Writing for Money: Selling Our Souls?
Why you don’t have to sell your soul to make money writing online.
Time after time, I hear certain questions asked in the forum, usually by new members… How do I make money here? How do I get More hits? How do I make the hot content list? It seems to happen to us all here… we get so caught up in the monetary aspect of this that we forget what originally brought us to Triond- the dream of being a ‘writer’. Of seeing our name on the cover of an actual book. The notion of sharing our creativity; having others from all over the world read what we created. But that goes away as we begin to quantify our writing, measuring it in increments of views, likes, and comments. I’ve done it myself; I once wrote an article about American Idol. And it was, in all honesty, garbage. Filler with some video clips. But it spent several days on the list, and pulled in thousands of views. And brought me absolutely none of the joy that good writing should.
I have written several how to articles on both succeeding on Triond and in the Forum. Both are, based on the feedback, useful.
Follow these steps, you’ll make money. You’ll get views. You may very well find the hot content list. (If you put in the legwork) But at what cost? It isn’t necessary to sell your soul in the process. The secret is as simple as this…. Promote what you write, don’t write with promotion in mind. Anything can be promoted. The internet is a huge place, and there are people out there looking for everything. It’s just a matter of finding the fishing holes.
If we lose sight of what it was that brought us here, then there was no point in us having come at all. Write out of love for writing. Utilize the forum, and mingle with other aspiring writers. Triond truly is a miracle of technology… a place where writers are united… to share, to learn, to grow. Let’s not get so caught up in the hunt for a couple of dollars that we forget that. Never before has there been such a concentration of writing talent as the internet provided. Let’s enjoy it.
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68 Responses to “Writing for Money: Selling Our Souls?”
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August 25th, 2009 at 3:24 am
I don’t even bother to promote; it takes away from time I could spend writing or chilling in the forum. Great job, Mnof. It is really important to write for the love of writing.
August 25th, 2009 at 3:58 am
Wonderful article here. Inspiring. Thank you for sharing.
August 25th, 2009 at 3:59 am
Lovely Article
Keep it up
Best Regards
August 25th, 2009 at 4:13 am
This is actually a very truly spoken article and I agree with you on every spot (although I did LOVE your American Idol article). Many people want hits etc. but it all takes time. I joined Triond on November 2007, wrote about 4 articles and didn’t come back until June 2009. The only reason why I left was because I was a Triond noob and when I watched my articles for the first few days, I got hardly any hits and money. When I came back in June, I saw that my first article had earned me about 17 dollars! (over like 1 and a half years but oh well!) When I seriously started writing in June, I found I was no longer a noob, I’d mastered my tricks of promotion and now I’m flourishing in terms of how much I earn on Triond.
You are so write in saying that anyone can promote anything on Triond, but it is essential that you promote that stuff that you actually like writing in the first place. I love every single article of mine that I’ve published, irrespective of whether they’ve hit the pinnacle of my writing career on Triond or not.
Write well, but also write wisely!
Good article.
August 25th, 2009 at 4:17 am
Well observed Mnof. Fraid you have to die or slash off an ear to get recognition for works of art. But as you point out, people of today, are more inclined to read salacious gossip and look at stupid pictures,it is less time consuming than appreciating a good story or observing real natural beauty.
August 25th, 2009 at 5:13 am
You better sell your soul to me… have fun & earn money too, with my cute little murder game!
Yours Truly,
the One & Only!
PS: They say I once was gay, too! But don\’t know for sure what I am now, some 400 years later…
August 25th, 2009 at 5:56 am
I would not call Triond “a miracle of technology”‘, but I agree that it is a haven of floating thoughts…. I read more than I write here and that is probably why I do not have time to “promote” and “earn”.
Cheers,
Kaavs
August 25th, 2009 at 5:59 am
Oh the old I\’m going to be a millionaire over night phase…those were the day\’s.
August 25th, 2009 at 6:56 am
Yeah, very right..I hope people are not too eager in money issues, they should all focus on their writing skills..
Great post..
August 25th, 2009 at 7:32 am
thanks for sharing
August 25th, 2009 at 7:38 am
Good call Mnof.
I actually came to Triond to make money. Okay, not in the “Get rich writing online” sense.
I came to Triond more in this spirit: I have a blog. But that doesn’t pay anything. I figured if I’m going to write anyway, why not put it up on Triond and see what happens.
$.32 so far. Woot! I’m on my way to riches! lol
So on Triond I try to put more “professionalism” in my writing. I use my blog more as an online diary or dumping ground for my mind.
August 25th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Very sensible article. But enthusiasm grows with incentive and it is a fact.
August 25th, 2009 at 8:22 am
Great article, I love getting great feed back, worth way more than a few cents…
August 25th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Good advice. Now if only I could stay on that darn hot list a little longer!
)
August 25th, 2009 at 8:39 am
A very nice article.Of course we need not sell our soul for writing, but it should emanate from our soul.But in most of us soulful writing is once in a blue moon.This article emanates from your soul.Thanks for sharing.
August 25th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Thanks for the nice advice.
August 25th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Good article. It is important to have quality content to get more viewership. Content has to be crafted carefully. One should write not focused on the money, but to share the information and strive towards more perfection.
August 25th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Well written with true words of wisdom. Like it!
August 25th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Wise words, indeed, Nice article.
August 25th, 2009 at 10:19 am
I first joined Triond for the money, but by the time I realized that there wasn’t a whole lot to be made, I was hooked by the community. It was such a high point the first day I got a comment from someone other than my family and friends!
My favourite part of Triond is the world wide community – I’ve never taken the time to figure out the stats, but I’m sure that there are writers from every country where people speak English (and others who are trying to speak English)!
Mnofdichotomy – you have done much to improve Triond – thanks for sharing your talents with us.
August 25th, 2009 at 10:27 am
I write information that I have in my head..
sometimes its information people want, sometimes its information they dont want – like when I tell them to spay their cat!!!
but most of the time I feel good about what I write.
I write information that I feel needs to get out there, and hopefully others who agree will help spread it too.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:07 am
This is one of the reasons I took a leave of absence from Triond. I felt I was loosing focus on writing and more worried about getting views and comments.
The problem is I do not know of any other way to promote your work. How does one get people to actually read your work (but no interest in views and monetary benefits).
August 25th, 2009 at 11:48 am
What can I say this was a great read for me!!!
August 25th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
I heartily concur. For me, it all goes back to Louisa May Alcott’s LITTLE WOMEN when I find myself lost in my writing, unable to finish what I’ve started or just if I’m writing crap to suit a purpose. I scold myself with Louisa’s words, chasing my arrogant fingers, from the keyboard, “Write what you know.” Maybe I’ll add a little Shakespeare next time, “Off, damned hands! Abeyance of Louisa be thine.” Oops. Did I say that out loud? Sorry. If you want me, I’ll be back in my cage.
August 25th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I liked the article MNOF, but I have to say there are some “fund”amentals that one can learn with attempts to write for more money/views. Yes, it may be writing blasphemy to hunt for clicks, but it is also part of the learning curve to writing online and finding your niche. If you only write about one topic, sure writing online is simple, promoting-easy, and your conscious can be cleared of the things that may haunt some. If you only write one way, though, and do the things that people tell you (write for yourself and your fans, not the money) then learning the ropes becomes a confined place and growth can be limited. I write things that are designed to make money and I write things that are my passion. This is simply using some of the knowledge that I have gained to my advantage;)
August 25th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
I partially agree with JLEck. I enjoy writing for enjoyment, but I don’t have aversion to the money flowing in at the end of the month either. Good article Mnof.
August 25th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Ultimately you have to decide why you are here. If you want to make money you can do that. But it takes work.
I have several blogs that I write anonymously. Been doing it for more than 5.5 years now and have developed a very large readership.
During that time I realized that I really would like to work as a writer and needed to find a place that would allow me to take off the mask and write under my real name.
So that is why I am here, to continue practice my writing and develop a portfolio of writing samples that I can send to prospective employers.
August 25th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
My wife and I once had a business working flea markets and craft shows. One of its pleasures was visiting the booths of other craftspeople and vendors when time allowed. During lulls in traffic, we’d sample the wares of fellow artisans, often buying each other’s art and/or products; hence, in so doing, we were essentially swapping our earnings as well.
Online creative writing reminds me a lot of those days. We understood then that there was a limited market for our offerings, and never harbored delusions of great wealth coming from it. We simply enjoyed the quality time spent among others who shared our passion for self-expression and creativity.
Similarly, our products were on display within a community in which everyone else was selling essentially the same products – themselves and their art; and with very little, if any, advertising.
Earning money through online writing is simply a matter of being viewed. It has no bearing on whether the work is appreciated, nor how well it is received by those who view it. Had that been the case in our flea market business, I would indeed have gotten rich.
My point is: you have to decide what’s most important to you as a fledgling writer. I believe that developing your craft via reading, and receiving useful critiques from more established writers, will bear greater fruit in the long run than going after the money. It’ll provide a far more accurate barometer of your success as a writer as well.
August 25th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
I do agree with you. I personally like to share and make friends. I found wonderful people here. Writing and sharing is a link with the whole world now on the internet.
Thank you for writing this article.
Best wishes,
François
August 25th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
I write because I enjoy it and because sometimes it feels like I have no choice to write.
Making money is a plus and I could use a few extra bucks here and there, but mainly I write here for exposure.
and I’m finding stuff that I thought would be read isn’t being touch hardly at all while stuff that I thought would not catch anybody’s eye is getting hit a lot.
The market is crazy and no one can guess
so just write and hope for the best.
August 25th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
i agree!
August 25th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I agree partly with you but Triond is full of those who grab pennies where they can, throwing out anything in order to get reads.
There are some excellent writers here too, but all the time we run the risk of being tarred with the same brush as those who don’t care what they write as long as someone pays them something.
Yes, its would be wonderful just to write for writings sake, but there are also professional writers on here who use Triond to top up their earnings and build a portfolio.
August 25th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Nice insight.
August 25th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Ah! Back to the basics. Integrity in writing; Can I have the joy and comfort of knowing I wrote something that reflects what concerns me? Thanks for the all too important reminder. I get more satisfaction from the feedback and kudos from those who liked orare affected by what I write rather than how much money it made although that is always nice too.
August 25th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Great article. It’s very true. Just having someone notice and like my content is satisfying enough. Thanks for keeping me focused on what’s really important.
August 25th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
This is one of the best articles on writing I have read in a long time. Great Job!
August 25th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Your article is so right on. I enjoy being able to just randomly Google my own name. Great article.
August 25th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
It’s a balancing act. I love the responses, the views, the discussion; but I also like the fact that for the very first time, I am getting paid for writing. I write about what I know, who I am, what I do–hopefully, without leaving the arena of good taste and discretion. I learned long ago that the grand passions, the great works, were probably not going to be mine. That’s ok. Even petunias need celebrated sometimes.
August 25th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
this was a truthful article one thank you for sharing
August 26th, 2009 at 12:10 am
I got your message, but I already have seen this article because it got hot content and I clicked on it through there. How many views do you have for this hot content?
August 26th, 2009 at 12:39 am
Very sound advice.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:50 am
Well written, Mn. We need to keep our focus, always. Thanks for sharing, and also for the promotion tip! [smile]
August 26th, 2009 at 1:03 am
you could’nt be more correct. theres the tendency to forget, thats why we’re humans. good thing though… we can lso remember. one way we do that is when people remind us. this happens to be one of the god reminders and i’m sure i’d make use of it. nice job.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:28 am
Good article. Like any other writing site Triond has many contributors who want to get quick money and a lot of it all too easily.
I have made good friends through my writings and educated myself by getting to read some excellent articles as well. Some articles do catch wind and get lots of views.
August 26th, 2009 at 4:40 am
it is very true… all too many people get the taste of money and become greedy and the quality of poem or article goes down while the quantity goes up…..
August 26th, 2009 at 5:31 am
Well, I do sometimes feel bad to other people who write great poems and story but didn’t get a lot of views.
Me, on the other hand, write simple review articles that at most takes about 1 hour but 4 articles like that got into Popular Articles and give me massive views.
I’m writing for money and fun and that just it… unlike most of the people here who write for training to be a good writer and to get recognition so they can publish they book easily.
So, yeah… I think I’m selling part of my souls by writing simple articles that makes more money more than those who write high-quality poems.
Nice article!
August 26th, 2009 at 6:50 am
I came, I saw, I read…I enjoyed it! Thanks for the reminder.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
I do promote but maybe not well enough…
Nice write though! Imformative which is good.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
It was a pretty good article. But I don’t really care about promoting much. I write mostly game guides, which means that unless it’s good and informative, it stops getting clicks after a few days. I just make a single post to inform the players of the game about my article and that’s it.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Great article- I used to feel like promoting equaled whoring out my writing. Now I just have two separate accounts, under two completely separate names- one is this one, for my real writing, and one is for my articles. I don’t necessarily write fluff, but I do write stuff that people would google, unlike the abstract poetry and macabre stories I keep on this one. I’m definitely more proud of my eminemgrl stuff, but my spiky little visitor’s counter shows far higher numbers on my other account. :p
August 26th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Thank you for sharing that with us. For us “newmembers” it’s important to realise what Triond really is all about.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
I think that your article is very interesting as it would serve as a reminder when we are caught up in trying to impress with our writing. It reminds us that it’s not all about the money, even though it may seem so. Although I am new to this site, I don’t think I’d let the message in your article go unheeded. Thank you. =)
August 26th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
I agree with you. Very nice article.
August 26th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Articles like this let me know that I am in the right place . With author’s pf exceptional quality.
August 26th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
I agree with you in theory but for those of us who are trying to make a living at this, our time becomes increasingly valuable. After awhile, writing for negligeable pay starts to wear. I think it depends on where you are at on your journey.
Once you’ve been published repeatedly that wears off and you start to desire to be compensated for the many hours you put in.
August 27th, 2009 at 12:45 am
Thanks, I appreciate the insight.
September 8th, 2009 at 7:50 am
There is definitely a part of me that feels as Glade Byron Addams
once stated: “A sold poem loses half its meaning.”
September 8th, 2009 at 8:19 am
Well said bloke – couldn’t agree more.
September 8th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Interesting, I write to write but would love to find that audience. Have tried the publishing route years ago and it is more frustrating than anything eles. Was hoping the immediacy of the internet would help me be more successful, but I’m learning there is a whole new skill set involved. Marketing is part of it, but you must have good product and that comes from the love.
September 8th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Thank you for all the time you spend writing those helpful articles. They’re truly informative and inspirational. Keep up the good work.
September 8th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
#2 lol
September 8th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
I never had any illusions of Triond producing great riches or even minor ones but I hope that I have practiced and honed my skills enough here that when opportunity does appear I have made my critical mistakes on Triond and learned enough to avoid them on my piece that may make the difference between making a living on my computer or going on and doing something else with my life.
September 9th, 2009 at 8:10 am
Nice article Mnof. I have always liked Triond, as it is a good platform for any new writer to express him/herself . I have made some rather wonderful friends here and love the fact that there are writers from across the world here. The monitory part is just a little perk, not the driving force. I am sure that is the case with almost all of us here.
September 10th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Very informative Mnof
September 12th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
damn i already sold my soul before i started writing… that must be why i am making no money with this career…
September 14th, 2009 at 9:28 am
Thank you. Great article! A writer should love what they do! That is when they will be able to write to the best of their ability or have the desire to explore, expand, learn, grow, etc. Thank you for sharing! Happy writing…
September 15th, 2009 at 3:50 am
yeah, i wrote some garbage poems once. 4 of them actually, thinking that they will bring me lots of views. Also wrote an article on a manga i liked. Then after 3 months the 4 poems brought me 7 views while the manga article brought me 150 views without any promotion……..i learned my lesson and i now write what I like not what i can’t do……
http://jfl-my-thoughts.blogspot.com/
October 14th, 2009 at 2:13 am
While I reluctantly accept the need for some degree of marketing, I definitely agree that its better to write what you really believe in and know and then “promote” it by being an active participant – plus I find so many great ideas and inspiration in other peoples work.
Thanks for this!