Sarah emailed in the following tip:
I thought I’d suggest another way for your readers to make a little extra money. They can write for Examiner.com. Each article (300-500 words) earns $1 plus additional residual money that grows with site traffic and such.
It’s not much, but you can write up to five articles a week for $1 each. Every once in awhile, they also have special incentives. For example, if you post two articles in one day, you’re entered into a drawing for gift cards and prizes.
To become a writer for Examiner.com, first go to the Become An Examiner page and choose your location and suggest an area you want to write about. There’s just about every kind of topic available, so there should be something for everyone. (If you don’t see what you want to write about, you can suggest an area and a topic. That’s what I did since there was no one focused on my current town and topic idea.)
Once you choose an area, you enter your personal information. Then, tell a little about your experience and submit a sample article that you would write if you become an examiner. What’s nice is if you’re accepted as an examiner, you can publish that article and get paid for it.
Like you say about survey-taking, you’re not going to get rich from writing for Examiner.com, but it’s a little extra money. Plus, it’s fun to share the articles and know people are reading your writing! -Sarah Hernandez
Looking for more ways to earn money from home? Check out the brand-new Income-Earning Ideas page I just finished putting together. And if you have any great ideas to share, be sure to leave a comment or send me an email with a tip or suggestion for me to consider posting.
I am a freelance writer as well, and I ran from Examiner after finding several friends who were writing multiple stories each week and still earning less than $100 a month. I started writing with Demand Studios, and they pay an average of $15 per story. It is not outstanding money, but since I only spend about 30 to 45 minutes per story, it is still good money. Sometimes it takes longer if I have a picky editor, but it is worth it. I can make extra money anytime I need to, and I get paid twice a week directly into my PayPal account. I have been making an extra $500-$600 a month this way and only writing a couple of evenings a week.
Would you be interested in writing a blurb on Demand Studios for me to post? I think others would be really interested in hearing about this and I’d be more than happy to include links to some of your articles and/or blog, if you have one.
Email me if you’re interested: moneysavingmom @ gmail.com
Okay, I agree with many of you that Examiner is not THE BEST route to go as the pay is horrible. I started doing it and then stopped because it wasn’t worth my time.
However, I agree with Crystal too, that if you don’t have any experience or just want to “practice” or get your name out there… this might be a good place to start!
Then again, I don’t know much… I have been searching for free lance writing jobs for a while now! 🙁
Thanks for posting this. I had always wondered how people get started with writing articles form home and you posting this has given me lots of ideas. I signed up and am looking into a few of the others mentioned. I also look at this as a way to advertise my blog as you can put your blog in your about me section. So hopefully through the writing process there I will become a better writer and get some more traffic to my blog.
I wrote articles for anywhere and everywhere I could when I started my first website way back when. I didn’t do it to earn $$, but to get my site out there and links and traffic. Over time, a nice trickle of traffic came from those articles and it turned out to be a very good way of garnering free advertising!
I write for Examiner on two topics. I don’t spend much time on it. I average payments of $40-50 per month.
Way to go! Thanks for sharing your positive experience!
@Milk Donor Mama,
That’s what I like about it. It doesn’t take any real commitment. I’m a teacher and off several months during the year. During my downtime, I can write some articles while my son is napping. I can let those articles sit for months and months and earn money from traffic. Not much money, but money I didn’t really have to work very hard to earn.
Another site to try: elance.com
My husband has made money doing 3d animation there, and there is a writing category, which often includes writing articles, e-books, and blogs. The jobs are more of a time intensive, though.
@Milk Donor Mama,
I just signed up and am concerned about them asking for my ssn as part of the background check. Did you have to do that, too? If so, I assume it all went ok? I’m getting a little paranoid about giving out that info and am looking from assurance from others who have done it.
Thanks!
@Marie, Yes, I provided that. They would also need it for tax purposes even if they didn’t do a background check on you. I have had no problems with them and payments are once a month through paypal. The whole process for background check/approval went quickly and I was up and writing fast.
I agree – this is not the route to go. Besides – if they push you to note a referral, then there’s a benefit/kickback involved….which is probably how most of the money is made.
This is a horrible idea. The site is known all across the Internet for both spam and low, insulting rates. In addition, the site requires a full, Internet based background check on a shady site.
If someone wants to go the ‘freelance’ route to earn some extra money, sign up with a larger site with true revenue ($5, $10, etc.) for the same amount of effort like Seed.com, 1-2-3 Experts, Demand Studios or even LoveToKnow.com (if accepted).
A little extra money to the family budget is great but wasting a few hours for $5 when you can earn $100 in the same amount of time seems foolish. As a 20-hour-a-week-freelance writer, I can tell you there are opportunities–even local. Use sites like Craigslist to find local programs and (if you have experience or a niche), build a portfolio. You might be able to get a great, local and long-term deal.
You can make significantly more as a professional writer, Tania. However, there are many people who read this blog who would gladly write for $1 per article plus extra from traffic. And I was definitely there at one time. $5 per week might seem very lowball, but it’s something to start with — and a great way to get your feet wet in the world of writing.
If you’d be interested in contributing a guest post on how to earn money as a freelance writer, I’d be more than happy to consider it as I know many could find this information invaluable. Or, if you’d like to just submit a tip of some of the sites you recommended in your comment, I’d love to hear about them.
As a freelance writer, I personally find this pay…a complete slap in the face. If you truly are a proficient writer, one can make much more money than this!
I’m a SAHM and blogger…and I earn several hundred a month from writing articles, blog posts, advertising materials, etc. I’m currently spending about 8-10 hours a month on my freelance writing.
You’re right, Angela. You can make significantly more as a professional writer. However, this is a great way to get your feet wet if you don’t have places currently knocking at the door asking to publish your pieces. And there are many here who could use even an extra $5 per week and don’t have many other avenues right now for earning money.
If you’d be interested in contributing a guest post on how to earn money as a freelance writer, I’d be more than happy to consider it as I know many could find this information invaluable.
@Crystal, Thanks Crystal!
I actually started as a freelance writer about 4 years ago. I basically struck out on my own after doing a little research. I paid about $100 to open my licenses and then I asked my former employer and friends, etc. if they could use my services. I turned a profit my first month. No one came knocking at my door at first – I had to knock on theirs a bit. Still do. But I’ve made a little extra money every month and for relatively few hours. I love what I do!
I’m actually gearing up to feature a number of readers (about 10-12) in various WAHM fields (including what I’m doing) for a series I’m running in August on my blog. I’ll be in touch to see if I can tailor something for your readers as well! I think there are VERY legitimate ways to make money from home.
Thanks, Crystal!
I forgot to mention, IMHO a better way to “get your feet wet?” Contact your favorite local non-profits and ask to do some work pro bono! In my experience, charitable orgs are very happy to have someone volunteer to update webcontent, write a form letter, put together an auction catalog, etc. GREAT way to support your community, build your portfolio, and get your name out there a bit.
OK, I’m done…thanks for letting me share! I’m really quite passionate about my career choice and I’d hate to see anyone shortchange themselves out there!
Thanks Crystal for sincerely wanting to help your readers. You are a blessing to many. 😉
I’ve never really considered myself a professional writer, but this past year have started to have high-paying opportunities offered to me — like my weekly column with AOL. So I’m finally realizing that maybe I am! 🙂
But I don’t have a lot of experience in getting started as a freelance writer, so I’d love to share your story with my readers, if you’d be interested in writing a guest post. Drop me a line and I’ll send the guest post info your way.
Thanks so much!
Oops, I posted before I was done. Sorry!
Some things that my mom and I have done are:
~ironing
~make meals
~bake cookies-mom makes over 500 DOZEN gingerbread men at Christmas. (They are extra special gingerbread men with a secret recipe.)
~sell herbs and veggies
~made potpourri for craft shows
~yard work and gardening
~repaired old quilts
These are just a few of the things you could do and work at home.
Thanks for the info. I see them advertised everywhere but didn’t know what they paid or if it was worth it.
This is awesome! I love to write, so it would be a good opportunity at “me” time, too! Win, win!