Many Hubbers have trouble making the jump from online obscurity to significant earnings and a strong online presence. We are happy to announce the public release of a special program that can help you bridge that gap. The HubPages Apprenticeship Program is a rigorous six month course in which Hubbers are taught basic and more advanced aspects of Hubbing, online writing, and building a strong, multi-platform, online brand and portfolio.
In addition to working closely within a team of 30 peers, getting access to exclusive online lessons, and receiving personalized feedback from HubPages staff, Apprentices are given a bonus of over six dollars for every Hub they publish while participating in the program. This bonus is, of course, just an up-front perk given in addition to the long-term ad revenue Apprentices will earn from each Hub, so we’re essentially paying Hubbers to learn and thrive online.
Apprenticeship Lessons
Apprenticeship lessons cover subjects ranging from basic keyword research and SEO to making money, working photos and video into your work, analyzing your traffic, getting established on multiple social networks, and developing a following.
The lessons come in the form of written guides, video tutorials, and mp3s that you can download and listen to on the go. We also hold semi-regular Hangouts on Google+ in which Apprentices can speak to a live Mentor (a HubPages staffmember leading the program) face-to-face.
Program Requirements
HubPages Apprentices enjoy quite a few privileges, but are also expected to adhere to strict standards. Each Apprentice is expected to publish a minimum of eight Hubs per month and those Hubs must be entirely original to HubPages, contain at least one image, only use legally used images, be at least 500 words long, and include any additional requirements that might pertain to a particular month’s focus. Apprentices who fail to meet minimum requirements are kicked out of the program.
Applying for the Program
Everyone is welcome to apply for the Apprenticeship Program. You can do so by visiting the Apprenticeship section of My Account. Before applying, make sure that you have some quick links to any online writing samples that might exist off of HubPages, as well as a list of subject areas you would like to cover in future Hubs.
Keep in mind that each month we can only accept 30 new entrants into the Apprenticeship Program. Preference will be given to the applicants who show the most promise (specifically, a demonstrated ability to regularly publish high quality online articles, a willingness to learn, and an eagerness to provide team feedback and develop new skills). Only Hubbers with at least one published Hub, a Google AdSense account, and enrollment in the HubPages Earnings Program can be accepted into the program.
Testimonials
The Apprenticeship Program has already been running for one month, which means that one team has just finished their first month of the program and another team has just begun. Are you curious to know who has been participating? A couple Apprentices from the first month of the program have this to say about their first month in the program:
My first month in the Apprenticeship Program was not only a ton of fun, but it improved my writing in so many ways!
The HubPages Apprenticeship has sharpened my online writing acumen. It has taught me that good writing is only the threshold in the online writing process. There are search engine fundamentals that must also be applied to generate traffic and make money. The Apprenticeship is invaluable in helping the serious student learn to make writing both enjoyable and lucrative.
Since joining the Apprenticeship Program, I discovered that there are niche categories in which my writing and expertise excel. The quality of my writing has improved tremendously and my Hub traffic has increased. In my first month in the program, my page views increased by more than 29% and the number of comments in my Hubs increased by more than 46%.
My experience in the Apprenticeship Program has been beyond words. I have learned so much about what makes a Hub successful, met a wonderful group of writers, and was in constant awe over the helpfulness and support of the HubPages staff. In the last month alone, I have seen a major increase in both page views and earnings so that to me is proof that this program works!
I will forever be grateful to the staff for allowing me to be a part of this program and want to encourage everyone to take advantage of this amazing opportunity.
Only one month in and my perspective on writing has already changed dramatically. Google’s perspective on my writing has also changed dramatically. 😉
The Apprenticeship Program has been an incredible journey filled with lessons, videos and mentorship. I have learned an enormous amount of valuable information in the one short month of my participation. The mentor team and my colleagues have been instrumental in my growth and development as a successful online writer. I look forward to building my skills and brand as I continue to learn and evolve with the Apprenticeship Program. I strongly recommend it to any HubPages writer that has the opportunity to participate in this challenging, but rewarding experience.
When I was invited to participate in the apprentice program, I knew that this was a fantastic opportunity for me. Even though I enjoy writing and have definitely improved my craft since joining HubPages a little over a year ago, I am definitely keyword and SEO challenged. I knew that this would be a chance to learn more about these skills that have continued to elude me. With one month down in the program, not only have I already learned so much about creating an effective Hub, but I have learned a great deal about how to create great titles and subtitles to generate search engine traffic. I have started to go back and apply these new skills to old Hubs and I am already seeing results. I can only imagine the wonderful things that I will learn in the months to come and am very excited about the journey ahead.
For more information on the HubPages Apprenticeship Program, stop by our Learning Center guide. If you’re passionate about online writing and want to improve your skills, we hope you consider applying!
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I would love to do this! However, I am going to be really busy until August. Is there a way I can get on the list to start at a later time?
Hello
I am interested in this program. It is my intention to create an online writing career and I am really enjoying being part of hub pages.
Please advise if I may be accepted into the program and if there is any other application/process I need to complete first.
Thank you.
Hi – I’m very serious about developing an online writing career. I’m a good writer, but even though I’ve been writing on Hubpages for a year under two nom de plumes, I haven’t made any money yet. I’m just starting to get SEO. There’s so much more I know I can do.
Also, not long after it first started I tried signing up for the Hubpages Earnings Program and was not allowed to. Has that changed?
Shasta, I recommend just waiting until August to submit your application. We take on a new class each month, so you can join whenever you’re ready 😀
Liza, I’m glad you’re interested! Check out the Learning Center entry we link to in the post for more tips on submitting your application.
Watergeek, is it that you were having AdSense troubles, or was something else stopping you from signing up for the HubPages Earnings Program? At any rate, it would be good to troubleshoot this before submitting an application.
I would absolutely love to do this so I can improve my traffic with social networking, where I am now lacking severely. I would also like to improve my keyword tool searches to increase cpm.
This program would be just what I need to take my skills and income to a whole different level.
I am very interested in the program. I went to the learning center and read the requirements. But I am new here at hubpages. Actually this is the only place that I actively write for. I have a blog but is for short quotes and poetry. If all my substantial work is here, how can I qualify for the program’s application?
Hi,
I have sent in my application and I would be very excited if I was accepted into the program. I am so keen to learn about how to put together quality articles with great content and from what I have read here from you current apprentices it sounds just what I am looking for.
Please please consider me and I can’t wait to hear from you.
Hi Simone,
When should one expect to know if one’s been accepted into the program? Who, me? Ohhhh, is it that obvious???
Laurel
Hey Laurel! We’re reviewing applications in waves and sending email updates once applications have been reviewed. We’ll keep you posted!
I am interested in joining this apprenticeship program….most likely in July, after the recipe hub contest, unless I can double up an use any recipe hubs I create as part of my Apprenticeship?
Seafarer Mama, recipe Hubs can most definitely be Apprenticeship Hubs, though keep in mind that in the first month of the program, Apprentices have to publish Hubs using titles that have been given to them.
I submitted my application for the apprenticeship program and wanted to make sure it was receives since I haven’t heard anything.
The review process will begin again this week and you should hear from us shortly. Thanks for your patience, Megan!