A while back when the content site eHow changed their article submission rules I began my search for another site or two to write for. I became an eHow contributor as a way to recycle Buck List posts that would also work as “How to” articles, hoping they would create another stream of income separate from this blog. The 14 articles I have on the site earn me between $15 and $20 per month. Not bad, I suppose, for something I never even have to look at again.
During my research for a new content site to write for I kept notes, which I decided to turn into this post. When I found a site I would Google it and the word “reviews” and note what came up. Some sites had very little written about them while others, usually the larger, better known sites, had page after page of (usually) conflicting reviews. Some of these arguments could get a little heated and I came to realize that, except for the content sites that everyone hated, it looked like you would just have to write for a site yourself for a while to find the truth of the matter.
Keep in mind the following are just rough notes, based on others opinions, and are not comprehensive. That being said if you are a writer looking to pick up some freelance work for a content site maybe some of these mini reviews could help you start on your own research.
Associated Content – Upfront payments are around $3.00 to $10.00 for original articles, while they pay residuals of $1.50 to $2.00 per 1,500 page views for previously published material. Lots of complaints that pay is very low. One reviewer earned residuals of $73.000 for 20 articles in one year. Can post under user name. Reviews are 50/50.
BiblioBuffet - They pay upfront for book reviews, personal essays, editorials, commentary, humor, interviews, profiles of literary people, places and things, excerpts from upcoming books and short stories. They expect regular contributors to write on a bi-weekly basis and pay $10 per piece. As of January, 2010 they are no longer accepting applicants to be regular contributors. They do still accept occasional or one time contributors.
Bukisa – They pay a variable $3 something per 1,000 page views. Also have a referral program. Minimum payment is $10 by Paypal. 250 word minimum for articles. Can post under a user name. Reviews are 50/50.
Consumer Search – “Payment varies, but is never less than $350. Compensation fluctuates according to how much work is required and depending on a writer's expertise. Consumer Search does pay a kill fee for work that we cannot publish.” You have to submit an unpaid sample report and application that takes an average of 10 hours to complete (!).
Content Corp – Must email them with an inquiry and some reviews say email inquiries get bumped. They don’t state any payment or work outlines on the site that I could find.
Constant Content – You submit articles, name your own price and they try to sell them for you. One reviewer suggests 400 words should bring $21 to $36 for usage rights, $29 to $49 for unique rights and $39 and up for full rights. They charge 35% commission, $50 minimum before payment. A downside is you can’t get your name outside of CC to build up a reputation. Good for writing what you want, when you want. Strict editorial process. Reviews are 50/50.
Demand Studios – Complaints include long application process, buggy emails, lots of frustration and lots of rules. Work must be approved by an editor. Demand Studios generally pays $15 for a 350-500 word article, while an article that is around 100-200 words usually pays around $5-10. They also offer residual income based on ad clicks. Bad reviews mostly from rejected eHow writers. Most good reviews are from writers that have learned the DS system. They require references or resources for articles.
eHow – Now must apply through Demand Studios. Must use real name, only original articles accepted. Reviews good until DS took over.
Examiner – Write about the area where you live and what you are interested in. Pick a content channel and fill out the application. They will conduct a criminal history background check and identity verification. They offer residual pay, but many say it is very low.
Factoidz – They say they reward the best content with up to $10.00 per 1,000 views. Ad your Adsense ID to your account with Factoidz to earn $1 to $5 for every 1,000 page views. They have a $10 per referral system. Articles are 400 words minimum. After you publish 20 articles you become a “staff writer.” Some have complained of payment problems and that the site is buggy.
Firehow – They pay once a month by PayPal if your earnings reach a minimum of $10. Articles are not reviewed before being published. Site layout looks like a bad copy of eHow. Pay is average. You can submit articles that have been published elsewhere. Articles should be between 400 and 600 words. Reviews are cautiously optimistic because of the young age of the site.
Helium – Pay very low. Almost all bad reviews.
How to Do Things – Might be the very worst site you could write for. Many reviews say the site used to pay but doesn’t anymore. What’s worse is they are allegedly republishing their content (provided by writers they don’t pay anymore) as “Guides” on Amazon, with zero proceeds going to the original authors.
Hub Pages – Reviews are split, some complaining ad revenue sharing is low, and others think it’s fair. Several mentioned the site is good for creating backlinks for your blog or site.
Infobarrel – Earn residual income with Adsense, Chitika and Amazon. Revenue share is 75% of Adsense. Can write in multiple formats, they recommend a 400 word minimum article. Articles go through editorial review, must be preapproved by being a member for at least 14 days and by submitting 10 articles.
Internet Brands – They pay upfront, no residuals. Can write articles as short as 150 to 250 words that pay $4.00 each, 400 to 600 words pay $10. They don’t require references or resources. Have to write a sample article for them as part of the application process. Pay is monthly. Reviews mostly good, but some say article requests by IB have been slowing down recently, leading to less work.
LoveToKnow – Strict review process. You are assigned a topic and are expected to write 15-20 650 word articles per month. Writers are required to have at least one year of professional writing experience, access to a telephone line and Yahoo instant messenger, and a provable knowledge of their assigned topic. Most reviews are good, but caution about the workload required.
Mahalo – Must submit application. This is a search engine that pays people to create search result pages. After human review and acceptance they pay and then own the rights. Uses Paypal. Can work on keywords, video game walk through, how to articles. Low pay. Most reviews bad.
MyLot – Pay per post, earnings very low. Most reviews say this site is not a scam; you just can’t make much money.
PrintNPost – Scam, disorganized, confusing. Looks like the site might now be kaput.
Qassia – Now called
Qondio, they give 100% of Google Adsense revenue from ads placed on the page where your articles are. Main advantage is to build backlinks to your own sites. There is a $5 sign up fee. Most reviews are positive.
Speak About It – They share 50% of Google Adsense revenue earned by the articles you write. Objective reviews were hard to find on this one, most just described how the site worked. They might be gone too, could not bring up site.
Squidoo – Revenue sharing site for your reviews and articles. Can write about most anything and many use it to promote products and other websites. Most reviews are positive.
Suite101 – Articles must be original. Can’t use a pen name. Residual pay very low according to some, decent according to others. They have exclusive rights for a year, and you must write 10 articles per quarter. The reviews are all over the map on this one, with maybe half saying the site is a slave shop while the rest say it pays good.
Textbroker – Some complaints of very low payout, unfair rating system. Others said the site was great to work for. They match writers with clients and utilize a writer rating system that determines payout.
Tutorial Tub – They share 50% of Google Adsense revenue. Couldn’t find many reviews.
Triond – They publish on various sites, articles must be original, you get paid 50 % of ad revenue. Most reviewers like the site because Triond will publish almost anything, regardless of quality, but almost all agree that the pay is very little.
Writer Access – More of a content market than a content site. They match up freelancers with clients. Fill out your profile and apply for writing projects on their job board.
Wise Geek – You choose from a list of available subject titles, there is an editorial process, they pay up front usually over $10 per article. They have a 10 article per month minimum. Most reviews were positive.
Writing Campus – Offer 70% Adsense revenue. Articles must be at least 300 words long and original. They have a 5% by referral program. You sign up with your Adsense account. When I tried to check out the site it said the domain name had expired Aug 13, 2010.
Xomba - They share 50% Google ad revenue and you are paid by Google through your Adsense account. No review process. Pay is low at first, but some claim to be making several hundred dollars per month. There are 50 word and 150 word minimum formats you can write in. Most reviews are positive.
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