Often parents who stay home need a way to earn additional income for their family. One way to do that is to write for what many call, content mills. Textbroker is a content mill that seems to have survived the Google shake up last year. If you enjoy writing and want to make some extra money, check them out.
Established in 2008, Textbroker is a unique content marketplace that connects content buyers with qualified writers. Textbroker acts as a middleman by ensuring clients make deposits before ordering content, and testing writers before letting them sign up to accept orders. Writers are able to browse through existing orders, and accept as many articles as they like.
Application Process
Writers who are United States citizens are able to register for a Textbroker account at http://www.textbroker.com/. To open an account writers register by providing their contact information, selecting their areas of expertise, and choosing their login email and password. Once registered, writers are asked to submit one writing sample. If the writing sample is accepted, the writer is given a rating. The higher the rating, the more a writer earns per word. After being accepted, writers are able to claim up to five assignments. Once the first five assignments are reviewed and accepted, the writer is able to accept as many orders as they would like.
Payment Process
Writers are paid per word for available orders. The average payment is $0.01 per word, and the highest payment is $0.05 per word. Writers are also able to accept direct orders, meaning orders that clients have specifically requested them to write. Each writer is able to set their own per word payment rate for direct orders. Payments are made through PayPal every two weeks. Writers must mail or fax completed W-9 forms before receiving their first payment.
Earning Potential
Textbroker is a good place for writers to earn extra income, especially if they are new to the world of freelance writing. Articles written for Textbroker usually require less research, meaning a writer can finish orders quickly. Writers who work for Textbroker can earn a few hundred dollars each month, or slightly more, if they work quickly and are able to find open orders that they are qualified to write.
The Good and The Bad
Textbroker provides fast review times, and reliable bi-monthly payments. Staff answers writer questions quickly, and the writers dashboard is easy to navigate and understand. The only thing a writer has to worry about is the occasional disgruntled client.
Writers who accept orders through Textbroker have to remember that the client is the final authority. While Textbroker handles payment, and provides the platform for client/writer interaction, they have no influence on the clients final action. The client has the ability to reject content, request revisions, and leave low writer feedback.
How to Succeed
The best way to succeed on Textbroker is to provide fast turn around times and high quality content. Having a good reputation will increase a writers star rating, making them eligible to receive higher per word rates. Building up a following of loyal clients also increases a writers number of direct orders, which often pay more than standard open orders.
PS: For those interested, Textbroker has also recently opened up a Dutch site and Spanish site.
