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Returning visits to our visitors, and visiting those who I follow in many of the social media communities, is an activity that I not only enjoy, but make sure I do on a daily basis.

Depending on my schedule, I may visit many in a short span of time (always allowing plenty of time for their pages to sit open in my browser to avoid penalizing them for my visit – no short visits please!). I try to schedule this portion of my day (or bits and pieces throughout the day) so I can relax and enjoy my visits, read, and comment, comment, comment.

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It’s amazing what you find when you believe you are searching for something else, and today was no exception.

Actually I was busy checking up on our bloggers using Whole Hog Blogs, doing some backlinking research, etc., when I stumbled upon Blog Carnival (thanks to Linda at ForcedGreen. She may not be aware, but it was tracking down her search engine placement that led me to this unusual website).

So with all the preamble, what is BlogCarnival? The best way to describe it may be to tell you what it ultimately “looks like” with the finished product.

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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love my job!

Reading blogs is an amazing way to keep up with that worth keeping up with (say that 10 times fast), and today is no exception.

While over at BlogCatalog, I ended up twittering a bit (it has been a while, but I’m doing an experiment now).

Which lead me to today’s writeup. Discover Niche Social Networking by Katy Castro.

Katy makes several very fine points about using social media to market, and why you may or may not be seeing the “results” you were hoping for.

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This post is for all the up and coming, and/or still struggling, bloggers online who just know there is money to be made doing what they love… writing blog posts!

Similar to making money by freelance writing, and hiring yourself out to individuals through companies like Guru and eLance, there are a bunch of websites out there just waiting to pay you to make your next post all about them.

The beauty is in the variety. Lots of topics to choose from, and each company listed below seems to have almost a niche. And, even if you’re a diehard blogger, it’s almost (I said almost) certain that making a bit of cold hard cash every now and then wouldn’t be such a bad thing… right?

So last night I did my homework and found out a bit more about the companies many are using as they blog their way to the bank. Hopefully you will find this additional bit of research helpful as you pick and choose your next virtual “employer.”

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Associated Content
Created December 2003
PR 6/10
Ranked 2,775 in Alexa

This paid to post website has the look and feel of “prweb,” a higher end product for the most part. Furthermore, Tim Armstrong who presides over Google’s North American sales and advertising, sits on their Board of Directors.

They offer a lot of category choices – from arts & entertainment to automotive to opinion to prose and more. Should be something for everyone here.

* Are you an AC blogger? Provide feedback please! *

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PayPerPost
Created January 2005
Florida-based
PR 6/10
Ranked 2,481 in Alexa

For bloggers, you get paid to write about web sites, products, services, and companies. You can even earn cash for providing your opinion along with valuable feedback to advertisers.

* Are you a PayPerPoster? Good to work for or not? *

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Snap Bomb
Created October 2007
Too New for PR
Ranked in the 370,000 in Alexa

Snap Bomb, a San Francisco-based internet marketing company showcases a marketplace for advertisers and bloggers. Advertisers benefit by having “buzz” about their products (services, what-have-you) blogged about by… you guessed it, bloggers.

The win-win is that bloggers are then paid for their blog posts! And, it’s totally free to sign up with Snap Bomb.

* Are you a SnapBomber? Tell us your story! *

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Blogsvertise
Created June 2006
PR 5/10
Ranked 6,217 in Alexa

Advertisers hire you to talk about their websites in your blogs and journals. They get the publicity, you make money. You are paid via PayPal per task (blog entry).

* Are you a Blogsvertiser? Leave your feedback please! *

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Reviewme
Created May 2003
PR 5/10
Ranked 8,959 in Alexa

Simple… make money reviewing and promoting products.

* Like Reviewme? Hate It? Comment please! *

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Bloggerwave
Created November 2006
Denmark-based
Ranked 47,320 in Alexa

Their press release states, “Bloggerwave.com offers a tsunami of opportunity for Bloggers, Advertisers and Agencies!” Though it has a great Alexa, there’s not much to go on from the front page. (Also found a typo, those drive me crazy so if you ever see one here point it out please!)

* Have you caught the Wave? We’ll look for your comments! *

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Well there you go. Maybe you’re already familiar with these, maybe a few are new to you. Maybe the whole idea of actually getting paid to do what you love is entirely wow, and you’ll be heading off to bigger and better paychecks this week. We hope so!

We would sincerely love your feedback about each and every one that you have first-hand knowledge working. Please DO tell us your experience(s).