I enjoy being able to write about the places I hike and being able to share the photos I take. For those not familiar with it,
Examiner.com is an on-line publication/newspaper with hundreds, maybe thousands, of articles written and published each day by "examiners" writing on their topic of choice. I am their "
Bay Area Hiking Examiner."
Recently a friend wrote to ask my opinion of writing for examiner.com and that's what this blog answers. Whether or not writing for examiner makes sense depends on several factors.
Benefits are:
1. Achieving a high profile on Google (publicity, gaining a higher profile).
2. Tremendous freedom to write whatever you want to on your topic,
3. Gaining another outlet and possibly another audience for what you write.
4. Opportunity to learn more about utilizing Google analytics, the importance of keywords, and using social media to draw people to your writing.
5. Chance to use your photos with your articles
6. Developing the discipline of writing a 200-300 (or whatever) word column on a regular basis.
Cost/Disadvantages:
Time! Writing for examiner.com can be a tremendous time suck, but how much time it takes depends on several factors, too:
1. How often you write. Examiner.com suggests that you write several pieces per week, but they actually allow a fair amount of latitude. However, the more often you write, the more notice you will get.
2. How lengthy your articles are. Examiner.com recommends that you write often, but that you keep the articles brief and on topic. The point is to be seen as a reliable source (an expert) who writes timely stores.
3. Examiner.com works best for those with a topic of great appeal. Topics that are in the news — such as stories about Michael Jackson, Tiger Woods, holidays, the Underwear Bomber and so forth generate the most interest and readers.
4. Writers who have a huge backlog of previously written material that may need just a little bit of tweaking will be able to produce more more material in less time than those who have to start from scratch with each article.
Unfortunately, my topic of hiking isn't a very sexy one. My articles do not have the drawing power that those written about Disneyland, or hurricanes, or some politician's latest affair will have. In addition, doing the research for my articles is time consuming. Most of the time I first must go on a hike, take the photos, and then write a follow-up article. This is not a complaint about the process, it's just an explanation of why I produce fewer articles than many.
People considering writing for Examiner.com are interested in how much money is to be made. I've heard that it was originally .02 per click. Then it went to .01 a click. It's now some more complicated thing that I haven't even researched, but I have heard that the longer a "visitor" stays on your article the better. I definitely could do a better job of spreading the word, which would help my ratings, but I do mention each article on Facebook and Twitter when I first publish it. For most people, it will provide only a little bit of spending money so I recommend that you do it for other reasons.
I have many friends who are also travel writers that are writing for examiner.com. Most are doing it because the traditional outlets for travel writing (newspapers, magazines) have dried up and they are trying to figure out what to do next.
Look for articles by Susan Alcorn,
Bay Area Hiking Examiner today!