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Recently, I've seen several comics-oriented writers tweeting about wanting to be paid for their work.
I, too, want them (and you) to be paid for your work
I think that requires taking a step back to think about how web properties create profit, and how you can be a part of that
I, too, want them (and you) to be paid for your work
I think that requires taking a step back to think about how web properties create profit, and how you can be a part of that
I'm writing this thread as someone who grew a personal blog with a couple of hits a day to a self-sustaining comic reference site over the course of 20 years.
Also, my two of my recent jobs have been in business intelligence and performance monitoring for thousands of huge sites
Also, my two of my recent jobs have been in business intelligence and performance monitoring for thousands of huge sites
Here are *some* ways an outlet might make money so they can pay you:
- Sell a product/service
- Sell subscriptions
- Exist on an already-monetized platform
- Be sponsored
- Send sales to other sites ("affiliate")
- Run advertisements
They could also do some combination of those
- Sell a product/service
- Sell subscriptions
- Exist on an already-monetized platform
- Be sponsored
- Send sales to other sites ("affiliate")
- Run advertisements
They could also do some combination of those
If a site already sells a product or service, you can write for them to help them improve their search engine results, create consistent traffic, and ultimately convert that to sales.
Examples include a local book store, collection-tracking software, or http://Marvel.com !
Examples include a local book store, collection-tracking software, or http://Marvel.com !
Pros of site that sells a product/service: They're already a business! Your writing doesn't have to earn money on its own. There are thousands of small biz out there to work with.
Cons: You'll need to collaborate with them on how to measure the return-on-investment of your work.
Cons: You'll need to collaborate with them on how to measure the return-on-investment of your work.
A site that sells subscriptions is being paid directly to support writing! This is as true for a major newspaper or magazine as it is a personal site with a Patreon.
In this case, your writing IS THE PRODUCT. You need to draw eyeballs and convert eyeballs to subscribers.
In this case, your writing IS THE PRODUCT. You need to draw eyeballs and convert eyeballs to subscribers.
Pros of a site that sells subscriptions: It's more likely actually focused on good writing! More likely to offer editorial insight.
Cons: Profit is limited by unique visitors * conversions to subs. People don't like to pay for stuff! Some of your work might be behind a paywall.
Cons: Profit is limited by unique visitors * conversions to subs. People don't like to pay for stuff! Some of your work might be behind a paywall.
An outlet might exist on an already-monetized platform. Medium and other blog networks have systems to promote the most-viewed writing to be featured more heavily. (Also, for video, YouTube.)
In this case, it's ALL about eyeballs, and it's often your job to bring the eyeballs in
In this case, it's ALL about eyeballs, and it's often your job to bring the eyeballs in
Pros of an outlet on an already-monetized platform: The compensation method is already structured.
Cons: Little support. You do the work to bring in YOUR viewers. It takes time to build your own recurring audience. The compensation is usually minor except for huge viral smashes.
Cons: Little support. You do the work to bring in YOUR viewers. It takes time to build your own recurring audience. The compensation is usually minor except for huge viral smashes.
A sponsored site is any site who is making money from a limited set of benefactors, whether they are deep-pocketed individuals or a sponsoring business that is (one of) the sole advertiser(s) on the site.
I'd place actual charities and non-profits in this category, as well.
I'd place actual charities and non-profits in this category, as well.
Pros of a sponsored site: The money already exists! The site might be likely to care more about GOOD writing.
Cons: These are rare. It's hard to make a lot of money from this site. More hits/views doesn't necessarily improve your pay.
Cons: These are rare. It's hard to make a lot of money from this site. More hits/views doesn't necessarily improve your pay.
An affiliate site makes money by sending trackable traffic and, ultimately, sales, to specific business(es). A good example is http://blu-ray.com . You make more affiliate dollars for driving more and bigger sales.
Amazon is a MAJOR affiliate partner, but not the only one.
Amazon is a MAJOR affiliate partner, but not the only one.
Pros of an affiliate site: Profit tracks well with traffic and is limitlessly scalable.
Cons: Affiliate comp is pennies on the dollar sold. Your writing must to connect to a product and has to convince people to buy. Generally requires a LOT of pages/articles to do well.
Cons: Affiliate comp is pennies on the dollar sold. Your writing must to connect to a product and has to convince people to buy. Generally requires a LOT of pages/articles to do well.
Finally, we come to sites that rely on advertising. We've all experienced ads on the web - and, a lot of us ignore them or block them without thinking.
Ads generally pay per click (PPC), or for impressions (now much less common, since technology exists to track ad performance).
Ads generally pay per click (PPC), or for impressions (now much less common, since technology exists to track ad performance).
Pros of sites with ads: Generally, they know how much traffic drives how many clicks, so they have a reliable budget.
Cons: Very dependent on traffic. PPC can be anywhere from a cent to dollars, depending on what's advertised. Lack of control over ads paired with your writing.
Cons: Very dependent on traffic. PPC can be anywhere from a cent to dollars, depending on what's advertised. Lack of control over ads paired with your writing.
There are certainly other ways for websites to make money to pay you for your writing, but these six encompassing categories cover MANY sites.
Some sites combine of multiple methods. Ads and affiliate pair seamlessly with most of the others, and with each other.
Some sites combine of multiple methods. Ads and affiliate pair seamlessly with most of the others, and with each other.
Before you, the intrepid content writer, pick outlets to pitch, you should ask yourself some questions about them:
Why do they want your writing? Do they profit from your writing? How much can they possibly profit from your writing? How could they profit MORE from your writing?
Why do they want your writing? Do they profit from your writing? How much can they possibly profit from your writing? How could they profit MORE from your writing?
Equally as important is to ask yourself WHY you are choosing an outlet.
What drives you? It doesn't always have to be compensation. Sometimes it's the byline or the editorial support.
While I don't ENCOURAGE this all the time, sometimes it's literally the exposure or experience
What drives you? It doesn't always have to be compensation. Sometimes it's the byline or the editorial support.
While I don't ENCOURAGE this all the time, sometimes it's literally the exposure or experience
If your motivation is WRITING, why not start a Square, Wix, WP, or Medium blog and write?
If it's EDITORIAL, can you start an editing circle with other writers?
If it's COMPENSATION, why chase outlets whose profit model hasn't scaled? Can you pitch an existing business instead?
If it's EDITORIAL, can you start an editing circle with other writers?
If it's COMPENSATION, why chase outlets whose profit model hasn't scaled? Can you pitch an existing business instead?
I don't have all the answers for you, but I've spent a lot of time interpreting data on what makes sites profitable and how to increase that profit.
I absolutely use that to gauge what kinds of projects I do when I care about profiting from them.
Sometimes I ignore it entirely.
I absolutely use that to gauge what kinds of projects I do when I care about profiting from them.
Sometimes I ignore it entirely.
Is this helpful to you, intrepid content-maker? If so, how can I be MORE HELPFUL?
Did I miss anything you think is important? What knowledge do you have to share?
Do you have questions - either systemic or personal?
I'd love to know your thoughts. I'd love for you to do well.
Did I miss anything you think is important? What knowledge do you have to share?
Do you have questions - either systemic or personal?
I'd love to know your thoughts. I'd love for you to do well.
