Self Challenge and The Business of Writing

Before the masses embark upon a campaign to discredit my opening statement, let me clarify. Writers are a special breed that practice their craft for the sheer joy of turning thoughts into the written word for others to read, critique, share the vision. The internet provides the writer with a world wide platform with which to share his works. At no other point in the history of man has this been possible.

Content mills jumped on the money making opportunity presented by the advent of blogging. Setting up blog type publishing niches that are constantly updated by adding new content through publishing pieces submitted by their own members really is a genius setup. In turn, members are paid a share of the revenue generated from relevant ads placed around the published online articles. Relevancy is determined by what the general audience really wants to know and read. Searches through directories and search engines are key to relevancy.

Now true writers will argue that they write for the sake of the art. My question is, “Why did you join a paying site?” Why not just set up you own blog and post your own pieces there? You joined for the prospect of cash. You settled for staying true to your own writing style.

The online market for fiction lies in creating books for downloading on the myriad of tech readers hitting the market. Still the pay is low for the writer. No one searches for poetry and short stories. Yet, if the writer included some ad words in his works he could conceivably up the ante. Just as sports figures endorse popular products, so can the writer. Challenge yourself. If you write an article on Michael Jordan, work in his Nike Air Jodan shoes, Coca-Cola, Gatorade, McDonald’s, Wheaties, or Hanes and your online article is geared for income while Michael Jordan is an evergreen topic. 

As much as I enjoy writing fiction and poetry, it is much more challenging to write for the internet. When presented with the challenge words for Duff D Moss’s Writing Challenge Rounds, I opt to take the challenge to a paying level. It is much harder for me but more rewarding aesthetically and financially. There have been entries that surprise me with their consistent views.

• Round #34 – Wondering Where He Went? Mnof is Recovering, Feb 19, 2011, 12 views $0.02              How Yogurt Helps The Gardener Produce Lush Foliage, Feb 16, 2011, 11 views $0.01 
• Round #33 – Super Bowl Party Time with Jive Turkey, Jan 26, 2011, 28 views $0.03 
• Round #32 – Health Benefits of Spicy Peas – The Pairing of Peas and Hot Peppers, Dec 10, 2010, 28 views $0.08  
• Round #31 – The Phoenix – Real or Myth?, Nov 28, 2010, 140 views $0.32 
• Round #30 – Australian Heatwave – The Silent Apocalypse, Oct 14, 2010, 23 views $0.04 
• Round #29 – Writing is a Business at Triond, Sept 30, 2010, 36 views $0.02 
• Round #28 – Amazing Niagara Falls Daredevil Feats or Just Plain Ludicrous?, Sept 15, 2010, 56 views $0.17
• Round #27 – Can Banana Peels Really be Smoked?, Aug 31, 2010, 136 views $0.36
• Round #26 – Hidden Health Threats From Hemlock and Radioactive Material, Aug 11, 2010, 102 views $0.25 
• Round #25 – Will Our Existence be Known as The Plasticine Era?, Jul 28, 2010, 41 views $0.07
• Round #24 – Umbrellas as Weapons, Jul 13, 2010, 61 views $0.13
• Round #23 – History of The Ebony Amulet, Jun 30, 2010, 41 views $0.09
• Round #22 – In a Hurry? Whip Up a Spectacular Salad Plate!, Apr 15, 2010, 42 views $0.05
• Round #21 – How to Repair a Broken Window, Mar 27, 2010, 151 views $0.30
• Round #18 – The Big Shovel Out, Feb 11, 2010, 83 views $0.18
• Round #17 – Crafting: Sand Candles, Jan 30, 2010, 558 views $0.61                                       Crafting::candles and Seaweed, Jan 27, 2010, 777 views $0.85 

As you can see, each one has earned something in addition to Adsense. Several still get views. It is amazing what people search for. Harry Potter keeps the lovesick phoenix alive.

All of these articles would not exist if Duff had not continued to issue his Writing Challenge. I would not be a better writer and learned SEO if it wasn’t for him. And there wouldn’t be the Triond Writing Challenge Blog.

Thank you, Duff!