A Year on Hubpages 2009
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This is a quick roundup of my hubpages activity this past year (2009). For those of you interested in these things it will include how much money I made, how many times I got banned for telling a religious person what I thought of their ridiculous beliefs and behavior, how much effort went into what I did and a few do's and don'ts I have learned along the "making money at hubpages," road, plus whatever I can think of that might be of interest.
Comments - After 2 years here I now have 5,718 comments on my hubs, and my most-commented upon are these:
- Creation vs Evolution in number one spot with 563 comments - a lot of them derogatory and some pretty stupid attacks on science.
- How I got my hub to google's first page is second with 558 comments - half positive, half telling me what a dick I am.
- Third is Making money online with 316 comments - almost all positive.
- Fourth is Christians- their religion causes conflict with 295 comments - almost all demonstrating the fact that I am right.
My favorite comment. In all these comments, this is my absolute favorite - and it shows that it is not just religion that causes conflict - diss a man's favorite food in a box and he is liable to get mean. This on "My wife's last box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese:
"you're dumb. your "home made" crap probably has more fat, especially saturated fat, and sugar. And no, I wouldn't eat it as pictured, because it looks like someone with Downs syndrome made that macaroni. I'm guessing you or your wife, who are probably no treat to look at and should not waste your time attacking prepackaged macaroni dinners. If you cared about what you were eating, you'd be on a real diet and exercise plan that wouldn't allow macaroni and cheese, period. Die."
Oh well. Some more statistics. I crossed the one million page view mark in 2009 and my hubs have now been viewed 1,468,769 times. The second million is approaching much faster tan the first. My most-viewed hub has been visited 222,545 times. It is also my most profitable one - and no. :) My least viewed hub has been visited only 39 times and is this one "Omaha" feel free to pay it a little love.
As every one seems to be obsessed with money making, the total I made directly from hubpages in 2009 was $14,402, the bulk of which was Amazon earnings, followed by Adsense, posting articles for clients then lastly Ebay.
The better part of these earnings came in the second half of the year as I started to write hubs again and implemented some of the things I have learned to optimize my pages more. A stroll through my "Making money" hubs will show you those things. I spend at least 2 hours a day, 5 days a week working on hubpages - either researching, writing or promoting my pages, so call that 500 hours work. And I expect to continue to make money from most (not all) these pages for the foreseeable future.
I was banned from the forums three times for calling people names and will resolve to be more passive aggressive in my attacks in future as that seems to be acceptable behavior. The last ban came as there were three threads in progress attacking me and accusing me of things I did not do. But - seeing as how "bearing false witness," is punishable by eternal torment, I rest easy in that knowledge. LOL
Things I have learned to do:
- Generate more incoming links to my work
- Do some keyword research but do not obsess about it - even the so-called gurus get it wrong
- Hubpages has a selection of ready made banners you can use to promote them but you cannot use them here - banners
Things I have learned NOT to do:
- Share full details about what is working well here - people will copy it and dilute it
- Try and talk sense into a religious person who thinks they speak for god
All in all an entertaining 2009 and I look forward to having more fun and money making with hubpages in 2010 - although I may not revisit the forums. A boy can only deal with so much negative energy in one place.
Happy New Years everyone. :)
CommentsLoading...
Mark - You're hubbing advice has been very helpful to me, and I thank you for it. On some things we must agree to disagree but not gonna stir any pots here (especially macaroni ones). Not sure I understood all this banning, but I look forward to 2010 output thank you Sir.
Even though we have disagreed in the past, we can both agree that you are one great hubber. Keep it up Mark!
You know, Mark. Every time you talk, I want to listen. Congrats on your payout, for the sharing of such good advice, and for lending hope to those who are cynical about making money here (are some of them Believers? lol).
Happy New Year to you!
Great to know about the banners and badges. Happy New Year!
Thanks all. Never will I diss a cheese flavored food product in public in 2009 again. :)
I've read many of your hubs and learned quite a bit from them. I like your straightforward style. But I missed the one on macaroni and cheese -- I'm going over to that hub now to see what I missed. Happy New Year to you and your family.
I've never been banned from the forums or slagged off cheese products and have earned much less than $14k - maybe there is a lesson here - its not so much about SEO and keywords as being controversial!
Seriously, well done and thanks for sharing your HubPage highs (and occasional lows)!
Thanks, Mark. I appreciate the tips. My earnings are much more modest, and after four years I'm just about to hit 500k page views and 4700 comments. But This hasn't produced any thing close to your earnings. I'll have to try some of your tips. (I've been banned twice for what struck me as accurate and truthful comments about TK!)
Your Hubs always encourage me and keep me keeping on. Thanks. I'm going to visit Omaha now.
Thanks for an interesting hub, Mark, but perhaps I'm disqualified to comment because I like boxed macaroni and cheese (allthough not necessarily Kraft's.)
LOL
Thanks guys
Great Hub. I will try to not be banned but it seems that it just happens sometimes.
Thanks for a great informative and entertaining Hub, this is why I follow you. Much success in 2010. Oh and Church folk are indeed funny folk..
Peace
KG
Mark, Thanks for sharing your experiences. Guess I will be extra careful about church & cheese.
Great article and I applaud you for speaking your mind! I thought the attack over a comment about Mac/Cheese was hilarious…Happy New Year to you and yours…
LOL! I remember the mac-n-cheese guy. That was one of my favorite comments fom any hub! He may have been a desciple of the FSM. Pastas tend to stick together, you know?
You're a true inspiration, Mark. Keep it up! And try not to think of it as being banned, as much as a time out. LOL
Interesting and informative as always. I am not a big fan of organized religion or pre packaged cheese products. More fool me - looks like I have been missing out on a lot of controversy (which I am a fan of!)
Hi Mark and Happy New Year!
Nice! Thanks for sharing. Now go eat your freakin macaroni and cheese! LOL just kidding =D
Those religious people really think they know it all and yet if you look closely with all their praying and shouting about they miss the most important thing - living accordingly to the teaching. I'd better stopped otherwise I write 10 pages.
I wish you a Happy New Year and more success.
Haha - thanks all. My pleasure for sharing, just watch out for the macaroni cheese brigade.
Thanks for sharing your stats, This Hub motivated me to do my best work on net.
Great hub! You are a funny guy, and I appreciate funny. I should follow you.
I was starting to think how much longer you would keep arguing with those folks in the religion forums :P
Wish you an even better 2010! Have fun :)
Excellent report! I am a member of TKA. I follow you and Courtney's advise religiously. This article gets me something to shoot for in the future.
Mark, you're amazing! I haven't even crossed the thousand dollar mark, yet. But, then, I haven't published much since the wedding. Maybe I should do that....
Miss talking with you, my friend!!
Anyone who attacks homemade macaroni and cheese should be shot :) I'm just sayin...
$14,000! (shows what I'm obsessed at LOL), I'd be satisfied with half of that Mark. Hope I'll cross the $1,000 (total not per month) mark this year. Thanks for sharing this Mark. Er, which of the hubs of yours is earning the highest? (tongue in cheek) LOL j/k. Hope you have a better year in 2010.
Thanks guys :)
@ Funride - For a while there I thought I could get through, but as one dropped out, 3 more arrived.
@ Charlotte - I miss you too - where you been? Married life obviously agrees with you.
@UW - Not going to argue with you.
You rock, Mark! I've been following you this year and have learned a lot.
Question: How much money did you spend promoting your hubs? I'm assuming $14K is your gross. (Please feel free to use this as a seed for yet another informative hub.)
May I add my 2 cents on organized religion?
Personally, I eschew religion. It promotes unwarranted arrogance (speaking for god) and hypocrisy. That said, I won't argue with anyone about their beliefs. We're wired for them (beliefs, which is why some smart, yet controlling individual really hit on something by inventing religion). You can't win an argument with someone who is standing up for what they consider their core purpose for living. You might as well threaten their very survival. Stirs up baser instincts in the limbic brain. Intelligence and civility of the cerebral cortex are replaced by fight or flight.
Didn't know this could extend to packaged pasta products. Ha ha!
Keep up the good work!
Thanks Rene - I honestly could not break the cost down easily because the products I use here I also use at all my other sites and clients as well. You are right - the 14 K is gross.
Macaroni and Cheese in a box must be addictive in some way LOL
You are so entertaining, and definitely love the way you make your point with eloquent sarcasm--at it's finest! I soooooo needed a laugh today--and the Macaroni and cheese.. well ... that was priceless. I, now, don't feel so bad about the one negative comment I received, which was humorously left by my ex-husband. Apparently, he didn't like how I portrayed him in my latest hub....hmmmm....My personal response to him was quite simple....Than, Perhaps you shouldn't have been such a $%^&. :) . Of course, out of respect, I editted the hub until his relentless comments subsided... AHHHHHH I feel much better now. I am now going to show your neglected hub a "LITTLE LOVE" ...LOL..Congrats on your numbers.
LOL - That is not the nastiest comment I have had - but it is certainly the funniest.
Mark, As a relatively new hubber I think I missed out on the cheese hub which suits me just fine. Congratualations on a good year and it sounds like you learned a few things along the way. I have enjoyed your hubs and look forward to those waiting to be written.
Another great hub - you always come up with the goods and I'm bookmarking this one too. Am almost up to £10 now with Adsense! (Why do I continue with this - must be mad) Your Hubs always give me confidence to carry on, so well done you. (I'm amazed at how upset someone could get over cheesy pasta - wow! am I naive or what!).
Very impressive numbers! As I tell everyone that asks ... if you want to become a successful hubber, watch Mark! :)
Great to see your hubs!!!! keep writing!!!!
That is a wonderful recap and you are still just as humorous as you have always been, I knew you were a fuzzy bear pretending to be naughty.lololo Happy New Year Mark! Happy 2010. :)
Mark, i came accross Hubpages because of you! I was searching on Google what blogging was, and up popped your hub 'How to make money by blogging'! You are such an excellent writer and know what you are doing. I am inspired by your work, and hopefully will be successfull in the future. All the best to you for 2010 and all the years to come.
I didn't know about the banners Hubpages provided for outside linking - I'm going to check those out. I'm no where near 14K in my earnings on Hubpages, but I only 50 or so hubs at the moment. Thanks for sharing and lending some inspiration.
Hey, Mark. Hi to another ban-ee in 2009. On my third ban, and I'd say I'm, lol, fairly passive aggressive and do not call anyone names - so that doesn't work either. Of course it was all TK coming after me, as I also appear to be a quote, quote, 'conservative' troll magnet. Oh, well. I believe no forums to absolutely be a positive thing...as the loonies have them...let 'em have them.
Time to make money and write about important stuff, 2010. :)
Hi Mark LOL
Fab hub Mark and I so loved the Macaroni comment, there really are some nutters out there!!! I bet his Bible is splattered with spilt pieces of Kraft Macaroni Cheese, (LOL, no offence intended to the non-extremist Christians).
Lita? Banned? Say it ain't so....
Oh Mark I have been banned too just now. I worte a hub about it because I can't tell other in the forums.
We have learned some good stuff reading your hubs and have tried to apply it to our newer hubs (and it seems to work - thanks).
Other things we have learned on Hub Pages: 1. don't waste time on the religion forums no matter which side of the debate you are on. 2. humour is essential.
Our favourite comment of the year was one on a blog about Pat's ugly shoes. You have to laugh at people who get so worked up about things that are actually of no relevance to their life.
Mark, I just read this hub!!! Hilarious. I loved the comment about "bearing false witness" since I did a hub on that just about a week or two ago! Excellent!!!
Hi Mark you are definitely an inspiration to me. I only have 6 hubs and havent made any money yet and this gives me some hope. I have recieved some attacks as well for my views about gays by "religious people" as well and I try not to let it get to me. Anyway, I am adding you as a favorite. Thanks again.
Was that a ironic remark? lol Or sarcastic? :) Ah, I have my way of verbal dissection, especially in politics, yeah, I admit to that...but I am sure, based on my own pretty high standards I don't cross any lines. Certain people get upset, yeah, but they are the ones who cannot defend themselves very well in debate or sometimes don't even understand what's going on/being said (not my fault). It was all TK...and I may have used a couple ---ed out swear words after I was sick to death of his harassment and following me around and their not doing anything about it.
But after tonight (writing on peoples' hubs), I will concentrate on making myself more commercially viable here, only (I've made some $, but not that much). The rest, scr-- it. :)
Congratulations for your great work in 2009...........
Mark, I do not know the true potential of Hub pages. I've been reading hubs after hubs...But I think now I just got a glimps of it. And it feels good to know that you have such impresive statistics. Keeps me going. Congrats to you and have an even more succesful 2010.
Thanks all - good luck.
@ lita - ironic and sarcastic. And genui9nely not surprised. TK was particularly fucking annoying. LOL
TK has since disappeared - although I understand it is a serial forum troll - moving on to anther forum when the entertainment wears off.
ah well here is to 2010.... all i can see is just eat as much macoroni as you like, you do ah well then everyone is happy...... May your god go with you.
Good Luck for 2010 Mark, hubs wud be boring without characters like yerself !
I could say the same for yourself. :)
I like your straight forward style, telling hubbers how to monetize effectively, it helps us. I did not know you were berating people who eat macaroni and cheese or those who have stronger religious views than yourself. My mother always said,'I don't discuss religion or politics.' And stay away from controversial eating habits too. Maybe that is good advice. Keep hubbing us though.
I'm new here and I'm learning a lot from the hub as well as from the comments. The banters inspire me to take better view of my humble work, least I be banned, too, for mere innocence. And the hubs you write, Sir, are very encouraging. Congratulations.
I really like your hubs..I always want to be a fan as soon as I browse your hubs--without even knowing that you're the writer of the hubs..And of course, im already your fan. Your hubs are very interesting. Keep it up! =)
Wow thats some high stats and earned income,.. You deserve it too,. I have really enjoyed reading your hubs in 2009,.. Happy New years to you !!!!
lol... the macaroni comment is the craziest comment ever! I almost died laughing while reading it and almost died again when I read it to a friend... thanks for sharing!
Well done Mark! And best wishes for 2010.
Happy New Year Mark! I know we stand on different sides when it comes to religion and stuff, but like I said in the limerick forum somewhere (ha!) when there's passion involved, people can lose their minds sometimes and just not be open to other points of view :) Thanks for the tips - I see you as someone who knows their stuff around here, so I'm paying more attention!
Yelo Mr. mark Kwoles, am super new here in Hub pages and intend to have fun with it. I think you are pretty good a milion hubs mennn u are like a mega hubber already, i hope to learn from you and your likes the positive ways. Keep chilling mon and have a happy, wonderful, blissful, miraculuos,nostalgic, gigantic, powerful, beautiful, impressss please all good and best wishes you definitely wish yourself, happy new year say hi to your family for me, chow!
Thanks guys. I wish you all a successful 2010.
You nevr fail to inform. I am a loyal follower. Keep it up. I would have thought you would have made more $ on HP than 14K.
wow very inspirational. Didn't realize the potential.
HI, FIRST TIMER HOPING TO SEE MORE THAT CAN HELP US..
SINCERELY UNCLE LOU
Happy NEW YEAR too Mr MARK, and I always respect the way you think and work, You always give people here hopes of earning with your let say "Intelliegence" in the online world, YOUVE GOT IT, and YOU ALSO SPEAK about what is it all about, More for you and thanks for your hubs also, they are helful to US, Maita
Great work Mark, I know it has taken a lot of hard work and dedication, I have also realized not to pay much attention on SEO and I have spent more reading and learning SEO, but as the year begin am i will not bother myself much with SEO staff, I just need to do it write qualities hubs and promote them, that's all
My pleasure guys. How this is a motivator for you. Good luck in 2010
You are a good writer. You employ grammar correctly, you have something to say, and you wield the words with a great deal of skill. I look forward to seeing what else you have to say.
Looking forwrad to 2010! Should be a great year for hubs.
I bookmarked this hub. Good writing, Mark. I look forward to reading more.
Great job Hubbers!
Wow!! Over a million views that's amazing! How do you keep up with all the comments! Lol, you truly are an inspiration! Great hub Mark! :)
Thanks. I must admit it is becoming harder to keep on top of the comments - especially as I get them at other sites I write at. :)
Excellent, you inspire me. Although we may not agree on the existence of God, can we agree that religion sucks and the answer to life the universe and everything is in fact 42? Lol
Yes it is. :)
I mentioned on one of the forums that a lot of my beginning success as an online writer is due to the information you provide. Thank you Mark.
By the way, did you know that Kraft are moving their headquarters to Israel? From now on they will be known as "Cheeses of Nazareth"
OOOOPs! now I might get banned :)
LOL
Glad to hear it. Israel huh? Still - that seems perfectly appropriate as there is no cheese in it. :lol:
Encouraging hub! Since I just started on Hubpages, now I need to learn how to optimize and promote.
I got a good chuckle out of this hub. I like your humor a lot!
Now back to reading more.
I love your style of writing and thoroughly enjoyed this hub. $14,000 on one site is fantastic especially as I know a lot of people's earnings went down last year with the GFC.
Now excuse me while I buy a box of macaroni and cheese and a skillet!!!
Well you have done an amazing job to say the very least and this hub was very well done.. i have learned to stay the heck out of some of the threads in the forums but all in all have enjoyed meeting people like you. keep up the awesome work
Great hub!!! Love it..
Whoaah $14000 just from one site!
Hi Mark, I think I already visited this hub, but it's inspiring nonetheless. I hope you got over that mac n cheese tragedy though LOL, how sad.
By the way, I continue to enjoy that goat cheese salad , bless your cotton socks...and the Chardonnay wasn't bad either.
Thanks mate.
Kerry:)
Great Hub, Mark, I love your frankness.
"I was banned from the forums three times for calling people names"
Forums are a complete waste of time. I've tested this theory extensively. That's how one finds out.
It does not improve your hubscores... in fact it will lower them as the Trolls intentionally seek you out so they can vote down your work. The real money doesn't some from HubPages Writers viewing each others hubs... it comes from Search. So your being banned has probably made you more money!
There are some great people here on hubpages and then there are those that you called names - which I'm sure they deserved! But those people can easily be avoided by staying out of Forums.
Note: My reference to Forums is Hub Specific, properly leveraging Niche Forums can really pay off.
KCC Big Country Level 2 Commenter 2 years ago
Thanks for sharing some stats. You're an inspiration for us all when it comes to how to make it work.
The macaroni comment is priceless. I had no idea some people were so passionate about their boxed mac & cheese.
Keep up the great work!