How I Make Up to $5,000 a Month with “Garbage” Articles
Hint: They are not actually garbage
I make up to $5,000 per month with an unconventional yet highly effective approach that’s been a game-changer in my content creation journey. You might think I’m talking about crafting those deeply researched, meticulously edited, Pulitzer-worthy articles.
Well, not exactly. My secret? Producing “garbage” articles.
Embracing Imperfection: The Art of Garbage Writing
Now, hold on — when I say “garbage,” I mean articles that are “good enough,” not literal trash. These are pieces that pack in solid information and an okay structure, but where each element could be polished more.
Here’s the kicker: they work.
Let’s dive into how I make up to $5,000 per month with this strategy.
The Power of Minimal Viable Content
My approach revolves around the concept of Minimal Viable Content (MVC).
This strategy focuses on producing content that meets the basic criteria for quality and relevance but isn’t necessarily the best version it could be. The idea is to create content rapidly, test out various topics, and get it out there in the digital ecosystem.
It’s about breaking the chains of perfectionism that often hold us back. Let me tell you, this approach has not just freed up my time but also opened up a steady income stream.
But there is a dangerous trap that you absolutely don’t want to fall into.
Overcoming the Perfectionist Trap
I used to be caught in the perfectionist trap, endlessly tweaking every sentence, every paragraph. I’m still not 100% immune.
It is exhausting and, frankly, not very productive. Then I realized something crucial — not every article needs to be a masterpiece. Some pieces just need to be good enough to pass on helpful information, rank, attract traffic, and earn money.
And that’s exactly what my “garbage” articles do.
There is an insight here that could be worth $5,000 (or more) per month: readers often seek straightforward answers or quick insights.
They don’t always need or want an in-depth, flawlessly written piece. As long as your article is informative, engaging, and coherent, it can serve its purpose.
This realization was a turning point for me.
I began churning out articles that were good enough — they had all the essential information, a clear structure, and were SEO-friendly. They might be “garbage” to a content snob but they were top-tier garbage.
The SEO Sweet Spot
Now, let’s talk about SEO, a crucial element in this strategy.
These articles aren’t just thrown together haphazardly. They are strategically optimized for search engines. By focusing on trending keywords, relevant topics, and a basic yet effective structure, these articles manage to rank well.
Sure, they aren’t the most comprehensive pieces out there, but they tick the boxes for what the algorithm and, more importantly, readers are looking for.
Testing the Waters
One of the biggest benefits of this approach is the ability to test various topics and niches without investing too much time or resources.
It’s like sending out feelers into the vast ocean of content to see what catches. You’d be surprised how often these quick, “good enough” articles resonate with readers and drive traffic.
Testing the waters saves you time, effort, and money.
You can launch websites quickly, dominating trending topics instead of slowly plodding your way through the next year or two. You can start building topical authority and making real money before your competition chooses their domain name.
My Step-by-Step Process for Crafting “Good Enough” Articles
While my approach is fast, it’s not the fastest method out there. You can pay someone to speed-build a website packed with hundreds or thousands of articles.
If you’re able, that’s not a bad strategy to try out (at least once).
But there is what I do.
Step 1: Rapid Topic Selection
The first step in my process is choosing a topic. I don’t spend days agonizing over this.
Instead, I quickly identify trending topics or evergreen subjects with a proven track record. Tools like Google Trends, social media buzz, and keyword research tools are my go-to resources.
The key here is speed. I pick a topic that’s relevant, in demand, and something I can write about with a certain level of expertise or research.
Step 2: Basic Keyword Research
Once I have my topic, I dive into keyword research, but I keep it basic.
I look for keywords with decent search volumes but not so competitive that I’d need a highly nuanced article to rank. I use tools like Ahrefs, Deapmarket, or the Google Keyword Planner for this.
I jot down a list of primary and secondary keywords that will guide my content but won’t dictate it entirely.
The goal is to strike a balance between SEO and natural, engaging writing.
Step 3: Creating a Loose Structure
Now, it’s time to outline.
I emphasize “loose” because this isn’t about creating a detailed, bulletproof framework. It’s about having a basic structure to guide my writing. I decide on a simple introduction, a few key points for the body, and a conclusion.
This structure keeps me focused but doesn’t constrain my writing.
I ensure that there’s a logical flow, but I don’t fret over creating the perfect transitions or segues.
Step 4: Writing with Flow and Efficiency
With the structure in place, I start writing.
This is where I let go of the inner critic. My focus is on getting my thoughts down as efficiently as possible. I aim for clarity and coherence, but I don’t obsess over crafting the perfect sentence.
If I find myself stuck on a paragraph or a phrase, I move on and come back to it later. The goal is to keep the momentum going. I use the keywords naturally, ensuring they fit into the text without feeling forced or overused.
Tip: You can also use AI writers like ChatGPT, Claude, Jasper, etc. to rapidly generate good enough content.
Step 5: Quick, Yet Effective Editing
Once the draft is complete, I do a quick editing pass.
This isn’t about deep editing or extensive revisions. I look for glaring grammatical errors, awkward phrasings, and any obvious inconsistencies. Tools like Grammarly are a great help in this stage. I also ensure that the keywords are well-placed and that the article reads naturally.
Step 6: Optimizing for SEO
In this step, I give the article a quick SEO check.
This includes optimizing the title, headings, and meta descriptions with keywords. I make sure the article has internal and external links, where relevant. However, I don’t get bogged down with advanced SEO tactics. The idea is to make the article discoverable and readable.
Personally, I use the free RankMath Plugin to help me get the SEO basics covered.
Step 7: Publishing and Moving On
Finally, it’s time to publish. Once the article is live, I don’t linger on it.
I move on to the next one. The beauty of this process is its rapid turnaround. It allows me to create a volume of content, testing different ideas and formats.
If the article is truly “good enough” it will rank and make money through display ads or affiliate marketing. You can always go back and polish up the piece later.
For an extreme version of this approach, check out this insane video:
Embracing Efficiency and Flexibility
This method is all about efficiency and flexibility.
It’s about producing content that’s good enough to engage readers and rank in search engines without getting caught up in the quest for perfection. It’s a strategy that has allowed me to keep my content fresh, diverse, and continuously flowing.
By not over-investing in each article, I can cover more ground and cater to a wider audience.
Remember, in the world of digital content, sometimes quantity with acceptable quality can be just as impactful as a few pieces of perfect content.
This approach has not only boosted my productivity but also my income, proving that sometimes, good enough really is good enough.
The First Step in a Larger Journey
A final point: Creating “garbage” articles isn’t about compromising on quality.
Instead, it’s about understanding the market, the readers, and the efficiency of content production. It’s a stepping stone, a way to put your ideas out there, see what works, and refine as you go.
I like this quote, “Done is often better than perfect.”
And as someone who’s seen their monthly income soar to $5,000+ with this approach, I can vouch for its effectiveness.
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