These are some of my thoughts

My first point concerns time management. I divide my Triond time into four categories:

1. Research and Planning
2. Writing
3. Marketing
4. Administration

I use the term administration to describe the maintenance of existing articles.  Most of my income comes from a small number of successful sites. I can not afford to devote a great deal of time to the rescue of failing sites.

That said, I periodically review my portfolio to determine why sites have failed. More often than not I accept that there was no interest in the article and more on. This experience in itself is useful intelligence. It is important to let the losers go. I also look for opportunities for quick fixes and opportunities for a broader marketing campaign.

Some of the quick fixes that I use include:

1. Changing the title
2. Changing the description of the article.
3. Changing the tags that I use
4. Mentioning the page in other articles
5. Arranging for links to feed into the article

However, my most significant improvements come from careful marketing.  All products have a natural life cycle. and go through periods of growth, maturity and decline.  Online writing is no exception.  Consider each article that you write and monitor the readership.  A long period in which the readership builds up followed by a long period of peak viewing and a gentle decline is the ideal to ensure sustained long term earnings.  This can be achieved by careful planning, quality writing and maintenance of the site.  Quality sites are capable good sustained earnings. A rushed,  or poor quality, article is much more likely to be a one minute wonder.

Some of the factors that you might consider at the planning stage include:

1. Raising controversy and developing opportunities for on-line discussion.
2. Structuring the article so that there are opportunities for a sequel or companion article. 
3. Arranging links to related sites
4. Preparing a contingency plan that will enable you to take advantage of a sudden rise in popularity should the site prove to be a hit.
5. Using reference material as a “hook” to encourage return visits.

These measures will increase your exposure and provide opportunties to revitalise the article at a later date.

The contingency plan should be very informal, but you should have a clear plan that can maximise your successes as and when they arise. With each article that I write I am starting to think about what I would do next to develop the subject. This actually makes the writing process easier because it prevents drifting into subjects that are impossible to research.

At the moment I am applying these thoughts retrospectively.  Where relevant I am making links between old and new material.  I am linking them to several successful current articles. 

Much has been said that Triond is a numbers game.  Although it is true that the more you write the more you will earn you do need to plan ahead to ensure a sustainable income.  With prior planning I believe that I could have avoided the quick demise of some of my articles. 

Please also read Optimise Your Success as an Online Writer.  This author makes useful comments if you wish to take the subject further.

Fellow Triond enthusiasts, I hope this is helpful.  I enjoy reading your many thoughts from the world of on-line writing.