Associated Content, the Writing Community, Now Owned by Yahoo, is like No Other

On November 1, 2009, I found the site called Associated Content. It was a place where freelance writers could choose assignments or come up with their own topics and use the AC website to publish on the web.

For the first three days, I read everything I could get my hands on, and didn't even post in the forum. I took the plunge on the third day and was elated when my article about a Miserable Christmas got published. I did a happy dance; and even my husband's response - 'two cents?' didn't bring me down. I could see the potential if I had 2000 articles and they were each raking in 30-40 hits a day but I also recognized this was going to be a long haul and an investment.

Promoting my content and announcing to the world - I'm a writer

I had used my AOL email account and invited everyone I knew to become a fan of my writing. At first I had 9 fans. I set up an automatic post to my face book account through the AC site, and I started a twitter account, even though I didn't think I would ever use it. I wasn't a star, certainly not anyone remotely famous like Ashton Kutcher. I told my band members I had a twitter account and they laughed at me, "You have a twitter account - who do you think you are?" I now love twitter and have about 350 friends there.

I wrote a few comments in the forum and immediately got some great advice. Learn SEO, and write every day. Find a niche, start linking old articles to new articles, and link to reference material that supports the articles position. I found AC's forum to be a great place to ask questions, and it was there, that I started to notice other writer's at AC. I started following them, some because I liked their content, others to see how they were being successful and others because I just liked their comments or their personality. I liked the fact that if I subscribed to a forum thread, I would get emails that would notify me of a response. I haven't seen that service at any of the other publishing companies I have used. I also really enjoy the feedback I get from my fellow writers at AC.

Other web publishing sites don't compare when it comes to community

Over the next few months I also tried to submit work to Constant Content. They rejected my work, gave me little direction and deleted my work off their site. I found them too frustrating to work for although I did sell them a few things. I worked for text-broker as well; giving them full rights to my work and giving up my byline. I found their rate of pay to be about the same as AC for up-fronts - given the word counts comparison, and my skill level. I joined seed and have enjoyed their up-fronts, but I'm still working out my "style" - it seems to vary with assignment, and as of today, there are no residual payments there.

Upfronts and residuals, at Yahoo, to stay as of today - possibly better paying assignments

Over time I decided what I liked about AC was that I got up fronts and residual income; plus the community was one where I felt welcomed in. I decided to make it my primary publishing company, with Seed as my second, and Text-broker as my third. I still have yet to publish at DS.

One person in the forum told me that she had doubled her income month over month at AC. My first month, I made 2.45 in residuals, my second month-6.45, my third month 14.95, and so it has continued. I have gotten better at writing SEO and focusing my articles which is why my up-fronts have improved. I also have become a featured contributor which gives me additional opportunities for larger up-fronts.

Yesterday, AC announced that they sold the company to Yahoo. There is confusion and trepidation, as there naturally always is with change. People as a rule don't like it but I am a weirdo. I am a change agent, and an advocate, when the data is there, and the mission is clear. I think this change has the potential to be really good.

AC is unique in its community spirit and strong support - My wish is that it only gets better with Yahoo_AC

I like the fact that at AC I can write about anything. I also like the fact that there are many different personalities at AC. The people who have been around for awhile are mostly helpful, and fiercely protective of the site.

I hope with the Yahoo change, that we can take what has been built here, and make it even better, bringing along the strong sense of family community and support that many of us have fallen in love with.

Authors note:

To all my readers - I haven't thanked you for supporting me yet but I need to. I've been doing better each month because of you, and I hope to continue that trend.

Thanks for following me, referrring me, sharing my work, introducing me to some new ideas and people, and giving me more ideas to write about. This is certainly not a one way street for me, and I feel I have grown as a person and as a writer in these few months. I hope this journey lasts a really long time because I'm having the time of my life.