Paid To Blog: Adsense Vs. Paid Posts

There is a lot of buzz these days around the web about getting Paid To Blog. The feelings among readers and bloggers alike are mixed, and I can see why. There are 2 types of programs out there.

There are programs like Blogfeast, Blogcharm, and Roobeo that pay you to blog by splitting google adsense profits. In my opinion, these types of programs don't work. I don't really know that many people who have had any luck with adsense ads alone, much less having to split them with the site that hosts their blog. These types of blogging sites remind me a lot of the way "paid to surf" programs normally worked back in the day when they were hot. You did a lot of work, but you really didn't make anything from it.

The second type of paid blogging is the type that pays you a certain amount for each blog post you write advertising their product, service, website, or whatever. I believe these are the types of paid blogging than can really add up to making a little cash. With these types, you can also choose if you would like to write the post or you can reject it because it's not something that fits into your blog and your lifestyles. If you read my blog, then you already know I use this type of paid blogging to make a little extra cash. You also know that every paid post I write has to somehow relate to my life, and it is clearly marked as a paid post. I won't compromise myself, my blog, or my readers by writing about something I can't relate to in some way. Besides, most of the time, when I'm given the opportunity to write about something, it's something I would definitely check out and most likely write about anyway. You cannot create a blog simply to write paid posts. You must post your own content, and most of these programs require more "real" posts than "paid" posts to qualify. So what are some of the paid to post sites out there, and are they good? I've decided to make a list of the ones I use, how they work, and if I like them or not.
  1. PayPerPost- They were the first paid blogging site I signed up with, and I have made a bit of cash from them. The way it works is you see a list of ops, you choose the ones you want to do, you get paid the amount stated. It has always been a pleasure writing for them, and there are enough ops to pick what you want. I don't have to write about something I don't like if I choose not to do so. However, over the past few months, with the integration of PR ratings, Alexa scores, and now Technorati rankings, it is becoming harder for smaller blogs like mine to make good money from posting. There are still offers, but it's nothing like it was in the beginning. I do still recommend PayPerPost, but I don't think it's great for a beginner blogger. You need to make sure you have a decent PR and Alexa Rating before starting to post for them, and your blog must be live for 90 days. I do like the fact that PayPerPost now offers "Review My Post", a referral program that allows new users to sign up through you, receive an op to review your blog, and both you and the new user gets paid for it!
  2. Blogsvertise- Although recently launched, I am really beginning to like this system. The posts may not pay as much as a lot of the other paid to blog sites, but I think a lot of the ops are easier to take. Also, there is a "grab bag" feature where you can choose to take ops other bloggers have turned down. I'm making a good bit of cash with Blogsvertise at the moment.
  3. SponsoredReviews- I am new to this system, and I have only completed one op for them so far, but I do like the setup. Instead of waiting for advertisers to send ops approved for your blog already set at a certain price, you view the list of advertisers and choose what you would like to blog about, and how much you want to charge. From there the advertiser will either agree to it, deny it, or negotiate your price.

The programs I DON'T recommend:
  1. Blogitive- I'm really beginning to hate this program. In the beginning it was great. Now that the site has started to slow down, it looks like it's dieing. There are hardly any ops coming through, and I really don't recommend it to anyone at this point. I've also notice issues with my account, such as my blog name keeps getting reset to Jennifer's Blog instead of Informal Critique.
  2. LoudLaunch- I signed up for an account with them over 4 months ago, and to this date I still don't have 1 single blog approved with them. Others have been approved within hours, but I have heard many people complaining of the same problems I'm having. Plus, I have been told they also take a large cut of the profit, so you aren't likely to make as much. If I do ever get a blog approved through them, I might change my thoughts.
  3. ReviewMe- Unless you have a very large blog with tons of traffic, and great stats, you aren't very likely to get a blog approved for ReviewMe.
There are a few other programs that I will add to this list once I get a chance to check them out. I have signed up for a few others recently, but I am still waiting for approval, so I don't want to try to give details until I can fully explain them.

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