One Whole Year Writing Hubs
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A little over a year ago, I had never heard of a hub, other than how it is described in the dictionary -
- the center of a wheel
- center of interest
- or a hubbub, which means a number of voices speaking at once
While looking for extra income to supplement my day job (as I watched our investments plummet), I stumbled on to Hubpages and began to learn many new related terms. I never intended to stay on this long, but I guess I have a high learning curve, so it took me longer to grasp. Actually, I am still learning how to market my articles, about SEO, and a myriad of other things.
Other hubbers welcomed me into the community and made me feel welcome. They coached me, enlightened me and inspired me. In fact, because of the kindness of other hubbers, I was exposed to other great sites where I have been able to earn over a thousand dollars in the past year (other than Hubpages).
I would have never believed that I could actually get paid for a few hundred words, especially since I am an artist - I mean, like I draw, paint, take photos, and then use Adobe Photoshop to make matted art prints to sell. I have always liked to write, but writing as a profession was an amazing bonus I never expected. It is like painting with words - being a wordsmith, drawing the reader in and wishing and hoping that they are enlightened by the way you express yourself.
Hubpages, together with other user generated content sites, have taught me so much. I like to read articles by writers who have actually written and published books or other printed material. They have even given me all the tools I need to be successful. I feel very humbled to be amongst such literary giants.
Of course, there are a few hubbers that feel that quantity is better than quality. A few hubbers seem to be attached by the hip, or at least their fingers, to their computers. I would love to know when the first million is made off Hubpages.
Even for me it was very addicting at first. I was excited when my score went up and I had a terrible day when my score went down. At least until I realized it is like the waves of the ocean. I do live in Hawaii, so I correlated it with high and low tide.
It has been surprising to see how sex can sell - even on Hubpages. Start a hub or forum post about a sexual related topic, and you almost instantly have an audience, making all kinds of comments, flirting, teasing, etc. It has really been entertaining, at times bordering on lewd. Thank goodness we have a terrific Hub team that scours our hubs and forum posts for the welfare of all concerned.
I also observed how religion hubs or forum posts can bring out the best and worst in people. "Do not tell me what I should or shouldn't believe lady!!" I am trying to tread lightly in that area. My intention is not to convince anyone to join my side - just giving my views - enough said!
I am definitely scattered brained, and still hope to come up with a "niche" (another new idea for me). I love writing about Hawaii, health, beauty, movies, music, and many other topics. Hopefully I will be able to choose one and stick with it. I did start a blog just for my Hawaii posts, and have enjoyed doing that.
It took me ten months to get my first payout - longer than most, I understand, but that was a great day for me. I plan to improve upon my older hubs during the next year.
My most popular hub has been one that I never expected:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Hairy-Men-vs-Smooth-Men
Who knew humans are so obsessed with hair, or the lack of it!
My highest scoring hub is:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Cancer-Markers
Many people are concerned about their health.
My hub that had the most comments is:
http://hubpages.com/hub/What-I-Know-about-Hubpages-After-Writing-Fifty-Hubs
Interesting!!
My very first hub I wrote was written right after my trip to Scotland last summer:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Tips-for-traveling-in-Scotland
I want to thank all of those great hubbers who have taken the time to help me. I would mention names, but then I might leave someone out - just know I do know who you are, because your names are forever on my hubs and forum posts.
THANK YOU HUBPAGES FOR ONE FANTASTIC YEAR!!
Come and join us - you know you want to! Join here
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Hub articles for me were just an unpaid (in real terms) extension of writing articles for 15 years for newspapers. But harder, because I was researching instead of getting out and about and using topical material. I am annoyed that sex and a young, pretty profile pic garners so much attention, but dat's life, I guess, and bootless cries to the heavens don't buy the baby a new pram, if you'll excuse the jumbled metaphor. I am starting to enjoy your articles muchly and you have definitely found your feet as a writer...Bob x
Thanks Hello, hello, - I am glad we are in this together. You have always been such a support - cheering me on, and I appreciate that a lot.
@diogenes - wow - 15 years, huh! Thanks for your encouraging words. I value them.
Congrats on a year of hubbing. I am here 5 months and very addicted to it. I am still learning but having alot of fun. I have not had a payout yet but I still keep going.
Again congrats :) and keep writing
Congratulations! I wish you many, many more years of hubbing.
Congrats elayne, well done on having quite a few popular hubs with great comments.
I didn't know much about hubbing when I started on HP but I learn something new every day. So I guess let's all "keep on hubbing".
Thank you! A relatively newcomer, I found this interesting and encouraging. I am truly enjoying writing here and reading what others write.
Congrats Elayne, here is to many more years.
kindest regards Zsuzsy
Wow elayne a year. Awesome! I have been writing for years now, a little piece here and there, mostly to friends and family and small newsletters. About 2 months ago I started getting encouragement from friends and family to start looking at getting published. God led me to hubpages. I believe that with all my heart. This community has been a huge blessing to me. You were one of my first encouragers, thank you! I have yet to receive any pay outs but I am trusting that will come in time.
What a great tribute to Hubpages, elayne. A year already? Me, too. As the frog says, "Time is fun when you're having flies!"
Wait a sec, that can't be right. Oh, yes, it's "Time flies when you're having fun!"
Happy Anniversary Elayne! Hope you are staying for at least another year and are going to write lots more hubs for us to enjoy
Elayne001: Happy Hub Birthday girl and wishes for many more. As one of the Christian Hub Writers, May God bless you with an abundance of Grace, to help you grow and grow, and if His will, prosper too.
Brother Dave.
Congratulations!!! That is wonderful and what a great accomplishment. I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every hub. I have learned so much. Great job.
Thank you for the intimate and interesting Hubs Elayne,may your next twelve month be even more productive!;)
Congratulations Elayne. I'm two months behind you and I am getting closer and closer to my first payout. Your hub is very encouraging!
You all really made my day. Hubpages is so great in that my fellow hubbers even enjoy when I succeed - instead of only being competitive. I really appreciate all your comments and hope we can all continue to learn and grow from this experience. Aloha!
Happy Anniversary! What an accomplishment! Thank you for going on before us newbies, and letting us know it can be done!
Thank you so much LillyGrillzit - yes it can - I had my doubts, but glad I didn't quit. Keep on hubbin'
Congratulations, makes you think of how you would have lived the last year without hubpages!
I probably would have gotten lots of artwork done - I have sort of neglected it the last year - plus my house may have been lots cleaner : ) - but I am still glad I spend my time learned and writing instead!
Luckily I am retired and not dependent on making money on hubpages because so far I have not.At least I get to write things that I would have liked to write while I was working.
So true dahoglund. So far I have made about fifty cents per hub - but I understand as times goes on, it will get better. I enjoy writing just for the fun of it also.
Congratulations, I've enjoyed reading your hubs. I just passed my one year anniversary with HP in August. It is definitely addicting.
Congrats to you too Wife Who Saves. It certainly is! So, we continue on hubbin'...
Gratz on one year Elayne :)
Thanks so much John B Badd. I appreciate that.
elayne001: you hit the truth button on so many levels. Many hubbers seem to forget that writing is art and take it some subjects at a personal level. Like you're personally striking out instead of realizing you're merely voicing your opinion. The last time I looked Hawaii was still a state of this union and therefore privy to the right of free speech.
I stopped writing a journal about my dieting because too many were writing insulting comments literally calling me a liar because they did not receive the same results.
Many said I was miss-informed without doing research regarding just how much info is on the internet regarding the program.
Some hubbers try to pigeonhole a writer into a mode of writing, and won't respond to subject matter they feel is taboo. That is not what the art of writing is about, it is a freeing experience that allows you to paint your subject matter with words and pictures.
Love this hub.
pmccray: Hubpages is not always friendly, but I am still learning you have to tread lightly. Well, I will not surrender that easily. Although I have started painting again, and quite enjoy it, so probably won't hub as much. Thanks for your empathy and encouragement.
You are enlightning and an excellent writer. I've been on for 2 yrs. and have made 0. Wasn't really looking to make money on hubs or write about chairs BUT in a time of need I may have to change my style. I have made money on blogs however. I just thought hubs were a good time filler & stress releaser. Thnx so much for sharing. Moving on to read your 50 hubs article.
I have blogs, but have not made much from them denise mohan. I basically use them to point back to my hubs, so I guess indirectly. I'll have to check out your blogs. Hope you have a link to them on your hubs. Thanks again!
Hello, hello, 17 months ago
CONGRATULATION! I also started more or less about that time. I also still trying to figure out how to achieve the high earning I read about it. I also got the first pay after 10 months. As they would say we are in the same boat .