Making Money Writing For Associated Content & Why I Need to Keep My Day Job
Ranked #34,936 in Business & Work, #468,667 overall
A Year Writing in My Pajamas
Monthly Lessons Learned. I just joined this year. It seems there is always something new I learn every month. Sometimes chasing page views has been futile. At other times, I've been surprised when I've checked my Associated Content account and have been blown away by the number of page views an article has generated.
FAQ: How Much Have You Earned on AC?
My AC Earnings To Date $290.80 From March to December 2008
Casio Exilim EX-S880 8.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Anti-Shake Optical Zoom (Red)
If I keep comparing writing for Associated Content to an hourly wage, it's the wrong frame of reference, it's de-motivating. Sure you could probably make more flipping bugers, but would it be as fun? So I like to think about how quickly a couple bucks here and there accumulate and pretty soon you have enough to treat yourself to a new camera, DVDs, CDS, books, whatever you fancy. I'm going to use my AC earnings to replace my 5 MP camera with a spiffy new red digital camera.
Lessons Learned - Get Rich Slowly
From March to December 2008
How Much I Earned in November 2008
Here's What I Could Buy With My Earnings
1 Article Submitted = 1 Call for Content
What Was Going on This Month
You don't earn money for nothing. I had taken time off work for the next 3 months on a self-imposed writing sabbatical to focus on writing a book so I tried not to be distracted with writing for AC. These earnings simply reflect 1 call for content which paid $3.50 and the remainder is the performance payment for page views generated in October.
Moleskine Classic Red Notebook, Ruled Pocket
But look, even this paltry sum is still enough to buy a much coveted Moleskin journal. I'm thinking if Hemmingway was inspired to write great thoughts in these notebooks, perhaps greatness will also transpire when I acquire one. Plus besides basic black, I just found this red version with lined paper which you often don't see in stores. Another content provider pointed out on the performance payments for the Oprah article, it'll be like a "present from Oprah and you didn't even have to fly out to Chicago".
Display Only Articles Can Make Money
Lesson Learned - November 2008
Oprah Free Christmas Music CDThis Article Has Earned = $23.73 YTD
This display only article published November 26, 2008 has generated 14,859 pages x $1.60/1,000 page views.
My Mom and I were watching Oprah's annual Favorite Things shows. I thought people watching might be checking online for the free download. So on a whim, I quickly wrote a blurb in roughly an hour that told people about the 48 hour limited time offer. I submitted for display only performance payments because I thought it would take too long for approval.
Why?
I was pleasantly suprised as many content producers suggest focusing on writing evergreen content. The keywords "Oprah Free CD", "Oprah Free Christmas CD", "Oprah Free Christmas" landed my article in the top 2 Google search results right after the official blurb from oprah.com "Oprah's Favorite Things for a Thrifty Holiday".
However, my update was specifically targetted just on the free Christmas CD perhaps giving people a more targeted way to find the free CD. Oprah recently ran a repeat broadcast shortly before Christmas which netted the article an unexpected bump in page views.
How Much I Earned In July 2008
Here's What I Could Buy With My Earnings
2 Articles Submitted = 1 Upfront Payment, 1 Display Only
Includes $11.29 performance payments for June page views
What Was Going on This Month
I went on vacation this month and wrote little for AC.
Old Friend from Far Away: The Practice of Writing Memoir
Considering I only wrote 2 articles this month, it's nice to know that without any effort on my part, my past articles at least generated some money. I'm working on writing a book from personal experience. I had previously read Natalie Goldberg's definitive writing book "Writing Down the Bones". So I'll use the money to splurge on the hardcover of Natalie Goldberg's recently released book.
Help Someone Else Solve a Problem
Lesson Learned - July 2008
Can't Send E-mails? - Troubleshooting Issues with Microsoft Outlook & VerizonThis Article Has Earned = $6.23 YTD
$4.13 Call For Content + $2.10 in performance payments
1,397 page views x $1.50/100 page views
I was away from home when I had difficulty sending e-mails. Frustrated, it took me a couple of hours to resolve. A friend was able to help me instantly when I mentioned the problem I was having. So I used that frustration to quickly write an article outlining what happened and tried to breakdown the steps I took to resolve.
Why?
I searched all over the web for information and there were too many pages that came up on Google that were ineffective. I then used Google Adwords Keyword Tool to try to develop a title with keywords that people might be searching and made sure my article included 3-5% keyword density.
How Much I Earned in June 2008
Here's What I Could Buy With My Earnings
3 Articles Submitted = 2 Calls for Content, 1 Display Only
Includes $13.88 performance payments for May page views
What Was Going on This Month
Busy at my day job gardening, I was too tired to bother writing when I got home from work. Submitted one display article Writing Sabbatical: Take Time Off to Finish the Book You've Always Wanted to Write for Ultimate AC contest with $5,000 prize. Alas, didn't win :D
Cyber AcousticsStereo Headset/Microphone, Ambidextrous design AC-201
Amazon Price: $7.24 (as of 02/18/2012)
My husband and I currently share the telephone headset we use anytime when we Skype on our computers. So I invest in a second inexpensive pair. The money I make this month from AC pays not only for the additional headset but Skype time as well. Since AC pays via Paypal and Skype accepts Paypal for payment, I tend to leave money in my Paypal account for convenient online purchases.
Write About What You Know
Lesson Learned - June 2008
Do-It-Yourself: Repointing Chimney MortarThis Article Has Earned = $6.60 YTD
$4.50 Call For Content + $2.10 in performance payments
1,403 page views x $1.50/100 page views
I had previously written an article for a local community newspaper about lime mortar and another for AC, so it was simply a matter of using my existing understanding of the subject to repurpose the knowledge to meet the call for content article requirements.
Why?
When I have little time to write, I at least check the calls for content to see if there is anything I have knowledge about that I can contribute. It seems there's less delay in acceptance of completed articles. This was on the higher end of upfront payments I tend to receive.
How Much I Earned in May 2008
Here's What I Could Buy With My Earnings
12 Articles Submitted = 1 Call for Content, 8 Upfront Payment, 3 Display Only
Includes $15.17 performance payments for April page views
What Was Going on This Month
I got one of my highest upfront offers to date, $4.99 for a totally frivolous fun topic "Laugh Off Your Job Frustrations With An E-Comic" and the comment "AC rewards a handful of the strongest submissions each day with a higher than average offer, and your content has been selected for this honor. Congratulations!" But, ironically, it has only generated 51 page views but I have done little promotion either.
Felco F-2 Classic Manual Hand Pruner
Amazon Price: $47.95 (as of 02/18/2012)
As a professional gardener, I swear by these classic Felco #2 pruners. Next time you pass by a gardener or landscaper, check it out, you'll see a holster strapped to their belt or pocket with these definitive shears. You often can't find these at most big box hardware store. The best prices can be found on the web. I'm going to take my earnings and treat my Dad to a pair for Father's Day. If you're a gardener and a writer, set yourself a goal to write and submit one article every other day, and you can treat yourself to a pair of Felco pruners in a month!
Tell a Personal Story
Lesson Learned - May 2008
Weather Channel Anchor Hillary Andrews Wins Bob Stokes Sexual Harassment LawsuitThis Article Has Earned = $9.51 YTD
$3.00 Call For Content + $6.51 in performance payments
4,342 page views x $1.50/100 page views
Associated Content had been emphasizing in their calls for content to write from personal experience. This is one of the first few articles where I added my own story about sexual harassment on the job. I have been so used to business writing so I had to get used to the idea that my unique perspective is exactly what AC is really looking for in their content. Here's another article where I talk about almost marrying the wrong person like Former Fiance of Runaway Bride Jennifer Wilbanks Gets Married Without a Hitch
Why?
This is the first article that I focused on keyword density using the free keyword density tool Textalyser and made sure keywords are included in headlines. It made all the difference with page views.
How Much I Earned in April 2008
Here's What I Could Buy With My Earnings
28 Articles Submitted = 8 Calls for Content, 12 Upfront Payment, 8 No Payment
Includes $3.23 performance payments for March page views
![Apple iPod shuffle 2 GB Bright Green (2nd Generation) [Previous Model]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41LXVECMAoL._SL160_.jpg)
Apple iPod shuffle 2 GB Bright Green (2nd Generation) [Previous Model]
Yay! At least enough for a cute IPOD Shuffle. Most of the articles I was offered upfront payment averaging $3/article. At this point I didn't spend much time on SEO search engine optimization so these articles have not generated many additonal page views over time. For techniques on how to improve page views, see the AC Tool Box by 2007 Associated Content Producer, Pam Gaulin.
Write About What You Love
Lesson Learned - April 2008
Prison Break Season 4 - Dr. Sara Tancredi ReturnsThis Article Has Earned = $19.52 YTD
$3.81 Upfront Payment + $15.81 in performance payments
10,470 page views x $1.50/100 page views
I just wrote this article one evening because a friend introduced me to the series and I had been ODing, watching all the Season 1 episodes in a week. I loved the Dr. Sara Tancredi & Michael storyline and was curious what happened to them and stumbled upon news in Prison Break forums that she was coming back.
Why?
I remember this article being fun to research and easy to write simply because I enjoyed the TV show. It ended up with a lot of residual page views leading up to the anticipated season premiere and placed fairly high on Google searches.
How Much I Earned in March 2008
Here's What I Could Buy With My Earnings
18 Articles Submitted = 4 Calls for Content, 6 Upfront Payment, 8 No Payment
Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000 Webcam - Black
What I Learn From My Initial Article Rejections
If I want to earn more than enough to buy a web cam next month, I need to learn from my mistakes. I discover AC tends not to pay for book reviews, articles about Associated Content or any time sensitive news articles unless it has a unique perspective.
Don't Dismiss Low Call For Content Offers
Lesson Learned - March 2008
Jay Barker, Sara Evans to MarryThis Article Has Earned = $10.43 YTD
I only received a dollar upfront payment for this call to content, that's right a measly $1. But this article has ended up generating 6,286 page views x $1.50/1000 page views YTD = $9.43 page views +$1 upfront
Why?
AC was helpful in pointing out this was a timely topic that was not oversaturated with articles and provided the critical keywords to help the article place high on Google searches.
Here's Another Example:
Japanese Detox Foot Pads: Ancient Japanese Secret is a Scam
AC Article Earnings YTD = $9.80
$3.50 Call For Content + $6.30 in performance payments
4,204 page views x $1.50/100 page views
Write About What You Love
The Money Will Follow
Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow: Discovering Your Right Livelihood
Don't bother writing for Associated Content if you're looking to make a quick buck. Those who suceed at making A/C generate regular part-time or full-time income are dedicated to maintaining regular bankers hours in writing articles and composing great, discoverable, SEO search engine optimized content.
They say writers write to search for answers to questions they are seeking to resolve. I've been looking for a place that would share specific details about making money on Associated Content and to explore best practices of top performing Associated Content Producers so together we can improve as writers and ultimately profit personally, professionally and financially from our writing with Associated Content.
Associated Content Toolbox
By Pam Gaulin, Associated Content Producer of the Year
Share What You Know
Please Leave Your Comments Here
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katiecolette
May 8, 2011 @ 9:13 pm | delete
- Thank you for sharing your experience on AC - like you, I write both, for Squidoo and AC :)
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spirituality
Oct 11, 2009 @ 11:27 am | delete
- Great lens - you've been blessed by a squidoo angel :)
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grannysage
Feb 27, 2009 @ 6:14 pm | delete
- I've been writing for Associated Content for about a year. I started last year when I was out of work and I was so excited when I started making money. However, getting a full time job seriously cut into my writing time. The articles I published there took a lot of research and concentration, which got harder and harder to squeeze into small bits of time. That is why I am focusing on Squidoo now. I may not have time to write a full length article, but I can find time to add one module to a lens.
My articles are still getting page views, although not doing as well as yours. If I could have had more content I would probably make more money. But Squidoo is taking off now, so here is where I'll stay for awhile. Great lens.
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lou16
Feb 18, 2009 @ 6:39 pm | delete
- This is a really interesting lens, I haven't written for AC as I live outside of the US so when I looked into it (about 2 years ago) I thought I was better off writing elsewhere. I love how you've set this page up though and it will be interesting to see how you find it compares with squidoo for you.
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Billco
Feb 17, 2009 @ 3:33 pm | delete
- Never did anything there - planned to but never got around to it.
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