Why I Write for Associated Content - in No Particular Order

Associated Content is a website where you can submit articles for payment. You don't have to apply and then wait for approval. You pretty much just set up your account and then you can start writing.

Of course, there are many factors that determine how much you can make on AC. But there are many free tutorials on the site that you can use to learn how to write effectively online.

AC is the first place I ever submitted an article to. And below I have listed the reasons why after 4 years I'm still a contributor there.

1. Loyalty.
I know that this shouldn't really be a reason to write for a particular site. But I have a soft spot for AC since I earned my first dollar ($3 to be exact) there. I've left a few times since 2006 but I always wind up going back.

2. I Pick My Topics.
This one is huge for me. I have written for places before where I have to pick from a list of titles or keywords. Doing the writing felt like completing a high school writing assignment. And I never enjoyed those. On Associated Content I write about what I want. Keywords are important to getting page views. But again, I can write using whatever keywords I find interesting.

3. Being a Featured Writer means more money upfront.
In all the years I've written for AC I never received a $10 upfront offer. In 2006 I got close to that a few times. But over the years the upfront offers have gone down to dismal amounts. But now that I'm a featured contributor for beauty and education I earn $8 - $10 per featured article and I write 3 per month per category. Plus, I have to write one more article in each category that isn't for featured pay.

So, I went from being unhappy with my offers to being very pleased with the fact that I know for sure how much I'll make for at least 6 of the articles that I write each month.

4. I have a creative outlet that pays.
Yes, I know you're reading this on my blog. So AC isn't my only creative outlet. But currently, I'm actually making money by submitting my creativity to AC. I can't really say that about my blogging at this point.

5. They pay quickly.
I don't know what AC's payment schedule is. I just know that I'm always paid within 2 days of my article being published. That is wonderful. Most other sites pay monthly after you reach the minimum payout amount.

You can use the button below to sign up for Associated Content. Once you've set up your account make sure to check out the FAQ section and the forum to learn how to become successful on AC.

Goals for Week of May 17th

Well, I guess that it's good that I set some goals or I may not have been motivated to do any writing at all this past week. I aimed for 5 Examiner posts and I got 3 done. My goal for AC was 4 - 5 and I completed a grand total of . . . 1.

But it's a new week.

Working to Maximize Blog Carnivals
Right now I submit my AC articles to blog carnivals to boost my page views. But this is starting to seem like a waste of time because it takes several PVs to earn a single cent. However, Examiner seems to be paying 1 cent per page view. So, it makes more sense to submit those posts instead. So, I'm making that change effective immediately.

Revising the Plan
I see now that trying to write 5 AC articles in a week is unrealistic. But I think that 3 is manageable. So, I'll write my 3 mandatory beauty articles this week.

I'm also going to stick with 3 Examiner posts. I don't really know that I have 5 titles in me each week. But I can come up with 3 good ones pretty easily.

Branching Out
I applied to be a featured local contributor on AC but received an email stating that I don't have a large enough local body of work there. I was encouraged to add some articles with a local slant and reapply. I think I'll hold off on that for now. I'm still waiting to find out about the other featured position I applied for.

I am thinking about applying for a 2nd title on Examiner. I found out that the requirements to apply are to: be in good standing, be a regular contributor, have proper grammar and spelling on my current posts, and pass the background check. I'm good on all those points. So now I have to submit 5 titles for possible articles and submit one writing sample.

I haven't applied yet because I'm still trying to figure out if I can make all of my posts local or not. I don't see the value in writing for Examiner if I can't come up with material that will qualify for the local incentive pay. I think trying to keep it local will be tough with the title I have in mind. So, this week I'm going to read other Examiners with that title in other cities and see what approach they're taking with it.

Writing Plan for May 5th

And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. Habakuk 2:2

I realize that it is not realistic to try to plan my schedule too far in advance since things are always subject to change. But I know that it is still good to have a plan regardless. So this is what I'm shooting for this week.

My Goals for Associated Content
I finished my 3 required featured articles for the education category. So, this week I will write the additional article needed in that category. Then I'll write my 3 beauty articles. And if time permits then I'll write the non-featured beauty article that I have to submit.

My Goals for Examiner.com
I plan on writing the maximum number of local posts this week, which is 5.

My Plan
So, that's 4-5 AC articles and 5 Examiner posts. So, here's the deal. Right now out of necessity I get up at 6 AM. After I take my youngest to the bathroom then I'm going to get ready for the day, pray, and read my Bible. After that I'll spend an hour writing my AC article. That's from around 6:30 - 7:30 AM.

While the children finish up breakfast I'll write and post on Examiner. That usually takes no more than 30 minutes.

While the children finish up lunch I'll edit the AC article.

Then while the younger two are napping and the older two are doing independent school work I'll do one final edit on the AC article and submit it.

Brainstorming
As long as I already have a topic in mind I should be able to follow the plan. I usually think of topics throughout the day. And when I decide which ones I will write about the next day then I try to think of the main points that I want to cover. I used to write all of it down. But now I just think about it for a few minutes before I go to bed.

Yes, I Changed My Mind Again

Need I say that I have been going back and forth a lot lately about my writing? Previously, I posted two different writing plans that I was going to try. I scrapped the first one thinking that the second one would be better. But after talking with my husband and seriously counting the costs, I have to say that I'm not going to pursue my interest of freelancing for magazines at this time.

Back to that "Not Working Well Under Pressure" Thing
I completely understand that writing for magazines means answering to editors. And I know that I'm not up for that right now. In the past when I wrote under an editor or with strict deadlines I did very poorly. I started to feel the pressure of writing to earn money and it stressed me out. And I didn't give my family my best when I operated that way.

Doing What Works for Me
Writing for online sites like Associated Content gives me the freedom to write what I want when I want. That's what works for me right now. I did apply and get accepted to be a Featured Beauty Writer and a Featured Education Writer on AC. But having an entire month to complete the articles isn't overwhelming for me. Also, I can post articles that I own the rights to over at Constant Content any time I want.

And writing on Examiner has actually been kind of fun. I have to challenge myself to write posts from a local angle. It doesn't really take that long to find out what's going on in town. And I've found out about some educational places that I hope to take my children to one day.

What About the Money?
I have gone back and forth about the issue of making what I'm worth. And I'm back to my original conclusion. I blog about things for free anyway, so why not get paid a little bit from it? Of course, I realize that this mentally may not work for others. But it helps me to remember that I don't have the responsibility of earning a living for my family. That frees me to do the best I can as a wife, mother, and home educator.

Not Doing Affiliate Marketing
I stopped pursuing affiliate marketing before because it made me feel crummy inside. I felt uncomfortable promoting products that I hadn't actually used. I never lied and gave false testimonials. But I still felt weird taking so much time to put together sites, lenses, or hubs for products that I wasn't 100% sure about. And again, I started feeling pressure to "make money". So I quickly fizzled out in the 30 Day Affiliate Blogging Challenge. And hopefully once and for all I'll let the whole "affiliate marketing" thing go.

I have no problem offering my Swag Bucks link because I use Swag Bucks and have gotten over $100 in Amazon gift certificates from them. So, I have no qualms about giving my affiliate link for them or for Amazon or for any other site or product that I actually use.

Keeping my Priorities Straight and Going Slowly
So, I'm going back to looking at writing online as an ongoing journey and not as a money making adventure. I have a couple of hours set aside most days to write and I will make the most of that time. But when that time is up then it's up.

I have added writing to the priorities listed on the right side bar. I keep my priorities there and in my home management binder to help me stay on track.

Going Through the Writer's Digest

I got the Writer's Digest on Wednesday. It was unreal how much I was anticipating the arrival of that book. Anyway, it's here. I have been reading through it and here are a few random thoughts I have had since I started reading it.

You Can Make Real Money Writing
Of course that statement is contingent on many factors. But some magazines and trade publications pay several hundred dollars per article. And some pay even more than that. That was news to me.

You Have to Be Determined
That's one of the main factors that will determine whether I'll ever get the high pay for my articles. I'm starting to mentally prepare myself now for the inevitable rejection letters. But I feel like if I just keep submitting and putting my best foot forward then I'll eventually get somewhere.

You Have to Just Go for It
Of course, it's important to learn how to write a good query letter or email. And of course being a good writer is important as well. But once all of that has been established I just have to do it. I have to submit. I have to keep submitting. I have to be hopeful. I have to shrug off rejection and submit again.

Poetry May be an Option
According to Writer's Market, poetry isn't really making people that wealthy. But I did find one greeting card company that pays $300 for poetry. If you write poetry then go to Blue Mountain Arts and request their writer's guidelines.

Of course, just because I submit doesn't mean my work will get accepted. But just knowing that it's a possibility makes me want to give it a shot.

Time and Chance Comes to Every Man
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor
the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men
of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth
to them all. Ecc. 9:11

Writing Plan for Examiner.com

I like writing for Examiner.com. The posts are quick and I can link to my personal blot posts or to articles I have at Associated Content or other places. And the local incentive program is a plus. I also enjoy sharing articles that appeal to other San Antonio home educators.

Writing in Bulk
The articles don't take long to write but I'm trying to think of a way to streamline the writing process. So, I'm thinking about writing all five of my Examiner posts in one day. And then I can just publish one per day. I figure I can knock out a whole weeks worth in just two hours.

Categories
I also think that if I already have categories in mind then that will speed up the writing process since I won't have to brainstorm for what to write about. Here is what I have in mind so far:

• field trip
• free unit study
• homeschool group
• a weekend event
• homeschool philosophies

I think I'll go with those topics for now. And I'll make Monday my Examiner writing day.

You can also become a writer for Examiner.com. When you sign up make sure to put San Antonio Homeschooling Examiner into the referral field.

Associated Content Again

Before I said I was no longer writing for AC I had applied to their featured writer program. Well, today I was accepted as a Featured Education Contributor and as a Featured Beauty Contributor. According to the emails I received, I'll be assigned three $8-$10 assignments per month for each category. And I also need to do 1 other article per month that isn't one of the premium ones.

So that means I'm looking at writing 8 articles a month for AC. Let's go with the an average rate of $9 for the assigned articles plus the $3.50 that I've been averaging on regular articles (yes, I know that's low but stay with me). I'm looking at $61/month. That's $7.63 an article.

Hmmm. Still on the low side. But, I'll give it a go for May and see what happens.