the Google algorithm change, Suite 101’s revenue dropping and eHow’s WCP kaput, I have not changed my basic plan. Quite some time ago in my journal I wrote that I wanted to write my life and nothing has changed.

Same Plan Different Implementation

While I still sprinkle my life’s experiences around the Internet, the way in which I do it has changed slightly. I say slightly because the groundwork was laid prior to the recent changes. I now sprinkle my life around the Internet through my own websites/blogs.

I have over 20 blogs/websites (28 at last count). Each of the sites are on topics that I am either currently investigating, have investigated, or enjoy writing about. The topics of my blogs are very similar to the topics of my eHow articles. As a matter of fact, some of my blogs were eHow inspired.

Looking at the Digits

When I used to sign into my eHow account, I noticed there were several articles that earned quite a bit, some barely earned and others earned steadily and moderately. My blogs are no different. Some blogs earn nicely, some not so and others bring in a steady moderate income every month. The same goes for traffic, although we all know that a heavily trafficked site doesn’t mean that it’s a money maker.

Winners and Winners

Some folks may look at my blogs and categorize some as winners and some as losers, but I think all of my blogs are winners (well, except one).They’re winners because they do just what I want them to do. They allow me to express myself through my writing and earn money. Some are not very popular but they are lucrative. Others are popular and not lucrative at all. All of them, in my opinion, are successes.

I think as online freelance writers we get caught up in the financial/traffic metrics of an individual article or site. As I look at the progression and growth of my blogs, they somewhat mirror the progression and growth of my eHow articles. Some of the blogs takeoff right out of the gate while others are a bit slower to gain readership. My eHow articles were no different.

Another Slight Writing Strategy Modification

In the old days, writing in clusters was encouraged. In other words, select a topic, write several articles on it to address the topic from several angles. Once all of the articles were completed, interlink them in an attempt to gain additional traffic and readership. In the end you have a small cluster of 4 or 5 articles that provide an in-depth discussion on a particular topic.

Now, instead of writing clusters for a content site, I create a blog. My blogs are usually more in depth than 4 or 5 articles. I now have a blog on which I can continue to discuss the topic for as long as it holds my interest. I enjoy blogging more than writing for a content site because I set the rules. I know which topics my readers like because I have full statistical data (info that content sites cannot provide).

I get to see how readers find my sites and the questions they used as their search terms in an attempt to find the answer on my blog. As I review the search queries, I know in an instant whether they found the answer or not. If it’s a valid question that I overlooked, I’ll then take the time to research and write about it so the next person with the same question will definitely find the answer on my blog.

What Am I Saying?

I’m saying that these are the Good ol’ Days. Okay, I know we all suffered a temporary financial setback as a result of the changes, but it’s only temporary. It only becomes permanent if we spend our time dwelling, mulling, wallowing and complaining about it. Heck, 50% of my residual income flew out the door (more details on my current financial standing in a post to come), but I can’t sit around coaxing it to come back. I’m off to find new and more exciting venues.

The bottom line is the plan is the same but the implementation is a little different. If we modify our writing habits in accordance with today’s climate, I think everything will work out just fine.

Bye Bye eHow

In the back of our minds we knew it would happen eventually. We always wondered when eHow would no longer offer payouts for the user-generated articles written under the WCP. We no longer have to worry or wonder. That day has come.

eHow has made an offer to purchase the existing articles currently appearing on the eHow site. Writers have two options:

1. They can accept the offer and received payment in two monthly installments via their PayPal account. The first installment will be paid on June 15th and the second on July 15th. Or,
2. Writers can reject the offer, remove their articles from the eHow site and place them elsewhere.

No matter which option you choose, the articles will stop earning residual income on the eHow site effective May 5, 2011. The offer expires on May 31, 2011.

What was My Decision?

Take the money and run! I have a philosophy of write it and forget it. Because of the nature of being a freelance writer, we spend a lot of time researching and learning. Things that I researched and learned a year ago no longer interests me now. Therefore, once I write it, I forget it.

I only come back to those articles if I have a resurgence of interest in that particular topic area. Even if my interests are sparked again, things change over time and that article I wrote a year ago will either be obsolete or require tweaking to make it current. Spending a lot of time tweaking a 500 word article is not usually worth it to me. Spending a lot of time tweaking a book is a better investment of my time.

My eHow Portfolio

The portfolio of articles I have on eHow were not necessarily my best work. Most of the articles were on topics I was interested in at the time or had a lot of knowledge about. They did not require much research; neither did they take a lot of time to write. The fact that I earned what I did on that base of articles still amazes me. It was a nice ride while it lasted.

How this Development Affects My Earnings

eHow closing down the compensation program and paying us out does have a serious effect on my residual earnings. Instead of earning $90 a day, my daily earnings have dropped to $45 a day. That’s a major drop.

On the flip side, however, I’m happy with my offer and can put it to good use. Although my residuals have taken a hit, my overall financial picture has improved.

Making the Best of It

I earned a lot of money from eHow and I learned a lot while earning from eHow. I’m taking my earnings and my learnings and am moving onto the next adventure.

The one thing I know for sure is that quality and diversity always wins. Quality seems to survive algorithm changes, content site smack downs and even writer compensation program closures. Diversity gives us a place to hide when we’re licking our wounds coming up with another writing strategy.

I don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t have my own blogs to fall back on.

Going Forward

I’m still on my residual income quest. The eHow payout has given me a bit of freedom. I no longer wonder how long the eHow gravy train will last. It’s over. I’m now focusing more on my books and my blogs. How about you?

Serenity Now!

I had to interrupt my 4-year online writing recap to inject this minor vent and wake up call.

For those of you who watched the TV show Seinfield, you know what I’m talking bout when I say “Serenity Now.”  For those of you who are not familiar with the show, here’s a clip of what I’m talking about

After my little Serenity Now vent I pulled out my Serenity Prayer and re-focused myself.

The Annoying Situation

Yesterday was an interesting day.  I checked my stats this morning only to find that eHow didn’t update their numbers and Suite…well good old Suite.  They had a software glitch (at least I hope they did) and my earnings were at a record low (yep…66 cents).

I must admit that I was pretty annoyed to find that both eHow and Suite did not properly update their numbers on the same day.  I’m a stats junkie and such an occurrence is a real annoyance.

Things I Cannot Change

Unfortunately, there’s nothing I can do about how and when eHow and Suite report their numbers.  I can complain and rant and rave, but that gets me nowhere.  It also opens the door to negative energy and I’ve been working hard on putting a lock on that door.

What I can do, however, is decide where to place my online writing efforts.  Earning money by writing for online content sites is exciting.  Content sites get great traffic and they are a great venue for learning how to write online.  Some folks make it their first and last stop when it comes to online writing.

Adding Eggs to My Own Writing Basket

As much as I try to diversify my writing, I realize that a large part of my online content is placed on sites other than my own.  Wait, let me rephrase that.  A large portion of my money making content is placed on sites other than my own (I have a lot of content here on NJFM but it’s not a money maker).

The double software glitch was the wakeup call that I needed.

Time for More Focused Changes

I did mention that this year was going to be a year of focus for me.  To that end, my next goal is to increase the number of articles on my own sites/blogs to match and exceed the amount I have placed on sites that I don’t own. It’s time to add more eggs to my own basket.

When I first started with eHow I challenged myself to write 100 articles in one month.  I accomplished that task and have been reaping the benefits of my work ever since.  Never have I challenged myself to produce that amount of content for my own sites.  Why?  Dunno.

This is really puzzling to me because I’m earning just as much with one of my blogs as I earn from Suite and my blog has ¼ the amount of content.  You would think that I’d take the time to beef up the content to increase my earnings.

Serenity Now

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

I can’t change how and when eHow and Suite report their figures, but I can sure as heck build my own online arsenal so that if the same thing happens next year, I’ll be less affected by the lack of reporting.

Every once in a while I need a bit of a wakeup call.  Thanks eHow and Suite for the swift kick!

Enough of my rant…I will now return to my 4-year online writing recap…

Edits and Modifications

As a general rule, once my article is accepted, I don’t review the changes nor do I review my report card. I do the best that I can with the title subject matter, try to follow the Demand Studio guidelines and then I divorce myself from the article once I’ve received payment.

Because the WCAs are writer created, I broke my general rule to see how my final articles turned out. There were edits and modifications but I believe the edits were just a matter of writing style. The edits did not change the intent or the facts in the article but it did change the flavor. Personally, I don’t like the final flavor, but that’s why I write under an assumed name when I write for DS.

Show Me the Money

I write for DS because of the cash. It’s not because I’m enamored with the subject matter nor do I find it a creative writing challenge. I believe in calling a spade a spade and when it comes to Demand Studios, it’s all about the cold hard cash.

Is the WCA worth it? Only time will tell, but I’ve written 2 articles in two weeks and have earned a little over $2 for the two. OK, averaging 50 cents a week per article is nothing to get excited about, but it’s a nice start. I’m still trying to duplicate the magic formula that caused one eHow article to earn over $3,000 in less than a year. When I find the formula, I’ll let you know.

Not the Same as eHow

As we all know, the WCA process isn’t the same as writing for eHow’s WCP (Writers Compensation Program) and it takes longer for the article to be reviewed and published, but so far it seems to be worth it. Only time will tell.

PS: I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth (it has been a while since I wrote a post here on NJFM). My writing Mojo has taken a vacation and rather than force it to come back, I decided to allow it to come back when it is ready.

Transitioning from eHow to Demand Studios

The transition from eHow to Demand Studios wasn’t too difficult since I already had a DS account. Many of us eHow writers knew exactly what was in store for us since we have been through the DS rigors.

Just for grins I claimed three articles using my new eHow pre-approved Demand Studios account which has a three-article claim limitation. The title was in my usual area of expertise and it wasn’t difficult to write. I wrote it in my usual style giving the appropriate references.

Imagine my frustration when I received a plethora of silly questions. I saved both the article and the comments but elected not to share them here. Instead, I allowed the article to expire and then claimed the same article under my original Demand Studios account. I wrote the article and it went through without a hitch (it might have been the CE or it might have been the new account).

Not Wasting Time

After that experience I decided not to waste time writing through my eHow approved Demand Studios account. If I choose to write for DS, I will continue using the same old account that I’ve been using for the past couple years. Although there are the occasional silly requests, I don’t feel like I’m under a microscope.

From the time eHow made the switch to the DS interface to now I’ve written about ten Demand Studio titles. I keep telling myself to write a revenue share title and to suggest a title just to test the procedure, but I have yet to do so. I’m not so sure that I’m up to the anticipated frustration.

eHow Earnings

In the time since the eHow writing program was discontinued, I noticed that my eHow income dropped about $130 last month. It could have been a seasonal fluctuation or a drop in article popularity. I’m not spending too much time trying to figure out the reason for the drop.  I did prune a few of the non earning articles and placed them elsewhere, but they couldn’t have affected my monthly income because they never earned anything in the first place.

Since eHow is a closed chapter and Demand Studios is an on-again off-again love affair, I have been spending more time developing my own sites. I always keep my eyes open for new quality opportunities, but at this point in the game, I think I’ll spend my time developing what I have.

Fun While it Lasted

The eHow ride was fun while it lasted and I guess all good things must come to an end eventually. Time to move on. Grandma’s recent earnings of over $300 in one day with Textbroker proves there is life after eHow (and an alternative to DS).