How to earn money online as a beginner writer

Several websites allow writers to earn money through ad revenue sharing. Typically, these platforms either display ads on articles or content and share the revenue with the creators based on views, clicks, or interactions. Here are some popular ones:

1. Vocal Media

- Revenue Model: Vocal Media pays writers based on the number of reads their articles get. Non-premium members earn $3.80 per 1,000 reads, while premium members earn $6 per 1,000 reads. Writers can also receive tips directly from readers and participate in cash-prize challenges.

- Ads: Vocal uses minimal display ads, relying more on a subscription model. Revenue for writers is based on reader engagement rather than direct ad clicks.

- Payout: Vocal pays via Stripe, with a minimum withdrawal of $35. Premium members get access to more earning opportunities and faster payouts.

- How to Join: You can sign up for free, but upgrading to Vocal+ (premium membership) gives you higher earnings potential and access to exclusive features.

- Advantages: Low barrier to entry, bonuses through reader tips, and regular content challenges with cash prizes.

- Disadvantages: Relatively low pay per read, making it hard to earn significant income without high traffic.

2. HubPages

- Revenue Model: HubPages shares revenue from ads shown on your articles. You earn through the HubPages Ad Program, Google AdSense, and Amazon Associates (for product links). HubPages takes a 40% share of ad revenue, while writers keep 60%.

- Ads: Display ads from Google AdSense and media networks are placed around your articles. You can also use affiliate marketing to add Amazon product links.

- Payout: Payouts are made through PayPal, and earnings depend on traffic, ad clicks, and affiliate sales. Writers typically see steady income from evergreen content that continues to get views over time.

- How to Join: After signing up for HubPages, you need to apply for Google AdSense and link your account. The HubPages Ad Program requires a minimum of $50 in earnings to cash out.

- Advantages: Multiple revenue streams (ads and affiliate marketing), good for evergreen topics, community support.

- Disadvantages: Requires a steady stream of content to build long-term traffic. The revenue share is smaller compared to some platforms.

3. Medium Partner Program

- Revenue Model: Medium operates on a membership-based model rather than ads. Writers in the Partner Program earn money based on the amount of time Medium members spend reading their articles. Writers can also earn referral bonuses for bringing new members to the platform.

- Ads: Medium doesn’t use traditional display ads. Instead, revenue comes from member subscriptions. The longer someone reads your article, the more you earn.

- Payout: Payments are made monthly via Stripe, and earnings vary based on factors like story quality, niche, and engagement. Top writers can earn hundreds or even thousands of dollars per month.

- How to Join: To qualify for the Partner Program, you need to publish a few stories and be in a country supported by Stripe for payments. Once accepted, all your published stories can generate revenue.

- Advantages: Great for long-form content, potential for viral reach, and a supportive community.

- Disadvantages: The payout is tied to paid member reading time, so articles need to attract active Medium members.

4. InfoBarrel

- Revenue Model: InfoBarrel shares a percentage of ad revenue generated by your content, mainly through Google AdSense. Writers can also use affiliate marketing links within their articles to boost earnings.

- Ads: Writers earn revenue through Google AdSense ads placed on their articles. InfoBarrel keeps a portion of the revenue and gives the rest to the writer.

- Payout: Earnings are paid through PayPal once you’ve reached the $50 threshold. The amount you earn depends on traffic volume and ad performance.

- How to Join: Simply create an account on InfoBarrel, start writing, and link your Google AdSense account to start earning.

- Advantages: Offers passive income for evergreen content, opportunity to increase earnings with affiliate marketing.

- Disadvantages: Slower payout, limited revenue potential compared to larger platforms, competition for traffic.

5. Steemit

- Revenue Model: Writers on Steemit earn cryptocurrency (STEEM) based on the upvotes and engagement their content receives from the Steemit community. The more upvotes and attention your post gets, the more cryptocurrency you can earn.

- Ads: Steemit does not use traditional ads; instead, it runs on blockchain technology. Revenue comes from cryptocurrency rewards rather than ads.

- Payout: Steemit pays users in STEEM tokens, which can be traded or converted to fiat currency. Earnings depend on how well your content is received by the community, and payout can vary significantly.

- How to Join: Sign up for an account, start posting content, and engage with the community to gain upvotes.

- Advantages: Potential to earn cryptocurrency, decentralized platform, opportunity for high earnings if posts go viral.

- Disadvantages: Volatile cryptocurrency market, unpredictable earnings, need to build a following.

6. Reddit (Subreddits like /r/HireAWriter)

- Revenue Model: Reddit itself doesn’t pay writers, but you can earn money by offering your writing services or advertising your skills in writing-related subreddits like /r/HireAWriter or /r/FreelanceWriters. You can also promote content through subreddits and monetize with your own ad or affiliate networks.

- Ads: No direct ad revenue, but you can promote sponsored posts, writing gigs, or affiliate marketing opportunities.

- Payout: Payments are typically negotiated with clients or through affiliate deals. No direct payout system from Reddit.

- How to Join: Join relevant subreddits and start offering your services or promoting your content.

- Advantages: Great for freelance opportunities, direct interaction with clients, no platform fees.

- Disadvantages: No direct ad revenue from Reddit, earnings depend on client work and how well you can market yourself.

7. YouTube (for Scriptwriters or Content Creators)

- Revenue Model: If you write scripts for YouTube creators, you can negotiate a share of ad revenue generated by the videos. Additionally, if you create your own YouTube channel and write content for video scripts, you can earn money through ads shown on your videos via Google AdSense.

- Ads: YouTube shows ads before, during, and after videos. Earnings come from a combination of views, ad clicks, and engagement.

- Payout: YouTube pays through Google AdSense, and the earnings depend on the number of views, ad clicks, and viewer engagement. Writers who collaborate with creators may earn a portion of the ad revenue.

- How to Join: You can either create a YouTube channel or collaborate with existing content creators to write scripts. You’ll need to meet YouTube’s Partner Program requirements to monetize content.

- Advantages: High earning potential for viral content, multiple revenue streams (ads, sponsorships, merchandise).

- Disadvantages: Hard to get started, requires a large audience to earn significant revenue.

8. Blasting News

- Revenue Model: Blasting News shares ad revenue with writers based on the number of views their articles receive. Writers are paid according to the traffic they generate, with additional bonuses for high-performing articles.

- Ads: Ads are placed on articles by Blasting News’ advertising partners, including banner ads and sponsored content.

- Payout: Payments are made monthly through PayPal once you’ve reached the minimum payout threshold. Writers are paid based on the number of views their articles receive, making it essential to generate high traffic.

- How to Join: After signing up, you’ll need to go through an application process to become a writer. Once approved, you can start publishing articles and earning ad revenue.

- Advantages: Simple to join, international platform, additional earning opportunities through bonuses.

- Disadvantages: Earnings depend on high traffic, meaning it’s harder for new writers to earn substantial income right away.

9. Publish0x

- Revenue Model: Publish0x operates on a tipping system where readers can tip writers using cryptocurrency. The platform supports various cryptocurrencies like BAT, DAI, and Ethereum. Readers don’t spend their own money to tip; instead, the platform sponsors the tips.

- Ads: Minimal ads, with the primary focus on reader engagement and cryptocurrency tipping.

- Payout: Writers are paid in cryptocurrency and can withdraw their earnings to a crypto wallet. Publish0x does not have a minimum payout, but earnings depend on the value of the cryptocurrency at the time of withdrawal.

- How to Join: Create an account, start publishing, and engage with readers to receive tips.

- Advantages: No minimum payout, opportunity to earn through engagement, potential for high crypto rewards.

- Disadvantages: Earnings tied to cryptocurrency volatility, limited readership compared to larger platforms.

10. Substack

- Revenue Model: Substack doesn’t primarily pay through ad revenue but allows writers to earn by offering paid subscriptions to their newsletters. Writers can also include sponsorships or ads in their newsletters if they choose.

- Ads: While Substack itself doesn’t insert ads, writers can independently arrange for sponsorships

or ads in their newsletters.

- Payout: Writers keep 90% of the subscription revenue (Substack takes a 10% cut). Payments are made through Stripe.

- How to Join: Sign up for Substack, start a newsletter, and build your subscriber base. You can choose to offer free content or charge for premium content.

- Advantages: Complete control over content and revenue, no reliance on ads, loyal subscriber base.

- Disadvantages: Hard to grow an audience initially, earning potential depends entirely on your subscriber count.

Conclusion:

If you want to earn ad revenue or income from your writing, the platform you choose depends on your goals. HubPages, InfoBarrel, and Blasting News are good for those seeking direct ad revenue, while Medium and Substack offer opportunities to earn through subscriptions. Steemit and Publish0x provide ways to earn cryptocurrency, while Vocal Media offers both ad revenue and reader tips.

Your success will depend on your niche, the quality of your writing, and your ability to drive traffic or build a dedicated audience.

Summary:

- Direct Ad Revenue: HubPages, InfoBarrel, Blasting News, Vocal Media

- Alternative Models (Cryptocurrency): Steemit, Publish0x

- Subscription Models: Medium, Substack

- Creative Collaborations: YouTube, Reddit (service-based)