Some of us get much recognition and are asked to review books etc--for content and a free book

We're asked to guest post and told how many lines to use and what to say. When we refuse, we're told we're not being a "good blogger."

I have been asked to push many products. I'm not a product pusher.

If we don't exchange numerous emails each day and comment on 20 or more blogs, we're not considered to be a true blogger and categorized as cold

I was a Technorati A list blogger for over two years who purposely went under the radar as I'm in this for writing not for social networking

I did get swept away by the excitement for the first year or so

Bloggers have to respect bloggers who don't want to play the blogging game. It takes much time and gives nothing but recognition. That is a nice thing but there are bills to be paid etc

I used to believe that blogging could change the writing world in a good way--it was the first true meritocracy in publishing

Now I see it as a entrenched system. The more blogs that come out of traditional media--the less room for grassroots bloggers to make a name is another problem

You get paid. I don't. The 60K+ google entries under my blog's name mean nothing.

Bloggers who are really writers but don't come from mainstream media are being assaulted by all sides

I choose to write not to continue making my name as a blogger because blogging brings "almost" good results

Writers who blog, and achieve a "name" but no contract are truly being screwed because we do smell the success but don't really taste it

Plenty of people are making plenty of money placing content on the Internet. I'd never write web content for free when others, especially businesses, will pay me to do it. My blog is something different. I write it for my own pleasure, as proof that I'm dependable and reliable, and most of all, to help others. It also fronts my writing website and draws the search engines. Some of the visitors become editing clients. Other clients that I find can read about my background and career, even see samples of published work.

Until recently the blog had an advertiser that paid all my Internet costs (even cable TV!)

How is this not making money?

I'm baaaaack!

It seems like this old Cheapskate's opinion re: the downside of posting one's original words on the web - regardless of format - might be getting some traction from more credible sources. No joke this time (since I some times get paid for those, particularly during strikes).

Stay Cheap!
-Jeff Yeager

It's true, Maria. There are sites lifting our copy and making it their own (oh, we get a nod, but not a link back). Worse, they're earning Google AdSense money off the sweat of others. Jennifer at CatalystBlogger wrote about it today.

My opinion? Internet work is no longer work we can afford to take on in most cases. I posted about it on my blog today:

http://loriwidmer.blogspot.com

Here's my crazy visionary idea:

Writers must become entrepreneurs who leverage all of their talents, not just their writing abilities.

I know gobs, gobs, gobs of talented writers. And I know a lot of talented writers who actually make money by writing.

But, by far, the happiest people I know, are those who write and do other things too.

Is it such a crazy idea that writers have to learn to do yet more things?

I'm not so sure. We do an awful lot already. What's a few more hundred things...a day? (wink)

Long story short, and in case anybody missed the memo, you have to produce yourself. Start today, plan on continuing until the day you drop.