How to Recycle Your Web Content

While the Internet has certainly opened new doors for struggling writers, web markets are still well behind print markets in terms of average pay rates. However, the flexibility of a web writing career has its advantages, and it can be a profitable and worthwhile venture with the proper techniques in mind. Take a look at the following tips on how to recycle your web content to increase the return on your hard work.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. First, always review your contracts when working for websites that accept unsolicited work. Be aware of the redistribution rights that you retain, and what the website can do with your articles. Being able to redistribute your work does not mean that a website that owns partial rights cannot sell your work as well (without legally being required to inform you first). If a site can redistribute your work (and that's ok with you), be sure to ask if credit is given to the original author (for promotional purposes).

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   Remember that web content can be sold to a variety of different clients, not just website owners. Newsletter publishers, ebook authors, and even print publications may be willing to purchase secondhand articles at a discounted price.
   
   *Be sure to always inform your clients if their articles are recycled or may be redistributed to potential competitors in the future. This information should be included clearly in the contract, as well as being verbally relayed.*

3. Recycle themes and topics when articles cannot be resold. When writing web content, making a regular habit of reselling articles may not always be possible (or advisable). However, there are many different angles from which to approach each topic for a specific audience. You may find that a quick rewrite of a former article can give hours of previous research new life for a different market.

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   Don't overlook websites that pay based on page views/ad clicks. While not all websites or private web owners will pay writers up front per article, many pay authors a percentage of the advertising dollars that their articles bring in (while simultaneously footing the bill for advertising the website to potential viewers). The great news here is that these websites generally leave almost all rights to the original author, leaving you free to post the same articles again on your blog, newsletter, and on other websites for additional advertising revenues.

Tips & Warnings

• Always be clear about what rights you retain upon publication of your work, and stay abreast of any contract changes that may occur for future work.
• Be clear with clients about recycled work, what their rights are, and what rights you'll keep.
• Original content always brings a higher price than redistributed content, so keep in mind that recycling may be best for work that did not bring any other offers (but still meets a high standard of quality).
• Keep in mind that the above tips are general suggestions, and many resources are available both online and in print that may help you expand your market reach and better understand your legal rights as a web writer.

Resources

• How to Create Effective Web Content