Fifteen years ago, the internet was vastly new. Many people did not have computers; therefore, the dream of making money online was only for the well-educated, highly intelligent people of the world. Thanks to innovation and excellence in technology, a large portion of the population has managed to cash in on the internet either full-time or part-time. Thousands of those people found their niche in writing online content to make money.

There is more to writing online content than throwing words on the site. It takes planning in order to be successful at making money writing online articles. Preparation is the key to success. Putting a plan in order is the first and hardest step. Once the plan is set, the work becomes easier and earnings begin to trickle in.

Education - A college degree is not required to write online content. Knowledge of the English language, grammar and spelling are extremely important though. If lacking in these skills, several sites offer free mentor programs. Many online content writers are willing to help those new to the practice when asked for help. Taking courses in English and grammar helps writers become more successful also.

Talent – It is difficult to be successful at online writing if there is no talent in the writer. Many people believe that talent must live naturally inside a person. The truth is writing talent lies within us all. The trick is learning how to draw from it and make it come to life. The best way to handle this is to begin writing online at a site specifically for beginners. Learn from the talent that is already on the site and then move on to writing sites with more stringent requirements. Nourished properly, the talent will arise from any person who attempts it.

Creativity – Creativity is another area that requires nurturing. Creativity is necessary when attempting to write content for the internet. That is the only way you will successfully make money with online writing. Although much of the writing is technical, it requires the ability to create articles unlike all others on the internet. This can be very tricky with some topics.  The main issue for all writers, no matter what forum they write for, is writers block. Learning to overcome writers block can be as easy as having a conversation with another writer or taking a short break from writing. Creativity will often reappear without warning.

Websites – Far too many choices are available for online content. It is a difficult task to choose the right one if when there is no guidance. Many sites are legitimate; others are nothing more than a scam. Find the correct websites by asking others who already practice writing online. Other online content writers are willing to help those who ask. Three of the best sites to write for are Helium.com, Yahoo!ContributorNetwork.com and Constant-Content.com. These three sites are highly recognized in the world of online content. They have a track record of paying on time and without hassle. The writers on the site are very helpful; as they want to see the sites grow. In other words, these are reliable sources of income.

Time – Content writers spend a lot of time on their craft. Many of these writers make money online as their sole income. Their time is valuable and they know the importance of being patient. No online content writer began making a great deal of money. They had to build up a portfolio, learn the ropes and decide on a routine. They spend hours ensuring the content they publish is of high quality. Anyone considering making money online this way has to devote a great deal of time to it in many ways. Prepare for the number of hours necessary to be successful. The hours will eventually dwindle, but it is a slow process.

Preparing to become an content writer in order to make money online is the toughest part of the job. Learn the ropes. Jumping the hurdles is the lengthiest part of the process. Gain confidence in writing and run with it. The world is literally at your fingertips.