For anyone interested in blogging, it can be hard to find the one that works for you. You want to go where people can read your blog or maybe you want it where only your family or friends can read it. It took me some time, but I complied what I believe to be the list of the best. If anyone sees one I missed, please feel free to add the blog in your comment, that way you can help me make this the ultimate list of the best blogs.
WordPress (http://wordpress.com) this one is number one for one main reason, it does not have ads on your blog. You can set up your layout, color scheme, theme and everything just the way you want it. Not only can you install WordPress on your own sites, you can use the same software on their site and save yourself all of the technical work. You do not have to install anything, but you can if you choose to.
Blogger/BlogSpot (http://blogger.com) This one is one of most commonly used blogs, linking to others is quite easy and updating it is very user-friendly. You also have the option of deleting comments, which is nice for those who don’t want people advertising on their blogs.
LiveJournal (http://livejournal.com) Not only is this a great blog, but it a great tool for writers. There are hundreds of groups set up designed to let you join a writing challenge. For anyone who is looking to have their skills as a writer tested, this is the place for you. Customizable theme, avatars, layouts and a few more things you can get if you want to pay for them, but I did that a few years back, not really worth the money.
Vox (http://vox.com) A personal blogging service where people share thoughts, photos, videos with friends and family
BlogSome (blogsome.com) BlogSome is the fastest growing blog host in the world (in percentage terms) Was voted Forbes Best of The Web pick. Based out of Ireland, this site uses the WordPress MU platform, large choice of themes.
Xanga (www.xanga.com) This is more community-centric blogging, including Friends lists.
MySpace (www.myspace.com) this is more community-centric blogging, but you get all sorts of layout and backgrounds to play with. There are so many websites dedicated to making backgrounds and goodies for MySpace it is not funny.
Facebook: (www.facebook.com) On Facebook, you can have “Notes” which are viewed by your friends. If you want only friends and family to see this, you have the option on Facebook.
Insane Journal (InsaneJournal.com) – Another site based on the same software that runs LiveJournal, offers free and paid accounts, paid benefits are only enhancements.
Journal Fen (JournalFen.net) – Runs on the same platform as LiveJournal platform, very much directed towards various topics and is meant for users 18 and older.
BlogABond (Blogabond.com) – A site dedicated to travel blogs with map integration and more.
Blog Cheese (BlogCheese.com) – A video blogging website. Nothing to do with cheese.
Busy Thumbs (BusyThumbs.com)- A blog site specifically for your text messages and camera phone images.
FreeVlog (Freevlog) – Designed for video blogging and completely free.
Trippert (Trippert.com) – Create and share blogs of your travels.
Word Count Journal (http://www.wordcountjournal.com) – A new blogging format that is also part challenge. Write one word on the first day, two words on the second day and so on, at the end of the year you’ll have written 66,795 words. I have five novels going on here and one more book on religion. This makes writing fun, it also counts your words for you so you don’t write too many.
Blogetery (Blogetery.com) – Offers multiple templates, anti-spam, free sub-domain and more. You can also get paid to write there, your profit there is 90%, which is higher than most paid to write blogs. I am a member here and highly recommend it.
EduBlogs (Edublogs.com) – WordPress powered blogging for educators and students alike.
Blog (Blog.com) – Offers free blog hosting with unlimited bandwidth for their free package, more benefits for paid members.
Blogr (Blogr.com) – Allows you to blog, host photos & videos, and podcasts.
Blogster (Blogster.com) – Offers free image hosting in addition to free blogs.
Bravenet (Bravenet.com) – Free blog hosting with RSS feeds and more.
ClearBlogs (ClearBlogs.com) – Free blog hosting and offers templates, friends only posts, IP-Banning and more.
Multiply (Multiply.com) – Mixes blogging and social networking, with photo galleries and more. There are rumors that this one is about to close, but I have no way of knowing if it is true or not. There is nothing on the website about it closing though.
Netcipia (Netcipia.com) – Free blog and wiki for private or public display with 2GB of storage. This one offers revenue as well, check it out for more information.
Open Diary (Open Diary.com) – Offers unlimited storage and posts, low cost subscription rates for advanced features.
ShoutPost (ShoutPost.com) – A platform for creating blogs with a focus on generating traffic. Ad-free!
Soul Cast (SoulCast.com) – Have something you want to talk about, but want to say it anonymously? This may be the blogging site for you. You can also get paid to right here and there are no restrictions on what you say and how you say it.
Tumblr (Tumblr.com) – A blog platform with a focus on allowing media-rich posts.
Weebly (Weebly.com) – Allows you to create a site and blog, free hosting and change designs on the fly.
ZoomShare (Zoomshare.com) – Free blog hosting with 250MB of free storage.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
23 Sites That Pay You to Blog
1) SponsoredReviews.com
Earn cash by writing honest reviews about our advertiser’s products and services. Write reviews in your own tone and style, and gear them to your audience’s interest.
2) Linkworth.com Unlike some other services, we pay our Partners up to 70% for each LinkPost written. Access to thousands of advertisers hungry for reviews. A variety of payment options. Receive payouts monthly by check, PayPal, direct deposit, or Wire. Automated advertising management. An easy way to sell paid blog posts.
Get paid $20 – $200 to review products and services on your site. You control what you review.
The more abstracts you post at Shvoong, the more chances to attract readers. Create link to your abstract elsewhere(on blogs, forums, your personal homepage, or other sites). Spread the word by joining our “Invite a friend” and/or “Affiliates” programs, and earn bonuses equivalent to the invite members’ royalties, upto $100 for every new writer.
5) Smorty.com
Get paid for blogging. Write your opinion about peoples products, services and websites on your blog. Get paid weekly.
PayPerPost is an incredible new self-service marketplace that allows you to get paid to blog about the products, services and websites you love. You can easily earn $500 per month or more with your current blog!
7) 451press.com
451 Press is always looking for bright, talented writers who want to have their voices heard. We are looking for writers with unique voices to contribute to our growing network of blogs. Our blogs cover a wide range of topics. If you have a passion for a subject then we just might have a place for you.
9) Blogburner
So here’s how it works:
•You create an account with us.
•You create an account with Google Adsense.
•You login and write content to your "blog" on our site.
•You try to write as often as you can.
•We publish your content to our site.
•We serve ads on the pages that have your content.
•Half the time you make money on the ads. Half the time we do.
10) Bloggerwave.com
We’ve got advertisers that would like you to write about their products or services. So you do. In your blog. And get paid!
Once you are approved to the Blogitive system, you are given access to opportunities from companies to post about their news releases. You are paid per posting.
Once approved, your blog goes into the assignment queue. The blogsvertise administrator then assigns writing tasks for what our advertisers want you to mention in your blog.
14) Blogtoprofit.com
We connect you with advertisers that are interested in sponsoring your blog, you post to your blog and get paid!
If you are an experienced writer and/or an avid blogger, can write passionately about a topic, and enjoys working as part of a group, you may be a good candidate for a BOTW Media author
Get paid to blog with us at Creative Weblogging! We are one of the largest blog networks, with over 135 blogs in five languages
If you have a tip that is insightful, helpful, and original, we will publish it and pay you $3 (US). You write the content. We share it with the world.
18) Digitaljournal.com
Unlike most websites where bloggers post for free (and the company takes in all the ad revenue), DigitalJournal.com shares a portion of its advertising revenue with all Citizen Journalists. With an always-growing cash pool, every single Citizen Journalist gets a chance to compete for a share of the cash pot. The more you contribute, the more you earn
19) Helium.com
Earn a share of the advertising money earned here at Helium. If you write well, and write often, you earn even more recognition and reward.
20) InBlogAds.com
You’ve been writing about web sites, products, services and companies for years, now you you can also get paid for it. With our system, you get paid for each post request you fulfill.
21) LoudLaunch.com
If your blog and interests are aligned with an advertiser’s campaign then you can do ur own research and write about them in exchange for pay not in exchange for a pre-determined outcome but for a fair assessment.
22) Squidoo.com
Every lens carries Google AdSense ads. Those are used to generate royalties for the whole co-op (ie, everyone gets a cut). If you want to increase your direct royalties, though, you should consider adding commercial modules that the visitors to your lenses will appreciate.
23) weblogsinc.com
Looking to get paid to blog about subjects you love? Tell us what you’re passionate about and let’s find out if there’s a fit!
24) WiseBread.com
is one of the top 5 personal finance blogs. We give our bloggers 100% of the advertising revenue they earn on their blog posts.
Paid posting through paid blogging networks
One of the easiest, most popular and profitable ways to generate an additional income stream from your blog/s is to do some paid posting through paid blogging networks. Connecting paying advertisers with bloggers-for-hire, paid blogging networks simply act as a bridge or middle-man.
Bloggers are basically paid to write and post their opinions and reviews of advertiser websites, products and/or services. But, because each paid blogging network is different - rules, guidelines and requirements vary.
Being professional and consistent are key in order to build a good reputation for yourself. Making money through paid blogging and posting can earn you a realistic $100 to $500 or more per month with each blog.
To help get you started with paid blogging, follow these steps:
2 Browse the following paid blogging network sites (direct links to these sites are found at the end under the Resources section):
PayPerPost.com
These folks pioneered the "get paid to blog" concept. Besides being the most popular paid blogging network, I've found that they always seem to have the most job opportunities available at any given time. PayPerPost pays bloggers anywhere from $5 to over $200 per completed and approved post.
Bloggerwave.com
Although Bloggerwave is a smaller paid blogging network and lists fewer open job opportunties, their site is super blogger-friendly and easy to to navigate. Bloggers here get paid a minimum of $10 for each completed and approved post. Bloggerwave also pays on time and like clock-work.
Smorty.com
You'll like Smorty because they pay from $6 to $100 for each post and they pay-out weekly. A great feature with Smorty is that bloggers are allowed to have multiple blogs so income earning potential is unlimited. The Pagerank of your blog along with a high Smorty smart score determines how much you can earn - up to $100 per post.
ReviewMe.com
Bloggers - get paid to review products and services on your site. You control what you review. You will be paid $20.00 to $200.00 for each completed review that you post on your site.
LoudLaunch.com
With LoudLaunch the amount you are paid per post is based on your blog ranking? LoudLaunch allows bloggers to be compensated for distributing our advertisers LoudLaunch press releases. Search through our advertisers latest press release campaigns, select campaigns aligned with your blog, post a Micro Press Release on your blog based on the advertisers campaign, and be compensated based on the exposure your blog can deliver.
Blogitive.comOnce you are approved to the Blogitive system, you are given access to opportunities from companies to post about their news releases. You are paid per posting. The standard amount is per post is $5. This may vary depending on the sponsor. You must have a PayPal account in order to get paid with Blogitive.
BloggingAds.com
BloggingAds is different. They supply the advertisers, the text and the money, all you have to do is post the ad on your blog. We are looking for bloggers to post one-time ads on their blog sites for money.
List continues below...
3 SponsoredReviews.com
A Sponsored Review is an article you write for an advertiser. You review their products and services and then post the review on your blog. Each advertiser has his or her own requirements. Bloggers can earn anything from $10 to $500+ for each review.
BlogsVertise.com
Once approved, your blog goes into the assignment queue. The blogsvertise administrator then assigns writing tasks for what our advertisers want you to mention in your blog. The current payout rate for new accounts is $4 - $25 per entry.
PayU2Blog.com
If your blog meets our requirements then you can make money blogging in our system and you can count on Payu2blog to deliver that consistent steady income from advertising on your blog.
CreamAid.com
CREAMaid is a service that lets you meet other bloggers with similar interests, and make money while doing it. Anyone can start using CREAMaid by inserting a CREAMaid Conversation widget inside her post. When your post is selected, you will be able to instantly collect a royalty for your contribution (usually about $5).
Contextual.v7n.com
Do you own a blog? Blog publishers in the Contextual Links @ V7N Network make cash and get paid by PayPal for simply adding text links to their blog posts. Currently publishers make $10 per link.
LinkWorth.com
LinkWorth is a search engine marketing company that offers a variety of monetization options for bloggers. LinkWorth gives up to 70% of the revenue for its ads.
InBlogAds.com
If you have a blog, you can make money simply by reviewing other websites. You receive 60% of the sale price for each review.
DewittsMedia.com
Your blog must have a minimum Page Rank of 3 to be accepted. You get paid a flat fee of $10.00 per post.
LinkyLoveArmy.com
Your rate of pay to blog for this company is based on your Google's PageRank (from $5 to $16 per post).
PayMeToBlogAboutYou.com
The process is simple! Register, look for bloggers or advertisers, negotiate back and forth via the messaging system, strike a deal, BUZZ and compensate!
BlogChex.com
Migrate your existing blog or start a new one . Refer a friend and get 5% of what the friends blog site makes. Promote your blog and get paid.
4 Apply to as many of the above listed paid blogging network sites as possible.
Why? Your blog may not be accepted or approved by some companies, so you're going to want to make sure that you're getting every opportunity possible to get paid to blog.
After applying, be patient. Some networks have a fast approval process, while others seem to take forever. I'm still waiting on some of these.
5 Write, blog and make money! Good Luck!
.
A young Afghan wife whose ears and nose were cut off by her husband
Aisha made headlines and was on a recent cover of Time magazine, showing the plight of women in Afghanistan.
"When they cut off my nose and ears, I passed out," Aisha said, describing the attack. "It felt like there was cold water in my nose. I opened my eyes, and I couldn't even see because of all the blood."
But she survived.
With the help of an American provincial reconstruction team in Oruzgan province and the organization Women for Afghan Women, she finally received the help and protection she needed.
And now she is on her way to the United States, where the Grossman Burn Foundation will provide her with reconstructive surgery and a new life.
Read a behind-the-scenes with Aisha then and now
Aisha says her mutilation was an act of Taliban justice for the crime of shaming her husband's family.
At 16, she was handed over to her husband's father and 10 brothers, who she claims were all members of the Taliban in Oruzgan.
"I spent two years with them and became a prisoner," she said.
Read more about Aisha's story
She eventually ran away but was caught by police in Kandahar. And although running away is not a crime, in places throughout Afghanistan, it is treated as one if you are a woman. Eventually her father-in-law found her and took her back to her abusive home.
She was taken to a Taliban court for dishonoring her husband's family and bringing them shame. The court ruled that her nose and ears must be cut off, an act carried out by her husband in the mountains of Oruzgan, where they left her to die.
After Aisha's story was exposed to the world through various news organizations, offers of help poured in.
But there are many more women still suffering.
The United Nations estimates that nearly 90 percent of Afghanistan's women face some sort of domestic abuse. This in a country where there are fewer than a dozen women's shelters providing sanctuary from the cruelty they face. And all of them are privately run.
"Bibi Aisha is only one example of thousands of girls and women in Afghanistan and throughout the world who are treated this way. Who suffer abuses like this -- like this and worse," Women for Afghan Women board member Esther Hyneman said.
In 2001, the situation of Afghan women and Taliban brutality received lots of attention. Now, organizations like Women for Afghan Women say, the international community is strangely silent on the issue.
And with the Afghan government's plans to negotiate with some of the Taliban -- supported by many in the international community -- many fear that it will be the women who will pay the price.
Hyneman says that not enough is being done to help the women in Afghanistan, and that feeds into the hands of the Taliban.
Aisha is reminded of that every time she looks in the mirror.
But at least now she will be going to the United States for a chance at a new life.
And just like the iconic picture of an Afghan girl on a 1985 National Geographic cover brought the plight of Afghan women under Soviet oppression to the world's attention, many hope Aisha's face can show the new plight under the Taliban.
Forbes Richest Celebrities List Includes Familiar Names
The world has a new richest man, according to Forbes.
But chances are you wouldn't know if Carlos Slim, valued at $53.5 billion, stepped into the room. He doesn't have his own television show, fashion line or personal sneaker. He does have a stranglehold on Mexico's telecommunications industry. For that, we give him a sarcastic "hooray!" After the jump are the billionaires you do know. They're not quite as rich as Slim, but they're a whole lot more sexy (yeah, we're looking at you Mark Zuckerberg)...
Mark Zuckerberg - $4 Billion
Mark, 25, is the youngest billionaire in the world. He's the face behind Facebook, and the undisputed champ of social networking. Speaking of which, he'll be portrayed by Jesse Eisenberg in 'The Social Network,' due in theaters this fall. No word on who will play MySpace's 'Tom.'
Oprah Winfrey - $2.7 Billion
Oprah is arguably the most powerful person in entertainment. She turns authors into instant celebs, down home chefs into chain restauranteurs and doctors into blockbuster gurus. She's turned us into believers, and you know we'll tune in when the Oprah Winfrey Network launches later this year
Mikhail Prokhorov - $13.4 Billion
If this galavanting Russian industrialist isn't quite a celebrity yet, he will be shortly. The 6'7" 44-year-old recently bought a controlling stake in the NBA's New Jersey (soon to be Brooklyn) Nets. He's notoriously single -- see his arrest on "pimping" charges in 2007, for which France recently apologized. Basically, he's about to be the King of New York.
Donald Trump - $1.6 Billion
The Donald might be one of the most famous faces on this list. He's certainly got the most famous head of hair. According to Forbes, Trump thinks his "brand alone is worth $5 billion." It's that kind of arro-cough confidence that has helped him accumulate one of the richest real estate holdings in the world.
Steve Jobs – $3.4 Billion
OK, Steve's not all that sexy, but his sleek little machines sure are. If you don't have an Apple device in your pocket, well, you're kinda fakin' the funk. Thanks to Jobs, it's no longer cool to be different -- we're looking at you Zune users. Just, y'know, Think Different.
J.K. Rowling - $1 Billion
Behold, the purchasing power of kids. And moms. And teens. OK, everybody loves 'Harry Potter.' The richest chick in Britain deserves every Galleon she's put in the bank. Don't expect to see Rowling on welfare again any time soon.
Steven Spielberg - $3 Billion
Spielberg is the king of the big screen, even if Steven Seagal is the first celeb that pops up when typing "Steven S" into Google. Don't take our word for it. Count his ticket stubs. Films directed by Spielberg haul in an average of $157 million at the box office. He's so guffaw-ing at Kathryn Bigelow right now.
Michel Bloomberg - $16 Billion
We thought we read somewhere -- maybe it was the Magna Carta... or the Constitution... or Microsoft Encarta -- that democratic leaders aren't supposed to be billionaires. Nobody told Mayor Bloomberg, who spent $90 million on his last campaign.
Ralph Lauren - $2.8 Billion
Humans need only four things: air, food, clothes and sex. Ralph sells two of those. Pop the collar on a pink Polo polo shirt in springtime and watch your sexual fitness skyrocket. Popped collar Gap polos do not induce the same effect. We've tried.
Richard Branson - $4 Billion
As if the 212th richest man in the world wasn't everywhere already, Sir Richard Branson is aiming for the stars with his private space agency Virgin Galactic. The inaugural launch is slated to take place some time next year. We always thought the man in the moon looked more like John Lennon. This billionaire Brit will have to do.
But chances are you wouldn't know if Carlos Slim, valued at $53.5 billion, stepped into the room. He doesn't have his own television show, fashion line or personal sneaker. He does have a stranglehold on Mexico's telecommunications industry. For that, we give him a sarcastic "hooray!" After the jump are the billionaires you do know. They're not quite as rich as Slim, but they're a whole lot more sexy (yeah, we're looking at you Mark Zuckerberg)...
Mark, 25, is the youngest billionaire in the world. He's the face behind Facebook, and the undisputed champ of social networking. Speaking of which, he'll be portrayed by Jesse Eisenberg in 'The Social Network,' due in theaters this fall. No word on who will play MySpace's 'Tom.'
Oprah is arguably the most powerful person in entertainment. She turns authors into instant celebs, down home chefs into chain restauranteurs and doctors into blockbuster gurus. She's turned us into believers, and you know we'll tune in when the Oprah Winfrey Network launches later this year
Mikhail Prokhorov - $13.4 Billion
If this galavanting Russian industrialist isn't quite a celebrity yet, he will be shortly. The 6'7" 44-year-old recently bought a controlling stake in the NBA's New Jersey (soon to be Brooklyn) Nets. He's notoriously single -- see his arrest on "pimping" charges in 2007, for which France recently apologized. Basically, he's about to be the King of New York.
Donald Trump - $1.6 Billion
The Donald might be one of the most famous faces on this list. He's certainly got the most famous head of hair. According to Forbes, Trump thinks his "brand alone is worth $5 billion." It's that kind of arro-cough confidence that has helped him accumulate one of the richest real estate holdings in the world.
Steve Jobs – $3.4 Billion
OK, Steve's not all that sexy, but his sleek little machines sure are. If you don't have an Apple device in your pocket, well, you're kinda fakin' the funk. Thanks to Jobs, it's no longer cool to be different -- we're looking at you Zune users. Just, y'know, Think Different.
J.K. Rowling - $1 Billion
Behold, the purchasing power of kids. And moms. And teens. OK, everybody loves 'Harry Potter.' The richest chick in Britain deserves every Galleon she's put in the bank. Don't expect to see Rowling on welfare again any time soon.
Spielberg is the king of the big screen, even if Steven Seagal is the first celeb that pops up when typing "Steven S" into Google. Don't take our word for it. Count his ticket stubs. Films directed by Spielberg haul in an average of $157 million at the box office. He's so guffaw-ing at Kathryn Bigelow right now.
Michel Bloomberg - $16 Billion
We thought we read somewhere -- maybe it was the Magna Carta... or the Constitution... or Microsoft Encarta -- that democratic leaders aren't supposed to be billionaires. Nobody told Mayor Bloomberg, who spent $90 million on his last campaign.
Ralph Lauren - $2.8 Billion
Humans need only four things: air, food, clothes and sex. Ralph sells two of those. Pop the collar on a pink Polo polo shirt in springtime and watch your sexual fitness skyrocket. Popped collar Gap polos do not induce the same effect. We've tried.
Richard Branson - $4 Billion
As if the 212th richest man in the world wasn't everywhere already, Sir Richard Branson is aiming for the stars with his private space agency Virgin Galactic. The inaugural launch is slated to take place some time next year. We always thought the man in the moon looked more like John Lennon. This billionaire Brit will have to do.
Supermodel confirms gift of 'stones' at Hague trial
Supermodel Naomi Campbell took the stand Thursday in the trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor and said she received a gift of "dirty-looking stones" that she assumed was from him.
Campbell was handed the stones following a dinner hosted by Nelson Mandela in 1997.
"When I was sleeping I had a knock on my door. I opened the door and two men were there. They gave me a pouch and said, "A gift for you.'"
The men didn't introduce themselves nor say anything else, Campbell said.
The next morning, she opened the pouch and saw a few "very small, dirty-looking stones."
She then shared what happened with her then-agent, Carole White, and actress Mia Farrow at breakfast.
When arguing to reopen the case, prosecutors said Campbell's testimony would prove that the former president "used rough diamonds for personal enrichment and arms purchases," according to papers filed with the U.N.-backed court.
Campbell did not want to be involved in the trial but was subpoenaed July 1.
Taylor, 62, was president of Liberia from 1997 to 2003.
The war crimes charges against him stem from the widespread murder, rape and mutilation that occurred during the civil war in Sierra Leone.
Campbell said she didn't keep the diamonds.
"Well that's obviously Charles Taylor," one of them said. Campbell didn't recall who. Then, one of them added, "Well, obviously they are diamonds."
Asked if she thought the stones came from Taylor, Campbell said, "I just assumed that it was."
Prosecutors asked the Special Court of Sierra Leone in May to order the supermodel to testify about allegations she got a "blood diamond" from Taylor, and requested permission to reopen their case against him.
Taylor faces war crimes charges over a brutal conflict in Sierra Leone which was fueled by rough diamonds, also known as blood diamonds or conflict diamonds.
He has testified that he never handled the precious stones that fueled the conflict
She passed them on to a friend, and asked him to use the stones to auction them in a charity to raise money for underprivileged children.
Prosecutors had rested their case against Taylor in February 2009, but reopened it specifically to call Campbell to testify after learning in June of that year that Taylor had given the supermodel a diamond.
Prosecutors also want to call Farrow and White to testify, court papers show.
Prosecutors have said that Farrow confirmed that Taylor gave Campbell a diamond
It was fought largely by teenagers who were forced to kill, given addictive drugs to provoke violent behavior, and often instructed to rape and plunder.
Taylor is charged with five counts of crimes against humanity, including murder, sexual slavery and violence, and enslavement.
He also faces five counts of war crimes, including acts of terrorism and torture, and one count of other serious violations of international humanitarian law.
He has pleaded not guilty
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)