You Want Better Tips! Here's How:
Tips for Tips
Tips; image license free from Unsplash
You want better tips
I see many newcomers and a few old-timers bemoan the fact that Rusty doesn't visit them consistently. Also, I read people complaining they do not get enough tips to stay encouraged to continue using this platform or even to write at all.
I have been very fortunate in that I started getting tips almost immediately before I even had any followers. And once I had followers I received EVEN MORE tips and didn't rely solely on Rusty to keep me going.
I understand how intimidating being a new writer is as well as writing on a new platform. I hope some of my advice helps those who really need it.
Advisor; image license free from Unsplash
Write at least 600 words
In order for the AI to consider what you write as worthy of a tip, you must write a full article. On this platform to be considered a full article your story must be at least 600 words. I have seen some articles earn tips with fewer words, but usually, those were written by someone of long-standing here on read.cash.
To ensure your article gets noticed, the longer it is, the better.
Please do not just add nonsense words to pad your word count. That is one way to get reported.
Don't Plagiarize
Another surefire way to get reported is to plagiarize. Once you've been reported for plagiarism and the read.cash powers that be confirm it, you will become ineligible for tips from Rusty. We all need Rusty. Even if your article or comments gets noticed by one of the whales here once or twice, Rusty will be the main source of your tips for a long time.
Add images
Definitely add images to your articles. The easiest way to do this is by going to Unsplash, Pixabay, or Pexels and finding license-free images. Even easier is to add your own photos. I prefer to add my own photos because
1) My own photos allow people a deeper glimpse into my actual life
2) I never have to worry about violating licensing rules
3) I always know exactly how to attribute them
Caption images
It is incredibly important to caption each image. Not just to attribute the creator of the image, but also to let people know what's going on in the image. As of 28 March 2022, I have had some trouble using the read.cash built-in captioning. When I click in the space to add my caption, the area just goes away.
I still manage to caption my photos. How? I simply write a description underneath or next to the photo and italicize it.
Credit images
Copyright Credit; image license free from Unsplash
Plagiarism covers images as well as words. Being branded a plagiarist will very quickly reduce all of your tips. Once Rusty stops visiting because read.cash de-monetized your account, so, too, will humans stop tipping.
Make sure to avoid this situation by always giving credit to the creator of the images you use. If you can't find the creator, but you have used a license-free site such as the one I mentioned above, always be sure to say the images are license-free.
Add quotes
Another good way to make your articles stand out is to add quotes. Never ever forget to credit the quotes!! It is probably best if you use quotes closely related to what you are writing. Since I am giving writing tips, I chose this quote by John Updike, author of Rabbit Run, and The Witches of Eastwick, two of my favorite books.
"We're past the age of heroes and hero kings. ... Most of our lives are basically mundane and dull, and it's up to the writer to find ways to make them intersesting."
- John Updike, WD
Add Hyperlinks
Hyperlinks are a great way to give readers the opportunity to learn more about what you are writing without breaking the flow of the text itself. Also, hyperlinks are another good way of giving credit where credit is due.
German grammar chart; Image license free from Unsplash
Check your spelling and your grammar
This is really important for getting human tips. When a document is very hard to follow due to spelling errors and grammar mistakes, it is far less likely to earn human tips.
It is fairly easy to check for basic spelling and grammar by using Grammarly. It is free and available for use on a computer, laptop, or cell phone. Do keep in mind, though, that Grammarly is not perfect. I am often amused by its suggestions, but sometimes a good old dictionary is the most helpful. If you don't have a dictionary, please do google the word or sentence of which you are unsure.
Note: I am in awe of those of you who are writing in a second (or third, or fourth) language. Your abilities far surpass mine. I haven't consistently written in a second language since I was 13 years old. I doubt I could at this point.
I do still recommend using technology to do more than hit the translate button and then hit publish if you want more and better human tips.
Know your material
One of the most common pieces of writing advice is, "Write what you know." You might think you don't know very much, so you can never be a writer. I believe a better piece of advice is to, "Write what you've researched." If writers only wrote what they know, there would be many more serial killers out there! Think about it.
It is much better to not write about a certain subject than to write about an unfamiliar subject and sound like an idiot. I see this type of writing a lot on platforms such as this one where people feel the need to write about subjects everyone else is also writing about, such as cryptocurrency and Bitcoin Cash.
Two hearts; image license free from Unsplash
Write from the heart
"Write from the heart" is another common piece of writing advice. But what does this even mean? It means to write about things you actually care about. When writers care about their subject matter, readers can tell. I can always tell when people are just writing to get paid and when they are writing about something they either love or hate. Emotions show on the page. Readers can tell!
Submit articles to communities
Communities are a fantastic way to ensure the people reading your articles are engaged and interested in the subject matter. It is very important to ensure your articles are submitted to the proper community. If you are submitting an article about paying your own way through school by working, you don't want to submit it to a community called All Unicorns All the Time.
You can avoid improper submissions by reading the community rules. Reading the rules ensures your article, no matter how well written, is not rejected. As a moderator for a few communities, I can tell you it makes a difference seeing writers with many rejections under their names. Too many rejections and pretty soon that writer is automatically muted.
Rocket boost; image license free from Unsplash
Boost your articles
Get more eyes on your articles by boosting (even if it is only for a small amount). I boost my articles. Even if it is just for a dollar or so. I have found boosting my articles has increased my engagement and followers. An increase in followers is more likely to yield more tips.
I have no proof of this, but I think Rusty might actually visit boosted posts a bit more frequently than nonboosted posts. Human eyeballs on your article are very important regardless of Rusty. And boosting will get more eyes on you.
Increase your engagement
Engaged readers tend to like engaged writers. I know how flattered I felt when @Pantera, @scottcbusiness, and @CryptoMax first noticed me and replied to my comments under their articles. I felt seen. I felt noticed. I gave them higher tips than if they had been aloof and just too cool to notice the little guy.
You can easily increase your engagement by engaging with other writers on THEIR articles. The comments should be thoughtful and indicate you have actually read their article. This means you do need to actually read their article. Simply spewing back a mini synopsis of their article will show you read at least the headlines but doesn't really offer an opportunity for dialogue. You actually have to engage in a conversation about what you just read.
I respond to every comment I am able. Even if it is a simple "thanks." But I don't follow up with every comment by going to their profile and reading their stuff. I don't remember every commentor. If I don't remember you, I can't decide to like you; I can't offer you a bigger tip later on.
Increase your engagement by replying to every comment you get and by reading and commenting on others' articles. Make them like you!
Invite comments by asking questions. It is important to ensure your question is not a yes or no question. Instead of asking, "Do you like candy?" ask "Which candy do you like?"
Above all, do not argue. Don't let your righteous indignation get the better of you. Don't attack. Don't justify. Do not allow your anger to cause you to have negative engagement.
I learned this the hard way. Trust me. If you can't keep your temper in check you may very well regret your words. If you DO say something harsh to someone, be an adult and apologize.
COEXIST; image license free from Pixabay
On religion
I understand the temptation to make comments to people about being blessed, praying to God, and other types of well-meaning phrases. I understand that those whose identities very much revolve around their religious beliefs want to share their beliefs with people.
But.
Evangelizing and proselytizing have a time and a place.
If you want to write about religion, please ensure you are submitting your article to a spiritual or religious community. There are so many people using read.cash from so many countries and religious backgrounds. What to you may be well-meaning could actually be insulting. You just never know.
Some of us have actually had religion and religious texts used as weapons against us. For those of us, religion can be extremely triggering.
If you want better tips from a community as diverse as this one, I recommend leaving all religious language out of your comments and replies.
Write your articles telling your truth. Submit your articles to the proper community. There is nothing wrong with your religion or lack of religion. I'm most definitely not advising you on what to believe or not believe. I am asking you to be considerate of others and as kind as possible to those of different faiths.
I hope these tips on getting better tips help.
Do you have tips on tips? Did I miss something? Get something wrong? Do please comment below and let me know!
Finally seen a good article about getting a good tip👍🏽