by Lyn Lomasi, Article Writer for Hire Staff

New to writing for Associated Content? After signing up and reading the FAQ, TOU, and Submission Guidelines, you may still have questions. As a seasoned AC Contributor and Community Guide, I've compiled answers to some of the things new writers may wonder about and need help with.

New to AC? How to Use the Social Networking Features
If you're a new to Associated Content, you may not have given the social aspects of AC much thought. If you have, but you haven't done much social networking online, it may be slightly confusing at first. What does AC have to offer in this area?

New to AC? Incomplete, Submitted, Offer, Pending, Removed, and Other Status Terminology
You found Associated Content and have just started submitting content. But, now your article has a status you don't understand. Incomplete, Submitted, Offer, Pending, Removed, and more are statuses you might see on your article.

How to be an Objective Reader in Social Writing Circles
When participating in social writing networks and websites, you will come across a wide array of opinions. At times the viewpoints of others will not be the same as your own. It is possible to disagree with the writer without putting them down.

How to Balance Time for Writing, Networking, and More at AC
When I first joined Associated Content, I thought I'd only be writing. At first I didn't realize there was reading and commenting on articles, forum participation, writing lessons, promotion, and so much more. So how do I make time for it all?

Business and Personal Benefits of Being an AC Contributor
When I first joined AC, I had no clue just how valuable that choice would turn out to be. Based on my experience, AC's unique combination of writing opportunities, resources, and social networking features is vital to all freelance writers.

How to Keep Readers Interested in Your Articles
If you expect to make money in online article writing, you need to develop an audience. First, you need to draw readers in via promotion, SEO, and the like. But once they are there, you need to figure out how to keep readers interested.

Why Am I Not Making Money at AC? Page Views, Offers, and More
Struggling to make money writing for AC? About to give up and decide it just isn't for you. Maybe you just need a quick refresher on writing for AC and the web in general. As an experienced AC Contributor and web writer, perhaps I can help.

*For more tips related to AC, stay tuned to this blog, check the page For Writers, or contact me here or at AC. I'm a Community Guide there and love helping fellow writers.

Readers and fellow writers often ask me why I enjoy helping so many people? Am I worried about creating competition for myself? Why do I just freely give advice and inform others of what I do to succeed in writing? Am I creating competition by helping others succeed?

If I were creating competition, I am not afraid to play the game and I'd play it fair. However, I don't believe I am. Why? There is a vast sea of opportunities, gigs, jobs, and contracts in the writing world. It's not humanly possible for me to have every writing task to myself, nor would I desire to.

Aside from that, I am wise enough to know that every assignment is not for me. I don't know everything there is to know. Also, each writer has their own style. Why take on a project I know I can't do when there could be someone else better suited to it and who may need it more than I do? Instead, I could refer a good writer and move on to something better suited to me.

I have always believed in helping others, no matter the situation. Whether in my career or in every day life, if I see someone who needs help, I'm going to provide it if I have the means. If you knew a secret that could change the whole world for the better, would you keep it to yourself? Of course not - at least, I hope not.

No, writing advice is probably not going to change the world. However, if I can offer some guidance that can help change someone's perspective or career for the better, you can bet I'm going to tell them. One small piece of advice or word of encouragement could be all that is standing in the way of someone living their dream. How do I know this? People have given me that kind of hope and assistance. Were it not for fellow writers pushing me and offering me advice, who knows where I'd be today?

So, am I creating competition by helping others succeed? Does it really matter?

If you are a writer who needs help, feel free to ask in the comments section or use the contact form on my Ask Lyn page. If you're a writer on AC, feel free to message me there as well. I'm a Community Guide there and love answering questions.

~~ Written by Lyn Lomasi ~~