The Hunger Games Guide to Shilling

In the book and film THE HUNGER GAMES, no one wanted to be chosen for the Hunger Games in which people would continue to be eliminated (aka die) until only one person was left.

Trying to market my freelance writing services feels like shilling– all the time.

What does this have to do with the Hunger Games? They are both unpleasant, no one wants to participate, but people are told it is necessary.

A shill is a person who chases money and sometimes in unsavory ways.

In order to pay my blogging bills, I need to pander, shill, convince tool and website creators to retain my writing services and hire me to review them.

I get the money; they get exposure and a review on Google.

So, what’s the problem?

One of the ways to make money online is by freelance writing IF someone hires you to be their freelance writer.

Sometimes the techniques I use to get people to hire me as a writer or blogging coach work great.

Then came the month of May.

Person 1 wrote asking for my blog coaching. I responded post haste.

Person 2 wrote and asked for my blog monetization coaching. I responded equally fast.

Person 3 wrote and asked the same. Disillusioned, I took my time responding.

Was the third time the charm? NO!

Today, someone wrote offering me a free tool in exchange for a link.

I went into the shill, the pander, the chase,

Did they say yes? Apparently, the 4th time was the charm and I was retained today to review a tool for compensation!

What experiences do you have with making money online? Do you find challenges? How do you overcome them? I look forward to reading your experiences in the comments section.