I woke up this morning to over 2,000 emails in my inbox. This is a few day’s worth, actually. I only answered the most pressing stuff from the past few days. I think it would take the better part of the day to go through all the mail coming in and handle other tasks. That’s why I’ve decided to implement a weekly administrative day. I hear what you’re saying, I’m busy too. So busy, a monthly administrative day is no longer adequate. This week I’ve been working with a schedule that’s going so well, I can take Sunday and make [Read more…]

Do you blog for a network such as b5Media or Creative Weblogging? Or do you work for a private client or corporation? Are you blogging for yourself to promote your business? Let us know in the Network Blogging Tips poll. polls – Take Our Poll

I have a problem. I’m a blogaholic. I regularly update over a dozen blogs and contribute to several others. Thankfully, I’m at the point where I’m not actively looking for work. Somehow though, work always finds me. This isn’t always a good thing. You see, by not saying no I put myself in a predicament. I have to keep up my end of the bargain and not fall behind. How can I continue to take the same time to create the same quality posts for my clients when I’m taking on new work. Fortunately, I’ve developed a system for saying [Read more…]

For many network bloggers there’s no topic more confusing or controversial than where to find images. For many, it’s just a matter of not knowing the legal issues regarding regarding image use. The bottom line? If no one said you can use it, you probably can’t. The problem is, most network blogs require an image with each post. What do you do? Read your guidelines Your network should list places with which they have agreements in place, or stock agencies offering free image use. Be sure to properly source and credit the photographer and agency. No matter how tempting, don’t [Read more…]

I have a confession to make. For March I’m behind in posting for some of my network blogs. This wasn’t intentional. It’s a snowball effect from an occurrence at the beginning of the month. I won’t go into too many details, but because I spent extra time on one thing, I couldn’t catch up to the others. By the end of the month it’s clear I’m not meeting my monthly expectations for a couple of my blogs.  While I’m making a conscious effort to work harder and meet my goals from April., the damage is done for March. Sometimes a [Read more…]

Probably the most important question you should be asking when looking for blogging work is “how much does that job pay?” You may have noticed many blogging gigs pay less than other forms of writing. There are lots of reasons for this, mainly the advertising revenue a blog takes in may be less than your basic website, and definitely less than most print markets. It can work though. If you know enough about how the compensation thing works for most blogs, you won’t be taken advantage of. Let’s take a look at what some networks and individuals are offering their [Read more…]

The question everyone wants answered is, "Can you earn a real living as a network blogger?" The answer is, yes and no. Blogging, whether for yourself or for someone else, is what you put into it. Your success is dependent on the amount of time and effort you set aside each day for your blogs. Since most networks offer a base or per post pay plus traffic bonuses, it’s in your best interest to pimp the heck out of you blog and continue adding great content. It’s not necessarily the base pay that will help pay the ConEd, it’s the [Read more…]

I like to think I know a lot about different subjects, but there are very few subjects in which I’d consider myself an expert. Still, when I hunt for blogging jobs there are always some I’m tempted to apply for even though my knowledge is rather limited. I did this early in my web writing career, and here’s why it’s a bad idea: When you blog, you have to blog every day. Some networks or clients require you to blog several times a day. Do you really know enough about your topic to write 6 to 30 post each week [Read more…]

Ever wonder how your employer or editor sees you? As someone who speaks up against people who take advantage of freelancers, I know many of the frustrations we face. I also know there are times when you shouldn’t speak up. Sometimes your network or client needs you to react with patience and understanding. If you’re constantly complaining because you didn’t receive your daily stats on time or riling up the other bloggers because you’re angry over server outages, you might be seen as a chronic malcontent. This may not bode well in your favor later. Do Something Else One of [Read more…]

If you blog for a network you probably have to meet a minimum number of posts each week or month. I’ve worked for some networks where at least one post every day for six days a week is cool. I worked for other places where they expected three to five posts a day, minimum. If you’re blogging for more than one network or person, this can be a little tricky. Fortunately there are ways to make it work. Post Ahead – If there’s a specific day or time where you can work for long blocks of times undisturbed, do what [Read more…]

I love my job. It took 20 years of “paying my dues” working desk jobs to get to this point and I’m happy to be here. There’s nothing more rewarding than to be blogging about my passion to other people. I always said my worst day blogging is 100 times better than my best day at my office job and I still believe it to be true. That doesn’t mean it’s all rosy though. Like any other job, there are pros and cons to being a freelance blogger. Pros You spend the day talking about the things you enjoy. You [Read more…]

A blogger for hire, or freelance blogger, primarily earns a living working for a client or clients rather than maintaining his own blog. Many freelance bloggers work for such well known networks a b5Media, KnowMoreMedia, Creative Weblogging or 451Press. Other bloggers for hire work for businesses or individuals as a way to add a personal touch to the company home page. If you blog for another person you’re a blogger for hire. Look on any job board featuring jobs for writers or web writers…what do you see? A surge in blogging jobs. It only makes sense to give those who [Read more…]