How Much Would You Pay for These Articles?

I started writing for a content mill a few weeks ago and am currently being paid $8 for a 500 word article. I believe that my articles are worth more than $8, but how much would you actually be willing to pay for one of them?

Writing for content mills is soul destroying and I would like to move away from them as soon as possible. Therefore, does anyone have any tips on how I can break into freelance writing and start earning more money?


Article 1 (Keyword - How to find a profitable niche)

So, you've discovered that the internet is a fantastic way to earn some extra money and in time it could even hold the power to turn into a full time income. But before you jump into the world of internet marketing, one of the most important steps you need to take to make money on the internet is to know how to find a profitable niche. You could write the highest quality, most persuasive content in the world, but if you are in the wrong niche then all your efforts would have been for nothing.


How to Find a Profitable Niche


- Keyword Research

When you are just starting out and are looking to create your first website, you must keep in mind that you will be competing against much more established websites. A niche such as weight loss would be near impossible to break into. However, something like "dog clippers" will not have too much competition. Do not think that just because there is not much competition, the niche will not be profitable. There is money to be made in every niche and if you mange to corner the market, you will be earning a very healthy income. Yes, even from dog clippers!

Go to Google and type in "Google Keyword Tool." This is a free service offered by Google to analyse the competition on the internet. Type in your keywords, click on "exact" instead of "broad" and it will tell you whether the competition is high or low as well as the number of searches worldwide. It goes without saying that you want the results for the searches to be high and the results for the competition to be low.

- Ideas

You now know that correct keyword research is pivotal to your online success. However, you might be struggling to find some ideas. You can't wait for a great idea to pop into your head, you must be proactive instead.

Go to your local newsagents and look at the magazine section. Each magazine is a potential niche market. The publishers have carefully planned and created a magazine to appeal to a certain demographic that shares a certain interest in common. Here is the best part though; every single article in that magazine is a sub-niche of that niche market. For example, let's look at "dog clippers" again. If you flick through a magazine targeting dog owners and you find a headline stating, "The Best Dog Clippers on the Market," then you have found your niche. "Dog Toys Your Dog is Sure to Love" might be another heading which provides you with another niche.

How to Find a Profitable Niche only really comes down to these two things; find an idea and then do the necessary research to see if the niche is viable to go into to.


Article 2 (No keyword)


Hill Country, the endearing, enduring backyard of San Antonio and Austin is impossible to pass through in a hurry. The region, consisting of fifty five areas/cities, is both casual and natural, being the perfect destination for the outdoorsman thanks to the numerous creeks, rivers, and small lakes for swimming, boating and fishing.

Home to a breathtaking display of wildflowers in springtime along roadsides, lush green landscapes all year round, and the predominant sight of rolling hills, it's a place that Texans wish they could forget, only so they can experience the joy of discovering this beautiful place all over again.

You do not have to be an outdoorsman to truly appreciate all of what Hill Country has to offer as any of the five million annual visitors will tell you. While Hill Country might be in the center of Texas, it is also at the center of everything Texas has to offer with each of the 55 cities/areas worth visiting.

The area offers unparalleled diversity which can rival a region twice the size. If you are not in the state of mind for experiencing the great outdoors, there are a plethora of other activities which you can engage in. For example, you can spend your time shopping in one of the many antique shops found in Dripping Springs, Wimberley, and Burnet.

Bandera, the cowboy capital of the world, should certainly be on the top of the list of places to visit in Hill Country as it offers visitors all year round fishing, hunting for white tailed deer and wild turkey, horse races, rodeos, hiking, camping, and even Country/Western dances.

Towns like New Braunfels and Fredericksburg brew some of the very best Czech and German beer on the U.S side of the Atlantic, served in the exact same manner as in Germany, in large steins. Besides the expected Tex-Mex cuisine that you will find, foodies can indulge in the delicious tasting sauerkraut and schnitzel, or any other national cuisine you can imagine, with Texas-size servings guaranteed.

Fredericksburg is also home to the National Museum of the Pacific War, which features exhibits and displays of the Japanese and American battles which took place during World War II in the Pacific Ocean.


For those who simply want to relax, Frio Canyon is the perfect choice to relieve any stress or worries you may have as you bask in the sunshine. If your adventurous side suddenly decides to come out, camping, canoeing, and tubing are all on offer near the Frio River.

Thanks to Hill Country being a repository of much of the history of Texas and America, you can also visit a number of heritage and historical museums, as well as historic structures which can give you a glimpse into the way early Texas settlers lived.

However, that is not all the region has to offer. Spectacular underground caverns can be found, wineries offer visitors the opportunity to experience tours of their wine making facilities and vineyards, dude ranches ensure that those looking for an authentic cowboy experience can do so, and there are numerous venues which specialize in quintessential Hill Country music and cuisine.

Whether you love the great outdoors, or prefer to explore the historical and cultural background of a region, Hill Country is the perfect destination come spring, summer, winter, or fall.