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

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

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