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When thinking about whether it is better for writers to find a print publisher or an online publisher, consider what happens to yesterday's newspaper, last week's magazine and last month's journal. Not many people keep these indefinitely, or share them with their friends.

Most articles, poems and short stories that appear in print have a limited existence, although some publishers do keep archives available on-line.

If a story or an article is accepted by a newspaper or magazine publisher, it will be read by some of the readers who have bought that publication. Potentially an article on the Internet can be read by millions of people around the world.

Novels and non-fiction books also have a limited shelf-life. The majority of book stores stock only the latest titles and bestselling books. After a few weeks any unsold copies of a recent title can be returned to the publishers, and books get remaindered, or go out of print, when there is no longer a demand for them.

E-books can continue to be available online, or can be kept on a computer by the purchaser. Search engine results continue to list articles published online, for years after they first appear.

There will always be a demand for well written and informative articles online. If you want to establish yourself as a well known writer in print, you will have a long and slow journey building up your reputation. There are many writers whose names may not be familiar, whose work is widely read on the Internet.

For every subject there is an expert who can write about their knowledge. Specialist magazines may seek regular correspondents, but Internet marketing is much more effective for selling guides, manuals, self help and specialist interest titles.

Online publishers always require new articles to post on their site, or to submit to article directories for marketing purposes. Articles can be of great use for promoting services or products.

Some online publishers require regular content for newsletters and e-zines. The writer who fulfills the requirements of an online publisher could be required to produce work on a regular basis, or for a particular project.

Getting paid for articles, short stories or poems by print publishers can be a long, slow process. Out of the hundreds of thousands of books published in any language in print each year, only a very few will sell enough to provide the writer with a realistic income.

If a writer is fortunate enough to find an online publisher, this gives them a better opportunity for regular work with a worldwide readership. A regular income can more easily be earned by writing web content and articles for the Internet.

Learn more about this author, Ruth Belena.
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