With time people are turning more and more towards the option of Google ads to earn money. People normally consider that its an easy job but nothing is easy in this world until and unless you put your best effort in it. Now you must be have a question in your mind that what is Google Ad Sense and how people can earn money through them. It’s basically a partnership which you are doing in which Google displays different types of advertisements on your website. There are some highly skilled groups of people who are working in the Google and they go through your web page thoroughly and then they display the ads on your website which are according to the requirement of your website. If you want to have a look on different types of Adsence then you can see the ads on right or left of every website and they are referred to as adsence.
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
There are many AdSense tips which will help you in increasing the traffic on your website. When a user click on the corner of Google adds then Google earned a share for each and every single. But you will never get the share percentage which Google will get but it all depending on how much you are earning from these advertisements. As much as higher you are earning from these ads then more shares will be getting by the Google as well. If you want to include Google search box in your site you can do so but it is some what difficult .If you want to get some more information regarding the AdSense tips or you want to earn money through these ads then click here http://www.adsensesystems.com.
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Jumat, 22 Agustus 2008
Top 10 Google Adsense Secrets
Posted by jasmine.celion
Adsense Secret # 1: Coalesce Google Ads with your Web Page
Let the border of the advertisements on your site coincide with the background color of your webpage. Let the text, title and urls in the Google Ads have the same font color as that of the font color of the contents in your web page. Ensure that you do everything possible to make the Google ads conflate with your website content.
Though it is tough to match the font size for the content of your web site with that of the advertisements, try to have the same font size to the maximum extent possible.
• Adsense Secret # 2: Make use of Images
This is one of the unique Adsense secret which is really valuable. Put up images pertaining to the theme of your web page around the ads appearing on your web site. This not only helps in integrating the content of your web page with the Google advertisements but also increases your Click Through Rate (CTR).
• Adsense Secret # 3: Place Ads at the top of your page
Putting up the ads on the top of your web page is the most treasured Adsense secret. And beware of the fact that the higher the order of the advertisement, the more is the income it would generate for every click.
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
• Adsense Secret # 4: CTR is Account Dependent
In case if you have multiple websites and if one website had a CTR of 15% and another has a CTR of .03%, the first thing you will have to do is to remove the webpage that has the CTR of.03% for this website may bring down your account's average CTR. This proves to be one of the imperceptible Adsense secrets.
• Adsense Secret # 5: Use Unique size for Google Ads
Yet another adsense secret is to make use of dimensions like 160*600 or 336*280 for the advertisements. Viewers tend to click on them thinking that the ad is a part of the web page.
• Adsense Secret # 6: Automate Google Ad Insertion using SSI
Automate the insertion of Google advertisements by writing scripts and inserting using SSI with the assistance of your server administrator. In the long run, this would save your time and efforts spent in the integration of Google ads with your web page.
• Adsense Secret # 7: Update and Maintain germane links
Update and maintain the sites that are faring well. While placing your ads in sites that are faring well, place them on top of all the existing ads so that the viewer who comes in would be able to see your ads first.
• Adsense Secret # 8: Add Fresh Content as often as you can
The higher the frequency of articles posted in your site, the more the traffic it drives to your web page and the higher is your page ranking.
• Adsense Secret # 9: Get to know keywords that are highly utilized and make use of them
Making the maximum use of the widely used keywords in your site is one of the unsung adsense secrets known.
• Adsense Secret # 10: Use customized layouts for Google Ads
Rectangle and skyscraper layout fare better than the other layouts and ensure that the dimensions are such that they merge well with the web content.
With the Adsense secrets revealed above, I am sure you can climb the ladder of Google Page Ranking with ease. Try and enjoy the benefits with these Adsense secrets!
Adsense Secret # 1: Coalesce Google Ads with your Web Page
Let the border of the advertisements on your site coincide with the background color of your webpage. Let the text, title and urls in the Google Ads have the same font color as that of the font color of the contents in your web page. Ensure that you do everything possible to make the Google ads conflate with your website content.
Though it is tough to match the font size for the content of your web site with that of the advertisements, try to have the same font size to the maximum extent possible.
• Adsense Secret # 2: Make use of Images
This is one of the unique Adsense secret which is really valuable. Put up images pertaining to the theme of your web page around the ads appearing on your web site. This not only helps in integrating the content of your web page with the Google advertisements but also increases your Click Through Rate (CTR).
• Adsense Secret # 3: Place Ads at the top of your page
Putting up the ads on the top of your web page is the most treasured Adsense secret. And beware of the fact that the higher the order of the advertisement, the more is the income it would generate for every click.
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
• Adsense Secret # 4: CTR is Account Dependent
In case if you have multiple websites and if one website had a CTR of 15% and another has a CTR of .03%, the first thing you will have to do is to remove the webpage that has the CTR of.03% for this website may bring down your account's average CTR. This proves to be one of the imperceptible Adsense secrets.
• Adsense Secret # 5: Use Unique size for Google Ads
Yet another adsense secret is to make use of dimensions like 160*600 or 336*280 for the advertisements. Viewers tend to click on them thinking that the ad is a part of the web page.
• Adsense Secret # 6: Automate Google Ad Insertion using SSI
Automate the insertion of Google advertisements by writing scripts and inserting using SSI with the assistance of your server administrator. In the long run, this would save your time and efforts spent in the integration of Google ads with your web page.
• Adsense Secret # 7: Update and Maintain germane links
Update and maintain the sites that are faring well. While placing your ads in sites that are faring well, place them on top of all the existing ads so that the viewer who comes in would be able to see your ads first.
• Adsense Secret # 8: Add Fresh Content as often as you can
The higher the frequency of articles posted in your site, the more the traffic it drives to your web page and the higher is your page ranking.
• Adsense Secret # 9: Get to know keywords that are highly utilized and make use of them
Making the maximum use of the widely used keywords in your site is one of the unsung adsense secrets known.
• Adsense Secret # 10: Use customized layouts for Google Ads
Rectangle and skyscraper layout fare better than the other layouts and ensure that the dimensions are such that they merge well with the web content.
With the Adsense secrets revealed above, I am sure you can climb the ladder of Google Page Ranking with ease. Try and enjoy the benefits with these Adsense secrets!
Get The Best With Google Adsense
I have been a member of Google Adsense for a while now and almost daily I hear the the question from other website owners "I have Google Adsense but I'm not getting very many clicks, what should I do." Well I'm tired of answering these questions individually so I've decided to make a guide on how to utilize Google Adsense to get the best results.
1. Strategically place your ads
I have done many, many experiments with my Adsense and have figured out what the best place for my Adsense is. I have had the most success using two types of ad placement. The first is to place your adsense in a vertical skyscraper to the left of your text. I can't be absolutely sure why this works, but I believe it is because people read from right to left so every time they finish reading a line of my content their eyes instantly return to the left of the page and see the ads once again. The next successful ad placement is a horizantal banner in-between the content of your page. I believe this works for me because in order for people to continue reading the content of my page they have to look at the ads. Note: These ad placements work best for "ME", and I am still experimenting to make sure I get the most of my Adsense. That being said, I recommend you perform numerous experiments every week to see what works best for you.
2. Don't have to many ads on a page
I see websites all the time that have pages with 75% ads and 25% content. This is a bad stratagy because people will not only think your website is spam, but your Google Adsense will not always be relavant to your page content. If you have 200 words on a page and have three Adsense scripts usually only one of them is relavant to your page content because their just isn't enough information on the page for Google to read and decide what ads should be on your page. This is how I decide how many Adsense scripts I should have on a page.
1. 0-600 words = 0 Adsense
2. 600-800 words = 1 Adsense
3. 800-1200 words = 2 Adsense
You should only have 3 Adsense (which is the maximum allowed by Google TOS) on your page if your page is very popular and recieving many pageviews a day.
3. Search Engine Optimization
Now this isn't specifically about getting more clicks with Adsense but it is still very important in making money through Google. If you want to learn about search engine optimization (SEO) you can read my guide at Search Engine Optimization. You can also try our free webmaster tools to help optimize your website at The PC Line Webmaster Tools
4. Get your website more traffic There are more ways than just SEO to get your website more traffic. For example; you can purchase traffic through available online services, you can participate in traffic exchange programs, and you can sign up in a banner exchange program. SEO is the most effective, but when you are starting out you should take traffic from anywhere you can get it.
Lastly I would just like to say, don't expect to make a lot of money from your website when you first start out. True, there are many people out there who make over 1000 dollars a month from their Adsense alone, but they have spent a lot of time experimenting and promoting their websites. When you first start out expect to maybe get one click a day which can pay between .05 and .50 cents depending on what topic you chose for your website. Only after months or even years can you expect to make over a hundred a month from adsense. You have to spend time every day working and advertising your website if you want to be successful. Don't let this deter you, rather let it inspire you because now you know that it is possible to make some decent extra income from your websites.
1. Strategically place your ads
I have done many, many experiments with my Adsense and have figured out what the best place for my Adsense is. I have had the most success using two types of ad placement. The first is to place your adsense in a vertical skyscraper to the left of your text. I can't be absolutely sure why this works, but I believe it is because people read from right to left so every time they finish reading a line of my content their eyes instantly return to the left of the page and see the ads once again. The next successful ad placement is a horizantal banner in-between the content of your page. I believe this works for me because in order for people to continue reading the content of my page they have to look at the ads. Note: These ad placements work best for "ME", and I am still experimenting to make sure I get the most of my Adsense. That being said, I recommend you perform numerous experiments every week to see what works best for you.
2. Don't have to many ads on a page
I see websites all the time that have pages with 75% ads and 25% content. This is a bad stratagy because people will not only think your website is spam, but your Google Adsense will not always be relavant to your page content. If you have 200 words on a page and have three Adsense scripts usually only one of them is relavant to your page content because their just isn't enough information on the page for Google to read and decide what ads should be on your page. This is how I decide how many Adsense scripts I should have on a page.
1. 0-600 words = 0 Adsense
2. 600-800 words = 1 Adsense
3. 800-1200 words = 2 Adsense
You should only have 3 Adsense (which is the maximum allowed by Google TOS) on your page if your page is very popular and recieving many pageviews a day.
3. Search Engine Optimization
Now this isn't specifically about getting more clicks with Adsense but it is still very important in making money through Google. If you want to learn about search engine optimization (SEO) you can read my guide at Search Engine Optimization. You can also try our free webmaster tools to help optimize your website at The PC Line Webmaster Tools
4. Get your website more traffic There are more ways than just SEO to get your website more traffic. For example; you can purchase traffic through available online services, you can participate in traffic exchange programs, and you can sign up in a banner exchange program. SEO is the most effective, but when you are starting out you should take traffic from anywhere you can get it.
Lastly I would just like to say, don't expect to make a lot of money from your website when you first start out. True, there are many people out there who make over 1000 dollars a month from their Adsense alone, but they have spent a lot of time experimenting and promoting their websites. When you first start out expect to maybe get one click a day which can pay between .05 and .50 cents depending on what topic you chose for your website. Only after months or even years can you expect to make over a hundred a month from adsense. You have to spend time every day working and advertising your website if you want to be successful. Don't let this deter you, rather let it inspire you because now you know that it is possible to make some decent extra income from your websites.
Kamis, 21 Agustus 2008
Don't Get Caught With Google Adsense Click Fraud
Many web site owners are getting their Google Adsense account terminated when they have done nothing wrong to deserve the punishment. Considering the money that they are getting from Adsense, they would certainly want to get back into it.
Considering the money to be made with Adsense, it is no wonder that they would want to get back into it.
It is that same consideration why the Google Adsense click fraud is thought of and why many people are getting into it.
Click fraud is the act of clicking on ads for the purpose of costing the advertiser money. It is simply the same as paying out cash for false leads. Many people website owners are aware of this fraud and are sharing the same sentiment that this is the one big problem that Adsense is facing.
How do you prevent being involved in this fraud?
Majority of web hosts are offering access logs. Once this is offered to you, it is necessary that you hand it over to Google as well. This allows them to look for any suspicious activity on your site. Problems like this are very serious and giving it to them is saying that you would want to help them in any way you can in solving the problem.
It can also help if you have a click monitoring software. If you do not have one yet, you should try and get one. There is absolutely no major factor preventing you from having one because most of this software is free.
As usual, all the information you have received should be turned over to Google. This is showing Google that you too are fighting against click frauds and is in no way a part of it.
Study your server logs and watch for any activity that seems suspicious. Report anything that you may find odd, may it big or small thing.
You may want to consider disabling ads for your own IP address and local geographic area. This will certainly prevent accidents and will not make Google mistake another user as you. You can do through a htaccess file. This will avoid Google mistaking as clicking on your own ads and be kicked out because of it.
Keep your Adsense off on pop ups and pop unders. Your ads should not be displayed on content sites that promote illegal activity or tampering of the legal rights of other people or business. Included in this are the content that is considered adult and gambling ones. If you think that you may be breaking this rule, immediately remove your content or Adsense from the web page.
Be truthful and confess up to Google about times when you might have clicked on your own as, whether accidentally or intentionally. Or the times when you have done something that is against the Terms of Service that they are implementing. Be honest about anything that you may have done that is wrong. Confessing is way better than Google learning about it eventually. It would mean eventual termination and no getting back what you have worked so hard for.
Do not tell your family or friends about Adsense on your website. Chances are they may start clicking on them to help you make money without you knowing it. They may be doing more harm to you than help by trying it in the first place.
If ever someone you know chanced upon your Adsense, make sure they understand that they cannot click on your ads under any circumstances. It would be wise to brief them on important things about Adsense and what not to do with them.
Most pay per click networks have different measures in hand to protect website owners against click frauds. Other search engines can track more than 50 data points, IP address, browser’s information, user’s session info and pattern recognition. They also have “systems” available that detects fraud. Not to mention the specialized teams monitoring how things are going and helping advertisers stop click frauds.
Google offers suggestion on how to avoid click fraud. Using “negative keywords” can be used to keep your Adsense showing on products and services that are in no way related to yours. Adding tracking URLs to your links so you can track the traffic coming from Google.
Do not be caught in the Google click fraud. Be aware and be wary.
Considering the money to be made with Adsense, it is no wonder that they would want to get back into it.
It is that same consideration why the Google Adsense click fraud is thought of and why many people are getting into it.
Click fraud is the act of clicking on ads for the purpose of costing the advertiser money. It is simply the same as paying out cash for false leads. Many people website owners are aware of this fraud and are sharing the same sentiment that this is the one big problem that Adsense is facing.
How do you prevent being involved in this fraud?
Majority of web hosts are offering access logs. Once this is offered to you, it is necessary that you hand it over to Google as well. This allows them to look for any suspicious activity on your site. Problems like this are very serious and giving it to them is saying that you would want to help them in any way you can in solving the problem.
It can also help if you have a click monitoring software. If you do not have one yet, you should try and get one. There is absolutely no major factor preventing you from having one because most of this software is free.
As usual, all the information you have received should be turned over to Google. This is showing Google that you too are fighting against click frauds and is in no way a part of it.
Study your server logs and watch for any activity that seems suspicious. Report anything that you may find odd, may it big or small thing.
You may want to consider disabling ads for your own IP address and local geographic area. This will certainly prevent accidents and will not make Google mistake another user as you. You can do through a htaccess file. This will avoid Google mistaking as clicking on your own ads and be kicked out because of it.
Keep your Adsense off on pop ups and pop unders. Your ads should not be displayed on content sites that promote illegal activity or tampering of the legal rights of other people or business. Included in this are the content that is considered adult and gambling ones. If you think that you may be breaking this rule, immediately remove your content or Adsense from the web page.
Be truthful and confess up to Google about times when you might have clicked on your own as, whether accidentally or intentionally. Or the times when you have done something that is against the Terms of Service that they are implementing. Be honest about anything that you may have done that is wrong. Confessing is way better than Google learning about it eventually. It would mean eventual termination and no getting back what you have worked so hard for.
Do not tell your family or friends about Adsense on your website. Chances are they may start clicking on them to help you make money without you knowing it. They may be doing more harm to you than help by trying it in the first place.
If ever someone you know chanced upon your Adsense, make sure they understand that they cannot click on your ads under any circumstances. It would be wise to brief them on important things about Adsense and what not to do with them.
Most pay per click networks have different measures in hand to protect website owners against click frauds. Other search engines can track more than 50 data points, IP address, browser’s information, user’s session info and pattern recognition. They also have “systems” available that detects fraud. Not to mention the specialized teams monitoring how things are going and helping advertisers stop click frauds.
Google offers suggestion on how to avoid click fraud. Using “negative keywords” can be used to keep your Adsense showing on products and services that are in no way related to yours. Adding tracking URLs to your links so you can track the traffic coming from Google.
Do not be caught in the Google click fraud. Be aware and be wary.
24 Ways to Make and Save Money With Your Computer
If you’re reading this, chances are good that you have regular access to a computer and an Internet connection. You probably rely on your computer to accomplish a lot of things (and waste some time), but do you realize that computers and the Internet are some of the most powerful tools you can have in your financial toolbox? There are many ways that your computer can help you make and save money that weren’t available just a few years ago. From helping you track your finances to creating additional income streams, your computer can make your financial life easier and better. Below are twenty-four ways that your computer can make and save you money.
Participate in “Get Paid To” Sites
There are a number of sites that will allow you to earn some extra money. These sites reward you for reading emails, shopping, doing surveys, or participating in special offers. Don’t expect to make huge amounts of money, but the reputable sites do pay out and you can redeem points for gift cards, cash or PayPal at many sites.
Blog or write articles for money
Sites like PayPerPost, Associated Content, and Constant Content pay you to write or blog about issues of interest to you. Most pay on a per page view basis so the better you write and the more popular your topic, the more you stand to make. If you already have a blog, you can add Google’s Adsense to your blog and get paid each time someone clicks on an ad posted on your site.
Open an online savings account
These pay much higher interest rates than most local banks, so you can greatly increase your interest earnings by moving your funds from your local bank to an online bank. Some to consider: ING, HSCB, and Emigrant Direct. Additionally, the money is harder to access, making it more difficult to spend in a moment of weakness and you may even get a bonus for opening an account.
Enroll in online bill pay
Every bill you pay online saves you postage, envelope, and check costs. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about checks or statements getting lost in the mail and the subsequent late fees that pile up when the payment is late.
Use VoIP for phone service
If you have a high speed Internet connection, look into Voice Over IP (VoIP) for your phone service. VoIP uses your computer’s Internet connection to make calls and the costs are minimal compared to traditional phone service.
Sell your junk
If you have stuff you don’t want anymore, sell it on sites such as eBay, Amazon.com, or Half.com. Many times you can get more for your stuff on the web than you would get at a yard sale, particularly if your items are in good condition or are collectible.
Sell your creations
If you have a crafting or building hobby, Etsy.com is a great place to sell your creations. Etsy provides a dedicated site for creators to sell their handmade items and you may find you can make more there than through other venues. This is also not a bad way to launch a business based on your creations (see number 13).
Comparison shop
The Internet provides a great way to shop for the best price on the item you want without leaving home, saving you gas money and ensuring you get the best price. In addition to visiting each retailers’ site, you can go to sites like MySimon, NexTag, or PriceGrabber and see several stores’ prices listed in one place.
Save on travel expenses
It is much cheaper (in most instances) to purchase travel arrangements on the Internet than through a travel agent these days. All the major travel providers have their own websites or you can use aggregate sellers like Expedia or Travelocity. There are also travel auction sites like Priceline and Hotwire where you can score deals on unsold inventory. Many providers offer coupons, early booking discounts, or other incentives to get you to use their online programs. It’s cheaper for them and for you.
Print coupons
There are many sites on the web that offer printable coupons, either for general use or for use at specific stores. Before going on a printing spree, check to make sure that the store where you plan to shop accepts printed coupons. Some don’t, or limit what they will accept, due to fraud.
Find online coupons
If you’re shopping or booking travel online, take a minute and Google the retailer to see if there are any coupons available. Sites like RetailMeNot.com are good places to find coupons for many retailers in one place. I almost always find a discount when shopping online, whether it’s money off or free shipping.
Do paid surveys
Similar to GPT sites, there are many sites on the Internet that pay you to do surveys. If you enjoy this sort of thing, you can make a little extra spending money. SurveyPolice.com is a good place to check up on sites and learn which are reputable and reliably pay out.
Start a business
This one’s not easy, but the computer and Internet make it much easier to start a business using your skills. It levels the playing field, enabling you to compete with much larger organizations. Think about what you like to do and do well and then figure out how you can turn that into income. You’ll need to figure out how to market your business, what to charge, and attract clients (I said it wasn’t easy), but the rewards of doing your own thing far outweigh the difficulties.
Learn new skills
Whether you start your own business or remain with your employer, the computer can increase your skill set for minimal investment. There are lots of online classes for everything from single subjects like accounting to full blown degree programs. You can buy software you need to learn and learn it on your own time at home. You can learn a new language through online courses or software programs. Every skill you learn or improve makes you more marketable and increases your earning potential.
Find cheap gas
Gasbuddy.com is a great way to find out which station in your area has the lowest price. Stop driving around looking for the cheapest station. There are also desktop Widgets available that provide this information.
Check store inventories before wasting a trip out
Many retailers now offer the option to check whether the product you want is available in a store near you. With gas prices rising, this is a valuable tool that keeps you from driving from store to store looking for an item. Just look it up online and head to the store that has the item in stock.
Find stuff for free
Craigslist.com is a great place to find stuff in your local area that others are giving away for free or very low cost.
Find stuff for cheap
The Internet is a great place to find used items, or to participate in swaps. Sites such as SwapaDVD.com or PaperbackSwap.com are great places to trade books and DVD’s for no more than the cost of postage. Plenty of sites sell used items including Amazon.com, SecondSpin.com, Half.com, Abebooks.com, eBay.com, and Craigslist.com. Chances are whatever you’re looking for can be found used or traded in a swap.
Sign up for deals and coupons
Sign up with your favorite retailers and travel sites for special deals and coupons only available to those on the mailing list. You’ll probably get email offers for use online as well as offers good in the physical store.
Research products, vendors, and service people before committing money
If you’re looking to purchase a big ticket item or hire a specialist, do some research before you plonk down the money. The Better Business Bureau (BBB.org) is a good place to start when dealing with contractors or businesses to see if they have complaints lodged against them. For products, read customer reviews at sites such as Amazon.com or Epinions.com to see if others have had trouble with the item. A simple Google search will also turn up any problems you should be aware of. The research you do will save you money in the long run if you avoid lemons and shoddy workmanship.
Check your credit reports
You’re entitled to one free credit report each year from each of the three credit agencies through AnnualCreditReport.com. Checking your credit report regularly and clearing up any errors can save you big money when it’s time to get a loan and can catch identity theft in its earliest stages.
Shop Online
There’s almost nothing you can’t find online these days and shopping online can be a great way to save money. Many online retailers offer lower prices than their physical counterparts due to low overhead. In addition, you can find coupons for many retailers that are good for use online, but not in the physical store. Many stores offer free or discounted shipping if you purchase a certain dollar amount. If a store doesn’t have a physical presence in your state, you might not have to pay sales tax. Shopping online saves you money on the price of the item, plus the gas required to get to the store.
Manage your accounts online
Most banks now offer online access to your accounts, allowing you to see transactions at any time, rather than waiting for the statement. This enables you to catch possible problems such as unauthorized charges or possible overdrafts before they become huge problems. There are also lots of software applications such as Quicken and Money that help you with budgeting, expense tracking, and tax record keeping, all of which saves you money by improving your financial picture.
Change your entertainment options
Rather than buying a whole CD to get the one good song, download that song from iTunes for $.99. Listen to free streaming radio. Join an online movie rental program like Netflix and avoid late fees and save the gas needed to get to the rental store. Watch TV programs online on network websites and get rid of your cable or satellite subscription. Play free online games rather than buying PC games. Your computer opens up a lot of new entertainment choices. Just never use your computer to download pirated software, music, or movies. It’s illegal.
One final word of advice…
As with anything related to your money, be on guard for scams. While many things on the Internet are legitimate, there are a fair number of things that are not. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Any site promising quick money with no effort on your part (or that asks you to pony up money up front), is something to be leery of. If you get into selling or buying on eBay or Craigslist, be aware that not all sellers and buyers are honest and take steps to protect yourself. Make certain you only deal with secure, legitimate websites when entering personal information. When it comes to your money and the Internet, it pays to look twice at any opportunity or website and make certain you understand exactly what or who you are dealing with.
Despite the need for caution, it’s well worth it to take the time to learn the applications, websites, and computer skills that help you save and earn money. There are many more money saving and earning opportunities available to those who are computer savvy than to those who are not. If you need to improve your computer skills or learn how to use some of these websites, there are many books, online help resources, websites, and message boards available to help you. The savvier you become, the more money you can earn and save.
Participate in “Get Paid To” Sites
There are a number of sites that will allow you to earn some extra money. These sites reward you for reading emails, shopping, doing surveys, or participating in special offers. Don’t expect to make huge amounts of money, but the reputable sites do pay out and you can redeem points for gift cards, cash or PayPal at many sites.
Blog or write articles for money
Sites like PayPerPost, Associated Content, and Constant Content pay you to write or blog about issues of interest to you. Most pay on a per page view basis so the better you write and the more popular your topic, the more you stand to make. If you already have a blog, you can add Google’s Adsense to your blog and get paid each time someone clicks on an ad posted on your site.
Open an online savings account
These pay much higher interest rates than most local banks, so you can greatly increase your interest earnings by moving your funds from your local bank to an online bank. Some to consider: ING, HSCB, and Emigrant Direct. Additionally, the money is harder to access, making it more difficult to spend in a moment of weakness and you may even get a bonus for opening an account.
Enroll in online bill pay
Every bill you pay online saves you postage, envelope, and check costs. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about checks or statements getting lost in the mail and the subsequent late fees that pile up when the payment is late.
Use VoIP for phone service
If you have a high speed Internet connection, look into Voice Over IP (VoIP) for your phone service. VoIP uses your computer’s Internet connection to make calls and the costs are minimal compared to traditional phone service.
Sell your junk
If you have stuff you don’t want anymore, sell it on sites such as eBay, Amazon.com, or Half.com. Many times you can get more for your stuff on the web than you would get at a yard sale, particularly if your items are in good condition or are collectible.
Sell your creations
If you have a crafting or building hobby, Etsy.com is a great place to sell your creations. Etsy provides a dedicated site for creators to sell their handmade items and you may find you can make more there than through other venues. This is also not a bad way to launch a business based on your creations (see number 13).
Comparison shop
The Internet provides a great way to shop for the best price on the item you want without leaving home, saving you gas money and ensuring you get the best price. In addition to visiting each retailers’ site, you can go to sites like MySimon, NexTag, or PriceGrabber and see several stores’ prices listed in one place.
Save on travel expenses
It is much cheaper (in most instances) to purchase travel arrangements on the Internet than through a travel agent these days. All the major travel providers have their own websites or you can use aggregate sellers like Expedia or Travelocity. There are also travel auction sites like Priceline and Hotwire where you can score deals on unsold inventory. Many providers offer coupons, early booking discounts, or other incentives to get you to use their online programs. It’s cheaper for them and for you.
Print coupons
There are many sites on the web that offer printable coupons, either for general use or for use at specific stores. Before going on a printing spree, check to make sure that the store where you plan to shop accepts printed coupons. Some don’t, or limit what they will accept, due to fraud.
Find online coupons
If you’re shopping or booking travel online, take a minute and Google the retailer to see if there are any coupons available. Sites like RetailMeNot.com are good places to find coupons for many retailers in one place. I almost always find a discount when shopping online, whether it’s money off or free shipping.
Do paid surveys
Similar to GPT sites, there are many sites on the Internet that pay you to do surveys. If you enjoy this sort of thing, you can make a little extra spending money. SurveyPolice.com is a good place to check up on sites and learn which are reputable and reliably pay out.
Start a business
This one’s not easy, but the computer and Internet make it much easier to start a business using your skills. It levels the playing field, enabling you to compete with much larger organizations. Think about what you like to do and do well and then figure out how you can turn that into income. You’ll need to figure out how to market your business, what to charge, and attract clients (I said it wasn’t easy), but the rewards of doing your own thing far outweigh the difficulties.
Learn new skills
Whether you start your own business or remain with your employer, the computer can increase your skill set for minimal investment. There are lots of online classes for everything from single subjects like accounting to full blown degree programs. You can buy software you need to learn and learn it on your own time at home. You can learn a new language through online courses or software programs. Every skill you learn or improve makes you more marketable and increases your earning potential.
Find cheap gas
Gasbuddy.com is a great way to find out which station in your area has the lowest price. Stop driving around looking for the cheapest station. There are also desktop Widgets available that provide this information.
Check store inventories before wasting a trip out
Many retailers now offer the option to check whether the product you want is available in a store near you. With gas prices rising, this is a valuable tool that keeps you from driving from store to store looking for an item. Just look it up online and head to the store that has the item in stock.
Find stuff for free
Craigslist.com is a great place to find stuff in your local area that others are giving away for free or very low cost.
Find stuff for cheap
The Internet is a great place to find used items, or to participate in swaps. Sites such as SwapaDVD.com or PaperbackSwap.com are great places to trade books and DVD’s for no more than the cost of postage. Plenty of sites sell used items including Amazon.com, SecondSpin.com, Half.com, Abebooks.com, eBay.com, and Craigslist.com. Chances are whatever you’re looking for can be found used or traded in a swap.
Sign up for deals and coupons
Sign up with your favorite retailers and travel sites for special deals and coupons only available to those on the mailing list. You’ll probably get email offers for use online as well as offers good in the physical store.
Research products, vendors, and service people before committing money
If you’re looking to purchase a big ticket item or hire a specialist, do some research before you plonk down the money. The Better Business Bureau (BBB.org) is a good place to start when dealing with contractors or businesses to see if they have complaints lodged against them. For products, read customer reviews at sites such as Amazon.com or Epinions.com to see if others have had trouble with the item. A simple Google search will also turn up any problems you should be aware of. The research you do will save you money in the long run if you avoid lemons and shoddy workmanship.
Check your credit reports
You’re entitled to one free credit report each year from each of the three credit agencies through AnnualCreditReport.com. Checking your credit report regularly and clearing up any errors can save you big money when it’s time to get a loan and can catch identity theft in its earliest stages.
Shop Online
There’s almost nothing you can’t find online these days and shopping online can be a great way to save money. Many online retailers offer lower prices than their physical counterparts due to low overhead. In addition, you can find coupons for many retailers that are good for use online, but not in the physical store. Many stores offer free or discounted shipping if you purchase a certain dollar amount. If a store doesn’t have a physical presence in your state, you might not have to pay sales tax. Shopping online saves you money on the price of the item, plus the gas required to get to the store.
Manage your accounts online
Most banks now offer online access to your accounts, allowing you to see transactions at any time, rather than waiting for the statement. This enables you to catch possible problems such as unauthorized charges or possible overdrafts before they become huge problems. There are also lots of software applications such as Quicken and Money that help you with budgeting, expense tracking, and tax record keeping, all of which saves you money by improving your financial picture.
Change your entertainment options
Rather than buying a whole CD to get the one good song, download that song from iTunes for $.99. Listen to free streaming radio. Join an online movie rental program like Netflix and avoid late fees and save the gas needed to get to the rental store. Watch TV programs online on network websites and get rid of your cable or satellite subscription. Play free online games rather than buying PC games. Your computer opens up a lot of new entertainment choices. Just never use your computer to download pirated software, music, or movies. It’s illegal.
One final word of advice…
As with anything related to your money, be on guard for scams. While many things on the Internet are legitimate, there are a fair number of things that are not. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Any site promising quick money with no effort on your part (or that asks you to pony up money up front), is something to be leery of. If you get into selling or buying on eBay or Craigslist, be aware that not all sellers and buyers are honest and take steps to protect yourself. Make certain you only deal with secure, legitimate websites when entering personal information. When it comes to your money and the Internet, it pays to look twice at any opportunity or website and make certain you understand exactly what or who you are dealing with.
Despite the need for caution, it’s well worth it to take the time to learn the applications, websites, and computer skills that help you save and earn money. There are many more money saving and earning opportunities available to those who are computer savvy than to those who are not. If you need to improve your computer skills or learn how to use some of these websites, there are many books, online help resources, websites, and message boards available to help you. The savvier you become, the more money you can earn and save.
Selasa, 19 Agustus 2008
8 Ways To Make Money Online
(TechwebNews.com Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Metacafe's top earner, Kip Kedersha (a.k.a. Kipkay) has made more than $110,000 posting how-to videos on the site, ranging from geeky cool (how to make spy sunglasses) to highly practical (how to double your gas mileage.) He spends very little on production costs.
"I don't need a cast or crew," says Kedersha, who now makes his living producing how-to videos for Metacafe, Howcast, and several other Web sites."It's pretty much been me and the cats and the dining room table."
Kedersha's most popular video, which teaches viewers how to turn a Minimag flashlight into a laser pointer, has earned him $10,460 and counting. "People just like to burn stuff," Kedersha says.
Sites that host how-to videos include:
MetacafeHowcastInstructablesYouTube
2. Create An Instructional Blog
Of course, video isn't for everyone. If your how-to know-how lends itself to text and pictures, you can attract a steady and determined audience -- the type who are likely to click on ads -- with an instructional blog. The quirkier the topic, the better.
Mei Mei Yap, a freelance copywriter in Kuala Lumpur, sees about 8,000 hits per day on her blog Ikeahacker (ikeahacker.blogspot.com), which is dedicated to unique uses for furniture from the popular Scandinavian furniture chain. (One entry details how a reader turned a bookshelf into a degu cage [a degu is a type of rodent]). Yap updates the site at least semiweekly, often using tips from loyal readers.
Within a month of launching, traffic doubled on the niche site singleservecoffee.com.
Networking with likeminded bloggers is the best way to attract initial viewers, Yap says. "When I first started, I wrote to other IKEA fan sites such as Positivefanatics.com and ikeafans.com to tell them about my site and they were so kind as to let their readers know," says Yap. "I also participated in other DIY (do-it-yourself) forums and home decor sites, commenting and contributing towards them." Now, Yap says, she pulls in about $1,000 per month on Google Adsense revenue, in addition to revenue from advertisers who seek out her site.
Of course, in order to create a how-to blog, you have to know how to create a blog in the first place. Fortunately, several Web sites offer both easy blog creation tools and blog-hosting services.
Blogging beginners should try Blogger or TypePad.
Blog To A Specific Niche
In the spring of 2004, Jay Brewer launched a blog dedicated to an extremely specific subject: coffee makers that make only one cup of coffee at a time. Within a month, traffic doubled. Within two, it doubled again, and companies were asking to advertise on the site. The advertisers knew what Brewer had suspected: Readers who care enough to read about a very particular topic are likely to click on ads about that topic.
"Blogs that are about specific topics generate traffic from people who are either really interested in the topic or doing research," says Jay Brewer, CEO of Blogpire (www.blogpire.com), which operates subject-specific blogs on topics such as shaving equipment and GPS receivers, in addition to the aforementioned single-serve coffee makers.
Some of the sites on blogpire have advertising and affiliate click through rates of up to ten percent, he says. Furthermore, the more specific the subject, the less competition it will face from other Web sites. A Google search for "dogs" yields about 278 million results. A Google search for "grooming products for Golden Retrievers" yields one result.
To bolster the revenue you receive from general advertising and affiliate programs, you can seek out individual advertisers whose products you might be featuring on your blog. While giant corporations aren't likely to advertise on your little Web site, their partners might. "Find the PR person's name and send them a note," Brewer says. "And don't dream too big. You don't have to have Philips or Sony as an advertiser. You can have an online site that sells products from Philips and Sony."
3. Now Sell Your Blog
After several months of daily blogging, you may develop a case of blogger's fatigue and decide you have nothing more to say about the subject at hand. In that case, don't abandon your blog. Sell it. The Sitepoint Marketplace hosts hundreds of listings of Web sites and domain names for sale via online auctions.
Recent Web site auction sales included a blog about traveling in Cyprus, which sold for $850; a site dedicated to Secure Digital camcorders, which sold for $150; and a site called puppiesforsale.org, which sold for $10,000. Sitepoint offers several sales tips on its own site. To wit: "More traffic = more money. It's that simple."
4. Stay In The Knol
If you know enough about a topic to write an encyclopedia entry, but you don't have the time to blog about it every day, consider creating a Knol. A Knol is "an authoritative article about a specific topic," according to search giant Google Inc., which launched the Knol project in July.
The concept is similar to that of the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, in that all the content is created and dynamically edited by the site's users. But there's a key difference: The first person who creates a Knol is considered the "owner," a title that comes with the rights to feature Google ads and collect Google Adsense revenue from that Knol, if they so choose.
7. Dive Into The Ring Tone Business
Once you're selling songs online, you can bolster your music sales revenue by entering the cell phone ring tone business. Sites such as Myxer and Phone Sherpa include tools that help even the most technophobe musicians create ring tones and post them for sale. (Ring tones are sent directly to a customer's Web-enabled phone.)
"Honestly, it's probably the most user-friendly site I've ever been to," says Otero.
The downside of selling ring tones, compared with selling songs, is that the cell phone carrier receives 50 percent of each ring tone sale, which can be initially frustrating.
"When people started downloading my ring tones, I was wondering where the rest of the money was," Otero says.
But even if ring tones don't make a ton of cash for the artist, they can be valuable marketing tools. A customer who hears a thirty-second snippet of a song on someone's cell phone might be tempted to buy the whole song online.
"I often tell [artists] to use ring tones as a promotional item to push digital downloads of full tracks," says Travis Acker, an artist and marketing relations director at Myxer.
"Anything to get your stuff any extra exposure is a good thing," says John Griffin, a country music artist in Nashville, who developed an innovative ring tone business of his own. Which brings us to
Personalize Your Content
Griffin is attracting customers and fans with personalized ring tones. On his Web site YourNameRingtone, he has posted hundreds of ring tones based on a catchy tune with these lyrics: "Hey, [YOUR NAME HERE], your phone is ringin'; c'mon and answer it, see who it is."
Available names range from Aalyiah to Zane, and if viewers can't find their name on the site, they can request it. People like to hear their own names, so it's not surprising that the site has garnered nearly 500,000 downloads since its launch in March.
Griffin offers the downloads for free, reaping revenue from the Google Adsense program instead. He's putting that money toward his next CD project, and "The goal is to use the name ring tones for a talking point when I go to radio stations to promote it."
Griffin doesn't mind if you make personalized ring tones with your own music. "I don't think it's a patentable idea," he says.
8. Just Ask
In June 2002, a TV producer named Karyn Bosnak set up a Web site asking strangers to donate money so she could pay off her credit card debt. "My name is Karyn, I'm really nice, and I'm asking for your help," she wrote on her site. "You see, I have this huge credit card debt and I need $20,000 to pay it off." She set up payment accounts through Paypal and Amazon.com, and she waited.
Lo and behold, the public responded. Bosnak got the money, not to mention a book deal. Since then, several so-called "cyberbegging" sites have popped up on the Web. Some work better than others.
Should you decide to make money through donations, make sure you follow a few key rules: Express humility, and state a specific financial goal so as not to appear infinitely greedy. And make the donation process as easy as possible by letting viewers pay either by PayPal or by snail mail.
5. Sell Your Vacation Photos
If photography is your passion, you may be sitting on a pile of uncashed checks. When publishers and advertising agencies need background art for brochures, books, or billboards, they often purchase generic or "stock" photographs from a stock photo agency.
Traditionally, stock photography agencies have charged hundreds to thousands of dollars for such photographs, and only very experienced photographers have been able to sell their photos to these agencies. But the industry has changed recently. In the past decade, the Web has seen the birth of several "microstock" agencies, which are online retailers that sell royalty-free stock photographs for as little as one dollar.
If you have a digital camera and a good eye, that's where you come in. Many of the photographers who contribute pictures to microstock agencies are amateurs and hobbyists, meaning you don't have to be Annie Liebowitz to make a few bucks with your photographs.
As with most online sales, microstock photographers generally are paid on commission: 25 cents to a few dollars each time one of their photos is downloaded from the agency site. Most agencies highlight their top-selling photos on their sites, which should give you a good idea of what to submit. Black and white photographs of business people tend to sell well, as do crisp still shots that leave some white space for text, according to a microstock photographer from Slovenia who was recently in Boston, taking the opportunity to shoot the city's skyline during a family vacation.
Many agencies sell stock video and audio footage, too.
Here are a few reputable microstock agencies and their payment policies:
Istockphoto pays a base royalty rate of 20 percent for the sale of each downloaded file, and up to 40 percent for exclusive contributors.
Shutterstock pays 25 cents per download, increasing the rate to 30 cents once a photographer earns more than $500.
Bigstockphoto generally pays 50 cents to $3 per download, depending on the size of the file.
6. Become A Music Producer
In the days before the Web, hopeful musicians had two basic career choices: sign with a major record label, or go broke trying. These days, though, anyone with a microphone, a PC, and a modicum of musical talent has a shot at selling songs through a slew of online music stores and distributors that cater to independent artists.
"Everything is digital now," says David Otero, an independent Reggaeton musician from Miami. "Nobody's selling just CDs."
Among the most popular and user-friendly stores and distributors is CD Baby. When a musician sends five self-produced CDs and a $35 starter fee to the CD Baby, the company digitizes the CD, creates a Web page dedicated to that musician's music, encodes the music digitally, and distributes it to popular music download sites such as Apple iTunes and Rhapsody. Musicians set their own prices for songs and CDs. CD Baby keeps $4 of each CD sold and a mere 9 percent from the sale of each digital song download.
Indy artists also favor a service from Snocap Inc., which allows musicians to sell songs directly from their Myspace pages; Myspace.com is the most popular social networking site among musicians. Setting up a store is free for unsigned artists, who can post up to one thousand songs to sell. Snocap keeps 39 cents of every download; musicians generally charge 99 cents per song.
There was a time when it seemed like anyone with a wacky idea and a PowerPoint presentation could make millions with an Internet business. (Our favorite example was a start-up called Digiscents and its "ismell" appliance, which delivered odors over the Web.) Well, the dot-com boom went bust quite a while ago, but there are still plenty of legal and viable ways to earn some extra cash online.
Kip Kedersha has made more than $110,000 posting how-to videos on Metacafe.
Before you begin, it's important to three basic concepts about about online advertising, which is key to online revenue.
1. Contextual advertising programs automatically post targeted advertisements on a Web site, based on the daily content of that site. The best known of these programs is Google Adsense, which pays Webmasters a small fee every time a viewer clicks on an ad.
Google recently opened AdSense to third-party ads, which means a larger advertising inventory and the potential to earn more money through the placement of those ads.
2. Affiliate marketing programs provide monetary rewards for driving Web traffic to their sites. Amazon.com has a popular affiliate program. Many others can be found here.
3. Search engine optimization is the key to making money online. If the search engines can't find you; you're sunk. Dig into SEO and learn as much as you can -- the more you understand the better your chances for generating cash.
Got it? Without further ado, here are eight ways to make money online.
1. Produce & Star In How-to Videos
Got know-how? Of the many thousands of mini-movies available on the Web, few are more popular than the instructional video, according to officials at Metacafe, a videohosting site that sees 30 million unique viewers each month. Of the top ten successful contributors in Metacafe's Producer Rewards program, seven produce how-to videos. (Topics include how to make a tomato glow and how to turn a laptop computer into a popcorn maker.)
Video contributors earn $5 for every 1,000 times that someone watches their video. Average contributors make between $250 and $500 per month, while above-average earners make upwards of $2,000 per month, according to officials at Metacafe.
Instructional videos tend to have more staying power than entertainment videos because those who use them are likely to refer to them repeatedly. "A video on how to change a diaper will hold its value longer than a comedy skit," says Jason Liebman, CEO of Howcast.com, a new how-to video site that pays freelance producers $50 per video up front, plus a 50/50 revenue share after the video crosses 40,000 views.
"I don't need a cast or crew," says Kedersha, who now makes his living producing how-to videos for Metacafe, Howcast, and several other Web sites."It's pretty much been me and the cats and the dining room table."
Kedersha's most popular video, which teaches viewers how to turn a Minimag flashlight into a laser pointer, has earned him $10,460 and counting. "People just like to burn stuff," Kedersha says.
Sites that host how-to videos include:
MetacafeHowcastInstructablesYouTube
2. Create An Instructional Blog
Of course, video isn't for everyone. If your how-to know-how lends itself to text and pictures, you can attract a steady and determined audience -- the type who are likely to click on ads -- with an instructional blog. The quirkier the topic, the better.
Mei Mei Yap, a freelance copywriter in Kuala Lumpur, sees about 8,000 hits per day on her blog Ikeahacker (ikeahacker.blogspot.com), which is dedicated to unique uses for furniture from the popular Scandinavian furniture chain. (One entry details how a reader turned a bookshelf into a degu cage [a degu is a type of rodent]). Yap updates the site at least semiweekly, often using tips from loyal readers.
Within a month of launching, traffic doubled on the niche site singleservecoffee.com.
Networking with likeminded bloggers is the best way to attract initial viewers, Yap says. "When I first started, I wrote to other IKEA fan sites such as Positivefanatics.com and ikeafans.com to tell them about my site and they were so kind as to let their readers know," says Yap. "I also participated in other DIY (do-it-yourself) forums and home decor sites, commenting and contributing towards them." Now, Yap says, she pulls in about $1,000 per month on Google Adsense revenue, in addition to revenue from advertisers who seek out her site.
Of course, in order to create a how-to blog, you have to know how to create a blog in the first place. Fortunately, several Web sites offer both easy blog creation tools and blog-hosting services.
Blogging beginners should try Blogger or TypePad.
Blog To A Specific Niche
In the spring of 2004, Jay Brewer launched a blog dedicated to an extremely specific subject: coffee makers that make only one cup of coffee at a time. Within a month, traffic doubled. Within two, it doubled again, and companies were asking to advertise on the site. The advertisers knew what Brewer had suspected: Readers who care enough to read about a very particular topic are likely to click on ads about that topic.
"Blogs that are about specific topics generate traffic from people who are either really interested in the topic or doing research," says Jay Brewer, CEO of Blogpire (www.blogpire.com), which operates subject-specific blogs on topics such as shaving equipment and GPS receivers, in addition to the aforementioned single-serve coffee makers.
Some of the sites on blogpire have advertising and affiliate click through rates of up to ten percent, he says. Furthermore, the more specific the subject, the less competition it will face from other Web sites. A Google search for "dogs" yields about 278 million results. A Google search for "grooming products for Golden Retrievers" yields one result.
To bolster the revenue you receive from general advertising and affiliate programs, you can seek out individual advertisers whose products you might be featuring on your blog. While giant corporations aren't likely to advertise on your little Web site, their partners might. "Find the PR person's name and send them a note," Brewer says. "And don't dream too big. You don't have to have Philips or Sony as an advertiser. You can have an online site that sells products from Philips and Sony."
3. Now Sell Your Blog
After several months of daily blogging, you may develop a case of blogger's fatigue and decide you have nothing more to say about the subject at hand. In that case, don't abandon your blog. Sell it. The Sitepoint Marketplace hosts hundreds of listings of Web sites and domain names for sale via online auctions.
Recent Web site auction sales included a blog about traveling in Cyprus, which sold for $850; a site dedicated to Secure Digital camcorders, which sold for $150; and a site called puppiesforsale.org, which sold for $10,000. Sitepoint offers several sales tips on its own site. To wit: "More traffic = more money. It's that simple."
4. Stay In The Knol
If you know enough about a topic to write an encyclopedia entry, but you don't have the time to blog about it every day, consider creating a Knol. A Knol is "an authoritative article about a specific topic," according to search giant Google Inc., which launched the Knol project in July.
The concept is similar to that of the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, in that all the content is created and dynamically edited by the site's users. But there's a key difference: The first person who creates a Knol is considered the "owner," a title that comes with the rights to feature Google ads and collect Google Adsense revenue from that Knol, if they so choose.
7. Dive Into The Ring Tone Business
Once you're selling songs online, you can bolster your music sales revenue by entering the cell phone ring tone business. Sites such as Myxer and Phone Sherpa include tools that help even the most technophobe musicians create ring tones and post them for sale. (Ring tones are sent directly to a customer's Web-enabled phone.)
"Honestly, it's probably the most user-friendly site I've ever been to," says Otero.
The downside of selling ring tones, compared with selling songs, is that the cell phone carrier receives 50 percent of each ring tone sale, which can be initially frustrating.
"When people started downloading my ring tones, I was wondering where the rest of the money was," Otero says.
But even if ring tones don't make a ton of cash for the artist, they can be valuable marketing tools. A customer who hears a thirty-second snippet of a song on someone's cell phone might be tempted to buy the whole song online.
"I often tell [artists] to use ring tones as a promotional item to push digital downloads of full tracks," says Travis Acker, an artist and marketing relations director at Myxer.
"Anything to get your stuff any extra exposure is a good thing," says John Griffin, a country music artist in Nashville, who developed an innovative ring tone business of his own. Which brings us to
Personalize Your Content
Griffin is attracting customers and fans with personalized ring tones. On his Web site YourNameRingtone, he has posted hundreds of ring tones based on a catchy tune with these lyrics: "Hey, [YOUR NAME HERE], your phone is ringin'; c'mon and answer it, see who it is."
Available names range from Aalyiah to Zane, and if viewers can't find their name on the site, they can request it. People like to hear their own names, so it's not surprising that the site has garnered nearly 500,000 downloads since its launch in March.
Griffin offers the downloads for free, reaping revenue from the Google Adsense program instead. He's putting that money toward his next CD project, and "The goal is to use the name ring tones for a talking point when I go to radio stations to promote it."
Griffin doesn't mind if you make personalized ring tones with your own music. "I don't think it's a patentable idea," he says.
8. Just Ask
In June 2002, a TV producer named Karyn Bosnak set up a Web site asking strangers to donate money so she could pay off her credit card debt. "My name is Karyn, I'm really nice, and I'm asking for your help," she wrote on her site. "You see, I have this huge credit card debt and I need $20,000 to pay it off." She set up payment accounts through Paypal and Amazon.com, and she waited.
Lo and behold, the public responded. Bosnak got the money, not to mention a book deal. Since then, several so-called "cyberbegging" sites have popped up on the Web. Some work better than others.
Should you decide to make money through donations, make sure you follow a few key rules: Express humility, and state a specific financial goal so as not to appear infinitely greedy. And make the donation process as easy as possible by letting viewers pay either by PayPal or by snail mail.
5. Sell Your Vacation Photos
If photography is your passion, you may be sitting on a pile of uncashed checks. When publishers and advertising agencies need background art for brochures, books, or billboards, they often purchase generic or "stock" photographs from a stock photo agency.
Traditionally, stock photography agencies have charged hundreds to thousands of dollars for such photographs, and only very experienced photographers have been able to sell their photos to these agencies. But the industry has changed recently. In the past decade, the Web has seen the birth of several "microstock" agencies, which are online retailers that sell royalty-free stock photographs for as little as one dollar.
If you have a digital camera and a good eye, that's where you come in. Many of the photographers who contribute pictures to microstock agencies are amateurs and hobbyists, meaning you don't have to be Annie Liebowitz to make a few bucks with your photographs.
As with most online sales, microstock photographers generally are paid on commission: 25 cents to a few dollars each time one of their photos is downloaded from the agency site. Most agencies highlight their top-selling photos on their sites, which should give you a good idea of what to submit. Black and white photographs of business people tend to sell well, as do crisp still shots that leave some white space for text, according to a microstock photographer from Slovenia who was recently in Boston, taking the opportunity to shoot the city's skyline during a family vacation.
Many agencies sell stock video and audio footage, too.
Here are a few reputable microstock agencies and their payment policies:
Istockphoto pays a base royalty rate of 20 percent for the sale of each downloaded file, and up to 40 percent for exclusive contributors.
Shutterstock pays 25 cents per download, increasing the rate to 30 cents once a photographer earns more than $500.
Bigstockphoto generally pays 50 cents to $3 per download, depending on the size of the file.
6. Become A Music Producer
In the days before the Web, hopeful musicians had two basic career choices: sign with a major record label, or go broke trying. These days, though, anyone with a microphone, a PC, and a modicum of musical talent has a shot at selling songs through a slew of online music stores and distributors that cater to independent artists.
"Everything is digital now," says David Otero, an independent Reggaeton musician from Miami. "Nobody's selling just CDs."
Among the most popular and user-friendly stores and distributors is CD Baby. When a musician sends five self-produced CDs and a $35 starter fee to the CD Baby, the company digitizes the CD, creates a Web page dedicated to that musician's music, encodes the music digitally, and distributes it to popular music download sites such as Apple iTunes and Rhapsody. Musicians set their own prices for songs and CDs. CD Baby keeps $4 of each CD sold and a mere 9 percent from the sale of each digital song download.
Indy artists also favor a service from Snocap Inc., which allows musicians to sell songs directly from their Myspace pages; Myspace.com is the most popular social networking site among musicians. Setting up a store is free for unsigned artists, who can post up to one thousand songs to sell. Snocap keeps 39 cents of every download; musicians generally charge 99 cents per song.
There was a time when it seemed like anyone with a wacky idea and a PowerPoint presentation could make millions with an Internet business. (Our favorite example was a start-up called Digiscents and its "ismell" appliance, which delivered odors over the Web.) Well, the dot-com boom went bust quite a while ago, but there are still plenty of legal and viable ways to earn some extra cash online.
Kip Kedersha has made more than $110,000 posting how-to videos on Metacafe.
Before you begin, it's important to three basic concepts about about online advertising, which is key to online revenue.
1. Contextual advertising programs automatically post targeted advertisements on a Web site, based on the daily content of that site. The best known of these programs is Google Adsense, which pays Webmasters a small fee every time a viewer clicks on an ad.
Google recently opened AdSense to third-party ads, which means a larger advertising inventory and the potential to earn more money through the placement of those ads.
2. Affiliate marketing programs provide monetary rewards for driving Web traffic to their sites. Amazon.com has a popular affiliate program. Many others can be found here.
3. Search engine optimization is the key to making money online. If the search engines can't find you; you're sunk. Dig into SEO and learn as much as you can -- the more you understand the better your chances for generating cash.
Got it? Without further ado, here are eight ways to make money online.
1. Produce & Star In How-to Videos
Got know-how? Of the many thousands of mini-movies available on the Web, few are more popular than the instructional video, according to officials at Metacafe, a videohosting site that sees 30 million unique viewers each month. Of the top ten successful contributors in Metacafe's Producer Rewards program, seven produce how-to videos. (Topics include how to make a tomato glow and how to turn a laptop computer into a popcorn maker.)
Video contributors earn $5 for every 1,000 times that someone watches their video. Average contributors make between $250 and $500 per month, while above-average earners make upwards of $2,000 per month, according to officials at Metacafe.
Instructional videos tend to have more staying power than entertainment videos because those who use them are likely to refer to them repeatedly. "A video on how to change a diaper will hold its value longer than a comedy skit," says Jason Liebman, CEO of Howcast.com, a new how-to video site that pays freelance producers $50 per video up front, plus a 50/50 revenue share after the video crosses 40,000 views.
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