Making Money With Your Writing

I was reading somewhere that Journalism is Dead, or in the very least will soon be. Do I believe it? No. Is there any truth to it? Maybe.

In some aspects journalism is a dying breed. Look at what happened yesterday with Michael Jackson. The online world got a hold of the story and knew several hours about his passing before the media crew did.

It's a changing world and the online writers of today along with technology are able to write and blog about the latest news going on in our world with the click of a button.

They don't need a degree to write and they certainly don't need a degree for readers to notice them, but that also doesn't quite mean that Journalism is Dead either. There are still the tough stories out there where the live action occurs and the media crew and journalists report. Not everyone can go to Iraq in the middle of a war zone and not everyone is willing to risks their lives in doing so either.

Journalists do much more than report about the news and write about it. They risk their lives investigating areas where every day citizens don't have access to or wouldn't want to be a part of.

And don't forget the authors who books are sitting on shelves in stores and in libraries. We read every day, but I'll be honest. I would much rather be reading a novel offline curled up in bed than sitting at my laptop.

I know as a freelance writer I work online and I'm still going strong with my writing. Sure, with the economy the way it is I may not be making as much as I'd like to, but I'm still making some money to pay a few bills. It helps and there are still companies out there who want bloggers and freelance writers and are willing to pay. Some will only offer credit, some will offer a ridiculous payment of $0.50 per a post for 700 words, while others offer a fair price for articles.

So while the world has changed as far writing, I believe it has opened up a world for everyone who loves writing and wants to share it with the world. But what I would love to know is your opinion. What do you think? Do you believe that Journalism is Dead?

Writing for a Purpose

One of the biggest things I am battling right now is what sort of content to put on my website. My blog is easy enough because I can just talk about day to day things that are going on, but I want to do something different with my website.

I've considered working with budgeting ideas due to the economy since it's a very popular topic right now. A lot of families are looking for ways to trim their financial budget and still live without feeling like they're being seriously deprived from everything. It's hard I know, I've been there.

One of the things that I discovered was that you can actually buy content for your website. Places like Purecontent.com are offering content in various forms for a reasonable fee.

Although sites like these are not for me, there are many website owners who are not all that fond of coming up with their own content or simply don't have the time. For myself however, I find that keeping things real is a much better approach. I don't mind having an author post something on my site once in a while, but I write because I love writing. When I'm having someone else write it defeats the purpose of my passion and readers are not able to get to know me.

What do you think?

PepperJam and Inc 500

Even though I haven't made anything with pepperjam ads at the moment, it looks like they're doing something right because they are moving up in the world. Pepperjam has just been rushed into the top 100 companies in the United States, thanks to Inc. Magazine.

It's number 70 rank is actually from 500 of the companies Inc. magazine has listed. Pretty cool. So I had to actually wonder why PepperJam is in the top 100. As it turns out, PepperJam is being recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in the United States.

I must admit even though I have yet to make any sort of a profit with them, I do like the fact that you're able to choose your own selection of ads that will suit your blog or website's needs. You're also able to select different sized ads, so you're not left with a huge graphics slow down on your page. The ads aren't companies that have never been heard of either. They're companies like The WB, Cartoon Network, Baby Phat and more.

So the real question is, is PepperJam worth it? Do they have what it takes to keep an interest as an affiliate market? For now it seems so.

Brian Campbell and $10,000

A few days ago I decided to change my life forever. I started something spectacular. I became a part of Brian Campbell's SMMS. For those of you are unfamiliar with who Brian Campbell is, Brian is making headlines with his $10,000's in less than 37 days deal. Did he do it? Ask my favorite online entrepreneur John Chow.

Brian not only made the $10,000 in less than a month, he's continuing to make more and he's offering his secrets on how he did it. Is it a gimmick. No. Does it take work? Yes. But in the end, it's worth it.

After I signed up for Brian's free online course, I started thinking about something I had mentioned here on this blog. A goal I wanted to obtain in life. To help people. I am now turning that goal into a reality with Just Believe. And when I am through. I am going to pay it forward by donating 50% of what I earn to Hope House. Hope House is a non-profit organization that helps women who are a victim of domestic violence in and around the Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas area.

By the way, that $10,000? Brian payed if forward by giving the money to John Chow. The entire $10,000! How insane is that??

Debating to Make a Genius Idea

With all of the big debates going on about the 2008 Presidency Election, everyone wants a piece of the action when it comes to making money off of the controversial campaigns. The Progressive Book Club is just one of the many companies looking to make a big profit from the campaigns.

I don't know about you, but I find it to be genius yet, cheap. But, then again, who am I to judge. If you know where to look for a great money maker idea, look no further than your presidency campaigns!

Who Not to Write For

When you're a writer and barely scraping by, sometimes desperation seeps in and you begin looking at all of the different writing options that there are online. While many of the options can lead to some nice money, there are two that I don't suggest.

Hubpages

I think I started an account with them at one time. And then I found out that the only way you get paid is if someone clicks on a google ad, ebay and amazon. Like here, basically. Only you don't get all of your profits from those clicks. Hubpages takes 40% of your profits. Why do that when you can get 100% of your profits on places like blogger.

howtodothings

I used to have an account with these guys. Actually I still do, but I haven't written anything in a very long time. The reason is, they've changed things drastically. It used to be that you could write an article and get paid with gift cards. I loved it. But then they changed things. Just like Hubpages you post an article and get paid through revenues. Google Adsense only. The kicker is they keep 50% of your earnings from google adsense and they keep the rights to your articles. Meaning, you cannot use that article anywhere else. How insane is that? What a ripoff!

Now as far as whether hubpages gets to keep the rights to your articles, I'm not fairly certain. But I don't see a use for either of these sites. They are a waste of time, unless you just want to show off your work for nothing. You can do that right (blogger) here and earn some money doing it.

Those are so far the only two sites that I know of that aren't worth writing for in my opinion. Does anyone know of others? If so, why are they not worth it?

Oprah and Miracle Foods

A while back, Oprah Winfrey introduced Dr. Perricone and his 10 SuperFoods on her talk show. One of the items he mentioned was Lipovox, a weight loss aide.. Now in my opinion, I can't really see how a weight loss aide is a SuperFood. To me food is food, not diet pills. The interesting thing about this product is, not only does it allow you to lose weight, it also helps fight wrinkles and acne.

What is suppose to make this now popular product work is, the green tea extract and antioxidants that it contains. Hmm. I can't see myself taking a pill that promises to do all of those things. Personally I think the better way to lose weight and fight wrinkles and acne is naturally.

If you're interested, There is a website that contains a little more information about Lipovox and what it may or may not do for you.

A GOOD PUN IS ITS OWN REWORD

* Energizer Bunny arrested - charged with battery.

* A pessimist's blood type is always b-negative.

* Practice safe eating - always use condiments.

* Shotgun wedding: A case of wife or death.

* I used to work in a blanket factory, but it folded.

* If electricity comes from electrons... does that mean
that morality comes from morons?

* Marriage is the mourning after the knot before.

* A hangover is the wrath of grapes.

* Corduroy pillows are making headlines.

* Sea captains don't like crew cuts.

* Does the name Pavlov ring a bell?

* A successful diet is the triumph of mind over platter.

* A gossip is someone with a great sense of rumor.

* Without geometry, life is pointless.

* When you dream in color, it's a pigment of your
imagination.

* Reading whilst sunbathing makes you well-red.

* When two egotists meet, it's an I for an I.

A Classic Chevy Update

My husband has what will someday be considered a classic truck. Well, maybe... It's a 1979 GMC Chevy pickup. It's not only old in years however, it's also old as in shape. The truck is falling apart, yet he still drives it. It's his baby and he'll be keeping it for the rest of his life.

He knows that it's going to need to be re-built, inside and out...and when it's time to makeover his baby, he'll want only the best.

Wood Dash Expert Inc. offers custom Chevy grilles that will make his baby shine. Yep. Even for as old as my husband's truck is, Wood Dash Expert Inc. has it. Pretty cool. The price isn't too bad either. $175.00

Chevy isn't the only Make of Grilles that Wood Dash Expert Inc. has to offer. Check them out!