Citizen Journalism

Citizen journalism actually refers to the concept whereby the world’s citizens feel an obligation to report on significant events that they are a witness of or participant in. For example, the Virginia Tech shootings or the Mumbai terror attacks were first reported by people with access to a camera, a computer, and the internet.

While many people give this content away for free, there are websites and companies willing to pay for a well written piece of journalism. The catch is that you will be paid significantly less than the traditional reporter from your local Daily Herald, but you do have a much wider range of possibilities in front of you. The most famous of these sites is without a doubt Associated Content, but there are others as well. You might even want to check with local newspapers...For example, if you were a longtime resident of Towson, Maryland and have recently moved away, that does not ipso facto exclude you from contributing to the Towson Times. If you have access to a telephone and the internet, then you can report on local city council meetings. Frankly I think this loses a little in the translation, but if you’re a good writer, then there’s a market for your service!

Start a Content Site

Don’t like the hassle of having to update your blog over and over again? While Wikipedia has stolen the thunder from many content sites, there is still good money to be made by starting one. Like a blog, all you need is a domain name, a host and an idea. Unlike a blog, you don’t have to constantly update your information if the content you provide is helpful, interesting or just plain popular. Think about things you know best: Write a how-to-manual on Cross stitching, putting model sailboats in bottles, how to rehab a surgically repaired ligament, etc. Make sure you do a little marketing work on your own by dropping the link in some forums, on your other websites, in email that you may or may not send out, or buy up some credit on Google AdWords. If you’ve done your job, and done it well, you’ll start to see traffic flow in. You have to monetize your site, of course, but in this day of easy-to-construct html, it’s a snap. Personally, I use Apple’s iWeb for Macs for its ease of use and functionality, but you may be more comfortable with another Linux or Windows based program. Just wait until traffic to your site picks up and guest start clicking on your relevant ads, and you’ll be making money in no time.

Alternatives to Adsense

Frankly, nothing beats Adsense for its ease-of-use and its access to Google’s mighty mighty empire. However, those of you seeking a little variety in the kinds of publisher’s network you use might want to consider the following programs which have worked reasonable well for me so far:

CPC

1. Yahoo Publisher’s Network
2. Chitika
3. Microsoft
4. BlogAds
5. Clicksor
6. Target Point
7. Adbrite
8. Kontera






Affiliate Programs

1. Amazon Affiliates Program
2. eBay Partner Network
3. Linkshare
4. Neverblue

Monetize your Blog

Bidvertiser is a very good PPC program that will allow you very easily to monetize your blog. Click on the link below to activate your account.

The Shocking Rise of Money-Seekers Online

Yes, it seems that dire economic times have pushed more and more people to the internet to try and make ends meet. According to this article from the Baltimore sun, the number of web searches for "make money online" has risen by a startling 1,725 percent in the past month as more and more people are pushed out of work. Ultimately, this is a troubling statistic that reflects the seriousness of the world economic crisis. If you find yourself in this position, you may want to visit Eileen Ambrose's column from the Baltimore Sun, "Need to make ends meet? Try a few of these unconventional ways of making money." Don't despair, there are plenty of ways to make some cash on the internet!

Guides to Making Money on eBay

Go to Amazon.com and put in a keyword search for "make money on eBay" and you will get this list of results, with about 320 entries. Why are there so many guides on how to make money on eBay? Frankly, because it's possible.

It's not only possible, it's highly probable that if you have something to sell, someone will buy it. The trick is, of course, buy low and sell high...that mantra that has guided the merchant community since the beginning of the merchant community. So what can you buy at low cost and sell at a higher cost? I've already gone over the gift card market, but there are certainly other things. If you are really interested in investing some time, building up your eBay profile and becoming a trafficker in material goods over the internet, I recommend checking out one of those books (either by buying from Amazon, or if you're cheap like me, by checking it out literally at your local library).

101 Ways to Make Money Online

The ideas are out there, and it's not rocket science. There is still money to be had online, despite the tough economic times. Two sites in particular have done some dirty work for you and come up, each of them, with 101 ways to make money online. Try comparing the two for a more nuanced approach!

http://www.destroydebt.com/articles/101-ways-to-make-money-online.html

http://www.experienced-people.co.uk/1042-top-ways-of-making-money-online/