Articles and Resources for Southern California Residents

California Local Webs is my new site that provides informative web pages about state and local news, articles and other resources for Southern California residents.  It's a simple site minus all the bells and whistles and  hosted with a free web host. It's an excellent way to promote Charm’s online network of published articles, specifically California related content. Visitors can get insight on diverse topics related to California and California residents.Some of the articles are about categories specific only to California, while others deal with issues that affect the world, including Californians.

Visit California Local Webs Website

Since recent Constant Content (CC) submissions met with the dreaded "Rejection" emails, I had no problem directing my attention elsewhere the last two or three days.  It was really a bummer to get the notifications. Once again, I thought I was finally figuring CC out.  Big mistake!  I don't think there is any figuring them out.  (Okay - I sound like sour grapes :-)  Anyway, that was one reason I switched gears this week and ended up launching California Local Webs.

Locals will be enlightened by interesting, articles that inform and entertain.  But whether you reside in sunny California or you're just interested in the state of California, you’ll find something worth reading at California Local Webs. Every California related article in my article network has been reprinted on the California Local Webs site. Some articles I foolishly gave away the *reprint rights to, so I simply provided a brief summary and a link to where the article is published (not on the California Local Webs site). 

Be sure to check out the new site and return here and leave me a Comment or two.  If you'd like to see something added about Southern or Northern California, just let me know.  I'm open to interesting, humorous, enlightening, or any kind of entertaining story you want to share.  Just drop me an email and I’ll happily respond.

*For those of you writers who may be relinquishing your right to reprint your work, it is imperative that you read my SPECIAL REPORT: 3 Easy Ways to Make More Money with Your Writing.. You may be surprised to see the money you’re missing out on.

In an effort to get on track, the following information has been posted to each of my blogs 

Dividing Attention and Loyalties

While I’ve been trying hard to divide my attention equally between all 5 of my active blogs, in addition to all my other writing, it has been a difficult task. It is just too time consuming. As a result, I’m not able to do any one thing effectively. When I devote time to the blogs, my article writing suffers (which is my real bread and butter). Then I get so behind, I can’t afford to take time out to market and promote my articles effectively. Now, with the website, that means more on the plate. 

Decrease Posting
I've decided to DECREASE POSTING here and focus more attention on my That's Still News to Me  blog and the new California Local Webs  website.  All 5 of my writing related blogs have helped me to realize that there is nothing I love more than blogging about writing, except writing.  But trying to keep up with regular posting and all my other online activities is unrealistic and counterproductive.  


Those readers who want to continue keeping up with Charm Denise Baker articles and online activities can frequent the new site.  Periodic updates will be made to this blog no less than once a month, however topics normally covered here may be found on the California Local Webs site in the "Online Writing" category section.

Click Here to Visit Site

Taking Advantage of Constant Content's "Usage" Option

I finally wrote a couple of articles for Constant Content this week.  I have only been tinkering with the site lately, because of so many issues when it comes to getting your work "Accepted".  Today, I submitted: Using Liquid Chlorophyll to Increase Your Male Libido to them, an article I rewrote and submitted as a response to a Public Request. 

I also found something out that I wasn't aware of about the site.  When I submitted an article (not a Public Request) for strictly "usage", I received a note in my inbox, informing me that this option is only available for material that has already been published elsewhere.

I normally indicate a "usage" amount, along with the "fullrights" and "unique" rights whenever I submit to a Public Request.  Since I never got the notice about pre-publication before, I assume this is only for articles that you submit on your onw (non-public request articles).  This was good news to me, to learn that you can offer articles that have been previously published and continually earn a usage fee.

When I found this out, I quickly popped back over to Associated Content and reviewed their stand on non-exclusive content.  They allow you to offer first publication (non-exclusive ) rights, even for articles that they pay a small "upfront payment" for.  I normally ignored this option and just allowed them exclusive rights.  I now realize, if I had offered the 130 articles I've published there this year as non-exclusive, I could have used them at CC as well!  Oh well, live and learn.

Obviously, now, when I submit articles to AC, I'm writing them with CC in mind also.  This is a great way to maximize your earnings that come from article writing at Constant Content.

My recent articles for Associated Content are are still pending publication because the website has slowed down in reviewing articles considerably, since Yahoo has taken over.  I hope to over some of these titles at CC for usage, once they are actually published.

I currently have the following titles yet to be reviewed:

• 57 and on Team Edward: How to Recognize Twilight Fanatics
• Ways to Spend Less on Back to School Shopping
• Domino's Pizza: Still Lousy but it Sucks a Little Less
• Learning to Enjoy Your First Personal Massager
• Do You Control Your Own Sexual Pleasure?
• Super Easy Way to Turn Arts and Crafts into Cash
• 3 Practical Ways to Be Useful Though Broke and Unemployed
• 5 Effective Ways You Can Stop Taking Life for Granted

I was happy that Associated Content finally published my two articles that had been waiting a while.  Now viewers can read: 

1. The Creative and Diverse Venice Beach Sidewalk Vendors and Merchants
2. Convalescent Hospital Residents Enjoy a Karaoke Show on the Go 

These two articles, like so many of my other articles, were published as exclusive submissions on AC, so if I want to use the topics again, it will call for some line by line rewriting.  Yuk!  That sucks! Thank goodness for Constant Content's "usage" option with pre-published work.  I fully plan to take advantage of it in the future.

  

Writers Must Read 10 Biggest Reasons Most Keep Failing Miserably

I'm encouraging all writers to read The 10 Biggest Reasons Most of Us Keep Failing Miserably, and make consulting it a part of your daily routine.  This article is one that will benefit you in not just your writing, but in other challenging aspects of your life.  It has helped me in a very short time and I expect it will help me be more effective in the future.
 
I knew when I was writing The 10 Biggest Reasons Most of Us Keep Failing Miserably, that I was packing it full of extremely helpful and motivational information.  I quickly found that  I'd really come to rely on that article myself.   Now, when I fall into the trap of doing the negative things I've cited on the list, I do something else.  Whenever I catch myself slacking in my writing, or not feeling like I have the motivation to proceed, I simply whip out my 10 Biggest Reasons list and figure out what the problem is at that particular time.  Then I simply follow the corresponding advice that relates to the problem.  It has worked out so well for me, that I keep my list right on my desk where I can consult it easily.

If you haven't already done so, I encourage readers to check out The 10 Biggest Reasons Most of Us Keep Failing Miserably.

I'm confident that by the time my schedule is in order so I can resume submitting articles to Constant Content, I'll have all the tools necessary to provide content on a consistent basis, without letup!

Constant Content Requested Articles Keep On Coming

I haven't written for them in a little while, yet the Constant Content requested articles keep on coming in my inbox and email!  The influx of article assignments have made me want to take another hard look at the site and start submitting work to them again.  


Even though I haven't been writing articles for CC, I decided to maintain this blog, because it is full of beneficial information for writers, regardless of who they write for.  I often refer back to important points about making my writing appealing and creating material that requires little editing.  But as I continue to get requested assignments, especially ones that have appealing topics, I realize I'm letting countless opportunities to get paid pass me by.  


Since I recently organized all my blogs that are currently active, I have freed myself up to create a better schedule.  While I am extremely anxious to get back to cranking out articles for Associated Content, and add to my 100 plus published articles, I am also ready to jump back into writing for CC.  Even just creating and posting one or two articles a week can prove highly profitable if the right customer comes along.


If you have been writing for Constant Content but stopped, or if you have been attempting to get work sold but not having any success, this blog can help.  I provide different tips and advice that has worked for me, such as writing about topics that can help people.  I invite new and existing CC writers to join me in vamping up our writing activities and resume submitting to Constant Content, where the requests for content just keeps on coming.

Promote Your "For Sale" Articles Using Your Profile Box

You can promote your Constant Content for sale articles by using your Profile Box. That means, even on websites other than Constant Content's, you'll be able to showcase what you have available.  I've written several posts about this on different blogs that I publish.  Get more information about how writers and marketers can benefit from using their Profile Box by reading:

• Writers: Always Use Your Profile Box to Your Best Advantage
• Use Your Profile Box As A Successful Means of Marketing

Of course, CC provides various resource tools to help you promote the articles you have for sale on their site.  This includes the cute and very effective Widget that contains the author's current articles.  While this and other resources can come in handy, writers should not underestimate the power of their Profile or Resource box.  When used correctly, as is brought out in the above articles, this can really help to maximize your efforts, when it comes to getting paid for your writing.  Why not take a look at your own online Profiles, and see what you may need to do to enhance your details and improve your odds for getting noticed and paid.

The Benefit of Usage Rights

If you've written articles for Constant Content  before, you probably already know the benefit of selecting the Usage Rights option. This may not seem to pay as much as allowing Full Rights, however, in the long run, you could end up making a nice little sum off just one article. Usage Right enable customers to more or less rent the article. They pay a agreed upon amount for a one time usage. They are not allowed to remove your byline, nor can they modify the article in anyway. The article remains the possession of the writer and is available for other customers to "use" or one customer can still purchase the article for Full Rights.


Don't Limit Your Options


When you write articles for Constant Content, you can make sure you don't limit your options by striving only to sell your articles outright. The main benefit of this site is that writers are able to monopolize on the various means of payment. That means using the Usage Rights option, as well as the Full Rights and the Unique Rights options. Constant Content allows flexibility on how you choose to make your articles available for sale. Many writers choose the Usage option and have done quite well selling their articles this way.


As you start building content for sale at Constant Content, be sure to pay attention to the advantages that the "Usage Rights" option will afford you.

Writers Get Smart And Write Requested Content

Frustrated writers get smart and write customer requested content right away. I strongly recommend the Requested Content on Constant Content’s website. I encourage everyone to check it out. You can do nothing but learn from submitting your writing there, no matter how ticked off the editors may tend to make some writers! Those editors know exactly what it takes to write for customers requesting web content. The sole purpose of those customers is to make money via your articles. This type of writing requires a distinct style and strategy that is different from what many writers are accustom to.

CC Writers - Figure Out What Editors Want And Give It To Them

Constant Content writers can watch and figure out what editors want, then just give it to them. Stop fretting about what you disagree or disapprove of. If you want to write and get paid for your writing, sometimes (lots of times, in fact) you have to give in to those in the driver seat. What? You thought YOU were in the driver seat? NOT!

You’re the writer, and there is ALWAYS going to be someone else whose opinion you have to consider. In this particular case, it’s CC. Editors reprimand or ask for rewrites, with the customer in mind. THEIR customer! If they make a request, so be it. Writers shouldn’t take offense. Make the needed changes and keep it pushing, or better yet, learn the game! Or in other words, figure out how they want it, and once you get it right, try to always write and present the work the same way.

To elaborate on this point, I previously wrote an in-depth post about the Requested Content section on CC. This is such an important point, it constantly requires emphasizing. So I recently re-emphasized the need to concentrate on the Requested Content section. I wrote a brief article about getting paid instead of just frustrated.
The information I included in the article was based on my recent experience just this year. As I mentioned in the last post, I made a point to monitor the progress of two articles that were posted just hours after the “request” for the assignments.

I saw the request in my CC Inbox, I did my research and quickly wrote the article. Upon submitting the article, I noticed (via the websites rating system for your “keywords” used in the excerpt) one particular keyword density was lower than I wanted. I used some “leftover” research and gave a second article a different slant on the same topic. I inserted the additional keywords (being careful not to omit any of the original keywords in the edited version) and submitted that article as well. I checked the status today, since this was the last day the customer had to keep the article for exclusive viewing. To my delight, the customer had purchased both articles! YAY!!! My experiment worked and now I am sure I will able to get more articles purchased using this method.

I hope everyone will be sure to take a few minutes to read over this information in this related article and this brief Xomba Blurb about writing for Constant Content and how to get paid.. It will make you look at the Requested Content section differently. You’ll be glad you did – I sure as hell was!

ttfn - ta ta for now
Charm