Often when people in my personal network of friends and family finally realize that I actually do work from home and make a livable income … their curiosity piques.
The logical next question is, “How’?
I often suggest that their first step should be to get a Hubpages account and start writing, I usually suggest that the community is very giving in regards to motivating new writers and that the platform will assist in getting the business partnerships that will help them earn on the HubPages platform and eventually can be used to build stronger resources.I mention you may get paid because your visitors perform certain actions or purchase certain items, I usually throw out some stats on potential earnings on HubPages and try to give an experienced outline of what some practical guidelines are – timeframes, long term concepts to work into their workflow and interactions.
About now, the eyes glaze over…or the phone goes quiet.
“So you sell products ?”
..yes, well kind of, not like I was with eBay
“You’re not shipping anything ?’
No – but, I could.
“So I can really write about anything ?”
Yes, well..maybe. Some will earn more than others.
“How do you get paid?”
Checks, Direct Deposit..Paypal – same as anything else.
Do I have to be geeky like you?
I usually suggest that someone selects a topic that they actually enjoy and just begin writing, to write 10 or so articles or “Hubs” to get a feel for the platform . I suggest that if someone can compose an email, work their digital camera or cell phone and maneuver around a Facebook account they will be comfortable picking up the publishing platform at Hubpages.
So, In case you havent picked up on this yet, these are real questions, common concerns Ive heard often. Since, I think a taste of the Big Picture would be the best way to start off my friends and family in this type of opportunity, Im going to create a quick informal series. The entire series will be organized within this site under the broad category of NewHubber and the tag “New to Online Earnings”
My target reader is someone completely new to this type of income generation, so I will attempt to explain all jargon and provide supplementary educational resources as much as possible. I encourage any who straggle in outside of my friends and family to introduce themselves and join in with any questions they may have. This is the beginning and your not expected to know anything..at this point when trying to learn on your own, your likely to run into conflicting info, outdated info, plain wrong info and basically information overload.
Getting started on HubPages -
Navigate to the site and begin to SIGN UP FOR HUBPAGES – do this by right clicking and opening in a new tab or window.
The very first field is: Username
Looking Back: At this point, I suggest you start two accounts – 1. Your practice account, one you can try any topic in you can experiment with products and NOT get hung up on pride, perfection, theme -simply write and create and test. 2. Your first niche – pick any hobby or interest you may have that you will enjoy conversing and sharing in – as an example – this post is an example of a non-product niche, a topic I just enjoy discussing and the “online identity” that is closest to my true voice and outlook
Your Username should suggest your persona or your niche – do NOT personalize with your own name, this entire “series” will be created with the assumption that you want to build a foundation without limiting yourself or pigeonholing yourself.
Thats it for today, complete the sign-up, you may want to create two new gmail accounts to separate your new businesses from your personal email.
Navigate around the site, read and see examples of the various qualities and styles of “hubs” and perhaps try and write your very first article on anything you can.
Aim for a minimum of 500 words, we will discuss the complexities throughout this series – for now, just get comfortable and above all – create!
…these are informal notes and thoughts for new hubbers with an income focus, I will be drafting these up as often as possible around 3am est each day, typos, grammar issues – will happen…enjoy them 
these are first drafts and will probably never be re-edited, most will be directly invited here and can simply ask a question in the comments or contact me via phone, email, FB chat or smoke signals for any further assistance relating to each entry in the “New to Online Earnings” series
Installment 2- The Many Hats of Making Money Online at HubPages
Help Keep HubsAcademy Free of Invasive and Annoying PPC Ads
Try these legitimate and proven resources for expanding your mind and optimizing your work flow.
{ 1 trackback }
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Great explanation- I have often wondered what I will say when faced with these questions. Its funny reading back what you said because you forget how much you have learnt since joining hp. You made me laugh when they said ” do I have to be geeky like you”. Hp is my first venture into online marketing but I do think it is a great site to get to grips with earning if that’s the way your planning to go.Great post really enjoyed it
Good luck Joshua! Hope you have enough steam to keep this going – I did not
Misha
This tip sounds so basic, but when I was starting out just understanding that I could just’ test things’ out would have been gold for me. I must say I did waste a lot of time hemming and hawing on too many things that in time would have come from just practicing!In the year or so that I have been writing on line, often I am asked how and what – and now I know where to send them and or what to tell them!