Associated Content: A Tool for Writers

Associated Content - If you Google Associated Content you will find many sites pop up about AC, some positive, some negative. Much of what I have found questions the ethics of Associated Contents business practices. I will not go through and list every complaint as that would be giving credence to those writing these "reviews". Truly, the comments I see on these articles from Associated Content Producers - speak for themselves. Those writing for Associated generally reply with positive feedback.

Most of the complaints center on the fact Associated Content is a business making money. Many suggest those of us who write and publish on AC are pitiful, unaware humans who are being used to make the business money. While there may be a few who do not understand the dynamics of "business", most of us realize Associated Content is not hanging out on the internet just for the joy of doing so. I would be disappointed if any business was not smart enough to have a plan and a system in place to earn revenue.

The argument against AC tends to follow one any writer must deal with on a daily basis. To "self-publish" or to publish via industry publishing is a question we as writers have to answer for ourselves all the time. To write and publish on AC or to write and publish on your own website/blog etc., is in essence the same as the decision you make when you write a book or article for traditional print. As always, there are pro's and con's to both sides.

Many will tout the wisdom of self publishing. It is assumed through self publishing you will receive ALL revenue, and you can publish without the fear of rejection or selection, and if you are going to be responsible for marketing then you might as well do it on your own. This may sound appealing but the reality is a little bit different. There is cost associated with publishing, advertising, marketing, etc. There is also the risk you will not find a market for your work. Marketing executives are trained to do this. We are all close to what we produce, yet sometimes we do not have the objectivity to truly know if what we produce will appeal to anyone else. This is the job of editors.

When you publish in the traditional way, yes, you may risk being rejected. But rejection is often the first step to polishing your skill as a writer. Rejection forces you to stand back and be objective about your own work.

Those who preach self publishing often refer to the need to self promote. ALL writers are expected to have a plan for self promotion. Yet when you are working under the protection of a contract with an established company, they have professionals on staff in each area including marketing who will guide you in the steps you need to take. After all, their income depends on your marketability.

What many do not seem to realize is you are basically banking on a company's name and reputation. This company is entitled to compensation for you to do so. They must retain the staff to uphold the company's reputation and name. They must pay all overhead for running the company.

As a writer, you choose who you submit to by their reputation and their name, and you rejoice when they have fringe benefits such as editors who are easy to work with, ease of submission, and the ability to show you methods to market yourself.

Associated Content is like any other company, and seems to have the fringe benefits mentioned above. The "pay per click" method is similar to any royalty system. When you sell an article or a book, you receive royalty off each sale. Royalties are negotiated at the time of contract. While some publishers may pay an "advance", you still need to understand the royalty you are signing for. Often, the advance, which is never huge (unless of course you are a well established, million book selling author) - is all you will see for your work for many months or even a year.

With an online publisher, your work is immediately available to a possible audience, and your audience potential is limitless. Yes, the "royalty" is not large, and is per 1000 instead of per 1, but you also do not need to depend on others actually spending money to purchase a book or magazine in order to read your work. And, as in traditional publishing - you are utilizing Associated Contents name, reputation, and skill in getting your work out to the public. Without their ad revenues, how would the company survive and drive interest to our work? Susie Smith (fictional name) may have a website or blog covered in fabulous work, but I may never find her website. I may see her on Google if she has submitted her site, but this does not mean I will go there or give it any credence. Susie could publish an article on Associated Content about balloons, and if I am Googling balloons, her article may pop up, under the Associated Banner. Because I have heard of Associated, I will click on her article. Susie is then able on her Content Producer page, to send me to her other site, promote herself and her work, etc. For free. She is not required to pay to maintain her Content Producer page.

Writing online is useful for many reasons. Not only does it give you the opportunity to polish your abilities, it promotes good writing habits. Many of us use it to work past a "writer's block", to test ideas and concepts for larger work, or simply to share our thoughts and opinions with other humans. I read comments that made references to "real" writers, and "professional" writers versus people who just think they can write.

Anyone who writes is a "real" writer. If you take thoughts from inside your head and place those thoughts into typed/printed words - then you are in essence a writer. One could argue for good or bad writers - but they can not say you are not a writer if you write. As to being a professional - I can only suggest people utilize the many dictionaries available to us for the definition of "professional".

I will happily use Associated Content to publish articles on the internet. I will be content if they continue to practice good business and continue to turn a profit so I can gleefully continue to accept free web space I do not have to do any of the boring maintenance of, exposure, feedback, community, etc. I will watch my number of views slowly build and will not spend time in jealousy of those who are better at promoting themselves. I do not choose to see Associated Content as a money making method - I see it more as a marketing and advertising tool - one I do not pay for. Any revenue I may garner through Associated Content - is a fringe benefit.

Movie stars and athletes work under contract to others. It does not matter how much these individuals make, if the producer/company who holds their contract is not making a profit - then they will not go to contract with the individual. Writing - is the same. You could be the best actor/actress ever born or the most amazing football player, or the most prolific of writers - but without exposure, no one except your immediate circle of family or friends will ever know you or your name. Without exposure, a writer is unable to affect anyone.

The Celts believed the power was in the written word. This is why they did not write their oral history or knowledge - as then anyone could read or speak and therefore acquire the power of the words. Your power as a writer is in the ability to send your thoughts out where they will create that power by being read and spoken. The power is when you have made others think, feel, or dream.

Associated Content gives this possibility to all who desire this power. They are a tool - and a good tool is always worth paying for. We simply do not pay up front for this tool - we only pay through the revenue they garner off the work we produce.