Associated Content for the Clueless: A Guide Making Money Writing Online

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Helping AC Content Producers Earn Money While Writing Online

This lens is dedicated to helping new and seasoned content producers at Associated Content learn:

-- The ropes of the website

-- How to produce quality content

-- How to promote content 

-- How to gain referrals

-- How to maximize earnings based on all of the above!

Why am I qualified to write this lens?  I have been writing for AC since 2005, so I have a pretty good handle on things.  Still, I learn something new everyday from the wonderful writers at the AC community. 

I recently became a Squidoo Lensmaster for some other endeavors, and decided that creating one of this nature for AC would be a cool thing to do.

 

What is Associated Content? 

It's the People's Media Company, that's what!

Direct from the AC website, this is what the company touts itself as:

"Associated Content is The People's Media Company, the ultimate destination site for both the inquisitive public and Content Producers from around the world. Associated Content curates and publishes a robust, ever-expanding collection of engaging, insightful, original multimedia content on the Web, connecting information seekers with the knowledge they want and the widest range of diverse Content Producers."

AND YES.... THEY PAY
AC will offer writers $3-$20 for accepted content. A content manager will make an offer on submitted content (or, sometimes reject it) and the writer can accept or deny the bid. If accepted, the content will show up within a few days. And, AC pays its content producers three times per week!

WHAT IS AC LOOKING FOR?
Really, anything that is 1) original and 2) that will garner pageviews. With AC offering dozens and dozens of categories and subcatergories, there is something for everyone-- from Acne remedies to Zookeeper duties!

In addition to written content, AC also pays for videos.

WHAT DOESN'T AC PAY FOR?
AC does not offer paymet for everything, such as poetry or prose; however, with a new pageview bonus those types of submissions can still eventually earn!


OKAY THEN... SO WHAT IS A PAGEVIEW BONUS?
Very much to the delight of its loyal content producers, in March AC launched a Performance Bonus program. Through this program, users can earn $1.00 per thousand pageviews, or in web terminology, CPM. (This does not mean pageviews have to meet 1000 views; 100 views will earn $.10 and so on....)


Some top producers have earned over $300 in pageview bonus dollars. So, users who are not exactly thrilled with an offer can bet that if the article does draw traffic, residual income from that piece is sure to come.

STEP #1 -- Joining Associated Content 

...Because you have to start somewhere.

Join Associated Content

To become Associated Content's newest Content Producer (CP), simply click the link above and begin.

More specifically, here's how to begin:

1. Pick out a username and create your profile. Some people use thier real name; some use pennames.

2. Check out AC 101 and Geting Started for tips from AC and seasoned content producers. Perhaps, visit the community forum to meet other newbies and get advice from seasoned CPs.

3. Brainstorm, write and then upload your first few articles and await your offers. (You do this via the "Publish" tabe. Choose the best template for your article.)

4. Collect your earnings three times a week. (NOTE: You MUST have a PayPal account.)

5. Promote your content to get read! (More on that below.)

6. Continue to publish, earn and HAVE FUN!

STEP #2 -- Writing Content for Associated Conent 

Write to get read!

Writing for the web is very different than writing for print. People search for specific things when reading online, as opposed to just browsing. So this means that:

1) CONTENT SHOULD BE A HOT TOPIC
2) CONTENT SHOULD BE A POPULAR TOPIC
3) CONTENT SHOULD BE ORIGINAL & UNIQUE
4) CONTENT SHOULD BE KEYWORD-RICH

Content can be any combination of the above. AC looks for both 'evergreen' topics that people will always be looking for such as travel, weddings and other usual topics. However, they also look for hot, current topics that will bring pageviews. Recently, Anna Nicole Smith news garnered lots of pageviews quickly, but will die with time.


Also, AC seeks out content on familiar topics, but with a new spin. Finally, AC is looking for keyword rich content that is likely to show up in the search engines.

As a freelance print journalist, I still find it a challenge to produce keyword-rich web content.

Keyword density is something important to keep in mind when writing for the web. (More on this below...)

Personally, I write with no regard to keyword density and hope for the best. (I have been happy with my earnings.) However, many at AC run their articles through programs to be sure the keyword denisty meets AC's standards. Generally when a story is searchable, it pays more. And, this is also likely to have longevity, meaning a continued income from the pageview bonus.

STEP #3 -- Brainstorming for Content Ideas 

Where do writer's get all their topics?

Join Associated Content

There are some writers on AC that have upwards of 300-400 articles. How does one keep the content coming? Here are some ideas I have heard, as well as processes I use on my own:

1. Publish what you ALREADY have
If you are anything like me, you have old articles, stories, etc. that were never published or were published somewhere where you still have the rights. Upload them to AC and watch your content list grow fast!

2. Write what you know!
Take an inventory of your hobbies, expertise and interests and write about them. It's so easy to churn out something off the top of your head than to research.

3. Write what you feel
EVERYONE has an opinion. AC does accept op/ed pieces, so if something in the news strikes a chord with you, write a piece on your viewpoints.

4. Pay attention to current events
There are so many spins that can be taken from current events. Not saying to rehash the news, but look at an issue and take a new spin on in. Turn it into a feature or something. For example: With the pet food recall going on, a good story idea could be "How to Make Homemade Dog Food.

5. Write about EVERYTHING
When you go out to eat or see a band or visit a new store, write about it! AC loves local content and guides.

More to come on this-- and if you have an idea, send it on over!

STEP #4 -- Promotiong your AC Content to Make More Money 

.... Because AC Gives $$ for Pageviews

AC pays what it pays. ($3-20 per article, with most offers on the lower end.)

However, AC introduced the 'Performance Bonus' which awards CPs for pageviews. One super-producer earned $200 during the first round of bonus payoffs!

So, it is vital that content is promoted. Sure, people may find their way to your article by browsing or random searches. However, it can be better to bring the content to the people!

Here's how:

ON AC
-- Subscribe to people and they will subscribe back!
-- Leave comments on other CPs stories and they may comment back
-- Be active in the forums (and provide a signature so users can click on your page!)
-- Be friendly!

OFF AC
-- Blog your content or post links to your content in your blog
--Add a widget of your latest content to you blog, Myspace or other site
-- Email content to friends
--Email relevant content to the people/thing you wrote about
-- DIGG it
-- Promote your content on MySpace
-- Use signatures to your CP page on your email
-- Post links to your stuff on message boards that pertain to the topic
-- Be creative and think of your own ideas.

Top AC Content Producers & Top AC CP Blogs, Etc. 

You can learn a lot from these AC vets

Get an idea of what content is hot by looking at these CP pages, or better yet-- some of these CPs have created blogs to help others succeed at AC.
The Barefoot on AC
One of the most helpful CPs and has a great sense of humor.
Michelle L. Devon (Michy)
Extremely friendly and helpful CP with a lot of clout and a lot of good insight.
The Barefoot Scribble
Blog about AC with hints, tips, tricks and more on how to grow your AC business.

Keyword Density For the Clueless 

.... Because you can earn more $$ and pageviews

I know that keyword density matters. However, I am not the best in this department. Here are some great articles by some seasoned AC CPs:

Keywords and SEO: The Facts

A Guide to Writing for the Web and Keyword Density

Keywords and SEO: The Basics

My Associated Content, Well, Content 

A look at what I've done

The links below are to titles of my recent work. But don't stop by looking at me-- click around to see what everyone is doing!

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Freelance Writing Books from Amazon 

Some Titles to Get'cha Started, or Keep up With the BIz

Freelance writing books and references for writers of all levels and genres.
Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer: How to Win Top Writing Assignments

Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer: How to Win Top Writing Assignments

by: Jenna Glatzer

Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 12/11/2009) Buy Now

Getting Started as a Freelance Writer, Expanded Edition (Culture Tools)

Getting Started as a Freelance Writer, Expanded Edition (Culture Tools)

by: Robert W. Bly

Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 12/11/2009) Buy Now

The ASJA Guide to Freelance Writing: A Professional Guide to the Business, for Nonfiction Writers of All Experience Levels

The ASJA Guide to Freelance Writing: A Professional Guide to the Business, for Nonfiction Writers of All Experience Levels

Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 12/11/2009) Buy Now

The Indispensable Field Guide to Freelance Writing

The Indispensable Field Guide to Freelance Writing

by: Amy Farrar

Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 12/11/2009) Buy Now

The Renegade Writer: A Totally Unconventional Guide to Freelance Writing Success (The Renegade Writer's Freelance Writing series)

The Renegade Writer: A Totally Unconventional Guide to Freelance Writing Success (The Renegade Writer's Freelance Writing series)

by: Linda Formichelli, Diana Burrell

Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/11/2009) Buy Now

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by donna1978

Creative soul from Northeast PA.

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