Creating multiple income streams online

United States
March 27, 2009 12:40pm CST
As a writer I've found that I need multiple income streams in order to make decent money. However, I've learned the hard way not to start 2 businesses at once. I've had a few things go wrong, like everyone does. My question though is how to find a project that you're really passionate about. How do you know when you are passionate? How do you know that you'll remain passionate?
1 person likes this
3 responses
• United States
27 Mar 09
I guess without even realizing it, I have been learning what my writing passions are. Here are the ways that I have been exploring that. First I started my own blog which I keep to myself. It is just me writing about things that strike me that would not fit in other areas. Second, I have been on www.helium.com for a while. This is where I see my articles written going up and down in status. That gives me an idea on my writing abilities to some degree. Third, here I am on MyLot. This forum gives me a lot of variety and feedback from others. It is really quite a safe place for a writer trying to find their passion as most of the people are very nice. I was very impressed when trying to do a task a couple of days ago by the help and encouragement from the MyLot staff. I am beginning to see a pattern of what subjects spark my interest, what areas I do well in, and what areas light up my passion for writing. It is a win win combination for me
@Jezebella (1446)
• United States
27 Mar 09
I also have my own blog that has been getting better and better lately as I learn more. I also spend a decent amount of time here. Though I have ried Helium and i havent been able to make a decent amount there, my articles don't get that good of ratings which makes me wonder sometimes. I am also on Associated Content which is the main source of my extra income because you get paid for some articles upfront and then each time someone views your article.
• United States
30 Mar 09
I need to spend more time here LOL I get so side tracked with being a single mom of an autistic daughter whom I homeschool. I also have an account with Helium but haven't been able to figure it out :( I don't know why it seems so complex but maybe I just need to sit down and make myself focus on it so I can add it to my income streams. Any suggestions with that site?
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Mar 09
I think one of the biggest things when writing on Helium is to follow the rules. You will notice the rules for rating articles include paragraph breaks. The worst thing you can do is to forget to make breaks. Spelling and punctuation is also important. Spell check catches most of the errors but be aware of the trick words that sound alike but are spelled differently for different meanings. Don't get yourself tied in knots over it. Here are some basic words: to/too, your/you're, their, there, they're. I have found that if you keep the articles on the positive side, that ratings go higher also. Not many people feel drawn to negative text. If all else fails, write some articles and then ask for a mentor to help you. Remember also that you can always leapfrog (edit) an article once you have written it.
1 person likes this
@greenline (14838)
• Canada
27 Mar 09
Writing is my hobby too , writing articles, short stories, reviews, and so on. I have joined a number of sites where one can write online. You are right, one needs to have multiple income streams to make decent money. For me, with my full time job taking most of the time, I can only devote just a few hours a week to writing. So far, I have been writing only reviews, and that is with "Review Stream". I am very happy with this site. You can write brief reviews on a variety of topics, things you come across in your day-to-day activities. "Review Stream" pays regularly too once you reach the minimum of $50. Take a look at their site if you like writing reviews.
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Mar 09
I've heard of them but I find writing reviews really hard to do. I'm even quite challenged by eHow but find it profitable enough to stick it out. Other sites I write for include Associated Content, Text Broker, Synthetic Wombs and Bukisa. Between all of these and 2 private clients I've made around $400 this month only working 20 hours a week. So while a lot of people say that these places aren't profitable I'd highly disagree, especially since only around $100 was from my private clients :D
1 person likes this
@AnythngArt (3302)
• United States
27 Mar 09
I, too, agree that to keep the money flowing in, it's critical to have more than one income stream. The danger lies in spreading yourself too thin. I have a primary site that I write for, and then secondary sites to fill in. I do try and concentrate my energy on one site until I am at a good level, and then gradually expand. In writing, finding passion most likely will come from your subject matter. The way I discover what I love to research and write about is to try a variety of subjects; some seem to stick. That is, I love to write about certain things, and less so with others. Some I won't even touch because I just don't know that much about them. However, if you do enough background research, you can learn about just about anything. The clue to passion is what gets you excited, stimulates your brain, and leads you to write more. Good luck with your writing.
• United States
30 Mar 09
Thanks. I guess I just haven't hit upon anything yet. I can write almost anything but I can't get excited about any of it :( I am on a bunch of web sites and making good money I just wish there was something that made me want to go "AH HA I could write about this all day" LOL
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Mar 09
Oh, now you are dreaming. LOL I'm not sure that there is anything that I really can't wait to start writing about. Some things are just easier to write, but that seems to depend upon my mood as much as the subject matter. When I am "in the zone" I can write well about anything. When I am not in the mood, even topics I like just don't appeal to me. I would say, good luck with your writing, but I probably need good luck just as much myself!!