Write

Becoming a Writer for Smartlife

Smartlife is looking for talented blog writers who are up to the challenge of creating a unique personal productivity brand (see About).

Why write for this blog?

We pay for quality content. Per post payment rates: less than 250 words @ $25; 251 to 500 words @ $40; 501 to 1,000 words @ $70; 1,001 to 1,500 words @ $125; and more than 1,500 words @ $150. Payment terms: 1/2 up front to start. Other 1/2 when finished. All payments made via PayPal.
Develop your personal brand. Your name, ideas, and talents will be exposed to a fast growing readership, giving you the opportunity to establish and promote your own personal brand.
Make a difference! Ultimately, this blog is about helping folks get more out of their lives; through your pragmatic advice and insights, you’ll be able to do just that.

Who should join?

We’re looking for 5 key characteristics:

Superior writing ability as reflected by quality of sample writing.
Demonstrable interest in personal finance, personal productivity, and personal technology.
Innate creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.
Unique individual as reflected by personal, academic, and professional accomplishments.
Openness to forms of communication beyond email.

How to apply?

Submit your resume and two writing samples to contact@smartlifeblog.com. (We’ll never share or distribute your information.)
If we feel you’re a good fit, then we’ll follow up immediately to arrange an informal phone interview.

Writing for Smartlife

How often will you write blog posts? At this point in the blog’s evolution, we ask that you write 2 to 4 posts per month. As traffic volume picks up, you may be asked to write more frequently, if your schedule permits.
What topics will you write about? The Editor maintains a list of scheduled topics, and will allow you to select whichever ones pique your interest. You’re also encouraged to come up your own post topics, as long as they align with the blog’s mission.
What process do you follow for writing a post, from concept to publication? The generic steps that Smartlife follows are:
1. Topic exploration (Editor/Author)
2. Topic approval (Editor)
3. Compile information sources (Editor)
4. Cursory research (Editor)
5. Outline post (Editor)
6. Detailed research (Author)
7. Draft post (Author)
8. Review draft (Editor)
9. Edit/finalize post (Author)
10. Final review (Editor)
11. Post monetization (Editor)
12. Publication (Editor)
How long do you have to complete each post? You will be given a target due date and will typically have anywhere from one to two weeks to complete the post.
What if you’re not going to meet the target due date? It’s very important the blog posts are published at a regularly recurring frequency to maintain and to generate traffic. We’re very flexible with your schedule, and understand that you have priorities other than blogging. If you’re going to be late, simply be courteous and let the Editor know in advance.
How many words should you limit your posts to? For each post that you’re assigned, you’ll be given a target number of words. For example: no more than 500 words.
What if you’re over the target number of words? You’re strongly encouraged to stay within the target word count. If you exceed it, however, you’ll be compensated at a rate of $0.10 per word, up to a maximum of 200 words. So let’s say you’re assigned a post with a target word count between 251 and 500, and you write 550 words, you’ll be paid $40 plus $5 (50 words x $0.10 per word).
What if you’re somewhere in between the lower and upper limits of the target number of words? Let’s say, for example, you’re assigned a post with a target word count between 251 and 500 words, and you write 320 words — you’ll still be paid $40. If you’re capable of producing traffic-generating content efficiently, then by all means do so.
Are you responsible for specifying the content requirements? It depends. Some post topics are deemed centerpieces by the Editor, and if you’re assigned one of these, the Editor will assist in specifying the content requirements, sometimes even to go so far as conducting the background research and outlining the content for you. For other posts, you won’t be given as much direction and will be expected to produce the post from start to finish. We do have a New Post Specifications Template (see Resources) that outlines generic content requirements, structure, and other information, which you can use as a reference guide.
What writing standards are you expected to follow? Standard (American) English rules apply. There are a few Smartlife-specific “standards,” which will be communicated to you when you start your first post. Since blog writing has taken on its unique set of style conventions, we recommend reading the following posts for tips on how to write good blog posts:“Tips on writing content for your blog”; “Writing good content”; “Ten Tips for writing a blog post”; “Good Blog Writing Style”; and “8 Reasons Why Lists are Good for Getting Traffic to your Blog.”
How much research do you need to conduct for each post? All posts typically involve some amount of research. For posts that require extensive research, you’ll be paid a premium amount. This amount is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Will you be compensated for writing posts that require much more work than anticipated? Yes. It’s usually obvious to the Editor, especially when you present the final product, how much effort you actually put in. You’ll be fairly compensated.
Are you responsible for incorporating links and images? Links — yes. Images — no. However, you’re more than welcome to include any images you think are useful.
Do you respond to reader comments? The Editor is responsible for reviewing and approving comments, but you’re responsible for providing direct responses to reader comments within 24 hours, as required. You’ll be given contributor log-in access to the site’s WordPress Admin Console at the time you publish your first post so you can respond to comments.
Do you have to monetize the posts? No. The Editor will monetize the posts, but you’re free to make suggestions.
Are you responsible for socially promoting your blog posts? No, you’re not. However, it’s in your best interest to do so — your writing will gain greater exposure.
What is your content contribution policy? By contributing the work on smartlifeblog.com, it will grant smartlifeblog.com a royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, fully sub-licensable, commercial, non-exclusive right to use, reproduce, modify, translate, adapt, publish, create derivative works therefrom transmit, distribute, perform, display, and delete such Content (in whole or in part) worldwide and/or to incorporate such Content in other works in any form, media or technology now known or hereafter developed.