AC and Me -- Our One Month Anniversary

This article may not inform in the way that (I hope) my other articles do but I do feel the reason for it is important. Today marks my one month anniversary with Associated Content and I have enjoyed my time here so very much-I wanted to share a few highlights of my first 30 days with AC.

3 Milestones (first month):

#1: Publish 20 articles-one per day per five day "work" week!

Done. As of this writing I am the proud author of 27 articles (including this one)

#2: Receive 1000 views in one month.

Done. This morning before I published (Happy Anniversary to Me and AC) I was proud to see that 1,767 people have viewed my "stuff".

#3: Reach clout 4.

Done. Checking my stats this morning I was thrilled to see that I am currently at clout 4 and 30% of the way toward clout 5.

3 Future Goals (second month):

#1: Receive 5000 views in September.

As a writer who wishes to write well-no matter what I choose to pen-the people who are reading me are most important. That anyone is doing so amazes me and inspires me to keep writing.

#2: Double my fan base.

I currently have 8 fans (and many more favorites-you fabulous AC writers, you!) and would love to see that number rise. HA, who wouldn't? And I am not asking for fans, certainly; I wish to earn (writing) respect gracefully and honestly.

#3: Raise my clout.

Based upon my first month and knowing that as one's clout raises so does the difficulty to make it to the next level, I would like to conservatively hope for a level 6 with decent percentage toward clout 7 for the month of September.

I realize that if I all I did was wish for these goals to become reality that they may ever only be that-wishes. I am not greedy either and expect to earn every bit of each goal-and beyond.

So I promise to do my part as I grow here and will strive to always improve my style; enhance my knowledge; and give back to the writing community-a very important part of living my dream and something I've already spent much time doing.

3 Things I've Learned in 30 Days: (These aren't the only things-that list is much bigger):

#1:Links within articles are very important; as in referencing, sourcing, and giving credit where credit is due. This may sound redundant but at different times can mean many things. Referencing (of course) refers to listing those who had a hand in my knowledge of the material I'm sharing. To list sources is recognize where information may have been gleaned from, not necessarily that I agree with said source. And credit where credit is due allows me to highlight-link-anyone or any thing I consider vital to the success of my article and your enjoyment as the reader. (Keeping in mind not to let links take over an article-not only is it hard to read but Associated Content frowns upon this.)

#2: Comments. Writers love to know they are being read and we can see this daily when we see our views rise. But viewing comments is something else entirely. I know I don't always take the time to comment-there are only so many minutes in the day-and I do not expect everyone that reads me to do so either. But comments do help the reader(s) and the author see others and their views!

#3: Staying informed. It's so important to spend time each day finding out what's happening around the site. This can be a daunting task and one may never know it all-geesh, what a big brain that would be-but time spent learning is never wasted time.

I would also like to thank those who I've gotten to know a bit more than most this first month. You amaze and inspire me daily and you should be proud of the work you do. So special thanks to Lyn and Kim and Abby and Cheri (my latest and greatest fan); you are all fabulous and I am honored to be contributing with you.

And if I wasn't clear: I am especially thankful that Associated Content is providing me a professional, safe, and happy environment with which to display my brilliance. Thank You AC, most sincerely!

I hope to make many more writer friends and look forward to another great month-WooHoo-on to month two. Thanks again for a great first month. Happy Writing, Publishing and Reading to all and to all a good day.

I also contribute at Triond and only just celebrated my first month there as well. If you're inclined you may read all about it here. I've decided (through trial and error, recently) to dedicate more of my writing to Associated Content but am proud of my accomplishments at Triond too.

If you'd like to visit my blog you may do so: AskSan's Blog and check out my new Guest Spot where I plan to highlight good reads from fellow authors. There are several authors (from across the internet) listed already and the Guest Spot is growing daily.

Please enjoy: The Guest Spot - Sharing My Favorite Online Authors with the World

Thanks again and Cheers!