Quite often, when I’ve searched for information on a certain topic, I’ve found an answer on Suite 101. Last time I was there (on a topic completely unrelated to writing) I stopped for a while and took another look at their site… and discovered that it’s not a bad way to (a) get some writing credits and (b) earn an income.

If you want to earn money as a freelance writer, you can work full-time for sites like guru.com and elance.com – but the hardest part is starting out, when you have no writing credits. With a bit of perseverance and willingness to take a few low-paying jobs to start with, you can soon overcome this problem; but it certainly helps if you can point clients to previously published articles on a site like Suite 101.

Here’s a quote from the site, in response to the question: “How Much Money Will I Make?” 

“It’s difficult to provide static figures about how much revenue writers earn at Suite101; there are a number of variables that can affect your earnings. To give you an idea of the revenue range, some top writers earn over $1000/month. Other writers may earn $30/month but it depends on the popularity of your articles and their searchability online.  Suite101 provides tips, tricks and education tools for better search engine (SEO) results. Write well, write often – that’s the secret to success at Suite101.

Be professional, be patient and be productive; it can take time to generate the income levels you are expecting. Keep in mind, too, that if you were to write 100 articles for Suite101 and you never wrote an article for us again, you would continue to earn residual income from those articles.”

If this interests you, you can find out more at Suite101 Freelance Writing Jobs

Cheers
Marg

Tags: earn money writing,freelance writing jobs,Suite101
Categories: Freelance Writing, e-Publishing
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OK: I admit it – when it comes to the need for writers to have a website, I am a bit of an evangelist. For years, I’ve been telling writers that I think it’s a good idea. These days, I’m telling them it’s essential – and most editors and agents agree with me.

A website allows you to promote your books and/or writing services, and gives you a platform to show you’re serious about promoting yourself as a writer and being accessible to your readership.

The big barrier for most authors is actually creating the website. If you don’t know anything about site design or HTML, this hurdle can seem insurmountable – and that’s when a lot of writers decide to hire a web designer to do the job for them. For some writers, who don’t need many changes to their site, this is still the best solution.

However, if you use a program like XSitePro, you can do it yourself so easily that you’ll be wondering why you hesitated for so long. (Not only that, but you’re likely to have so much fun that you become addicted.)

But don’t just take my word for it. PC Advisor has given XSitePro its coveted “PC Advisor Recommended” Award for the ease of use of its software for novices at web design. They say:

 “…this is one of the most pleasant to use interfaces for web design that we’ve encountered. Where XSitePro 2.0 really stands out, however, is by applying this ease of use to a wide range of additional features which, if coded by hand or created using Dreamweaver would be considerably more complex. Wizards handle such things as creating a version of your site for mobile users, navigation menus and search engine sitemaps, as well as multimedia, search engine optimisation and PayPal buttons… XSitePro 2.0 is one of the best applications we’ve seen for aiding novices in creating professional-looking websites.”

If you’ve decided to finally take the plunge and create your own website, you will find it hard to go past XSitePro 2. You can read PC Advisor’s review here (don’t forget to click on the ‘Page 2′ at the bottom of the first page or the review to read the whole article). 

Marg

Tags: Writers' Websites
Categories: Marketing & Promotion, e-Publishing
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All over the world, governments are investing in the so-called ‘digital revolution’ in schools. Studies have show the effectiveness of distance education (including online learning) for children between 5 and 18.

The Australian government is planning spending of 2 billion dollars to provide new information and communication technology to schools, including computers to school and broadband facilities, and for training teachers in its use.

Already, authors are participating in virtual classrooms and reaching children in ways that were not even thought of just a decade ago.

What does this mean for you, if you write for children or you speak to groups of children in high schools?

You need to be computer-savvy, or hire someone who is to help you along the way. You need to be ‘available’ online; you need a website where children can read about you and interact with your books. Don’t be left out because you feel overwhelmed by the Internet and all it means. Make it your job to learn, to feel comfortable with the new technology, and to take advantage of what it can offer you.

Categories: General Tips, Marketing & Promotion, Writing for Children, e-Publishing
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A few weeks back I wrote a short post about eBook readers. I’ve just finished reading a post on another blog that sums up the state of play with eBook readers (and people’s attitudes to them) very nicely.

On his blog, MICHAEL HYATT likens what is happening with eBooks and publishers to what has happened with iTunes. He has some interesting things to say about whether you should be able to loan your ebook purchase to a friend…

Go here to read more: http://michaelhyatt.com/2007/11/four-essentials-for-ebook-success.html 

AND… Barnes and Noble has just launched its eBook store. It’s all happening folks!

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Barnes-amp-Noblecom-Launches-bw-15039243.html?.v=1 

The face of publishing (and book-buying) is changing so rapidly that it’s hard to keep up… but you must. All writers should know what’s happening in their industry.

Cheers

Marg

Categories: e-Publishing
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A follow-up to the last post about new directions in publishing and the role of eBooks:

Stephen King’s agent, Ralph Vicinanza, approached his famous client with the idea of a writing a book for release as an e-book as a way to build some excitement about e-publishing when the book industry as a whole is going through some difficult times.

They hooked up with Amazon to coincide with the release of the Kindle 2, an upgraded, slimmed-down version of the first Kindle. (If you’re not familiar with the Kindle, it downloads not only books but also newspaper stories and blog post over a wireless network in the USA).

King’s book, UR, is available as a download for $4.66. You can see the parallels here between iTunes cheaper per-tune download in comparison to a physical CD.

Downloads of King’s new book reached five figures after three weeks on the market.

Sign of the times?

Tags: e-Publishing
Categories: Marketing & Promotion, e-Publishing
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