Monday, February 23, 2009

I'm Back: A Brief Update

Hi all,

As you may have already known from the last two posts... I have been focusing my energy on WritersHall and the WH forum, as it is something that I have been wanting to start for the longest time now! I am so happy to have some of you alredy on the boards posting away, and I am really trying my best to keep you happy and staying on WritersHall :D

Well, as those events have ultimately led to me neglecting The How-To World blog a bit, I wanted to give you all hope that i haven't completely abandoned this blog... trust me, I will never just up and dump this blog, and don't plan on doing so anytime soon!

However, I will have to find a way to implement this blog into WriterHall, a challenge to look forward to in the coming months.

On a final note, some things gonig on around The How-To World blog:
- The poll is closing up
- February is coming to a close -- I'll give a little post to the earnings, and overall thought on the month (I CANNOT beleive it's March already... SLOW DOWN 2009!)
- Trying to make a transition/partnership with WritersHall

I noticed that the followers of this blog keeps growing, and I have to take a moment to say thank you... I honestly was not expecting to have a SINGLE follower, but you all proved me wrong :) Again, I want to encourage all of you to check out http://writershall.com and the Writershall forum: http://writershall.com/forums

If you loved what you see on this blog, I PROMISE that you will love WritersHall ten-fold!!!
~Jeff

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Attention All Writers!!!

There is an awesome website in the works as we speak. Whether you are just starting your writing career, or an established 10+ year veteran, we got the site for you!

Only interested in writing for eHow or AC, or perhaps you are starting a novel or eBook? No matter who you are, we are looking for you!

The site? WritersHall! (http://www.writershall.com)
It's going to be full of all great resources, and if WritersHall is purposed to help further everyone's career in the writing world! From Online Freelance to Paperback Publishing... WritersHall will tackle every possible subject.

So, we are hoping you are as excited as we are here at WritersHall... cause it's really going to be a blast, while at the same time enhancing everyone's success in their writing careers!

So again, check out http://www.writershall.com for the updates and progress
...it will be in its 'infant stage', so we hope you can take it in, and make it a part of your writing career family :)

~Jeff

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

URGENT UPDATE REGARDING The How-To World

Hello to all loyal readers, new and old. It is with great pleasure that The Jeff Beer is launching an online writing course! With recent discussions and devlopments, there has been a surprising increase of interest towards this, so if you happen to notice a slight decline in activity here, know that the energy is being focused into bigger and better things FOR YOU! :)

In the meantime, feel free to leave suggestions about what you would like to learn more about in writing, freelance, writing, online writing, or anything in general! :)

Here's to our future!

Friday, February 6, 2009

eHowlity 5: eHow Questions Answered

This eHowlity is going to be a little Q&A session. I'm trying to draft up a little spot on the blog where you can ask a question, and I'll answer it as soon as possible. *If anyone would happen to be of assistance on this, please do not hesitate to contact me! :D

So, let's get to the question:

Tonya said... Hello fellow Ehow writer! I am so thrilled at your 100th! I have many to go before that. I would love for your to have a spot on here for questions about ehow...cause I am already wanting to pic your brain! My friend and I tried this and are doing the opposite of each other. She has 300 "friends" I have 87...and so forth. We just can't seem to figure out the "system" in which it all works, why recommended numbers go down...why some articles are viewed over 300 times and it makes no money. Will definately be following your blog.

Great question, Tonya. You definitely threw the big one at me... but I'll try my best :) First off, great idea on working your experiment with someone else. Very effective and creative idea. Second, I'll break you comment into pieces, so I can answer everything as best possible:

'We just can't seem to figure out the "system" in which it all works' - This is by far the most common question on and about eHow. To be honest, there is no answer. Even to the veteran writers with awesome Google/eHow experience... the "system"* is made to be mysterious. I know, it's frustrating, but eHow does this in order to stay competitive and fair. If someone has discovered the system, they most likely won't tell... imagine if you found a huge crate of gold in your backyard. Most likely, you would keep this secret to the public. So the only advice/ answer I have is to simply not worry about this. Instead, focus on the 'true' system: write as many keyword-rich articles as possible, and research the keywords that people are Googling.* I should note that I am using "system" to represent the eHow earning compensation program... just to make clarity on the language.

'why recommended numbers go down'- To the best of my knowledge, Recommendations go down as a result from eHow's glitching. That means, when eHow goes through updating their website, which allows the possibility of losing recommendations. However, I want to get more into the idea of recommendations itself. As some of you have known, I have voiced my opinions towards recommendations as not being of importance. Why? I believe that recommendations have no value, since anyone could simply recommend anyone on a whim. While I would love to think that my almost 100 recommendations gives a presence that I am a good writer, I know that at the end of the day it did not create earnings. So, hate to be a bit pessimistic in that aspect, but don't focus on recommendations, and as I mentioned in last question... just focus on writing quality articles.

'why some articles are viewed over 300 times and it makes no money'- This is another common, but unanswered question. However, I will definitely be able to bring insight to this area. I am pretty certain that every eHow writer has at least one, if not several, eHow articles that are viewed hundreds of times, yet have yet to earn a penny! Why is this? Remember that eHow's earning are based on ad contracts, primarily via Google's adsense program. Therefore, eHow get's payment from reader's clicks on those ads, which you receive a percentage of that earning per ad clicked. So, you have an article that has 300 views, but earned nothing. How can you get it to start earning? There are two methods:
1.) specifically create a writing style that indirectly moves your reader to do further research the article's topic, which will enhance your chances of having ads clicked. I have found this through my years of online and freelance writing, but I am amazed as to how this technique is such a secret. While I preach highest quality in your writing... mixing it up with this little marketing technique will give a creative method for earning!
2.) Start marketing heavily on internet resources, so that you can get thousands of readers that can become frequent, loyal readers of your work. Best method for this is to start a blog, and become active on internet resources, such as Twitter. ***REMEMBER: it is against Terms of Service with Google Adsense that you do not state the readers to click your ads! While not 100% certain, I am 99.99% that eHow follows this policy as well. If you do this, you will be banned from Google's Adsense program, and 'possibly' be banned from eHow. Even if you did ask... readers will quickly lose interest in you anyways, so just avoid asking for clicks altogether.
Obviously, you want to mix both 1.) and 2.), but if you must choose one, go with 1.).

So, hopefully this answered your questions Tonya. I enjoyed this post, and hope to get more from YOU, my lovely readers :) If I can leave you with one idea, let it be this: Writer right, and yearn to earn! ...sorry, it's Friday. What I mean is write with quality, and in return you will see earnings be decent! I know, a 'DUH' statement, but you'll be amazed as to how many people don't truly understand the power of quality writing.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Wrap-up of January 2009

Good morning to all! I hope that January has been a warm welcome during this cold month. As it seems that 2009 is going full-speed, I felt that I have had an unusually large amount of down-time... something I haven't truly had in years. While I was working hard on eHow and my freelance writin, this down-time has allowed me to get back into my creative self, and with that I have accumulated numerous great ideas that I am certainly excited to announce in the near future! Some being career-related, and others being more artistic hobbies... but nonetheless January has been a great time to think, wonder, and meditate (it is safe to say that coffee also played a vital role as well).

But now I want to focus this bit towards my 'eHow' goals. Here is what my goals were back on New Year's Day:

1.) Have written 1,000 articles by end of the 2009 years.
2.) Make a $1,000 month by March (...so I got 3 months to give that done, oh boy!)
3.) Make eHow writing a steady income, thus making it a full-time job.

So, how is the progress? Not sure, I must say. I have passed the '100 article' mlestone... and while I wanted to announce it in the eHow forum, I decided not to. Why is this? Simply because I knew I could (well, should) have had those 100 articles written back in December. As well, I noticed that everyone and their mother (this can be both figuratively OR actually :P) announces their milestones, so I feel it has become a bit mundain.

Even more, I am a bit inconclusive in my progress report because my earnings are lower than Decembers (I still have a day or two to match or beat Dec.'s earnings... so keep your fingers crossed!)
Another bit of a bummer is the eHow's management lack of consistency in updates. Don't get me wrong I understand how much of a PAIN that is... but it has tested my patience for sure. Hopefully February will be a kinder month in that regard. :)

So, going into the new year, I may have bitten off a bit more than I can chew... but I have a big mouth, and an even bigger appetite... so I'm not going to back down from the challenge. Almost majority of my articles are over a month old, so I am looking forward to seeing this 'ripening' effect that all the veteran eHowers talk about.

Overall, I must say that eHow IS a full-time job, no matter what my earnings are, I can always depend on eHow to bring me success, month after month... I hope eHow does the same for you!

~Jeff

p.s.- I am going to start a little program for interested writers on this blog in February! It is going to tackle all the questions that I have found throughout my time as an eHow writer, but I will also get into discussions covering freelance writing to keyword research to marketing to working on the internet in general! So, please keep reading the How To World blog... I am deeply humbled by your support!

Friday, January 16, 2009

eHow Landmarks: Inspiritation to all eHow Writers

This past week has come with blistering, mind-numbing chills (it seems that January is the new December, at least for Pennsylvania). However, along with the cold, cold winter came some announcements from eHow writers, with landmarks that will warm up anyone's spirits!

While I'd love to mention the numerous eHow writers who have written 100 articles, or passed their $100 or 200 goals indivudually, this blog would be longer than a phone book :)

However, the following is an amazing feat that does indeed need great recognition:

Jerrie Dean, an eHow writer since 2007, has written over 450 (465 last time I checked) articles. Recently, Jerrie stated a true milestone of passing... 1,001,999 views!!!

This has generated quite a buzz in the eHow forums, and it has certainly brought a reality check to all of us eHow writers: beyond the earnings, beyond the statistics, beyond the hard work... people READ eHow articles. EHOW IS REAL. Even more, the goals you want to reach through eHow is indeed possible!

Understanding that over one million people have read one, single writer's work is something to behold! I had the pleasure of chatting with Jerrie, wanting to get to understand this amazing feat a little bit better:

Me: What motivates you to write?

Jerrie: I have always been a writer since I was a kid. I never have been much of a talker, so being able to write gives me an outlet. It is so much easier for me to type out a paragraph than it is for me to think of small talk. I am also able to be creative with words and I love words and am humbled by how a paragraph can make someone laugh or cry. Plus, I love to teach piano and I basically just love to help other's learn, and I am able to do that online and reach thousands of people. That's motivation right there for me. I think most any successful eHower is a teacher at heart.

Me: Personally, why do you think you reached 1,000,000... something that I'm guessing no one has achieved?

Jerrie: I don't believe I am the first to reach one million views, but I can tell you that I believe it was a combination of many things. I consistently wrote 5 times a week, at least one if not two articles a day for over a year. I participated in the forums and commented on other's articles. I made sure that my articles were well written and informative and not just something I put out there to make a quick buck. I continuely try to stay ahead of the curve on current topics which I believe helped me to get noticed by the media and would get me on the top 10 eHow list, all which helped me dramatically with my views.

So, again I love bringing news, inspiration and motivation to all of us eHow writers... and while the journey of writing, whether it be pen and paper or internet based, professional contract or freelance liesure, writing is a carousel... going round and round, up and down.

Just remind yourself every now and then of why you got on the carousel, for the enjoyment of the ride.
~Jeff

Thursday, January 15, 2009

eHowlity: 4 - The Official Jeff Beer Article Program

I decided to share my eHow process with others, whether you want to adopt or adapt my system is absolutely fine! After all, every writer has their own preferences... however I find that the more you stick with the program, the better off you will be.

So, it's my pleasure to announce The Official Jeff Beer Article Program!

The JBAP is going to take you through steps towards the goal of maximizing your earning potential from your work. As writers, our success is based on efficiency and effectiveness in your output. However, many people find themselves in dilemmas, and that lack of experience, understanding, or GUIDANCE is the reason for failure.

Since this is the first JBAP, I'm going to simply break down what the future JBAP sessions will look like:

Sessions:
1.) Getting started, and getting over the first hurdles.
2.) The Creative Process: How to Balance Fun with Work
3.) Write from your heart, and from your brain!
4.) Focus, focus, focus! (How to write 100 articles per month. NO EXCUSES!)
5.) Marketing your Work: Articles that sell themselves.
6.) Managing your Writing Career & the Synergistic Process
7.) Beyond eHow

So, as you see, there will be 7 sessions, and each one will be certainly a must-read for any writer! To conclude the First JBAP, I want every writer to take 5 minutes, and with a pen and 3 pieces of paper, make 3 lists (if you haven't figured it out yet, I love lists :D).
- List One, write all the things that you want to achieve... that's right, EVERY GOAL, DREAM, ACCOMPLISHMENT you want at this moment.
- List Two, write everything that holds you back from accomplishing these GOAL, DREAM, ACCOMPLISHMENT, etc.
- List Three, have SOMEONE ELSE write a list of your Strengths & Weaknesses.

Do your Homework, and have it ready for Session 1!
~Jeff

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

eHow Spotlight 4

This eHow Spotlight goes to...

Shirley Philbrick! (http://www.ehow.com/members/slphilbrick.html)

Shirley is a great eHow writer! I don't know where to begin... she is always so kind and humorous throughout the eHow forum. Even more, she'll never hesitate to lend some advice out to her fellow ehowers! After reading one of Shirley's many articles, you will want to read more! Her style is informative, yet enjoyable

So, here are some of my favorite article's of Shriley:

How to Get an Inside Look at Earning Money on eHow (Probably her best work, in my opinion. As well, this is one of her numerous eHow based articles)

How to Continue Writing When You're Tired (Another great article, and it truly was a benefit to read!)

How to Make it a Great Day ! (A random pick, I must admit. However, this article exemplifies Shirley's style... she knows how to mix information into an enjoyable read!)

So, thanks for being a great writer Shirley!

**BE SURE TO COMMENT, GIVE ME SOME FEEDBACK TO OTHER eHow WRITERS THAT YOU THINK DESERVES THE SPOTLIGHT!**

Saturday, January 10, 2009

eHowlity: 4 Make the Most from Writing for eHow

I don't want to speak as a 'Say all, Be all' type... but I noticed that numerous eHowers are in need of some guidance. Whether you have been on eHow a year more than myself, or just created your account tonight, be sure to take these notes, and make something from it.

I have found that eHow and I are partners to love/hate relationship. eHow is awesome for potential income (I still refuse to use any other article websites), and I write as many quality articles as possible, with an occassional humorous how-to here and there. However, I go to check my stats, and find that nothing gets updated. So, I get mad at eHow, and start living my life... and THEN, eHow teases me back by giving me some updated earnings.

While I am certain that this accounts for 99% of other eHowers... everyone handles the situation differently.

Here are some pointers for all of us eHow writer's:

1.) Worry/focus more on writing than earning. Check your views, $ earned, and all those other stats once AND ONLY ONCE a day. If the stats aren't updated, then check tomorrow.
2.) Write about what you enjoy, NOT about what will EARN MORE. I learned this lesson when I wrote freelance for some website... I wrote hundreds of content articles on topics I wasn't familiar with, but knew the money would be good. The result? I got burned out, and was happy when I ended my contract.
3.) Read other writer's work. Yes, reading helps you out too. It's amazing that somehow writer's have stopped reading all the sudden, as if reading another eHower's how to's will hurt your earnings? Reading enlightens you with what works, what doens't work, and how you can adapt your writing style.

So, hope these tips help you out... and remember that it's all about enjoying what you do! It's almost like karma, if you love what you do, it will love you back :) As well, if you read other's work, others will read your work.

Stay warm,
Jeff

Friday, January 9, 2009

A Little Bit About Myself

I am going to take this post in a direction slightly away from eHow, for I think it's necessary for you, the wonderful viewing audience, to see who I am.

I am Jeff Beer, 22, male, from Pittsburgh PA. (Ya, I just did A/S/L)
I am in my senior year of college, majoring in Philosophy with emphasis in Psychology, and in May '09 I will be officially done with college.

... a standard introduction, but, there is WAY to more it. And hopefully, you can take some time read about me. My life. My story.

While I have been blessed with friends, family, loved ones who will support me no matter what... from triumphs to my dumbest choices, I am in a challenge, a personal hurdle. I am in a dilemma that includes me, myself, and I.

I have been in the process of trying to figure life out (aren't we all always in this process though?). I could/can be anything I want, I could/can do and accomplish whatever is physically, mentally, emotionally possible. What gets at me is that I have had so many resources at my disposal, right at my fingertips... all that could have been professional contacts/connections to very successful business opportunities to once-in-a-life experiences. While I took some of those opportunities, I did not utilize as much as I should have. While I have changed my major, a symbol of my career and who I am suppose to become, 4 times (Music Industry to Special Ed./Elementary Ed. dual major to Psychology Counseling and Philosophy to Philosophy with Emphasis in Psychology) ... I am preparing myself for what I want to do, want to be.

In reality, I should have decided on this years ago... but the Real World is not so real.

So now, presently, I am trying to make something for myself. A career. A lifestyle. Definition for who I am. I am very self-intellectualizing, and I love being eclectic. Recently, I have adopted Edison's 'Light Bulb' Philosophy... for I didn't find one major, one career, or one lifestyle, RATHER I found 3 majors/careers/lifestyles that didn't work for me.

As I have grown with a family that instilled a character of hard-work and that you can get anything you want, achieve any dream... that is what exactly I will do. While many throw disbelief and pessimism at me, that my challenge may be too difficult to accomplish, I turn that into motivation... to prove them wrong. My goal, my dream, is to create a career and lifestyle that adopts everything... a very entrepreneurial spirit and method. With this, I want to create businesses, both online and brick-and-mortar. I want to write articles, essays, books, ebooks on topics on extreme spectrum. I want to create the art that has been burning inside of me for years. I want to discuss, think, and help others. I want to do it all. I want to be known as someone who was able to think AND act.

In a way (as most of these stories' morals go), the experiences I learned these last years have been almost over-compensating for what I missed out on, the opportunities I didn't take, and this is something I should be thankful for.

Don't take this post as a sympathetic beg, or think that this is a poor attempt to rub my ego onto you. Rather, actually take time to think about this, my story. I am just trying to tell you not how I failed, but rather HOW I WILL SUCCEED.

I don't care if your 30 years older or younger than me. It's a lesson that I think we all pass off too much, I think we all get off the path every now and then, which is fine... in fact needed occasionally, but the real personal challenge is how we get back on it. Personally, I think we all have grown lazier mentally and physically every day... and those that are most happy are the ones who have understood this, and overcame it.

So, I hope I inspired. Made someone actually stop their world for a second or two, and helped you create a thought, a belief... that anyone can rise. Anyone can do anything. Whether it be in success or failure is not of importance, rather it is within the attempt that is of essence. As well, I hope that you have come to see my true self. I think the internet creates a split personality, and an inability to see our true selves, and with that I have shed my 'internet skin'.

If anyone has been interested of my personal stories, I would love to further my story through my other blog: The Meta-Entrepreneur (http://metaentrepreneur.blogspot.com/)

On this blog, I mix posts from 'How to succeed on the internet' to personal stories like this one'. I think there are too many 'black and white' blogs... that are either business/work/success based OR are completely 'Dairy-esque'. So on that note, I hope you can keep reading my blogs, find interest, and take something from them.

Thanks for reading.
Jeff

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Quick eHow Experience Update

First off, I must say thank you to all of my new readers, since I know that 99.99% of you are from eHow itself... this is the best support I could have for this particular blog! Why? ...because this blog is purposed for YOU!!! :) So, thank you so much for this support, comments, praise, etc. I am certainly going to keep focus on this blog.... whether it makes nothing or thousands of dollars, sharing my experience on eHow with you is priceless ( that was rather Hallmark-esque).

Anyways, I just wanted to give a little progress report on my eHow success and experience:

Well, it's been almost seven full days into the new year... so technically it is by default a full week in my eyes :P So how have I been doing? The best way to dscribe my progress, here is a comprison from 12/31/08, and then today's (1/7/09):

12/31/08
Articles Written: 56
Article Views: 2,397
Earnings in December $20.46

----------------------------
1/7/09

Articles Written: 85

Article Views: 2,397
*
Earnings in January $2.57

*Those views haven't been updated since the 8th Grade Picnik... so I am sure my views are WAY HIGHER.

...so as you can see, I increased my articles by almost 30. As well, my daily earning average dropped a good bit, mainly because I had a New Year's article that was my main earner. As well, I should state that I have a TON of articles in draft (almost 200 to be exact). I know that this is not a good thing, for I should just work one article at a time, then get it into Google/eHow system ASAP to maximize earning... but I am wanting to make the most quality out of each article, and would sacrifice a few pennies now to make a few dollars later. :) (I think I'm going to quote that from now on!)

I am still being optimistic, in that I know the eHow earnings takes time... but I have high expectations for myself. I want to make $10/day... at the least. No matter what I earn, I will have to keep writing solid articles, and just let them run its course. I guess I could do some marketing for them, but that's not in my philosophy right now.

So, outside of eHow, I have been launching some new stuff. I am always looking to start some new ideas, for life is always about new things and experiencing as much as possible, right? :)

http://donateexperiment.blogspot.com (it is BRAND NEW, so don't be alarmed if you absolutely nothing on it)

I am always using my philosophy background to test new ideas, and I want to see how people will act on a humanitarian level right now, in the current economic struggles we all face. While I know that we all range in incomes, many people still keep giving, no matter what! So, The Donate Experiment will be my project, form which I ask for donations of nothing more than $1.00 (USD) *Though, if you REALLY want to donate more, then be my guest :) However, I want to see how this project will result... and I will announce daily progress reports of the experiment, so everyone can see what is going on. As well, the more success, by more donations, I receive, the more possibilities will open up on the blog.

Sounds interesting? I think so, and look forward to seeing what will happen! :)

Success or failure, it's going to open some eyes to us all.

Again visit the link above, or here (http://donateexperiment.blogspot.com)

So, thanks again for the support, and hope you will find interest in the new project!

Jeff

ps- Check out the Latest eHow Spotlight! :)


Tuesday, January 6, 2009

eHow Spotlight 3

Another eHow Spotlight!

jkmom2007
http://www.ehow.com/members/jkmom2007.html

Priding her self as a mom of 2, she is an excellent writer for exercise topics!
Here is a list of articles I have thoroughly enjoyed of jkmom2007s.

How to Choose a Running Route (I personally found it as an informative article, for I am a runner myself :D)

How to Save Money at The Grocery Store (We all need to learn to do this nowadays)

How to Find a New Job When You're Not Looking (a very cleverly written article)

So, as one could see she is an awesome writer, coming up with some very useful topics for the How To. While she may be new to eHow, I foresee her making an impact towards the community! :)

Until next time,
Jeff

eHow Spotlight 2

The second eHow spotlight goes to:

Christen Henderson!!!

Christen has the qualities for a very successful eHow writer! What amazes me (which helped her seal the deal to get the Spotlight) is that she can produce articles in quality AND quantity!

Some of my favorite articles of Christen's:

How to Take Control Of Your Life (brand new article, but AWESOME!!!)

How to Produce Quality Articles Faster (another must read article)

How to Advertise your Article For More Views (this is an article that all eHow writers should use! Simply written, but very effective)

I have personally chatted with Christen here and there, and it's always fun and interesting. Not to be rude, but I have a feeling that she will be (if not already) a top earner on eHow. With over a hundred quality articles, it would not surprise me.
So, go check out Christen and see why she deserves some spotlight :)

~Jeff

eHowlity: 3 - Getting Over the Hurdles

You can imply from the title where I am going to venture into :)

Lately, eHow has provided some challenges for all of us writers... whether it be the delays in earning or views, or recommendations disappearing, it can be frustrating.

*Writers new AND old pay attention!*
No matter what, do not focus on the stressors and setbacks!! You have to understand that this is just something that happens. What is the true task that you need to focus on is the the writing itself! Too many people have a minor setback, but turn it into a MAJOR setback!

Focusing on these negativity only will fire back at you! Think about it, you keep on refreshing and venting about how you cannot get your views fixed (I know, for I have done this before)... next thing you know you go on the forum to vent, and about 10 minutes later you accomplished nothing... and most likely you are still angry.

WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE: Tell yourself "no worry, eHow will eventually fix this problem, I better just start writing on my articles until the situation is settled."

So, let's say you found your views have been frozen since last year *cough, cough* ...you know what you do? You overlook it! Yes, it is incredibly helpful to physically see an increase in views. However, in writing reality... does it matter? Just simply tell yourself "Now I don't have to waste my time seeing what my views are... let's start writing self!"

I really do not want to say this, but it is SO true: YOU ARE YOUR BIGGEST HURDLE!

On that note, stay focused and keep writing! Setbacks happen to us all, everyday. It is up to you to choose the right action.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Ehow Spotlight!

Today's eHow Spotlight is...


Kathymcbain!!!

If you're the copy/paste type of person: http://www.ehow.com/members/kathymcbain.html

*Click to view her eHow profile!*
My personal favorite How-To article is: How to Make 2009 your Best Year Ever and How to Show Love to your Wife ...they are newer articles, but great ones nonetheless!

An incredibly talented writer, she has such a friendly personality. It is a treat to read anything she puts on the forums, and I am certain I am not the only ehower to praise about this wonderful writer! :)

I am certain that if you haven't met Kathy on eHow, you are missing out on some great articles, and probably a good forum conversation as well.

Again, go check out her work via the link above.

You want to be the next eHow Spotlight? Just be you, and if you catch my eye... well you get the idea ;)

Until next time!
Jeff

Sunday, January 4, 2009

How I will make money from eHow... and so can you!

These last couple of days have been a mixture of both work and goal-setting. ...I'll admit, maybe I have been thinking a bit more than taking action, but I have found so much new and wonderful information, that I just have been amazed and excited to learn!

I have been reading and learning so much from these blogs by eHow writers:

http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/ (ehow member: TheWriteGuy)
http://mywahm.blogspot.com/ (ehow member: WriterGig)
http://nifty-things.blogspot.com/ (ehow member: Christen Henderson)

...there are a ton of useful, interesting blogs based from other eHowers, but the above are by far the best! :)
Writergig and WriteGuy is incredibly insightful, and I am using these two blogs as guides to my success. Christen's blog brings a sense a personality from her blog; something that I think this blog does too!

Anyways, I have been trying to launch several projects, eager to get 2009 rolling. There's so much to do, but so little time... and I will have to be sure to stay focused, organized, and stick to a schedule.

On a little note, I am a bit bummed out, because my earnings have fallen down a bit. The reason for this is that I was lucky enough to have had How to Make New Year's Eve Party Food make me almost a dollar a day, in fact it made me $7 one day, and $10 another! Now, the article has run it's course (for now, hopefully) and the earnings have been a couple pennies.

Nonetheless, I am happy that this happened in a way, because I know that I cannot depend on simply one article... and that old fashioned moral to NEVER TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED rang through again today!

Feel free to share your blog, or say whatever is on your mind!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

eHowlity: 2

This post is going to play the numbers game for those eHowers that are trying to set some new 2009 goals. The calculations to follow will be based on three main factors: number of articles written, daily earning, and earning for article.

Just before we begin, the average click from ads on eHow articles will vary, but I have noticed at least $.02/clicked ad... and thus that will serve as our minimum standard with the calculations. (If you have different stats on $/clicked ad, then feel free to use those numbers)

1.) 100 articles:
This is the most realistic out of all possibilities, but actually requires the most work. Why is that? For you need to make certainty that each article is being viewed to as many people as possible. As well, you want these articles to have the best possible keywords, tags, etc. So, if you do write and promote well enough, you could make minimum 100 x .02 = $2/day ($60/month) ... I know, that's not much for all the effort, but if you did the promoting, and highest possible quality articles, then you could expect to see at least $.20 per article. 100 x .20 = $20/day ($600/month). That look's a lot more enticing, and worth your time.

2.) 200 articles:
Again, a realistic possibility, but you need to need to still focus on solid promoting. So, let's say you are a hard-worker, follow the same method as you did with the first 100 articles. 200 x (.02-.20) = $4-40/day ($120-1200/month)

3.) 500 articles:

This is the most challenging, but most profitable. There is no reason that you cannot do it! If you can write 200 solid articles, you can write 500! The reason why there is so much potential is that you have the perfect mix of quality and quantity. If you think about it, you are going to have at least 10 articles making $1/day, minimum. So, potentially: 500 x (.02-.20) = $10-100/day ($300-3000/month).

4.) 1,000 articles:
Yes, a daunting task... but if you would rather spend more time writing than promoting, then this is possible. Just to give you an idea: 1000 x .02 = $20/day ($600/month). Now, realistically if you have written 1,000 quality articles, then you are bound to have at least 10 articles(that's 1% of all your articles) earning at least a $1/day. So, it would be realistic to make $30/day ($900/month).

5.) 2,000 articles:
Just for fun, let's say you write on topics that are humorous, and the reader knows they are not going to expect something completely serious. Obviously, trying to write 2,000 articles would take some time, but if you can write short, sweet articles... it is 'possible'. This method is emphasis of quantity over quality. Even more, with 2,000 articles, you are bound to have someone read/click ads. 2000 x .02 = $40/day ($1200/month)

To make some conclusions, you have to sit down and decide what path you want to take: Focus on quality articles or quality promoting. Now, I'm not saying to not create quality work, but it's difficult to focus extra time to ensuring the highest quality possible. As well, promoting can be simple if you know the effective resources and sites (this will be discussed in future posts).

So, take some time to digest what just went on above. It's really simple in text, but remember that numbers is 1% of the process, taking action is the next 99%. Do not focus too much on numbers, rather spend a couple minutes on a Sunday (or whatever is your free day) to make some updates to your goals.

Until next time,
Jeff

Thursday, January 1, 2009

New year, New Writing Goals

This post is inspired from an eHow forum discussion, focused on stating New Year 2009 goals for eHow.

These are my personal goals:
1.) Have written 1,000 articles by end of the 2009 years.
2.) Make a $1,000 month by March (...so I got 3 months to give that done, oh boy!)
3.) Make eHow writing a steady income, thus making it a full-time job.

So, please feel free to share your goals, ideas, etc. :)

I will try and make some little sidebar item that can be a little progress report as well, if anyone knows how to make this, let me know PLEASE!

SO, happy new year and hope 2009 is better than 2008!
Jeff