Today.com functions as both a blog directory and a paid blogging site. Blogs already in use can be added to the Today.com blog network for promotion within the site. For people who don’t yet have a blog, or have one that is not earning them much, Today.com pays bloggers to keep a blog of their choice.
The blogs are easy to use and don't take any technical or programming knowledge. However, not everyone is accepted into the program. Applicants must apply for the paid blogs with writing samples and pitch a blog idea.
The site is seeking a diverse network of blogs, so applicants should look at the current blogs to see what topics are already being covered adequately. The name of the site and the url must also be pitched for acceptance. If the blog is approved, the new blogger can begin to blog for pay.
Today.com VIP Blogs
A Today VIP blog is one that is paid for by Today.com. The site pays on a per-post basis, with a limit of one paid post per day. The blogger may, however, post more posts each day that will not be paid.
Price Per Post
The site starts new VIP bloggers out at a fixed amount per post and may increase the rate for blogs that have traffic increases. Today.com has changed the amounts offered per post several times, but the current starting rate is $1 U.S. per post plus a set rate for each 1,000 page views.
The rate is evaluated each month and can be increased with high traffic. It may also be decreased if the rate is above the starting rate and has declining traffic. No matter what the rate per post, all VIP bloggers receive the traffic bonuses for their number of page views.
The changing rates have led many to abandon their Today.com blogs when the rate is decreased. It has encouraged others to promote their VIP blogs and try to build up their traffic.
Rules for Bloggers
The paid posts can’t be overly promotional, and they can’t be directly selling something. The VIP blogger also may not place any ads on the blog. The blog is owned by Today.com and the site places its own ads on each paid blog.
Being paid for each blog post is dependent on having the posts reviewed and approved. A Today.com employee reads each post to ensure that it meets the site’s quality standards and does not violate any of the blog rules. If it does, it is not approved and is not accepted for payment.
To continue receiving payment, all paid blogs have to be updated regularly. A blog that is not updated for 30 days is closed by the site and the posts are no longer paid for.
Bloggers who are accepted as a Today.com VIP blogger are selling their words to Today.com. The blog posts can’t be reproduced anywhere else by the blogger after the posts have been accepted and paid.
Just like any blog, to make money a blog has to have some level of promotion. Today.com does promote the blogs, but the bloggers are expected to do what they can to promote them and keep increasing their traffic. A good blog that is well written and promoted effectively has an unlimited income potential.
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