Grow Your Audience with Microsoft Start
With the help of Microsoft Start, WordPress.com creators are getting access to an all-new tool to increase their audience.
We’re all looking for ways to grow our audiences for our sites. Sometimes, we change our content to optimize it for search engines. Other times, we find ways to reach new people, such as using tags so our blog posts show up in the Reader.
Now, WordPress.com creators are getting access to an all-new tool to increase their audience.
Originally released as Microsoft News, the revamped Microsoft Start is a global news and information feed that currently syndicates content from over 4,500 premium publishers to about a billion people! In an effort to expand and diversify this network, Microsoft has started an exclusive pilot program — and is looking for 500 highly qualified, independent creators in the U.S. to apply.
Yes, this means you.
Using the Microsoft Start plugin to connect your site to the platform, you’ll be able to build your brand and gain exposure by delivering your content throughout Microsoft Start’s ecosystem, which includes MSN, Bing, and Microsoft Edge. Additionally, you’ll be able to earn ad-sharing revenue via the platform, as well as 100% direct support through readers and your affinity links. Creators on the Microsoft Start platform act as their own syndicator and will maintain 100% ownership of their content. Even better, previously published posts can be repurposed as evergreen content using the built-in WordPress.com feed functionality.
Do you qualify?
Desired applicants are reputable topic specialists publishing content at least 5 times per month. Priority will be given to the following genres: food and drink; travel; health and wellness (which includes nutrition and fitness); relationships; parenting; demystifying science and tech; career and personal finance; the craft of writing; and DIY how-tos. Ideally, you also have an archive of at least 25 blog posts.
If you’re interested in applying, Microsoft will sweeten the deal by paying 500 accepted candidates a $100 bonus upon publishing regularly for 60 days. (To qualify, candidates must submit their application by 11:59pm PDT on Sunday August 28, 2022 and enter “WordPress” as your referral.) Please note that there are terms and conditions all participating publishers must agree to in order to work directly with Microsoft Start. This opportunity is not an affiliate program between Microsoft Start and WordPress.com; it’s simply a special, limited-time opportunity we’ve helped to leverage for WordPress.com creators.
- August 15, 2022
- Admin Bar
“…and is looking for 500 highly qualified, independent creators in the U.S. to apply.
Yes, this means you.”
Alas, it doesn’t. I am not in the U.S.
LikeLiked by 13 people
That thought did cross one’s mind.
LikeLiked by 5 people
WhT is the cost?
LikeLiked by 7 people
Will this be available for UK bloggers in the near future?
LikeLiked by 6 people
What a cool program! I applied!
LikeLiked by 4 people
I think a lot of people did and more seem interested. But, what does it cost to get involved.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I looked into it and it doesn’t cost anything to get involved.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Yeah. Thanks for replying. I did get some answer from them about that. So I joined. You?
LikeLiked by 2 people
I also joined, just trying to build up my content I don’t think I have enough yet. I am posting everyday though. 🤞🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
It seems like a good way to grow an audience. All of us should follow each other.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Agreed. I would love to follow everyone. 😃
LikeLiked by 2 people
Following your writings now.
LikeLiked by 6 people
I think I followed you awhile back as well.
LikeLiked by 2 people
when is this gonna commence!!!!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Don’t know when it starts, but we should all follow each other. That way we all get new readers, views…We all grow and help each other in the process.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank You
LikeLiked by 2 people
Please CLARIFY ” IF this is ONLY FOR Bloggers in US ” and Does Not Apply to Bloggers outside US…
LikeLiked by 2 people
That is correct. To qualify for this pilot program you must be based in the US. Microsoft does not appear to have opened this program up to other countries at this time
LikeLike
Thank you
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh okay but rather is not available for the interview with the company you know what I’m saying .thank you
Y.B.D
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great opportunity
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is. Especially if we all follow each other. New followers, views…We all win.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am interested but unfortunately not in USA
LikeLiked by 3 people
Is this available in india
LikeLiked by 3 people
Microsoft is currently selecting bloggers in the U.S.
LikeLiked by 2 people
We should all follow each other. We all get new readers, views, followers…We all grow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a cool program!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sounds great. I thought so too. We should all follow each other. New readers, subscribers and views. We all win. We all learn from each other.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Love to do it but still have not gotten any response…What is the cost?
LikeLiked by 4 people
There’s no cost. This is a pilot program and you apply here: https://aka.ms/StartCreating
LikeLiked by 4 people
‘Regularly posts 5 times per month’ whelp, that rules me out. I’m just blogging on the side so that makes money earning opportunities very difficult
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks
LikeLiked by 2 people
I didn’t know about microsoft start. Great opportunity for sure
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow that’s awesome 👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s awesome 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just seeing this. Interested but opportunity gone
LikeLike
Hi Mindy,
I need to get some clarification on this Microsoft program. I applied and just got my acceptance letter today. But now that I am reading the information again this is a plugin that I need to install on my site. But, if I am correct, plugins are not available on the premium plan, right? If that is the case do I have to resend this great opportunity?
Empish
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would check with Microsoft directly to see if they offer a non-plugin option just to be safe. If they require a plugin then you would need our Business Plan to be able to participate, since plugins cannot be be added under the Premium Plan, thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for replying, Gerry. I sent off amessage to day asking that question.
LikeLike
I am still waiting for mine but a question if you don’t mind. Did their response come from microsoft or from WordPress? I’m having some trouble understanding this whole deal. It sounds great though. And, good luck to you!
LikeLike
JC,
The response about the plugins came directly from WordPress. I reached out to them on Friday, the same day I got the acceptence letter from Microsoft. I hope that clears up things a bit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So, okay. After you fill out the form, how do you know you are accepted, and, what else do you have to do to start?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello there, you should get a response via if you’re accepted, I would recommend checking any spam inboxes that may be in place.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Having problems with my WordPress Login, I hope I can get some help. thank you, Mabel.
LikeLike
Hey Mabel! We can help you with that – have you been able to send a password reset via: https://wordpress.com/wp-login.php?action=lostpassword
LikeLike