Last week, Google announced that they have made some changes to the algorithm that returns results on Google searches. Apparently content mill sites (presumably those like Bukisa,  Xomba,  eZine, etc.) will not be coming up as high in returns as they had been. Of course, Google is keeping their secrets to themselves, but we have to assume that REAL informational sites (those dedicated to one topic, and owned & maintained by REAL experts) will be weighted, and will come up higher in search returns.  This is expected to hit lower-quality content mill sites where it hurts them the most –the bank.

So will Google’s new algorithm hurt writers?  Yes and no. If your portfolio is filled with mainly revenue-share articles, then chances are 1) your articles are hosted and displayed on content mill-owned sites, and your earnings will most likely take a hit, because the entire site is taking a hit. Those who write for flat-rate fees, however, will most likely not see a change in their income, unless the content mills decide to start dropping their rates (unlikely).

So what’s a writer to do to survive the new Google algorithm that targets content mills? It’s really up to you. Personally, I am going to slightly increase the number of articles that I do for a flat rate, BUT I’m going to keep writing revenue share articles until I get my residual income back up to where it used to be.

What is your strategy for overcoming the new Google algorithm?

I’ve known for a couple of months that something major was in the works at eHow and Demand Studios. I just didn’t know it would be met with such passionate outcries from some of eHow’s contributing writers.

So.

Today, eHow announced Read the rest of this entry »

Since I started writing for eHow, I have treated eHow as a “gravy” job.  I already earn a significant income from other sites/ventures (I make money online in a number of ways), so when I added eHow to the mix, I decided Read the rest of this entry »

I have been writing online for about six months now.  I have built up a lovely network of multiple streams of passive income that is bringing in close to $2,000 per month now.     My kids are home for the summer now, and I plan to slow down on the amount of work that I do.   I plan to only work for about an hour each evening.    I am drastically cutting back because this is a monumental summer of “lasts” for my family.

My daughter will turn 17 at the end of this month.  August will mark the beginning of her senior year.  In twelve months, she’ll be preparing to leave us and embark on the path towards her future.  She’ll be going away to a college somewhere far away.

My youngest is five years old, and in August, he’ll start kindergarten.   In August, I’ll be alone at home all day long, and will be able to fully commit to writing all day long.   But for now, I’ll commit myself to being with and interacting with my kids on this last summer before major changes.

I’ve been saving up a lot of my passive income.  Here’s some of the things we’ll be doing with what I’ve saved over the last couple of months:

• Road trips – Last summer we took a major vacation to Southern California with $ from one of my blogs. This year, we’ll stay closer to home and take a few road trips around Texas.
• Camps – My daughter will be a drum major next school year, and we’ll be sending her to a SASI drum major camp.  My 12 year old son is a patrol leader in Boy Scouts, and he’ll be attending a week-long camp this summer.
• Clothes! – my three kids all have great style, and I love that I’ll be able to buy them the clothes that will make them happy.
• End of summer party – I will be renting the local aquatic center in August, so that my kids can have a final hurrah to bid farewell to the summer.