Advice
How To Run Your Own (Unofficial) Vocal Challenge
Introduction Vocal Challenges are excellent prompts for all writers and for a few can get some significant prize money and exposure as a reward. But once we have entered these we may look for other prompts and we can find these in Vocal's Resources Tips page here:
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 2 years ago in Writers
Top 5 Paying Platforms for Beginner Writers. AI-Generated.
As a beginner writer, finding platforms that pay for your work can be challenging. Here are five writing platforms that offer payment opportunities for new writers, categorized into audience-based and client-based platforms. ### Audience-Based Writing Platforms #### 1. Medium **Overview:** Medium is a hybrid between a social media platform and a blogging site. Writers post content, and they get paid based on the number of views from Medium members. **How It Works:** - **Sign Up:** Create an account and set up your profile. - **Write and Publish:** Start writing and publishing your stories. - **Payment:** You get paid through Stripe based on member views. On average, writers earn around $20 per thousand views, or roughly two cents per view. **Pros:** - **No Ads:** The platform focuses on the relationship between writers and readers. - **Flexibility:** Writers can publish content on any topic. - **Community Engagement:** Engaging with other writers and readers can help you grow your following. **Cons:** - **Follower Threshold:** You need 100 followers to start earning. - **Limited Payment Options:** Stripe is available only in certain countries. - **Content Focus:** To maximize earnings, you often need to write about popular topics. **Earnings Potential:** I have personally earned between $50,000 and $100,000 on Medium. However, earnings depend on content popularity and engagement. #### 2. Simily **Overview:** Simily is a new platform focused on creative writing, paying writers two cents per view. **How It Works:** - **Sign Up:** Create an account and start publishing immediately. - **Payment:** Writers earn money based on views, with a minimum payout threshold of $10. **Pros:** - **Creative Writing Focus:** Great for fiction, short stories, and personal essays. - **Beginner Friendly:** Easy to get started with no follower requirements. **Cons:** - **Unclear Promotion System:** How stories reach readers is not transparent. - **Minimum Payout:** Requires at least 500 views to receive payment. - **Uncertain Business Model:** Payment rates may change as the platform grows. **Earnings Potential:** I've earned $1.64 on Simily, which shows its potential for creative writers looking to monetize their work. #### 3. Vocal **Overview:** Vocal is a mix between Simily and Medium, with a focus on both creative and general content. Writers get paid based on views and can participate in writing challenges. **How It Works:** - **Sign Up:** Create an account and submit your stories. - **Payment:** Writers earn $6 per thousand views if they join the Vocal+ program ($10/month). Without Vocal+, the rate is lower. **Pros:** - **Writing Challenges:** Offers high-payout competitions for additional earnings. - **No Membership Restriction:** Earn money from any reader's view, not just members. **Cons:** - **Lower Pay Rates:** Earnings per view are lower than on Medium and Simily. - **Vocal+ Costs:** Requires a subscription for higher earnings. - **Submission Process:** Stories undergo a review process, causing delays. **Earnings Potential:** Vocal's writing challenges can offer substantial payouts, though regular earnings per view are lower compared to Medium and Simily. ### Client-Based Writing Platforms #### 4. Scripted **Overview:** Scripted is a job board for writers where clients post job briefs. Writers must apply and be accepted to access jobs. **How It Works:** - **Application:** Writers apply and, if accepted, join the pool of writers. - **Jobs:** Writers receive job invites and can accept or propose rates for client briefs. **Pros:** - **Fair Pay:** Minimum pay rate of seven cents per word. - **Variety:** Access to a wide range of job opportunities across different industries. **Cons:** - **High Entry Barrier:** Only about 5% of applicants are accepted. - **Time Sensitivity:** Quick responses needed for job invites. - **Proposal Work:** Some jobs require upfront proposals without guaranteed pay. **Earnings Potential:** Scripted offers a steady flow of work and fair pay, making it a good choice for serious writers looking to build a portfolio and earn consistent income. #### 5. Textbroker **Overview:** Textbroker is a well-known platform where writers can take on various short writing assignments. Writers are rated and paid based on their quality level. **How It Works:** - **Application:** Writers apply and receive a star rating. - **Job Board:** Writers accept jobs from a board, join teams, or get direct orders. **Pros:** - **Entry-Level Friendly:** Easy to start with short assignments. - **Immediate Work:** Direct acceptance of jobs without lengthy proposal processes. **Cons:** - **Low Pay:** Rates are generally low, especially for lower-rated writers. - **Janky Interface:** The application process and website can be confusing and outdated. - **Limited Growth:** Higher earnings require a higher star rating, which can be difficult to achieve. **Earnings Potential:** Textbroker is best for beginners looking to gain experience quickly. However, the pay is low, and it’s advisable to move on to higher-paying platforms once you’ve built some confidence and experience. ### Conclusion These five platforms offer a variety of opportunities for beginner writers. Medium, Simily, and Vocal pay based on audience engagement, while Scripted and Textbroker function as job boards connecting writers with clients. I recommend trying all five platforms to see which suits your style and needs best. Remember, diversifying your efforts can help you find the best opportunities and maximize your earnings. Happy writing!
By Mbeha maliwa 2 years ago in Writers
The valve of forgiveness
Friendship is a precious gift that enriches our lives in ways we never thought possible. It's a bond that transcends time, distance, and circumstances, a connection that touches our hearts and souls. Amidst the chaos of life, friendships are a constant reminder of the beauty and joy that surrounds us. In this article, we'll explore the value of friendship, a treasure trove of emotions, memories, and experiences that make life worth living.
By Boluwatife Gift2 years ago in Writers
Friendship
Friendship is a treasure trove of emotions, memories, and experiences that enrich our lives in ways we never thought possible. It's a bond that transcends time, distance, and circumstances, a connection that touches our hearts and souls. Amidst the chaos of life, friendships are a constant reminder of the beauty and joy that surrounds us. The gift of friendship is a precious one, and it's the little things that make it truly special.
By Boluwatife Gift2 years ago in Writers
Short stories from 100 Selected Stories, by O Henry
A T MIDNIGHT THE CAFÉ wa s crowded. By some chance the little table at which I sat had escaped the eye of incomers, and two vacant chairs at it extended their arms with venal hospitality to the influx of patrons.
By MD MUJAHIDUL ISLAM2 years ago in Writers
Short stories from 100 Selected Stories, by O Henry
ONE DOLLAR AND EIGHTY-SEVEN CENTS. That was all. And sixty cents of it was in pennies. Pennies saved one and two at a time by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher until one's cheek burned with the silent imputation of parsimony that such close dealing implied. Three times Della counted it. One dollar and eighty-seven cents. And the next day would be
By MD MUJAHIDUL ISLAM2 years ago in Writers
Loud silence
In the depths of our inner world, a profound silence resounds, a silence that screams louder than any voice, a silence that shatters the walls of our hearts. This is the realm of loud silence, where emotions rage like tempests, and unspoken words hang like daggers in the air. Here, the quietest moments are the loudest, the stillness a palpable force that reverberates through every fiber of our being. The silence is a canvas of raw emotion, painted with the brushstrokes of our deepest fears, our most fervent desires, and our darkest secrets. It is a space where the whispers of our conscience are amplified, reminding us of the choices we've made, the paths we've yet to take, and the dreams we've left unspoken. In this sacred space, time stands still, as memories long forgotten rise like ghosts from the shadows, their silence a weight that's almost unbearable. The loud silence is a reminder that our experiences shape us, that our stories define us, and that our emotions make us human. It is a testament to the power of the unspoken, a reminder that sometimes the loudest words are the ones we leave unsaid. As we navigate the labyrinth of loud silence, we find the beauty of human connection, the threads that weave our lives together. We discover that true strength lies not in the words we speak but in the emotions we dare to feel, that vulnerability is courage, that empathy is power, and that love is the greatest revolution of all. In the loud silence, we find the echoes of our unspoken words, the whispers of a shared humanity that remind us we are not alone. We realize that the silence that separates us is also the silence that unites us, that the unspoken words we carry are also the words that connect us. The loud silence is a call to embrace our emotions, to confront our fears, and to surrender to our vulnerability. It is a reminder that true connection requires courage, that true love requires risk, and that true living requires embracing the beauty of loud silence. As we journey through the loud silence, we encounter the shadows of our past, the ghosts of our memories, and the demons of our fears. We confront the parts of ourselves we've tried to silence, the parts we've tried to hide, and the parts we've tried to deny. And in this confrontation, we find the power to heal, the power to forgive, and the power to love. The loud silence is a reminder that our stories are worth telling, that our voices are worth hearing, and that our emotions are worth feeling. It is a testament to the human spirit, a spirit that can weather any storm, survive any pain, and overcome any obstacle. In the loud silence, we find the courage to speak our truth, to share our stories, and to embrace our emotions. We find the strength to confront our fears, to forgive our past, and to love ourselves. And in this courage, we find the power to transform, to heal, and to transcend. The loud silence is a gift, a reminder that our emotions are the greatest gift we can give ourselves and others. It is a reminder that true connection requires vulnerability, that true love requires risk, and that true living requires embracing the beauty of loud silence. The loud silence is a reminder that our stories are worth telling, that our voices are worth hearing, and that our emotions are worth feeling. It is a testament to the human spirit, a spirit that can weather any storm, survive any pain, and overcome any obstacle...
By Swathika Swathi2 years ago in Writers
An ode to imposter syndrome
An ode to imposter syndrome Self-worth and self-belief are the two sides of the same coin. We all have seeds of self-doubt planted within us, either from our inner limiting beliefs, trauma or negative projections of other people’s opinions. It is hilarious how we place our self-esteem in the hands of others with ease and then find ourselves in the labyrinth of negative perceptions of ourselves or dwindling confidence in our abilities. Life is a paradox, to heal you must be hurt, amid the most massive of pain and breakdown lies the most eminent breakthrough you would ever receive. If you want confidence and faith in your abilities, you must swim through the turbulent ocean of self-doubt and insecurity.
By Hridya Sharma2 years ago in Writers
NewsBreak writing platform: What you need to know in 2024
Newsbreak the current situation NewsBreak is a writing platform where a lot is learned through trial and error. I recall a pastor telling the congregation in the late 1990s that sometimes it's "not what's taught but what is caught". When you do not receive emails explaining shifts and changes, it can be frustrating, and not everyone catches things immediately. This is why I desire to breakdown the current situation for those who desire to know.
By Cheryl E Preston2 years ago in Writers
The Uncrowned King. Content Warning. AI-Generated.
Kevin Levroni: The Legend Who Didn't Win "Mr. Olympia" Kevin Levroni is an iconic figure in bodybuilding history. His name is synonymous with incredible physique, unwavering will and uncompromising dedication to sports.
By The traveler2 years ago in Writers
