This used to be a lengthy process involving identifying the copyright holder, finding contact information, writing a detailed letter outlining how you plan to use the quoted material, and then sitting back and waiting. And waiting and waiting. It was a frustrating process, all the more so when the request was denied.

The process is much easier today. More and more publishers are using the Copyright Clearance Center, an online service that eases and speeds the process for writers. By using CCC’s Purchase Permissions feature (under the Authors menu option), you can search for published material and find out exactly what kind of reprint rights are allowed, as well as how much they will cost.

The drawback to CCC’s service is that not all publishers are on board yet. If you need to secure reprint permission from a publisher that does not use CCC, you might try visiting the publisher’s Web site. Often you’ll find reprint permissions instructions there, and sometimes you can even submit your request through the Web site.

Otherwise, you’ll have to do it the old-fashioned way: by writing a letter. In your letter, you must include, at a minimum, the following details:

• Title and author of the publisher’s book
• Imprint or division of the publisher’s book
• ISBN (the International Standard Book Number, located on the copyright page)
• Title of your book or article
• Your publisher’s name
• Format (hardcover, softcover, etc.)
• Territory of distribution for your book or article (U.S., North America, world, etc.)
• Print run (total number of copies to be printed)
• Publication date of your book or article
• Retail price
• Your complete contact information

It’s important to remember that simply requesting reprint permission is no guarantee it will be granted. The copyright holder has the right to say no. However, you’ll greatly increase your chances of a positive response if you follow instructions carefully and be sure to submit all the required information.

Unfortunately, the answer isn’t as clear as we might wish. It lies somewhere within the fair use doctrine of U.S. copyright law. The original intent of copyright law was to protect a writer’s work from someone else using and profiting from it. The framers of this law, however, didn’t want it to be so rigid that it prevented reasonable public use of copyrighted works. Hence, the fair use doctrine was written.

In a nutshell, these are the factors you must consider when deciding whether it’s okay to quote without permission:

1. The purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes.

2. The nature of the copyrighted work.

3. The amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole.

4. The effect of the use upon the potential market for, or value of, the copyrighted work.

(U.S. Code, Title 17, Section 107)

As you can see, these factors are not clearly defined. A common myth is that writers are free to use 400 words from a book, 50 words from an article, or two lines from a poem or song, and it constitutes fair use. This is not true. In reality, fair use can only be determined by the court. And if you’re already in court, you’re in trouble.

Song lyrics are particularly troublesome as the music industry is aggressive about protecting songwriters. Typically, you need reprint permission to use even a single line from a song.

What this means to writers is that you should always be mindful of the fair use doctrine and take great care to seek reprint permission if you have any doubt. Furthermore, anytime you quote from someone else’s work, be sure to properly attribute it.

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At this point you might be asking yourself: “Is it really possible to make money with a blog?” The answer is a big “Yes.” In fact some of the most popular blogs in the world (e.g., PerezHilton.com or TechCrunch.com) make millions of dollars every year. And you don’t need to go to the very top to see the money. I don’t consider myself particularly gifted, yet I am already making six figures annually with my blogs.

Obviously I don’t preach that making money with blogs is quick or easy. Quite the opposite: it will take time and a heck lot of work. But it is possible, especially if you know what you are doing.

Now if you want to get started with a blog, or if you already have one but are neglecting it, I wanted to recommend an ebook that I wrote and released a couple of weeks ago, titled “Make Money Blogging.” Don’t worry, the ebook is completely free. You just need to go here and subscribe to the Daily Blog Tips newsletter to be able to download it (and you can unsubscibe anytime if you don’t like the tips you will get there).

I basically cover all the core concepts that you need to keep in mind when creating, promoting and monetizing your blog. The ebook has 54 pages of content, divided into five chapters: Content, Design & Usability, Networking, Promotion and Monetization.

Check it out, I am sure you will find some useful information inside.