Valentina, good luck – it’s very hard to be a small fish in a big pond. I’m not sure I can think of anything to say about blogging or making money blogging or SEO or whatever that hasn’t already been flogged like a dead horse. I was one of the first people on the Internet to start a site for writers – but when others came along and did it full time, and better, I shut it down and moved on. So long as you never take yourself TOO seriously, and you’re always open to trying new things, you’ve got as good a shot as any and better than most. I’d say “stay determined,” but not necessarily “stubborn.” When it’s no longer working for YOU, try something else.

I agree with A. Visitor … the market is extremely competitive but then what isn’t? Inch wide mile deep is great for some – and I do have some of those which true to guru’s teachings are bringing in more shekels than my blog on blogging … but gosh, gahl, dangit! Massochist that I am, I want to carve out a niche in the blogging market, maybe even gain a modicum of recognition, gee, maybe get a list going (after all, I did just publish an e.book on blogging, which, yes I know, is out there competing with the big guys), but if you don’t try then you’ve lost.

As I click away on this comment, I am working on a blueprint for winning at this game. I intend to implement some maverick moves … and will be blogging about their efficacy (or not)…

Success to all…………….valentina

Shack: Writing blogs are almost as common as MMO blogs now. Must be the recession! And I bet you get those really shoddy-looking “Freelance Writers Wanted” ads that try to charge people a subscription fee, right? (Nice to see real-world spam is getting weirder, too – you should scan that and post it up!)

Kate: Oooh, I’ve not seen any of the publishing scams. That sounds even dodgier than Blogging To The Bank and its ilk.

Holly: Welcome! Sorry for telling them. I just couldn’t resist. Someone told me I’d earn $12,639.34 if I did.

JR: I’m sure some Twitter “tool” sites actually use people’s login info to post their own ads and follow people. I found out today that I had somehow become a follower of JesusFeed. Being pagan, I doubt that I did it myself. Changed my Twitter password immediately.

PTC, by the way, is Paid To Click. It’s the most basic form of online earning (have a look in the Free Stuff up top and grab the “Beginner’s Guide” – that covers a lot of the terminology. PTC is low paid and has a massively-high scam rate, which is why Google will drop a site like rancid offal if a site has too many ads for it.

Being a newbie at blogging, twittering, etc. I find that reading and commenting on interesting blogs has (to my surprise) put me on 5 pages of Google. Is that good? Don’t know yet. Question–what are PTC links? Don’t want to get suspended by Google!!
JR Nuerge
Eco-friendly+Eco-nomical=Eco-fabulous!
http://www.jrnuerge.com