Re: Get Paid to Write About Skating (About.com is hiring)

<< I had a friend that applied who is a former pairs skater and now a
photographer and writer. He still has not received a reply. Any idea
how long it takes for them to reply? >>

I'm not certain how long it should take to hear back from About.com,
but I suspect they have a lot of applications to review.  As long as a
topic is still listed on About.com's "available topics" page
(http://beaguide.about.com/topics.htm) they are still accepting
applications for that topic.

When a topic disappears from that page, it means About.com has
accepted one or more people into the application process, and that
process usually takes about 3 weeks (The application process is this:
Applicants must use About.com's tools to build a mini About.com Web
site.  There is a lot of pressure to build the site quickly. It is
difficult process - much more difficult than actually being a guide.
At the end of 3 weeks, About.com either hires one of those people or
invites more applicants to apply).

You will know when someone has been hired, because a new guide's name
will appear on the Web site, replacing the "Apply Now" sign (although
it usually takes a few weeks for the new guide's photo to appear).

The best way I know to contact About.com directly is to use this form:
http://www.about.com/gi/pages/pform.htm.

For people who might not know what we are talking about, here is an
announcement I wrote about openings at About.com for Inline Skating
and Figure Skating writers: http://www.skatelog.com/beaguide.htm

Hope that helps!

- Kathie Fry, Editor
- http://www.skatelog.com