Why Evergreen Articles Earn More Over the Long-Term
Some feel that older articles vanish from sight and stop earning. Is this really true? What determines whether an article will keep earning months and even years down the road?
While it is not always possible to write an evergreen article, it pays to give some thought as to why evergreen articles are the better earners, attracting readers and continuing to earn revenue over the long-term.
You may be thinking, what the heck is an evergreen article?
Image via Wikipedia
Evergreen Articles
Evergreen articles are works that continue to strike a chord with readers. These articles are written around topics that don’t necessarily age–topics that wear well.
Now, while you may be able to write about something that is currently popular–and there is nothing wrong in doing so–you’ll also want to give consideration to crafting evergreen articles.
How On Earth Do I Come Up With An Idea For An Evergreen Article?
- Is this something that readers will be interested in a year from now?
- Does this article offer information readers can benefit from?
- Will it appeal to both men and women?
Examples of Evergreen Articles
Someone wrote to me recently and stated that older Triond articles were basically dead in the water. That depends on the kind of articles. Some “lazy” articles fail to earn their keep; evergreen articles are the “achievers,” works that continue to earn revenue.
Some of my earliest articles are still my best earners. Let’s examine these articles to see why they are still attracting readers.
- This article, Physical Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression was written back in March of 2007 and continues to draw an audience. Although it is only the 10th of March, 2009, this article already shows $0.94 for this month. This is an example of an article that is two years old and still performing.
- Another little article was a surprise: Lighten Your Hair Using Hydrogen Peroxide. Now, this article has worked hard for me this month because it is already showing $1.00 in 10 days. This article is a year old.
These articles have proven to be evergreen because they are written around topics that many people have concerns about. The first article discusses challenging mental health issues; the second article offers an inexpensive and safer alternative to hair dye.
Image via Wikipedia
In both cases, the articles offer usable information that is just as timely today as when the articles were first written. Ten years from now, will people still be concerned about depression and anxiety? Yes. Ten years from now, will people still be looking at ways to lighten hair? Yes.
Rule of Thumb
While every article you write doesn’t have to be evergreen, ask yourself: is this information something that will appeal to people 5 years from now? Is this topic something that most people can relate to?
While an article about slugs in colder climes might appeal to slug-lovers in the Arctic, will it really attract a large enough audience to result in clicks that earn more than a couple of pennies?
Image via Wikipedia
An evergreen article reaches a wider audience because it offers information that many people are interested in or it gives insights people can use in everyday life.
Image via Wikipedia
When you picture clicks and revenue, what size of audience do you want to attract? In other words, do you want to drop pennies into a piggy bank or do you want to deposit dollars?
Image via Wikipedia
In sum: when you think “evergreen,” think “earner.”
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March 10th, 2009 at 11:22 am
I always enjoy your articles, Athlyn and this one is no different. I always finish, feeling like I’ve learned something important.
Wynn
March 10th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Good information. Thanks. I agree totally. In my humble one year experience at Triond, this has proven to be true.
March 10th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Hi Wynn,
Nice to see you again! Thanks so much for your comments. What an encouragement!
March 10th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Hi Rana,
Yup, if our articles are simply languishing, we need to look at why.
March 10th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
This is very true if the goal is to make money. Many writers write just for the joy of it or to educate on an immediate issue. Great advice.
March 10th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Relevant and useful advice as always, thanks for sharing.
March 10th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Hi Westbrook,
Yes, writers usually write first because they simply have to; later, they look at ways to earn from that which they love best. Thanks for your comments.
March 10th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Hi Athlyn, been following your articles quite a bit. How did you actually manage to come up with so many good advice articles all the time? Great work, as usual. I’m sure we can pick up some good tips along the way. And I see that it is already working, judging from the good comments! Keep writing!
March 10th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
an important advice.
March 10th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Hi Nightcharmer,
You know, everyone asks me that. I have to admit that I never experience writer’s block. I do experience writer’s fatigue–days where I feel like a hampster running on a wheel and not going anywhere–but, on a good day, I can produce much material.
I draw ideas from life around me. I just did an article this morning, in fact, inspired by a conversation I had with a friend who blamed his parents for his present circumstances.
March 10th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Thanks for the information. I have also found this to be true in the few months that I have been with Triond.
March 10th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
I like your analogy, “Evergreen”. It makes total sense to write on topics that will stand up against the “hot topics” and “holiday” articles that will die off. Thanks!
March 10th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
You are such a consistent, concise, and informative feature writer; and I only wish that you would often dabble in a page 2 for slow learners like myself. Enjoyed the mini-seminar once again!
March 10th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Hello Everyone,
I remember when I first came across the term “evergreen.” I remember trying to pin down what it was exactly.
It takes a while to get a feel for it but if you study your articles that consistently earn, you learn much about what people are interested in.
Of course, there’s always the surprise article that becomes hot and you are left scratching your head.
Thanks for the comments!
March 10th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
very true. Some of my best articles are old and universal . great advice !
March 10th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
you know that you know ,
thats why Christmas trees
remain ever green ,
even when the snowfall is intense.
hope others too will remember u
for ur vision
LH
lh
March 10th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Thanks for your tips.
March 10th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Great post an perfect image to portray your message!
March 10th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Some reassurance that what you are doing is worth while is definitely needed sometimes. Thansk Athlyn.
RJ
March 10th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
That was great tips. You are right. the article’s quality is very important role 2 b c..evergreen. thanx 4 sharing this great infos.
March 10th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
Great article & relevant, invaluable topic!
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
March 11th, 2009 at 2:36 am
Nice write up and good advice!
March 11th, 2009 at 7:25 am
Thanks for the tips.
March 11th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
thanks for sharing all your knowledge!
March 15th, 2009 at 9:45 am
That was a really interesting article. I never thought about this, but it is very true. Some things I read even last week are something that I would just not even bother with today. Thanks.
March 15th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Good advice – I have some articles I would count as evergreen as they are over a year old and still rumble in about a dollar a month! Now, I could just do with a thousand of them and I would be happy!
I live in hope!
March 15th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Hi RJ,
Yes, if we could just have a thousand evergreen articles . . . You know you’ve gotten online writing nailed when your articles keep attracting attention, wearing well over the longterm.
March 16th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Nice advice. Thanks a lot
March 17th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Rule of Thumb: offer quality articles that offer useful advice, providing value for readers.
June 27th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Very cool article!! Well written as all of yours are, very professional!! ehugs, Carolyn Ann
June 27th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Wow! You guys really make my day!
Thanks, Carolyn!
April 14th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
I wrote an article on post-mortem photography and how it corresponds to the superstition of putting shores on the table and it earned well over 300 views in almost four months! To me, an evergreen article like this, compared to a seasonal one, is more traffic-garnering and revenue-gaining!