Interesting Opportunity for Local Writers

Examiner.com, a national web service based in Denver, Colorado has expanded it's reach to 20 new U.S. cities including Green Bay (read the press release). Basically it is a collection of local writers. The content is extremely varied from News, Politics and Sports, to Arts and Entertainment to Bars and Restaurants.

Here's the idea: Examiner.com recruits local writers who are potential "experts" on a certain topic. That topic could be as broad as Green Bay Top News, or as specific as The Michelle Obama Examiner or the Britney Spears Examiner. If it's a topic that gets a lot of hits, then it's probably a topic on Examiner.com

I'd been keeping an eye on this site because it seemed legitimate and interesting. However, for quite some time, the only Wisconsin communities it was based in was Milwaukee and Madison. Now that the service has expanded to Green Bay, I've started writing. Please feel free to check it out, and let me know what you think. Criticism and the pointing out of spelling, punctuation, factual and grammatical errors are welcome.

Examiners are paid what the site calls a "competitive rate." It's based on the number of page views and subscribers. You can apply to write for your hometown, or there are also national Examiners. You can even create your own idea for a topic and apply. Once a writer is accepted, the first article is reviewed, and after that they are basically left alone (unless there are major violations). Examiner.com will do some marketing of your work, but writers are also expected to use social networking and word of mouth to promote themselves.

I'm sure there are questions about journalistic integrity and accuracy. This is basically a newspaper/blog, almost like the Wikipedia of journalism. Examiners can label their posts/articles as reports, op/ed commentaries, how-to, etc. The quality of the article will depend on the writer.

The site also encourages writers to promote other local news agencies on the blog. The goal is to create a local environment online. It's potentially competition for local news agencies, but at the same time, it will be promoting them. You've probably seen an Examiner.com article before. The stories often come up when you search Google News.

It's not just writers, you can post videos through YouTube and use your own photography as well. Check out the sites YouTube Channel.

To learn more about writing for Examiner.com click-here.

This is an interesting opportunity for people who want to work on their writing or get their name out there on the Internet. If you have a special area of expertise like stand-up comedy, or think you'd be good at reviewing restaurants in your area, check it out. The site is honest enough to tell you that you most likely won't be able to quit your day job. However, it is the opportunity to earn a little extra cash.

So far, I've earned about enough to buy a bag of beef jerky. But that stuff can be expensive, why is that?!?

THE ANGRY PROPHET