It makes me sad that some young writers on Triond give up because they don’t make money quickly.
I’ve been writing a long time. So, I know not to expect things to happen quickly in writing. Things seldom happen quickly in life; but the young are impatient, especially when it comes to making money.
I read a lot of content written by the writers in the Triond community. Some of the younger writers get so discouraged by the little bit of money that they make that they quit writing. They give up.
Image via Wikipedia
Well, the last thing a young writer wants is a lecture from some old guy about what the young writer is doing wrong. So, my young friends let me point out gently what to do right.
Do publish often. How often is often? Let’s say three times a week. And make sure to proofread your article two or three times. Spelling, grammar and clarity are important.
Read and comment on the articles of the other members of the community.
Finally, write about what you know.
Now for a little tough love. You are not going to make a lot of money quickly on Triond. That’s the bad news. The good news is, the more you write the more your monthly income will steadily increase. I’m old school. Revealing how much I make from Triond is not something I would normally do. But I’m going to do it for this article to prove a point. So far I’ve earned: 0.64, $1.77, $2.44, $3.45, and $10.14. And for September I’ll earn over $13.17.
These numbers are very small; but if the trend continues it won’t be too long, maybe a year, before my Triond income will have a real impact on my finances. All I have to do is to keep doing what I’m doing.
To all my young writing friends, you are wasting time just writing for quick money on Triond. Write to become a better writer and in time the money will come.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:08 am
We all keep saying it Guy, for some this message will make a difference for others it won’t. While making money writing is the goal off us the difference seems to be if someone is writing to make money, or determined to make money writing.
In the first instance writing is simply a tool, in th second money is a measure of our writing ability. Those whose main focus is money do need to find as easier way of making that money. The rest of us are willing to work hard for our riches.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:13 am
It’s the little things that do it.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:55 am
Thanks. I will have to publish more often from now on. Never mind the cents in my dashboard, it’s just a bonus for sharing my creativity to the world.
October 1st, 2009 at 8:08 am
Sane advice. Thank you
October 1st, 2009 at 8:46 am
another great helpful article Guy. I must say I have learnt so much in the last month of being on Triond, I know what I like to write and I know what I am good at! seems to be making people laugh or at least giggle and when someone spots a title and knows its going to be you writing it from the title, that can’t be bad or am I just predictable? hahahah
October 1st, 2009 at 9:08 am
Hi Guy,
This article is very well written and it is so encouraging for new writers like moi. Thanks for sharing. ~ Ricky
October 1st, 2009 at 9:42 am
I agree, writing for Triond is writing for the long run. Eventually it will catch up.
October 1st, 2009 at 10:17 am
The young writers too cannot be blamed for expecting too much or giving up, because they write for money first of all, writing for passion will only come as they grow and getting more experienced.However, the solutions you offered are very simple and to the point.Thanks for sharing.
October 1st, 2009 at 10:39 am
In addition, you have that “behind the scene” work to do to share it on other networks, where more people will read and the impact will make a difference!
Thanks for writing about this subject.
October 1st, 2009 at 10:48 am
martie, you understand exactly what I’m saying. When I first started writing for Triond I was disappointed with the money, too. But that wasn’t going to stop me from being active on Triond. And then I realized the benefits of writing for Triond over the long term and now it’s forward and slowly upward.
October 1st, 2009 at 10:54 am
agriculi, sometimes it seems that talent might be the ability to give an infinite amount of attention to detail. I sure hope it’s true. I can do that.
October 1st, 2009 at 10:59 am
Dulce, that’s the right attitude. Keep your eyes on the prize of becoming the best writer you can be and publish often. Triond is a good place to be.
October 1st, 2009 at 11:07 am
chitragopi, there’s no mystery to success on Triond. It takes time and effort; but in time the effort will definitely pay off.
October 1st, 2009 at 11:14 am
lillyrose, I think we all look for certain writers. I just wish fiction did better on Triond. I noticed that Authspot doesn’t have a Top Ten. That probably has something to do with it.
October 1st, 2009 at 11:24 am
Hello, Ricky: I wish Triond would have been around when I was a young writer; but it’s here now so we should both take advantage of this opportunity. I couldn’t be happier.
October 1st, 2009 at 11:30 am
Great advice. Thank you so much.
marlene
October 1st, 2009 at 11:37 am
While I’m not a young fry, I certainly can take the advice to heart. Even though I’ve been a member of Triond since August, 2008, My earnings this month are over 65 cents; for me, this was a point at which I was beginning to say what’s the use — until I read this article, that is.
Thank you for rekindling my desire to continue in Triond.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Thanks once again Guy, for your inspiration! It is my thinking that the money making thing is not what writing is all about, it’s getting to write, being encouraged by other writers, making new friends and just getting into the practice of regular writing-the discipline of the well known 90% perspiration, 10% inspiration. We’re lucky to have you here on Triond! And I am happy as a clam to have a venue where all writers matter!
October 1st, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Marie, when I first started writing for Triond I was disappointed at how little money I was making but it never crossed my mind to quit. And I saw that the more content I had in my Triond account and the more I became active in the community the higher my monthly income would be. That was okay with me. Besides I “like” being a member of the Triond community. I “like” my work being showcased on Triond. It was an easy decision to keep writing.
October 1st, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Southgate, money is a good reason to write. It’s just that it takes a long time on Triond to make money from writing. I was trying to point this out to any younger writers.
October 1st, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Hello, carolinad: I guess you mean the flash fiction story, “Future Wife”. No, I don’t have the time to promote my work outside of Triond. Triond takes up all my time.
October 1st, 2009 at 1:45 pm
marlene, it’s good to have you drop by. Triond is a great way to meet other writers. It’s nice to be a part of an entire community of writers. I look forward to Triond every day the way I use to look forward to the newspaper every day.
I stopped getting a newspaper years ago. The paper raised it’s price. Now I get my news online and from public television.
October 1st, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Nice article and it is very encouraging for me as a new writer. Nothing comes easy and in the end, hard work will always pay off! Thanks.
October 1st, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Borlok, I’m glad you got some useful information from this article especially if it keeps you writing on Triond. Good luck.
October 1st, 2009 at 2:02 pm
mo hoyal, your comment gives expression to exactly how I feel about writing and Triond. I wish Triond had been around when I was a young writer; but I’m happy it’s here now.
October 1st, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Sasha, that’s the right attitude. Triond is a good place to showcase your work. The more you put into writing the more you will get out of it.
October 1st, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Hi Guy,
You have excellent advice. I have been blogging anonymously for 5.5 years.
For the past three I have run ads on my blog. When I first started running them I made relatively little on them. But within a year I watched my income grow from a couple of dollars each month to more than $10 a month.
And it has since increased from there. It is not enough to live on, but it pays for extras I might not otherwise have.
It is all about working hard and being patient.
October 1st, 2009 at 3:10 pm
My experience tells me that you’re definitely right, Guy.
October 1st, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Joshua, working hard and being patient says it all. I’m in this for the long term. And I see the progress every month in my PayPal account.
October 1st, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Unofre, for me writing is a life long passion so if it takes a little while to make money that’s okay. I’m going to keep writing.
October 1st, 2009 at 3:29 pm
I feel this is a helpful and inspirational article. If we continue writing the the result will certainly be better.
October 1st, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Thank you for these useful tips.
For a beginner like me ,how do you communicate with others without forcing yourself.
October 1st, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Very well put!
October 1st, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Thank you for showing us your own personal progress. It can be discouraging but I DO know that I have to publish often… unfortunately that’s just not happening.
October 1st, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Guy, Thanks for the words of encouragement. I thought I was doing incredibly terrible. I know I should publish more often, but I often don’t have the time or don’t make enough time.
October 1st, 2009 at 4:33 pm
I don’t feel that quality writing is always rewarded with increased income here, or that by adding a lot of quality stories on Triond, you’ll see a corresponding rise in income. For some this may be true, for others not so. It all depends of a combo of luck, timing, promoting, and other factors.
Some may work hard here and see only a few cents. Asking people to just add more and more content in hopes of a few dollars is like sweatshop labor. If you’ve worked your heart out here for a while, but not seeing anything for your efforts, look around for other some places to place your stories. Consider writing for Triond for the love of it, and make money other places. I hate the myth of the starving writer, like it’s somehow wrong to want to be paid fair value for our writing. Our time and art is valuable. I personally don’t write just for money, but I don’t want to give my work away either. I notice a trend lately of Triond writers fiercely defending Triond, suggesting its wrong to publish anywhere else. I really don’t understand this. Most writers diversify their efforts. Good luck to all who are working hard on their writing on Triond & other places too.
October 1st, 2009 at 4:46 pm
I like what you have said good stuff, but it is very disheartening if you have been trying to make a career out of writing and you come across triond you kind of thing it is your way in and when it does not happen right away it can make you want to quit. I have just got back on to triond and realised that the key to this whole thing is persistence,it does not come over night. Just like in anything success takes time,effort, patience and hard work. great advice
October 1st, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Excellent advice, Guy. I appreciate that you included what you actually are earning in the article as well. We can see that your earnings are climbing each month, which gives us all hope. I appreciate it so much when a writer is willing to share their personal journey.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:48 pm
thanks
October 1st, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Great advice. I was thinking of giving up, I just got back into it. I\’m looking forward to making money, but the main reason I\’m on Triond is because I want to get better at writing, I just have to remember that.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Well, I’m not young but I’m brand new to Triond and I’m glad I chose your article to be the first I’ve read. Thanks for the advice.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:52 pm
A truly inspiring article.
October 1st, 2009 at 8:07 pm
First of all if you write on Triond it should be for love of writing and let the money be the icing on the cake. You will hone your writing skills here and learn how to present your material. The money will began to come when you make friends who comment on your work. The best thing you can do to promote your work is to comment on all other work you possibly can. Almost everybody will return comments.
October 1st, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Great advice! Keep up the good work and good luck.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Guy, you have offered some excellent advice. I’ve been writing here for over two years, and actually make less now than I made a year and a half ago, but my hours at work have increased as well as my family size. My input here has decreased because of time constraints.
I believe economy has a hand in this too. The take on 1,000 reads two years ago was better than now. We can only hope that our economy recovers. More writing, bookmarking and socializing will help us to improve our skills and standing. No one said it would be easy, but a million detours would not stop me from writing if and when I get the chance.
Take care & God bless.
October 1st, 2009 at 10:05 pm
I really enjoyed reading this article. I did indeed feel little bit of sincerity and care in your words, to a point of actual care and compassion for the young writers on this site, so kudos to you for that.
I do want to share a bit of me for a moment, perhaps a voice from the reader and also to those young writers. Let me say first and for most writing is a gift, a passion, a joy it is something only \”you\” the writer can feel….now reading is different, reading is also a gift that can bring passion and joy, but we must remember that a lot of writers read, but a lot readers don\’t write….so with that said to you young writers take these words from a young man or young person himself, that writing should not be about how much I can make or about a check but more so about the readers that read your work. It should be about how much replies or how much comments you can get not how much you have in your next payment box, and just to let you all know I myself have only $0.26 cents in my box but yet I still write. Hopefully this comment is helpful or encouraging.
Thank you
William Ballard
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:42 am
It takes time to get established and maqke money as the article states.Ive been here a year and made about $10.00 but the money isnt an imoportant issue to me.What is ….the fact I have wrote on and off for 32 years and has improved a great deal in the lat year alone.I do it for the love of writing…nothing more and triond gives me that chance.Great article!
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:52 am
I like this article a lot! I love writing for writing. Writing keeps me sane and happy in the middle of my hectic office days and my domestic obligation as a wife and mother. Excellent article.
October 2nd, 2009 at 2:45 am
Sometimes the money is the least important thing on a site like triond and others.Its love of writing and what you learn along the way. It keeps me sane when I swear everything is coming apart at the seams for me.A great article.
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:25 am
Yes, I agree with you… As a writer, once you are able to pour out what is in your heart and we enjoy it, money is the last thing you’ll ever think of…
October 2nd, 2009 at 5:26 am
Thumb up!
October 2nd, 2009 at 6:38 am
Thanks for that. As a young writer, these type of arcticles do help!
October 2nd, 2009 at 7:47 am
You really are one passionate writer, Guy. There is so much wisdom in this article. We writers should all be thankful that in this present age, there are more earning potentials for us, unlike in the past. Triond is one good avenue to express, learn, and earn at the same time. Consider it a depository bank. Later, you see your deposits earn.
October 2nd, 2009 at 8:01 am
I enjoyed reading the article.Triond is a great site for writing.If it’s for a hobby I think it’s great, but earning money should be seen as a bonus, not an end in itself.
My articles on Triond
http://www.triond.com/users/HappyLife
October 2nd, 2009 at 9:48 am
Thanks for an encouraging and helpful article. I have only beem writing for Triond for a couple of weeks so your advice is very welcome.
October 2nd, 2009 at 9:53 am
Great article and good points. i used to write for an online newspaper and wrote over 100 articles and the pay was not there either, but the experience and the pleasure to express yourself was.
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Triond is my favorite site, but I can still understand that people who want to make a career out of it will get disappointed.
October 2nd, 2009 at 2:04 pm
after reading your article, I wish I could have more time to write and post them on triond.
October 2nd, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Thanks Guy. I was getting discouraged. I have done the math on my situation and you are right. I am little behind you, but the trend is up. I have to keep it up.
October 3rd, 2009 at 8:28 am
Thanks so much for sharing your views on the rewards of writing on Triond. I am new here and just signed up an hour ago. Writing is a gift that lots of people have but few develop and only through a real forum such as this will our talents grow and mature. I look forward to being part of the community.
October 3rd, 2009 at 10:28 am
Thnaks for this article – I knew it alright, but it is still hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel…
So thanks for pointing this out. I’ll give it a try.
October 3rd, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Someone at the newspaper where I work told me every writer needs an audience. It is the ultimate reward. But the bills have to get paid. I’m also “paid” to write but about what my editors want. New writers need the practice so keep posting. Seasoned writers need the practice so keep posting. We all have an audience.
October 3rd, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Totally awesome article, my number pretty much looked the same way, and I know that quitter never win, and winners never lose. I see from the long list of visitor that people like what you write.
Awesome
October 3rd, 2009 at 4:47 pm
It makes me happy to see the response to this article. It feels good to be a member of a community of writers.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:02 pm
An excellent article which is to the point!!!
October 3rd, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Excellent piece. One of the first things I had to learn was writing is a slow world. It took my 18 months to receive my first paycheck but now it has only been four months and I should make enough for another check by Nov. I am happy to see so many great comments on this post. Continue with the good work, my friend.
October 3rd, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Whew! I hope I can get a word in edgeways…I love the simplicity of your expression, Guy.
You have made a real forum in here. Web writing seems a little different to other types – a complete style unto itself and worth considering for anyone interested in becoming a writer for life.
Thanks again. My best are on utterly unique subjects – Barbie, Kilkenny and John C. Holmes
Bravo ! j
October 3rd, 2009 at 8:23 pm
For me, my intent is to use Triond as practice… by the time I have been writing for as long as you have, I’ll likely be writing somewhere else as (hopefully) my skill level will have improved enough to make my work marketable. I’d venture to say that you could likely make more money somewhere else right now.
I’ve made 5 cents in the week I’ve been here. Leaving Triond after a week would be ridiculous, and anyway, it’s not that I’m planning to give up writing regardless of anything that happens here… I love writing. But it’s easy for me to do the math, read the writing on the wall, and recognize that I’ll never make any significant money on this site.
My top article right now is 2 days old and has 40 views… it’s made 3 cents. It’s a new story, so the amount of views I’m getting on that story are peaking right now. The view count will die out eventually, I’m guessing at around 60.
I doubt the new writers coming up now, with their work surrounded by a sea of crap since Triond appears to accept anything, will ever really be able to get recognized and corner much of a market in the same way that they could have a year ago. If I continue doing what you say, my best ever article in six months might be something that gets 500 views because I’ll have thought of a great idea, catchy title, and put my best writing into it… and even then, that’s what, 35 cents or so? It’s still nothing relative to the time commitment I’d have to put in.
How much of your $13 this month comes from new articles? If most of it is coming from old work, then it’s not really an increase in income per se that you’re seeing… it’s an increase in the volume of articles you have that are producing income. Eventually the views from those older articles will peter off to nothing and you’ll top out. You’ve made a total of around $35 here so far… how many hours did you work to earn that?
Reading and commenting on other articles is cool, and helps me make friends and I suppose I could put some time in on the forum and that would help my view count. But if that’s the way you make money on Triond, then what is the difference between the Triond business model and a Guild in World of Warcraft, where it’s all about how many friends you have and ability isn’t worth crap?
Anyway, I’m not looking to have a bunch of friends who feel obligated to view my work so long as I, in turn, view theirs out of obligation. I just want to write stuff, and hopefully, people will like it.
Besides, from the little I’ve read on the forum, it seems to consist mainly of angry n00bs and hostile regulars. I’m not concerned as to why the n00bs are angry and why the regulars are hostile… I don’t want to get involved in forum politics and blibber-blabber at all. I’d rather spend that time and energy writing new stuff and getting better.
I’m not bashing Triond. It is what it is… I’ll write because I like doing so, and I’ll stay with Triond until I consider myself ready to move onto something else. Until then, as long as my articles get double digit views, I’m cool with that. But thinking that this would eventually be the equivalent of a second job seems, to me, to be about as realistic as a dream of playing in the NBA. I won’t even allow myself to think along those lines and get disappointed.
Good topic… Just adding my two cents (the value of my second-best article, by the way
).
October 3rd, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Great advice and a wonderful, encouraging read.
October 3rd, 2009 at 11:15 pm
I agree to be one of those impatient writers you talk about. I was waiting for the big bucks and then settled for the few cents. I have renounced writing several times in my life but always end up coming back, even after thinking of dozens of reasons not to write. i always do. That’s how I know it is my passion. Thanks for the tips!
October 4th, 2009 at 5:33 am
Yes, tenacity is the big thing with Triond. If you stick with it for long enough then you will get the hits….
October 4th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Well said, Guy. Well said! Patience is a virtue. The unfortunate thing is that you have to endure a lot of hardship and wasted time in order to practice patience often enough to develop it to any degree. And, the beginner often gets frustrated at the amount of time they have to put into the endeavor. I think this is a leading factor in the lack of patience in young writers. Also, I would like to point out, most beginners come to places like this thinking that they might make a pretty penny for minimal effort. Add into this mixture a tincture of a lack of marketing knowledge and you have a mighty job ahead of you when it comes to making your words count. That’s enough to deter even the heartiest dreamer. The beginners need the most encouragement.
Good job, and keep up the good work, man. Ciao.
October 4th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Like Judy I have been writing on Triond for more than two years. I have to say that I make a reasonable monthly amount, but for that I have had to publish well over 600 articles.
The good part is that I am still earning on stuff that was published two years ago. I also have to agree that although I work harder on Triond now, my earnings have dropped considerably during the past 12 months.
October 5th, 2009 at 12:24 am
Patience is a virtue and in writing you need lots of it
October 5th, 2009 at 6:58 am
Great write! Consider me your fan from now on out.But why don’t you chill with one of my fascinating articles titled “What Happens in a Sexual Encounter with a Real Ghost?”
October 5th, 2009 at 8:33 am
very true. We need to be more patient with Triond. It, however, hurts to see the hard work not paying out enough. But then, who writes to earn on Triond?? I like to write at Triond because I feel its fun and a great place to experiment! very nice article! keep it going!
October 5th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Very good points! I’ve been writing on the web for several years and Triond is the only site that pays me regularly; not enough for the European tour I want to plan, but a consistent deposit to my Paypal account.
I have been gratified to have had other younger writers contact me on other channels to find out how to get started. This article says it all; just write, write often and write well.
Good article.
October 5th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
I’ve pretty much decided to give up all my other writing responsibilities and to concentrate on Triond. The sooner I can get to 1,000 pieces of published content the better. I only have around 170 now. 1,000 will make a real difference in monthly income.
October 5th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Yes a helpful guide.