Cost of Web Content and Pay for Freelance Writers
How much should we pay for content? There is quite a range out there. How much should writers get paid? In-house, outsource or partnerships? These are strategic as well as tactical questions.
For those of us who want or need to buy content, it is paid for up front, either under exclusive or non-exclusive agreements. It is also possible to find articles to purchase which are ready to go, or propose new articles and wait for writers to bid or submit writing which is then paid for.
Going Rates
The excellent Freelance Writing Gigs blog is a good resource on paid writing (from the freelance writer side) and has a recently updated (2010-01) overview of the market demand and pricing for Freelance writing. See also the Paid2Write blog which provides brief reviews of freelance writing sites.
Associated Content
Associated Content is the freelance writing opportunity most people start with. They along with Demand Studios are two of the largest freelance writing companies
Freelance Writing at Associated Content
Associated content has a few options for writers in terms of pay. One can retain the copyright and earn less, but have flexibility in republishing. Or one can assign full rights to AC and get some up-front pay as well.
One great thing about AC is that people are paid to write articles about AC. A quick search using the terms "Associate Content Paid" on AC reveals quite a few articles of interest.
Content Buying at Associated Content
AC provides a form to fill out and an email came back within 2 days with prices averaging $65 for original articles, as well as a long-term agreement with some level of volume. Simply too expensive, though apparently they do have some editorial quality control, and a large stable of freelance writers as well as the option of buying existing content.
Constant Content
Constant Content offers a writing opportunities directly and through buyer requests.
Freelance Writing at Constant Content
Writers can submit to Constant Content. In addition they have image, video, and illustrations. However, perusing some of the items is a bit disappointing as there are inflated prices and low quality.
Content Buying at Constant Content
Prices for content depend upon rights (use, unique or full rights), and article requests can have price ranges in them (along with length and content requirements).
One nice feature is the ability to see the author profiles, writing and sales volume and contact them directly. Also one can make offers to bid on content which authors have enabled for bidding as opposed to fixed prices.
Demand Media and Demand Studios
Demand Media is the parent company of Demand Studios, which is the writer-facing part of the organization.
Freelance Writing at Demand Studios
Through Demand Studios, writers can apply for and secure writing assignments and get paid directly and/or over time for content. They pay twice a week and they appear to be hiring writers, copy editors and filmmakers. Demand owns the copyright on the material paid for.
Content Buying at Demand Studios
Sadly, the only information on buying content is an online email address which we have yet to hear a reply from. We sent an email a few weeks ago.
Elance
Elance is not a content provider per se, but does have a large number of freelance writers. $10 USD / hr is a popular minimum rate and they have individuals and teams for hire.
Helium
Helium unfortunately was down at the time of publication, but they'll likely be back soon. I have some old links so those will go in the description below.
Freelance Writing at Helium
Helium has some advantages and disadvantages when compared with Associated Content. There may be more freedom with Helium in terms of editorial review.
Content Buying at Helium
Helium has a marketplace that makes it easy to post writing opportunities. However, it did look a little sparse in the market, though prices were not bad (for the content buyer) in terms of writing offers.
HubPages and Bright Hub
HubPages and Bright Hub have many similarities beyond the "Hub" component in their names. Both provide tools to create pages and groups of pages, add images, social bookmarks, etc.
Freelance Writing at HubPages and Bright Hub
HubPages allows for affiliate access to Amazon, Adsense, etc. and gets a percentage of views for their own Amazon, Adsense links, etc.
Bright Hub also pays directly for content, as well as supporting own-content creation under a community or as an individual.
Content Buying at HubPages and Bright Hub
There does not appear to be any content buying opportunities at HubPages or Bright Hub at the present time. They are both destination sites, but it is possible they would put content up for sale or give access to writers in the future.
Travelfish Travel Writing
TravelFish is an up-and-coming Southeast Asia independent travel guide which focuses on ebooks and now has an iPhone application.
Freelance Writing at Travelfish
Travelfish Jobs actually pay well for writing, but the research time and costs can be considerable. As with most things, success lies in organization.
Content Buying at Travelfish
There does not appear to be any content buying opportunities at TravelFish at the present time.
Virtual Travel Guides
Virtual Travel Guides is one part of the 1stopthailand.com and related travel site empire (or vice versa).
Freelance Writing at Virtual Travel Guides
Virtual Travel Guides is usually hiring writers and copy editors. They are based in Thailand and want writers who will be in Thailand for at least 6 months or so. They don't actually require travel for their travel writing, but do require that the authors have traveled and also prefer experienced travel writers. They do more than travel writing, however.
Content Buying at Virtual Travel Guides
Virtual Travel Guides provide a few different prices and the exchange rate seem a bit aged so it would be good to contact them directly. They do have volume discounts as well. Likely the least expensive option, and that is likely because of the cost basis of operating out of Thailand.
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SEO Chiangmai International SEO Offerings
International SEO Offerings and Experience
SEO Chiangmai is an SEO/SEM/Internet Marketing/Ecommerce consulting company. We've taught marketing, innovation and entrepreneurship, public relations, and organizational communication at the university level for 7 years. We've done IT consulting for 10 years and Internet marketing consulting for 5 years. The point is that this experience and expertise is brought to bear specifically in Internet Marketing where we do SEM (paid search/advertising) and SEO (site optimization).
Seven-Part Strategy
We have found a seven-part strategy works best:
Case Study - 140 Hours / 4 Months / $5,000 USD
Our most recent success story we engaged with a client for 140 hours over 4 months and achieved a 300% increase in traffic and keyword ranking. One thing that is an advantage is our cost structure, being located in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Our price for this work was $5,000 USD (at $35/hour). This client also conducted an ongoing Google Adwords campaign of approximately 1,000 USD/mo. This campaign is one crucial element of the overall SEO/SEM efforts.
SEO Scalability
As far as our scalability, we are a small shop but could take on new select clients. We are a little picky because it is important that the client believe in and adopt appropriate content creation activities, and be willing to conduct an ongoing Google Adwords campaign.
Copy Writing and Content Strategy Requirement
We can do copywriting if the client so desires, but the point is that someone has to create regular content. The effectiveness of our strategy requires regular (if only weekly) content creation according to specific SEO guidelines. We have had clients who simply do not take this step and therefore see only small, incremental improvement in their rankings, organic and paid traffic. This as you can imagine is quite frustrating, and so we generally "out-counsel" them.
White Label
If SEO/SEM firms have clients who are willing to engage with us on all seven elements of our strategy, then we are interested in discussing further. We can do all work white label.