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.


~~ Written by Lyn Lomasi ~~
 
 
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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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SEO, Promotion, RSS, and More

A question I get asked quite often is “How can I increase my page views (PV's) on Associated Content?” Whether you're new to online writing or you've been around a while, there's always something to learn about increasing views. Having been an internet writer for years, I have done my fair share of experiments and heard plenty of advice, good and bad. Here are some of the most effective ways I have used to increase my page views on Associated Content.


Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Yes, I talk about SEO quite often, but there's very good reason. This has been my number one source page view revenue. To put it simple, if people can't find your article, how are they going to read it? How do you usually find information online? In most cases, it's through searches, right? Your goal is to get your article ranked high in those searches so that it comes up for people searching on that topic. How do you do this? SEO.

Learn more about SEO and keywording from AC staff and veteran writers:

SEO and Keywording for Associated Content Writers

Focus, Focus, Focus
Tighten up your topic's focus. For instance, if your topic is plumbing, don't talk about plumbing the entire house in one article. Break it up into several articles. In each, talk about techniques to pipe or add fixtures to a specific area. Another part of focus is removing the fluff. Take out all unnecessary descriptions and modifiers.

For more on this and other aspects of earning page views, read:

Maximizing Earning Potential in Online Article Writing

Promotion
If you've done the above well, you will be getting a substantial amount of views already. However, you can still get even more by promoting. An article that does well search-wise, will do even better when promoted. There are many, many ways to promote articles. Some include social networks, blogs, and forums.

More details on article promotion:

Easy Promotional Techniques for Online Article Writers

Use RSS Feeds to the Fullest
AC provides us all with a main RSS feed for our articles. They also have a neat tool that allows us to create topical, keyword, and static RSS feeds. Submit both your main RSS feed and a variety of keyword and topical feeds to RSS directories to maximize exposure. Also use these feeds on your blogs, social profiles, and websites. Wherever you are allowed to use RSS, use it. More exposure means more page views on your AC articles.

For more on AC RSS feeds and utilizing them, read these two articles:

How to Create Topical RSS Feeds on Associated Content

Using Topical RSS Feeds to Promote Your AC Content

Start and Maintain Your Own Website
I can't stress enough how important this is for an online article writer. Having your own website gives you a professional place to point clients to. It also gives you a great place to share links to your content. Potential clients, family, friends, and web searchers can all discover your content from reading your website. This adds to your exposure which adds to your PV's on AC.

For more on this topic as well as advice on getting started, read the following:

Why Online Article Writers Need a Website

8 Musts on a Freelance Writer's Website

How Online Article Writers Can Get and Keep Clients

Start and Maintain a Niche Website or Blog
Having a niche website or blog that focuses on a specific topic is a great way to draw traffic. If you add links to your relevant articles in your posts and around your site, this helps increase your page views on Associated Content. My mother and I own several niche websites and blogs and I also have a Squidoo lens. On these we share relevant advice so that content remains fresh for readers. However, we also share links to other content around the web, especially AC. Associated Content is the easiest place to quickly find links to relevant and well-written content, plus we can help out our fellow AC writers and friends. Of course, we also link to some of our own existing content. Not only does this provide backlinks for those articles, but it helps increase the page views from traffic via those sites and blogs.

This site you're on now is one of our niche websites. Here's a couple more:

ParentSuccessfully.com
NaturallyGreenNews.com

Quality Backlinks
I just mentioned backlinks briefly above. A backlink is when your content is linked to elsewhere. Google and other search engines place greater value on content with backlinks than that without. If the backlinks are on a quality or high-ranking site, that's even better. Sometimes you can get blog or site owners to link back to you. Other times, people will do this without you even knowing and you'll be pleasantly surprised. I like to link to fellow writers often because I know how valuable backlinks can be.

Here's a great video on what makes a great backlink:

One thing mentioned in the video, I disagree with - the overemphasis on Google PageRank. The PR tool can help give you an idea about a site's quality to Google, but there's much more to it than PR.

For more about factors Google looks at read the following:
Google Ditches PageRank in WebMaster Tools

Putting it All into Action
So there you have it – lots of effective ways to increase your page views. Even one of these techniques will give you some results. However, combining all of them with the advice given at accompanying links will likely be the most beneficial. Now you simply need to start taking action. Many of these things can be done right away.

If you have any questions, would like to add advice or input, or would like to share a link to some great info on this topic, please post in the comment section.

I'm also a Community Guide and Featured Contributor at AC, so feel free to PM me there or use my Ask Lyn page here for advice.

~~ Written by Lyn Lomasi ~~

 
 
by Lyn Lomasi
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Associated Content recently added a nice fancy gallery to add and manage images. If you can't quite figure out how to use it or you just need some advice on getting yours organized, read on. The collection of links below contain just about everything to do with the AC photo gallery. But if you still have questions after reading them, feel free to ask me here in the comments section or by PM at AC.

How to Use the AC Photo Upload Tool During Article Submission
AC's Photo Upload Tool was created to enhance the image submission, uploading, and sharing experience at Associated Content. Here's a simple, step-by-step guide on how to use it during article submission.

How to Add Images to the AC Photo Library Without Publishing Content
The AC Photo Upload Tool makes storing and using images on AC possible and simple. Here's how to upload images to AC if you aren't in the process of submitting an article or slideshow.

How to Organize Photos in the AC Image Gallery
Is it getting difficult looking through the images in your AC Image Gallery to find the perfect one? Then, it's time you organize them to make that process run more smoothly. Here's an easy guide on organizing images in the AC Image Gallery.

How to Create a Slideshow on Associated Content
AC makes it easy to share slideshows with subscribers, followers, and possibly others who may be interested as well. Recently, AC added a new photo upload tool that makes it easier than ever.
 
 
Examining 'The Mean Bird Syndrome'
by Lyn Lomasi
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This idea came to me from an interesting creature who we call our mean bird. So, we will start with him first, before moving on to what I call "The Mean Bird Syndrome". In our backyard, among other things, is a pear tree. In that pear tree resides a special bird who we have dubbed "the mean bird". He is often found in or around the pear tree, even when there is no fruit in the tree. There is also no nest in the tree, so it seems he just likes the tree.

If any person or animal happens to be in the backyard during the time he is in the tree, he yells at them very loudly, making it clear he wants not a soul around him or his precious tree. If a creature comes near the tree, that's when he chases them away, screeching at the top of his small bird lungs, sometimes even pecking at the creature during the process. He won't peck at people, though, just animals.

If he happens to be outside when the kids want to play, I usually end up having to chase him away, as he often makes it clear he does not want us there. However, he doesn't scare easily. It takes some effort on my part.

Have you ever seen a grown woman yelling at and shooing a small bird? It's pretty comical, so long as you're not the one doing it. Many times he will keep coming back and yelling right back at me and sometimes I have to laugh because although it is clear he is threatening me, I think it's quite cute and funny that a creature so small would even attempt to challenge a human.

Since I don't believe in harming any of God's creatures, even cute little pesky ones, we just continue to deal with him, which brings me to what I call "The Mean Bird Syndrome".

Many people have a "mean bird" around them at some point in their life. It may be a person or a creature. This mean bird can greatly affect a person's mood if they let it. When that happens, that's what I call "The Mean Bird Syndrome".

While this can be avoided by not letting negativity affect a person, many people still fall victim to The Mean Bird Syndrome. So, how can it be avoided? Well, simply don't let the mean bird's negativity affect you. Keep your positive outlook. No matter what your mean bird says or does to you, do not take those words or actions to heart.

There will likely be many negative people and events in a person's lifetime. You can't let them steal your happiness. This can be hard, especially when words and actions are harsh and hurtful, but being strong and always using the negativity to create a positive force will help you avoid The Mean Bird Syndrome.

Using your positive force may even cause that mean bird to become your friend one day.

As for the mean bird in our pear tree, well I'm still working on making him a friend. Food helps for a few moments, but not long. However, we still aren't letting him put a damper on our outdoor fun. In fact, sometimes he makes it even more fun with all his carrying on.

Thankfully, he's the only mean bird around me right now. However, if and when I cross paths with another mean bird, I'll keep my little "friend" in mind and be sure I do not fall victim to The Mean Bird Syndrome. Will you be sure you don't?

~This was originally published on Associated Content by Lyn Lomasi~
 
 
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Occasionally I get the opportunity to highlight fellow AC Contributors. Recently, Anita Cameron granted me an interview. She joined Associated Content on December 3, 2009. So far she has written mainly on community and disability issues, which reflect her role as a disability activist. My favorite articles of Anita's are "Community Living Should be a Choice for All" and "Independent Living Centers Help People With Disabilities". I think when combined, those two pieces convey a message worth listening to. Read on to learn more about Anita and don't forget to check out her work on AC afterward.

How did you learn about AC?
I learned about AC through one of the local career centers here in Rochester. I've been out of work due to illness for almost two months. I wanted to look into working from home, or at the very least, making some money on the side when I returned to work. The person who interviewed me told me about AC when he learned that I like to write.

Why have you decided to begin writing here?
I lurked the forums for two weeks before I decided to start writing here. At first, I was very intimidated, but I saw that people were very helpful and supportive, so I decided to take the plunge, so to speak...


>>Click Here to Continue Reading>>>
~ Posted by Lyn Lomasi ~

If you're an AC Contributor who is either new, up and coming, or could use more attention click here to find out how to get interviewed. You must have less than 1 million page views total on AC.
 
 
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Recently, Associated Content Contributor Gwen Navarrete allowed me the privilege of interviewing her. She joined AC in September of 2009 and has already had a number of quality articles published. Gwen writes on topics such as family, society, fashion, and health. I always find her content interesting and enjoyable. My favorite piece of hers is "Thankful to Be Laid Off in 2009." The reason I chose this piece is because there are many people out there who have been laid off and may think they have nowhere to go. Gwen's reflections and experiences are very inspiring and I could feel her personal emotions in that piece. Please read on to find out more about Gwen Navarrete and check out her well-written articles afterward.

How Did You Come Across Associated Content?
Honestly, I can't remember how I discovered Associated Content. I know I had found other websites that pay writers for content, such as ehow, Examiner, About.com, and Hubpages. I think it was one of the articles I read on that site that led me to Associated Content.

>>Continue Reading>>>

~ Posted by Lyn Lomasi ~

If you're an AC Contributor who is either new, up and coming, or could use more attention click here to find out how to get interviewed. You must have less than 1 million page views total on AC.
 
 
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Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Associated Content Contributor Rebecca Caroll. She's had experience in a variety of careers and is a proud parent, both of which are part of what's reflected in her writing. Rebecca joined AC in August of 2009 and is quickly succeeding on AC. My favorite article of Rebecca's is A Simple Christmas: Tips to Bring the True Meaning of Christmas Back to Your Family because too many people get caught up in the gifting and decorating part of Christmas. Mrs. Caroll brings us back down to Earth and reminds us what the season is truly about. Read on to learn more about Rebecca Caroll and please stop by her AC page afterward for some great reading.

How Did You Find Out About Associated Content?
Literally, I read about AC in a magazine article! I've always enjoyed writing and have a few topics about which I am passionate, so I thought I would give it a try!

Is Freelance Writing Your Career?

>> Continue Reading this Interview>>

~ Posted by Lyn Lomasi ~

If you're an AC Contributor who is either new, up and coming, or could use more attention click here to find out how to get interviewed. You must have less than 1 million page views total on AC.
 
 
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How to Use SEO and Keywording in AC Articles
by Lyn Lomasi

When you write for Associated Content and other writing sites, the majority of your traffic is going to come from search engines. You need to not only target your audience, but also speak in a way that gets the most results from searches. That will gain you more views, thus earning money. But, how do you do that? The compilation below of articles from expert AC and web writers should help.

Easy SEO Techniques for Online Article Writers by Lyn Lomasi
Yes, here I go mentioning SEO again -- that magic three-letter abbreviation we hear often. Easy SEO techniques can help online article writers significantly. If you haven't heard of SEO or if you haven't heeded the advice, as an online article writer, you likely are losing out big time. A large portion of Internet traffic comes via search engines, namely Google. If you expect search engines to find your content and deliver it in search results, you need to talk their language -- SEO...Here are some easy SEO techniques you can incorporate right away to help increase traffic....Read More>>

Avoid Keyword Problems and Awkward  Writing in News Stories by AC Tim
Finding your Associated Content news story at the top of search rankings is always exciting. It's good for you -- and for Associated Content -- because it provides visibility and recognition on a newsworthy topic. Because your story has a high placement, it's likely to be seen by thousands of readers. That's why it's important we publish quality content...Read More>>

Accidental Keyword Optimization and Latent Semantic Indexing by Michelle Devon
Several weeks ago, I took a class on the internet about Latent Semantic Indexing, and since then, I've been discussing this with many web content writers and web developers, of which I am both a writer and web developer. There are so many people who don't understand how Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) works, and how that can affect people who write web copy or build websites for search engine optimization....Read More>>

SEO Toolbox by AC Insights
On November 5, 2009 we held our first ever AC Insights community event in Denver, Colorado. The following is Miguel's presentation on SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and how it can help your content become searchable online...Read More>>

Using TagCrowd as an SEO Tool by Marie Anne St. Jean
SEO (search engine optimization) and keyword density are terms that scare many a writer who want to write for the internet. TagCrowd.com makes the basics of SEO very easy to visualize without having to crunch numbers in hopes of attaining proper keyword density....Read More>>

More Writing Tips:
 
 
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When you're new to writing, it can be difficult to figure out what to charge. Should you charge a flat rate fee, an hourly rate, or per word? Depending on who you ask, you'll likely get answers that are quite varied. But the answer that should be common among good writers is "don't undersell yourself."

Recently, a fellow writer and friend of mine, Lisa Mason shared her perspective on that topic. Click Here to read what she said and share your comments here and/or at Lisa's article.

~Lyn Lomasi~