Image via Stock.Xchng

If you’ve been wondering how to make money writing online, know this: the earning potential is huge for the writer who understands the Internet game. You can make real money online, risk free and without any investment, except your time. There are numerous writers making hundreds and even thousands of dollars each month writing content for sites like Triond.com, and others. How do you get started?

Step One: Writing Websites

A writing site is a website where writers can publish their articles online, and earn money. Triond.com, for example, allows writers to submit content for publication. Triond will review and publish articles from their writer members on a number of websites. How do you, as a writer, make money? Your income on Triond is directly related to article views. Other writing sites rely on ad clicks. The trick for you, as the writer, is to write articles with keywords that will attract people interested in your content, regardless of the income generating method the sites you choose to write on employ.

Some of the sites I write on are:

www.hubpages.com (just started here)

www.Triond.com

www.ehow.com

Each of these sites have their own guidelines, and payment schedules. Most of them require you to have a Paypal account, so setting that up before you start signing up with writing sites will help. Join one or more of these sites by clicking on the links.

Step Two: Content

Content is the stuff you write. Online writing has it’s own set of standards, and is much different than writing for print media. In print you have much more flexibility and freedom to be creative. Web writing requires knowing how and when to use keywords. (See the article How to Make Money On The Internet for more information on keywords, using keyword tools, CPC and SEO.) E-articles also demand brevity. Keep it short and easy to understand. A good rule to follow is 400 to 600 words. Proofread for spelling, grammatical errors and misused words before publishing. The more polished your articles are, the better. It is very distracting to read poorly written content. I generally just move on if an article is rife with errors. Graphics are also very important. They will make your content more appealing. Be careful not to violate copyrights when using art, and always give credit where credit is due.

Step Three: Marketing and Promoting Your Articles

There are a number of methods you will use to promote your articles. First, you need to network with other writers on the sites you choose to join. As you read and comment on their works, they will reciprocate. The more people you can add to your friends lists, the better. Remember, this is a give and take relationship. Second, network outside of the writing communities by sending emails to friends and family announcing your latest works. Sending press releases about yourself and your articles to local publications is an effective method. You may also consider printing business cards with your homepage info, and give them to everyone who will take one. In addition to networking, you should also submit your article pages to search engines through web submission sites such as www.freewebsubmission.com. Refer to, and provide links to, previously written, applicable articles whenever you can. (Notice the link in step two: How to make money on the Internet.) Doing this will help build article views which will, in turn, work to increase your income. Social networking sites are excellent tools for marketing and promoting your content, as well.

Step Four: One Last Word

If you decide that earning a living writing online is the career path you would like to follow, consider yourself in business. You are now self-employed, be it full time or part time. So treat your new business as a business. You will incure expenses, realize a profit or loss, and you should keep accurate records. Read How to Write Off Writing Expenses for some valuable tips.

Now that you understand the basics, get busy writing. The more content you publish, the higher your earning potential. Good luck and happy writing!