Associated Content: An Open Content Network

In my journey to working in the publishing industry, I have tried out various open content networks to write freely and get myself published.

Open content networks or content delivery networks (CDNs) represent a group of geographically dispersed servers deployed to facilitate the distribution of information generated by Web publishers in a timely and efficient manner (Held,2005 ).

AC's platform enables anyone to publish content on any topic, in any format (text, video, audio and images), and connects that content to consumers, partners and advertisers (Associated Content, 2009).

Following is information on what AC has to offer, how they started, and how sites such as AC work as CDNs.

Given the definition it isn't fully clear what these CDNs strive to answer. These sorts of networks allow users to have a wide variety of information available to them.

Similar networks that I have used for the same purposes are eHow, Ezine Articles and Helium, Suite101, and Elance. All six CDNs offer an opportunity to submit content, and allow all others to view it.

CDNs are very useful networks and are being used much more often with better and faster Internet options.

Associated Content publishes authentic, useful and informative content in almost every topic produced by real people sharing real-world expertise from diverse perspectives (Associated Content, 2009).

Associated Content was founded by Luke Beatty in Denver, Colorado, in 2005 (Associated Content, 2009).

Currently with such a vast library of varying mediums and with over 250,000 Sources eager to produce, AC provides a wide range of quality content.

Sources (those who write and submit content) can benefit in four ways:

Get the opportunity to publish text, audio, visual and images. Receive fair payment compensation; get upfront payments and earn money for every 1,000 page views. Be discovered online. And the fourth, distribution through AC's partner sites (Associated Content, 2009).

Sources can also connect with millions of monthly visitors, post directly to sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and WordPress.

AC also offers services for those seeking a written or other media for their websites through their sources.

Becoming a source is easy. By going to their website and clicking on sign up you input the necessary fields; name, email, reason for signing up and a few others and you are ready to start publishing content.

Although there are numerous open content networks or content delivery networks for publishing text, audio, images and video, Associated Content is a fantastic place to reach an audience, get published and make some money.

Associated Content has been successful in finding a way to please both freelances and those searching for content which makes them a useful and easy to use website.

References

Associated Content. (2009). About us. Retrieved July 18, 2009 from

http://www.associatedcontent.com/company.html

Held, G. (September 2005). A Practical guide to content delivery networks. Retrieved July 18,

2009 from http://books.google.com/books