Self confidence precedes success. As online article writers we must believe in our own abilities if we wish to be taken seriously. This holds true with any endeavor in life. Why should online article writing be any  different? When I think back on the times in my life when I was most successful and fulfilled, they all have one thing in common. These were the times when I had the most self confidence. I believed in my own ability to tackle the task before me. This fact allowed me to move forward in my endeavors.

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The writing world is a big one. Venues, clients, and gigs are in abundance. So what makes Associated Content stand out? Why do I constantly tell people it's the go-to place for writers? Since I've been a member for years, I could sit here all day listing things. Instead, I'll only discuss a few of my favorite reasons.
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More Time With My Family
My family means the world to me. Whenever I was working a 'regular' job, I had no time to spend with my kids. There were days when the only time I saw them was in the morning just before school and at night with just enough time for dinner and a story before bedtime. To me, that's not a good definition of family time. I was working harder then for less money than I currently make writing. Now I homeschool my kids. I see them all day every day, including when I'm working. Are they in the way of my work? No. The kids come first. Writing for Associated Content helps make that possible. I can work when I want, choose what I work on, and I don't have to file paperwork when I need a day (or even months) off. I don't have to let my kids get raised by someone else while I'm at work. I realize not all people have that choice and childcare is necessary for some parents. But, I am certainly appreciative to have found AC, so that I do have a choice.

Choose Your Own Topics
When working with most clients, the topic needs to conform to their standards. That's great and I love the satisfaction of producing something that fits a client's exact request. However, there are times a writer needs to just write down whatever comes to mind, what interests them, or even what they feel will make a difference in helping someone else. AC is awesome for that. I get paid well and consistently for my own ideas at AC. You sure can't beat that.

Residual Income
I absolutely love writing and will likely be doing it until I die. In fact, when that fateful day comes, I'm sure I'll have a pen and notebook or the latest computer in my hands in the process of writing something. However, if anything ever happens, I like knowing that my family has some residuals to depend on. It's also just great to have income I no longer have to do anything to receive but keep my AC account active. Unlike some clients, AC not only pays an upfront payment on qualifying content, but all content published at AC (and following submission guidelines) earns a performance bonus. This means that every single day, I have content earning money for me - content that I already wrote previously. If I were to stop writing today, the work I've already done is still earning money.

Variety of Ways to Earn
Another reason I like AC is the multiple ways in which I can earn money. I can submit my own ideas, accept assignments, and even write news. I can choose one, all, or a combination thereof. Also, with each of these options, there are assorted ways to go about it. For instance, some assignments are targeted to everyone, some to a specific group of people, and some are even for outside opportunities with other venues. Because of the multiple ways to earn with assignments, there also are varied amounts to make and some are pretty generous.

Exposure
For years, I was keeping my work in notebooks or posting it to personal blogs and web groups, with a limited audience. AC is one of the top content sites and based on my experience, is absolutely amazing for exposure. I cannot count the number of opportunities I have been blessed with since joining the site. Any writer in the process of building a brand or even those with an established brand could potentially benefit from the free exposure AC offers.

No Gimmicks
Ever read those get-rich-quick schemes that offer all these glamorous payouts, citing examples of people becoming millionaires every day? That's not AC. There is decent income to be made at AC, but it's not going to happen by spamming people with pyramid schemes and the like. They also are not going to pull a fast one where you sign up free and then have to pay for something later. You shouldn't have to pay your writing clients. They should be paying you and that's exactly what AC does when they see quality content.

Wealth of Knowledge
By interacting on AC via the forums and networking with fellow writers, a vast amount of knowledge can be gained. Not only will you learn what works for AC by communicating with others and reading their work, but there is much to be learned about writing, in general. I highly recommend getting involved in the forums and also connecting with fellow writers on Associated Content. It has definitely been well worth it for me and I appreciate each and every person I came across on AC who helped make a difference in my life.

Be Rewarded for Efforts
Ever had one of those jobs where you do all you can, but get recognized for nothing and criticized for everything? Yeah, me too. Unfortunately, many of us have. In my experience, Associated Content is exactly the opposite of that. The comments readers leave are rewarding and the staff is very supportive. Also, there are a mix of programs and opportunities available for deserving writers.

Further Reading on Some of My Success at Associated Content:
Business and Personal Benefits of Being an AC Contributor
2009 PMA Acceptance Speech: Community Spirit
I'm an AC Millionaire! You Can Be One Too!

How to Sign Up for AC and Where to Go For Help
Interested in signing up at AC to see where your writing can take you? Simply go to TinyURL.com/JoinAC (don't worry, it's free). If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to message me at AC once you sign up. I'm one of the Community Guides and would love to help.

UPDATE: AC has now been acquired by Yahoo! The deal is set to close in the third quarter. More details can be found in our post that will be updated as necessary.


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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 ~~
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A Must-Read for Those Who Want to Succeed on Associated Content

Generally, I use this blog for updates to the site, writing tips, and for featuring great articles from fellow AC Contributors. But today I'm going to do something different. I haven't posted here in a while, so I wanted the comeback post to be a useful one and boy did I find something great to share.



This is the first time I've reviewed a book on this blog and this one is definitely deserving. Most who write for AC likely know who Sabah Karimi is. If not, where have you been? She was named CP of the Year for 2008 and is still going strong.



Her success proves that she is a credible source for information on how to succeed at Associated Content. She's now put all the information she gained during her time with AC right into an amazing resource called the AC Source Book to help out fellow writers.



From the moment I started scanning the pages of the AC Source Book, I knew it was going to be an excellent resource for those trying to understand how AC works. If you're a new Associated Content Contributor or even a longtime one that hasn't quite figured out the inner workings yet, I believe that reading the AC Source Book will help a great deal.



Karimi details each aspect of AC and every point that she makes in a format that's easy to understand even for novices. I wish I would have had something like this to help me along when I first joined Associated Content. Instead, I had to learn the hard way, by trial and error, like Sabah probably did too.



As I started reading the AC Source Book, I was impressed by the accuracy of the information and the work that Sabah must have put into compiling it in such an organized format. I actually read through the entire thing in one sitting because I couldn't put it down.



Newbies and those needing assistance on AC, if you ever listen to anything I say, I highly recommend taking my honest advice to listen at least this one time.



Grab your copy of the AC Source book today!
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