by Daniel J. Gansle

Created on: February 11, 2009   Last Updated: February 12, 2009

Gaining in popularity are websites that pay writers to post content.

Dubbed revenue sharing websites, these sites allow writers to make money on each article they post by sharing advertising revenue with all registered members of the site. Over time, the money accrues and evenutally creates a stream of residual income where the money continues to flow in, even while the writer sleeps.

eHow is a fun website where the aspiring writer can make money by writing short step-by-step "how-to" articles. The website also sports a built-in social networking feature where the writer can meet new friends and share information regarding tips and tricks of the trade.

This article explains how to start writing for eHow and provides the prospective writer with insider tips for success on the site.

Types of Articles to Write on eHow

There is basically one type of article people can write on eHow: practical, step-by-step instructions on how to perform everyday tasks.

While eHow members are very creative in the topics they choose for their how-to articles, the articles that fare the best in terms of popularity and monetary reward are practical, everyday instructions on how to perform certain tasks.

For example, the writer could develop an eHow article on how to get stains out of clothing or how to refinish antique furniture. Or if the person is into cars, how to change the oil filter or how to change the timing belt.

Food and household articles typically fare well on eHow. These include how to hang a picture, how to bake a cake, how to cook a turkey, how to clean a bathroom, etc. Again, these are everyday ordinary tasks that people type into internet search engines to learn how to do.

Search Engine Optimization

If the writer signs up with an account to begin writing how-to articles on eHow with the intent of making money, he or she should have a rudimentary understanding of search engine optimization (SEO).

SEO is essentially a way of placing specific keywords and keyword phrases both in the body of the article and in the Keyword field on the last page of eHow's article submission process. Because it has now taken a 90 percent share of all U.S. search growth, SEO is aimed primarily at Google's search metrics.

Google search bots eventually find the article and filter keywords from both the article body and keywords the writer placed into the Keyword field during the article submission process. The idea is to choose keywords and keyword phrases that will give the writer's article a high ranking so it gets read and the writer gets paid.

How to Get Started Writing for eHow

New writers should carefully read eHow's Terms of Use, located at the bottom of every page on their website.

Writers should take special note of their rights as a contributor to the site. Generally speaking, the writer licenses his or her work to eHow so they can display and use the writers' articles in any way they see fit. Writers retain all rights to their work non-exclusively, which means eHow does not own the work and he or she can use the work anywhere else.

When the writer registers on the site, the first step is to complete his or her member profile and start making new friends. During the process of writing their first article, writers should keep in mind that the most successful members on eHow write "how-to" articles for everyday, ordinary tasks, perhaps with a new or novel approach.

Writers won't get rich overnight. eHow is a revenue-sharing website, and the idea is to accrue a small amount of money per article that collectively will make more money over time when the person has written approximately 50-70 articles.

But one thing is for sure: eHow is a unique website for writers who want to have fun while making a little money on the side.

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