Friday, June 5, 2009

eHow is Not a Get Rich Quick Scheme

It's really unfortunate that a lot of people come to eHow thinking they'll solve their financial problems. If you are serious about writing, and serious about your subject matter, yeah, eHow is an especially good market for your how to articles. But the money comes slowly, and it is not guaranteed.

Myth #1 - You can make money fast!

No, you can't. eHow's system is based on residuals, and it trickles in slowly as people discover your articles, read them, post links to them. Some articles start earning sooner than others, but for the most part, it takes months before articles start earning anything regularly, and then it isn't very much.

We did a poll a month or so ago, and the median amount an article makes a month is fifty cents. The average is higher - maybe around a dollar - because the rare star writer makes a heck of a lot more than the average writer, and it pulls the numbers up.

However, if you keep writing, you gain the experience to figure out which articles do best for you (it varies by author) and then your own average goes up. Just don't hold your breath.

Myth #2 - It's Passive Income that is Guaranteed to Keep Growing Forever!

No it's not! If you want guarantees, invest in Treasury Bonds. Articles on eHow are just like any other business. Customers come and go, business rises and falls. You have competition, and changes in the economy and buying habits. Changes in fashion.

The big thing to remember, though, is that you are dependant on two companies: eHow and Google. Either can make a little policy change and it can have a big effect on you.

In my opinion, eHow is one of the best deals going for online writing. It's a place where diligence and quality and patience are rewarded. These are long standing qualities of a successful writer, so it's a great place to gain experience.

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