With today’s declining economy, it’s becoming even more necessary to find ways to make extra cash. However, if you’re a stay-at-home mother, it’s not easy to leave your children in daycare and go to work.
Many mothers of small children search for jobs online, only to find most are scams. Nevertheless, there are several legitimate jobs, many of them writing gigs for stay-at-home mothers.
True, freelance writers won’t get rich, but they can make enough money to pay bills, as well as cover kids’ extra expenses. If a freelancer is willing to work hard and learn how to write exceptional web content, she can help with the family finances.
Is Writing Experience Needed?
Writing skills and published clips help. However, even with limited writing experience, a stay-at-home mom can still learn what it takes to write informative and searchable web content.
Opportunities for Writers on the Internet
Associated Content – With Associated Content (AC) writers can earn money from receiving upfront offers (although small), as well as page views. There’s no application process, so it’s a good writing gig for getting started, especially if experience writing for the web is lacking. At AC, writers learn how to improve their keyword density and the importance of placing keywords at the beginning of their content so it’s web searchable.
Suite 101– Suite 101 is for writers who’ve had more experience as there’s an application process. Although it doesn’t offer upfront payments, writers make more in page views than they do at AC. What’s more, they’re supervised by Suite 101 editors to ensure their articles are the best they can be. If an article doesn’t measure up, it’s flagged so it can be corrected and/or rewritten.
Constant Content – Constant Content is a site where writers can submit articles for sale with a percentage of the sale going to the site. The writer prices the article and then sometimes waits for months before it’s purchased. Although writers usually receive more money for their articles, quality is high and rules must be followed precisely before Constant Content will even accept an article.
Helium – Besides having their content rated by other writers, writers can make some small change from page views on Helium. However, a Helium account must be at least $25 before money can be transferred into a paypal account. More money can be made by having an article purchased in the Marketplace competition, as well as winning money in the Helium contests.
Demand Studios – After being accepted by Demand Studios, writers can receive upfront payments for assignments. Demand Studios provides content for sites such as eHow and LiveStrong.
Daily Article – With no application process to undergo, writers simply submit articles and wait for publishers to buy them.
About.com – While the pay is higher at About.com than other writing gigs, it’s also the most difficult, as their standards are greater and more time is required. About.com is part of the New York Times Company. Check out the site to see areas where they need guides.
ChaCha
ChaCha is a service where mobile users call or text in questions. To work for ChaCha, one must be accepted by passing several tests. It’s not so much based on outstanding writing abilities, but knowledge on a variety of subjects, as well as research skills and the ability to work with customers.
Granted, stay-at-home moms probably won’t make as much money as if they’d worked outside the home. However, for those moms who want to stay home with their children, web writing is worth the time invested.
Venice Kichura - Venice Kichura is a freelance writer who writes on a variety of subjects. She holds a special passion for topics relating to art and ...
