Write and Earn a Living

Still No Success Publishing Original Article With Article Income

2010-02-26T12:32:00.004-04:00

Well, after waiting a reasonable amount of time, I decided to pull the original article I'd submitted at Article Income. I've uploaded it to HubPages and once I've added final touches, will publish it there instead.

I can't wait around for Article Income to publish my articles. Now, I believe the glitch is because the site is still in Beta; although I see other published articles there. That said, though, I have my 5 PPPs in and with the views I'm getting, know that I will earn on them.

But, for now, original articles will be submitted elsewhere until Article Income is up and running fully.

This underscores my point about working a number of gigs. That way, you always have something else to fall back on.

* I subsequently published my article, Guitar Fingerpicking for Beginners: a Simple Fingerpicking Pattern over at HubPages. In hindsight, I believe this was the best way to run with this particular article. I've included product capsules for guitar books and guitar strings and later, I may include an instructional video demonstrating the technique. HubPages allows for monetization via AdSense, contextual ads, Ebay and Amazon Product capsules and is a good publishing platform, allowing writers to earn in multiple ways.

Insights About Article Income Writing Site

2010-02-23T15:29:00.001-04:00

Readers will remember I've mentioned Article Income. It's a new writing site that offers a nice revenue sharing model: 50-75%.

Now that I've had a chance to navigate the site, I'll share my insights.

I like the site. And the articles I've submitted so far are getting lots of views. This is a factor I look for because, hands down, views translate into earnings.

Article Income is still in Beta so there are bugs with the site at present. I've submitted 5 PPPs (previously published pieces) and these are the articles that are garnering the views. I submitted an original article and I have another original article in draft--but I haven't gone any further. Why?

I'm still waiting for my original article to be published on the site. Its status is still "pending." I'm wondering if the delay is because administrators are still working the bugs out.

It's somewhat frustrating because I would like to get more articles submitted but until this first one goes live, I'll be holding off--no point going to the effort until I'm assured of earning for the time invested.

For those of you who are thinking of joining, however, if you have previously published articles that you want to submit and earn on, I would go ahead and do this. You'll also have a chance to become familiar with the site and you may not encounter the problem I've had with getting an original article published. It may just be some glitch.

I've contacted them about it and will let readers know if I hear anything.

Upcoming . . .
All Voices citizen journalism site--submit news stories and earn

My recent Xomblurbs

Planned Parenthood Director Joins Anti-Abortion Group After Watching 13-week Fetus Struggle

Alexandrites: Beautiful Gemstones That Change Color

* Want to earn money writing? Join Xomba.

Bedbug News: Bugs and Bites

2010-02-19T16:21:00.002-04:00

Bugs and "bites" for Bedbug

With the launch of my children's book Dec. 8, 2009, my writing life became that much more exciting. In today's post, I thought I would bring readers up to speed about The Bedbug Who Wouldn't Bite.

The book has done well, considering that it is a "new kid on the block." To be honest, I've been surprised at the interest shown. While I've lived and breathed the story the last year or two, others haven't. My friends have been incredibly supportive and my cyber-friends--people I've never met face-to-face but who I stay connected with on a regular basis--have also shown their support.

Bugs & Bites

A bookstore owner over in Grand Forks, B.C. saw the Weekender newspaper write-up, Bit by the Bedbug, and she's ordered Bedbug book pkgs. for Soul Creations on Market Avenue. I can't wait to see pictures of her display.

A translator over in Japan wants to enter the Bedbug Who Wouldn't Bite in a contest. She plans to present the book to Japanese publishers.

A friend and musician who lives near Peggy's Cove is at work on a song about the Bedbug Who Wouldn't Bite.

Bedbug book pkgs. are now going out to Nova Scotia businesses and once I receive posters I will be distributing more books.

Six people have now expressed interest in the next story in the series--and yes, the next story will include a new toy!

Come spring and better weather I want to place books in more local establishments and I may approach schools to see if they would like the book.

Impressed With Article Income Writing Site

2010-02-18T14:02:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I signed up for the writing site, Article Income. I must say, I like the site navigability.

I was also attracted by the points system. Let me explain.

Article Income offers writers 50% of the ad revenue, a fairly typical earning profile for an online writing site, but--and here's the important "but"-- you accrue points to net higher earnings and it is not difficult at all to gain those points. You earn points through submitting PPPs or original articles and by rating and commenting on others' articles. Basically you gain points for doing what you would normally do at a content site. Simple, eh?

Why accrue points? Your earnings can reach a ceiling of 75% of ad revenue! That's impressive. You advance from Bronze @ 50% to Diamond @ 75% revenue.

Think of the potential: you write keyword optimized articles, which translate into higher CPC ads on your pages and if you are at the 75% earnings threshold, you make a significant amount in article earnings.

Article Income Articles

Article quality: articles are reviewed by editors prior to publication.

Hyperlinks are not allowed in articles but links can be added to the Author Resource Box to gain backlinks to websites/blogs.

Articles are written in first or third person.

Article Income is open to non-U.S. residents

Articles should be 300-1000 words. Longer articles tend to perform better

Article Income is still in Beta but I like the clean, progressive look of the whole site.

Some of my Article Income articles

Are you a Published Book Author? Two "Must-Join" Sites--awesome author sites to promote your work.

Article Writing Schemes and Scams--pitfalls to avoid when trying to wrestle up writing jobs.

My Recent Xomblurbs

Using Pine Needles in Basket Making--how to select and prepare needles for pine needle basketry.

Beaded Jute Basket--make a durable basket out of common gardening twine.

Mateo Carcassi--Guitar Study in A Minor--beautiful rendition of this popular guitar piece.

Why I Like Xomba

2010-02-17T11:10:00.004-04:00

I like Xomba; plain and simple--and perhaps plain and simple describes the Xomba concept. I find that with my time at a premium, I tend to gravitate toward sites that allow me to further my online writing efforts without a big investment that drains my already limited daytime hours.

When I first started with Xomba, I spent much time creating blurbs around the hundreds of articles I'd written. It was a great feeling to earn on those blurbs and know that I was also bumping up traffic levels to my articles, which has helped to increase overall article earnings, as well.

These days, I merely create a blurb each time I create a new article, thus my Xomba blurbing has decreased somewhat. Now, I have to get busy and bookmark good sites I come across via my daily Internet activities.

I'm looking at ways to increase my Xomba efforts. I still think of the experience of Renauk, the dentist who makes hundreds of dollars each month with Xomba. Her story is so inspiring!

No matter what you are doing in relation to Xomba, it may help to set reachable daily goals. A consistent course, over time, will net the highest rewards.

My Recent Xomblurbs

Beaded Jute Basket--A neat way to create a basket using simple, everyday materials

How to Play Dust in the Wind on Guitar--This popular guitar piece is easy to learn

Jenny's Cowichan Knits--Just love Cowichan knitting? Find scarves, mittens, sweaters and more

Common Crochet Stitches--Make beautiful lacy designs by learning basic crochet stitches

Article Income Writing Site: Another Opportunity for Those Who Want to Write Online

2010-02-15T10:59:00.003-04:00

Hello Everyone

In today's post, I want to discuss another site that accepts submissions from online writers. The site is called Article Income.

You write articles and submit them to Article Income and earn revenue.

Article Income

Writers earn via contextual advertising. Earnings are 50% and up to75% of ad revenue. It's a split between the writer's ad code and the Article Income code.
While article links are not permitted in the article body, these can be placed in the Author Resource Box. (this is a good way to gain back links to your other sites)
Articles are published across a network of sites.
People from different countries can join Article Income
Articles are written in first person, "I" and third person : " a consumer," "a crafter," "she," "they."
Article Income accepts original articles and published articles.
Word counts: 300-1000 words

Writers join Article Income for free and may accrue points for higher earnings.

What do articles look like at Article Income?

How to Get Pregnant

Death at the Winter Olympics Calls for Investigation

Artificial Intelligence and its Future

Click on the article links to see how articles are monetized with ads.

This looks to be a good opportunity for writers.

Hawthorn's Wood

2010-02-11T13:12:00.003-04:00

Much more do I prefer the sweet singing of birds in the woods and quaint bluebells in their hoods…

Hawthorn's Wood

T’is dawn

And here I stand on this hill

The world stretched out below me.

I hear its wakenings still

But those dull murmurings hold naught for me,

Rather intrude upon quiet musings.

Exciting New Offer for Those Who Order the Bedbug Book: 5 BUGS in a BAG!

2010-01-23T11:31:00.007-04:00

After discussions with my publisher, we are happy to announce an exciting offer regarding The Bedbug Who Wouldn't Bite.

Since publication last month, the response has been terrific. What we've noticed is that many people have ordered more than one copy of the Bedbug book. Last month, the books were given out as Christmas presents and in recent weeks people have been buying books to give to young ones for birthday presents.

TO REWARD those who buy more than one copy of the book, this month we are launching an exciting offer. Everyone who orders 3 COPIES of The Bedbug Who Wouldn't Bite online will qualify for 2 FREE BUGS! What this means is that instead of receiving 3 BUGS with 3 BOOKS, those who order 3 BOOKS receive 5 BUGS in their own little bag.

Kids and parents across the board love the STORY and the BUGS and this is a way to reward BEDBUG FANS.

* This offer for 5 BUGS in a BAG is limited
* This offer applies solely to ONLINE ORDERS
* Each bedbug is lovingly handmade so each one is different!
* Save on shipping when ordering multiple copies

Good Videos for Search Engine Optimization and Use of Keywords

2010-01-19T13:25:00.000-04:00

Most of us are looking for ways to increase traffic to our various pages and sites. Today, I'm including helpful videos that discuss SEO and keywords.

It is important to understand why good quality content has become so important--especially as the Internet becomes increasingly flooded with information. When you think about it, pages that offer value have the better chance of becoming pages that gain traction online.

As well, content-rich pages fair better by use of relevant keywords. Even though keywords may not hold the power they once did, it is still important to write articles that include keywords/keyword phrases. You boost SEO, helping search engines do their job by creating pages with keywords they key in on.

the Internet is a competitive market place. Understanding how to create keyword optimized pages that make the SEO grade can make a big difference to what you earn online.

Search Engine Optimization Secrets

How to do Keyword Research With Google Adwords Keyword Tool

Recap: Understanding SEO and keywords can make a difference in relation to traffic and earnings.

Using Xomba as an Article Directory

2010-01-15T18:55:00.002-04:00

Thoughts about article directories . . .

Hello Everyone!

We are having a wonderful mild winter in Nova Scotia. This makes getting through the cold months that much easier.

I was reading something the other day about how a person should write a number of articles centered around their meta tags and submit them to article directories to generate traffic to their blogs. Now, I've contributed articles to a number of free article directories with this objective in mind and it is a good marketing method-- but I've been thinking about this and wondering how to make articles like this do double-duty.

Using Xomba as an Article Directory
A while back I joined Xomba and got thinking that it would be a far smarter approach to write a 150-word Xombite article centered around my meta tags and link back to my blogs, thus earning on the article at Xomba and directing readers to my blogs.

This scenario makes far more sense to me. A writer could use Xomba as an article directory of sorts to accomplish the same purpose as a free article directory but the difference would be that the writer earned on the submitted articles. This is a win-win scenario in my books. What do you think?

Progress Report

2010-01-11T01:40:00.004-04:00

My publisher and I have agreed that we both will take some time to devote to other projects before we get to work on the storyboard for the second Bedbug story.

Launching The Bedbug Who Wouldn't Bite was an exciting if exhausting project. We worked prior to Christmas for the Dec. 8th launch and then had other matters to attend to in conjunction with that. We also launched the Bedbug Products store and these activities took us right to the cusp of Christmas.

We both took a few days to rest and have now decided to spend the next couple of months working on other projects so that we are on top of things before we start on the next book. I have to admit that getting back to my other writing has been enjoyable since I always feel better when I'm caught up with my articles.

I'm trying to get more rest. I found I felt exhausted after the book launch. I think I was suffering from burn-out as well as grappling with health issues.

This month, I'm trying to buy out time for crafting, something that has been on the back-burner for the last couple of years. I tend to get overly immersed in writing and am striving for more balance in my life. I'm working on a crocheted valance and am making a raffia basket and a second pine needle basket.

Next I hope to squeeze out time for music but . . . baby steps.

I still have much to do in relation to "Bedbug." I'm in the process of placing the book in a number of locations. I'm awaiting another shipment from the publisher and once it arrives will devote time to distributing the books.

I did a phone interview with a reporter and she ran a piece in the local paper.

A writer/editor friend is arranging to do a write-up for papers back home in my West Kootenay digs.

I'm encouraged by the feedback on the book. Kids really like it, which is music to my ears.

So, all in all, January is shaping up to be a wonderful month.

* I've included a recent picture to help readers to get to know me!

Do You Have Writing Goals for 2010?

2010-01-04T19:54:00.002-04:00

Hello Everyone! Best wishes for the New Year!

Today's post is about writing goals. So many of us take stock and try to chart a course for another year. I believe in setting goals. Very much so. Goals help us to stay the course, helping to keep us on track when other matters would distract us.

Do You Have Writing Goals for 2010?
If you've set new writing goals, I invite you to share them at Write and Earn a Living. We can encourage and inspire one another!

My Writing Goals

Continue to promote The Bedbug Who Wouldn't Bite

Work on the second story in the BEDBUG SERIES. I have the book dummy sitting on my kitchen nook.

Continue writing articles for Suite 101 and working to increase monthly earnings.

Continue writing articles for Triond so that my targeted monthly income amount climbs higher.

Write additional HubPages so that income continues to grow.

Check the great job board feature at Bukisa, so that if time and circumstances permit, I can pick up writing jobs. I have articles at Bukisa but haven't really worked hard at it because my writing schedule is so full--but, I must share that joining Bukisa for the job board alone is a great way to find writing gigs for the new year. I notice that many of the job postings offer decent pay rates, as well--not the insult that is offered to writers when some outfit wants to pay $1.00 per 500-word article.

Continue to add blurbs and bites for Xomba. Xomba has proven to be one of the best earners for me.

Continue to offer tips and insights at my blogs because I believe that when we help others, we also help ourselves. Work towards attracting a greater number of readers for my blogs.

You'll notice that the word "continue" has been used frequently. I haven't bothered to edit this post to make this read better. Why? Because "continue" is a good word for 2010. If you are earning money from your writing efforts, continue to expand on what you are doing and your earnings will increase.

May we all have a joyous and prosperous new year!

* Credit: Alviman

Why Triond is a Good Writing Gig for 2010

2009-12-28T13:02:00.001-04:00

If you are thinking of breaking into freelance writing in the new year or simply want to bump up your efforts to earn income online, Triond is a good opportunity for 2010. Why?

Triond has undergone changes in recent months, making Triond better than ever. Triond still pays, month after month for submittted content.

Why Triond is an even better opportunity currently is that Triond has added AdSense revenue sharing. This means that writers earn more for their content, which includes articles, photos, audio and video.

Newer writers have a greater opportunity to earn on their content; writers who have already created a number of pages will experience an instant increase in earnings across their Triond pages monetized with AdSense.

If you have been thinking about joining Triond, there's no time like the present!

I've Been Busy as a Bug

2009-12-11T17:10:00.026-04:00

I have waist long locks, which, I might add, are now " growing" knots in odd places Whew! Has it been busy or what? This week saw the publication of my Bedbug book, Dec. 8th, 2009, and I have been up to the wee hours attending to details related to The Bedbug Who Wouldn't Bite.

I've been so busy, in fact, I haven't had time to brush my hair! Now, this poses problems because I have waist long locks, which, I might add, are now "growing" knots in odd places

One would think that once a book has been published, the work is done. WRONG!

I've spent the last few days doing all that writer stuff that leaves other folks scratching their heads and wondering at the strange hours I keep. It's about so much MORE than writing, as anyone who writes (and especially online) knows.

These days there are templates and blogs and . . . sandwiched in between HTML, I created a book dummy for Bedbug and the Mouse in the House, the second story in the Bedbug Children's Book Series. I'm getting a feel for how I want the verses to appear across pages--and I must say, a book dummy makes a world of difference.

I basically folded sheets of paper for the pages and then printed off the verses and cut the text into movable blocks. I'm wishing I had a pad of sticky notes because this would make moving verses around pages so much easier.

I like how Ann Whitford Paul mentions book dummies, in her book Writing Picture Books, "For years I tried to get away with not doing them . . . Today, I would never send out a manuscript without first making a dummy."

I'm really enjoying this book. Now, you may be wondering why I'm reading a book about creating books for children, when I've just had a children's book published. My credo: never stop learning. Become a lifelong student and you continue to strengthen your gifts and open greater doors of opportunity.

Anne mentions something that I also encountered while working on Bedbug. FRONT MATTER. And, as she rightly shares, the ordering of these pages is not written in stone. Thank goodness!

Anne discusses factors to consider, while working on a dummy:

The first three pages (after front matter) should let your readers know what the story is about
Page turns--what makes the reader want to continue?
Where does the story climax?

So much goes into planning a book, even a seemingly simple picture book.

I have to say, though, that working on a series is exciting--but I'm beginning to feel like a "sandwich person." Everything is "sandwiched"around the writing. Housework?--a mere trifle. Cooking?--a thing of the past (nibbling and foraging would be more accurate). Friends . . . Outside interests . . .

You get the picture . . .

Bedbug Links
The Bedbug Books
Bedbug Products
The Bedbug Who Wouldn't Bite

Bedbug is Here for Christmas!

2009-12-09T21:20:00.016-04:00

Little ones the world over may wake up to find a Bedbug in their Christmas stocking or tucked under their pillow in the days before, during, and after the Christmas Season!

The BEDBUG BOOK has been PUBLISHED Dec. 8th, 2009 and is

NOW AVAILABLE

The publisher has pulled out all the stops to make the BOOK and the BUG in the little BAG
available at this special time of year, when little eyes are bright and . . . magical things happen!

And remember . . . this little BEDBUG . . . DOESN'T BITE!

Visit Bedbug At
World Famous Books
Wepage

Announcement: the BEDBUG BOOK HAS BEEN PUBLISHED, as of Dec. 8th, 2009

2009-12-08T19:38:00.015-04:00

Hello everyone! I have excitng news! As of today, Dec. 8th, 2009, the first BEDBUG BOOK has been PUBLISHED!

You'll notice the new BUY NOW buttons on this blog. The publisher and I have worked very hard to release this book for all the children out there who want their own BOOK and BUG in the BAG.

Fast Facts About the BEDBUG BOOK

Each book is hand-bound with neat-looking fuzzy binding that matches Bedbug's fur
Child-friendly, non-toxic glue has been used with "safety first" in mind
Each bedbug has been lovingly handmade and because of this, each toy bug is unique
Book incluess care instructions
The book is the approximate size of a CD case, so makes a good carry-along for young ones. The book and the bug slip into the cloth bag and can be taken in the car or elsewhere. The book and the bug can be easily seen through the filmy bag material.

The publication of the BEDBUG WHO WOULDN'T BITE launches the BEDBUG BOOK SERIES. Each additional story introduces a NEW TOY.

Each story contains a clue--kids can try to discover what it is!

Bedbug Links
The Bedbug Books
Bedbug Products
The Bedbug Who Wouldn't Bite

Making Money Online--Have You Joined HubPages Yet?

2009-12-08T12:59:00.008-04:00

In trying to make money online, many writers are turning to the Internet as a source of revenue--and with good reason.

It can be incredibly convenient to fire up your computer and use it to publish almost instantaneously.

Today, in Part II of my article series, Making Money Online, I'm going to discuss HubPages and why creating Hubs can be a legitimate way of making money online.

While you can simply create Hubs and hope for the best (you will earn a little), it is far better to have an earning strategy.

By now, most of you will have heard about keywords. Use the Google Adwords Keyword Tool BEFORE YOU WRITE YOUR ARTICLE! I can't stress this step enough. Why do I say this?

Let's crunch some numbers:

You create an article around a keyword worth .08. Your article is viewed 100 times and say out of that 100 viewings, 10 people click on the ad. You make approximately .80
You create an article around a keyword worth .80. 10 people click on the ad. You make approximately $8.00
You create an article using a keyword worth $8.00. 10 people click on the related ad. You make approximately $80.00

Can you see why using the right keywords can make such a difference to your earnings on HubPages?

Check the other tips below that will help you to reach your goal of making money online.

Further Reading
HubPages Income: Optimizing Your HubPages to Gain Readers and Revenue
HubPages Checklist: Earn More From HubPages

What Can You Build a Hub Around? Here's a Sampling from Top Hubbers
Monopoly: Christmas Gifts for Board Fans
The Herbal Tea Garden
Blueberry Almond Biscotti and Biscuits
Why Do People Love Dogs?
Candles Make the Best Gifts--How to Choose a Candle

* Get started with this Making Money Online article series: Making Money Online: Have You Joined Xomba Yet?

Bedbugs Airborne!

2009-12-07T23:50:00.001-04:00

I have wonderful news! The "Bedbugs" (BOOKS and BUGS in the BAGS) are in the air as I write this. The publisher has sent a box filled with BEDBUG BOOK PKGS. for those who have requested signed copies.

Interest is high, and today, in the space of an hour or two, I received 10 emails! Some letters were from people who had asked me to put their names on the SIGNED COPIES LIST and who were confirming their interest; other emails were from those who saw the announcement at Facebook and who wanted to know how they could obtain their own BEDBUG BOOK PKGSs.

* The publisher has indicated that the Bedbug book may be available FOR SALE ONLINE either tomorrow or the day after.

Bedbug is Almost Here!

2009-12-03T01:12:00.015-04:00

A little BEDBUG is coming . . . just in time for Christmas!

* Keep checking back because I'll be posting updates.

Looking for the perfect kids' stocking stuffer? Grab the little BOOK and the BUG in the BAG!

Pre-orders: contact: thesleepybedbug@gmail.com

Making Money Online: Have You Joined Xomba Yet?

2009-12-01T13:51:00.002-04:00

Today marks the start of a new series of articles, entitled, Making Money Online. I will be taking a look at a number of writing opportunities and giving the real goods on same. Readers of this blog know I don't waste time with questionable opportunities, schemes or scams. At Write and Earn a Living, I share what I have done to make money online.

In line with that, The first article to kick off this series is Making Money Online: Have You Joined Xomba Yet? I will discuss Xomba and why I feel it offers one of the best ways to make money online.

Making Money Online: Have You Joined Xomba Yet?
Xomba is a newer kid out of the block, having only been around for a couple of years. If your schedule is full, this is one site you want to make time for.

Xomba allows you to create short 50-word blurbs pointing to your own pages or pointing to good pages/sites across the Internet.
Xomba also allows you to create bites, short 150-word articles, which you can use to send traffic to your other pages.

Basically you earn on blurbs (called Xomblurbs) and bites (called Xombites). Making money online has gotten so much easier with this blurb/bite format. Even those pressed for time can create shorter blurbs/articles.

Not only do you earn from the Xomba site itself, but when readers click on your article links and visit your other monetized pages, you earn again.
You also earn on your referrals.

To sum up, you join Xomba for free, it's not time-consuming--you work at it when you want and where you want--and via four earning channels can make a significant amount of money online.

* For writers who have already created a number of online articles Xomba is the ideal way to drive traffic to these articles and earn a higher amount.

* For newer writers, Xomba allows you to point to other sites and to write short articles. What a great way to make money online!

I see many opportunities come and go--and many of them I would not recommend because, for the most part, they are time-wasters. For all of us trying to make a living online, our time is better spent creating good quality articles at legitimate sites, over chasing every "make money online 'opportunity'" that comes down the pike.

However, that said, I recommend Xomba. There's real potential for those who are willing to submit content on a regular basis. Whether you create blurbs or bites--or both, you earn ongoing monthly royalties by joining Xomba.

Further Reading
Most Excellent Reasons for Joining Xomba

Make Money Online: Build Better Articles

2009-11-26T19:01:00.001-04:00

So many of us are submitting content online and trying to grow residual incomes. The article below discusses eight effective strategies that will help you to earn more from your online articles.

You do the work anyway, it pays to implement these steps so that you earn the most from your writing online.

Make Money Online: Build Better Articles

Book News--Book in Mail

2009-11-22T17:44:00.006-04:00

Hello Everyone

Just a quick note: today I received my book in the mail!

The publisher and I will work out any final "bugs" and then The Bedbug Who Wouldn't Bite (copyright Melody Rhodes, 2009) will go to print!

As you can imagine, this is an exciting time. I'm very glad that we've reached this juncture and that Bedbug will be released before Christmas.

Once we go to print, I will include announcements at Write and Earn a Living as well as at The BEDBUG Blog.

BookBuzzr: #1 Resource for Book Authors

2009-11-20T15:15:00.004-04:00

Hello everyone

Today I want to mention a wonderful resource I came across for book authors--a free widget that displays your book and takes readers inside the pages. Literally! The widget actually tuns pages!

Interested parties can read an excerpt of your book, are treated to illustrations, can read related buzz and, most importantly of all . . . they can BUY your book! Wow! All from the handy attention-grabbing widget!

This book widget will prove invaluable to writers who have authored books and who are looking to actively market them.

For more information, check out my Xomblurb about BookBuzzr: BookBuzzr: World's #1 Free Online Book Marketing Technology for Writers

After you've read my blurb at Xomba, make sure to click the article link so that you can get your own book widget. Soon, readers will literally be turning your book's pages!

* BookBuzzr is used by 2500 authors and 100+ publishers and interest is growing.

Note: If you would like to earn ongoing royalties, Check out what I'm doing at Xomba. If you could create a short blurb such as the BookBuzzr blurb, Join Xomba.

Are You a Published Book Author? Two Sites to Join: JacketFlap & AuthorsDen

2009-11-17T17:49:00.014-04:00

In today's post I want to discuss two excellent online sites for book authors

Scenario

You've published a book
You are busy promoting and building author credibility
You are trying to advertise
You want to realize sales

Two sites I would recommend for book authors to join are JacketFlap and Author's Den. Why?

These sites are free-to-join
You create an author profile + picture.
You list your published work
You upload your book cover
You link to sites selling your book

Results are returned when searchers look for you on the Internet. They visit your pages, see your author profile and other information about you. Your books are advertised and this directs interested parties to sites selling your books. End result? SALES.

Let's take a look at each.

JacketFlap

Interested parties can search JacketFlap's vast database of published children's books, thereby finding your book/books easily. They can search by title and/or category. They can search for a book targeting a specific age range.

For example, say someone is looking for recently published bestselling books for 4-8-year-olds. A search at JacketFlap returns a listing of books that fit this criteria. Now, a searcher sees a book that looks interesting and clicks on the title. In this case, let's look at the first book listed: Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas. The book cover appears, with a description of the book.

Now, here's where the magic begins. Below the cover picture, a searcher sees a listing of sites where the book is sold. In this case, we see: Amazon, Abebooks, Alibiris, Bookfinder, At a Local Bookstore and Find in a Library. A click on any of these links takes a buyer to the applicable page where they can buy the book.

A site visitor can also, from the JacketFlap page, read Amazon reviews of the book and any comments which may help him/her to decide whether to purchase.

Authors share their author information through buttons on their pages (Twitter, Facebook).
If an author has a book-related blog, it can be added at JacketFlap so that blog posts stream. This is an excellent method to get the word out about a pending book. I've done this with my Bedbug book series, so that readers who visit my JackeFlap pages can keep abreast of the latest happenings and look at related pictures.

AuthorsDen

In similar fashion, AuthorsDen brings together a large community of book authors and is an online site that sees 1400,000+ readers each month. Authors share their bio, blog, books, author events and can link to their websites.

Readers can use AuthorsDen to find their favorite authors and review and purchase books.

Authors use AuthorsDen to sell their books. For a free membership, an author can post his/her bio, photo, and list one book. If the book is on Amazon, the author can link to it via AuthorsDen, thus driving sales. If the book is available on other sites, the author can include purchasing information.

I've recently set up my webpage at AuthorsDen and will add my Bedbug children's book once it has been published.

AuthorsDen allows others to become fans of authors who have joined the site.
Authors can click on the Share button to spread the word about their presence on AuthorsDen.
A Subscribe button allows others to keep abreast of your author news and book releases.

*AuthorsDen now offers exciting publishing options for members.

These two sites are invaluable publishing tools for book authors.

Have You Always Wanted to Write?

2009-11-13T14:07:00.004-04:00

Have you always wanted to write? In modern times, that goal is easier to realize.

Today I want to discuss the writing site Triond. If you are thinking of cutting your teeth on online writing, Triond is a good place to start.

The straight goods: you submit content and are paid revenue on your published work. Now, it takes time to build momentum and knowing how to keyword optimize you articles helps; however, some writers have done well without technical knowledge because they wrote on topics that were popular with readers.

Creating articles for Triond is relatively easy. Minimum word count is approximately 200 words, which is a couple of paragraphs.

If you can write legibly, if you are a person who pays attention to spelling and grammar, you may have what it takes to break into online writing, offering good quality online articles that strike a chord with readers.

I'm including some "off-the-top-of-my-head" tips for those who want to Write For Triond.

Research your topic
Spin it into multiple articles, each with a particular slant
Always proofread your articles
Before submitting, add links to your articles within each article
If you have a blog, include your Triond article links

A word about multiple articles and article slants . . .

When doing research for an article, make the information do double-duty by creating a number of articles.

For example

Topic:
Weddings

Slants:
Wedding Vows
Wedding Traditions
Wedding Locations
Wedding Disasters

See how easily you can crunch ideas for multiple articles?

A word about Triond article links . . .

Why is linking so important? One way to keep earning month after month on your articles is to ensure that they receive traffic. Articles that point to other articles send a flow of traffic. Article links keep your articles in circulation and, over time, you can earn a significant amount on published articles.

A Realistic Outlook

Do not think that you can write a few articles and your work is over. Far from it. To become an online writer, you need to write. Over and over again. This is real work and it requires sustained effort.

Keep writing good quality articles, work at it consistently, and your efforts will be rewarded.

Ready to take the plunge? Write for Triond.