Han Van Meegerin Introduces and Interviews Sean Easley

On April 14, 2009 Sean Easley signed on with Associated Content. He proved to be a quick learner and a fast starter. His early successes caught the eye of key folks with Associated Content and he was awarded the Best New Source Award for May of 2009. As of this writing, Sean has produced 72 articles on Associated Contented and amassed 24,761 page views. These numbers certainly display a competence about how to be successful with Associated Content. Among Sean's varied articles, I think he makes a significant contribution with his article, 9 Things to Remember when Mentoring Teenagers . I also thought his article, Why is My Poop Green? What Causes Green Poop? was an interesting read.

I am glad to announce that Sean has agreed to answer some questions that I have asked him about his experiences with Associated Content and a little about his personal experiences. I am hopeful that newer Sources find information here that will kick their publishing into gear. I am sure that even seasoned veterans will discover some gold nuggets in Sean's presentation.

1. When did you discover you had a passion for writing?

I started writing my sophomore year in high school. When I started my passion was (and, if I'm honest, still is) writing fiction. I never really cared to have anyone read what I wrote, though, until much later when I had people tell me that my writing was good, and that I should pursue it.

2. Have you always considered yourself a good writer?

Honestly, I have never really cared if I was a "good" writer or not. I write because I love to write. Now, that's not to say that I'm not always trying to improve. Quite the contrary, actually: I strive to write better because I want to enjoy it more.

3. Who have been your biggest influences in fueling your desire to write and in developing your skills as a writer?

My biggest influences have been those people who have read something I've given them and told me that it was worth reading. I know that sounds very nebulous, and really doesn't give you much information, but more than anything it is the drive to keep writing that I draw from those people who push me to write that has made the biggest difference in how, what, and why I write.

4. How did you discover Associated Content?

I discovered Associated Content quite by accident, actually. I think that I actually stumbled onto a HUBpages page first, and the concept of web writing reentered my thinking. I had put my writing on the shelf since college, and the spark was rekindled by opportunity.

5. Have the articles that you published more recently out performing your first few published articles?

I have noticed many more articles recently jumping into the thousands of page views more quickly than my older articles. I am also noticing that almost all of my articles get around 200-300 views their first full day, and continue to grow from there.

6. Do you have any articles that standout with exceptionally high or low page views?

All of my earliest articles remain splashing around in the muck and mire of less than 300 page views, and many of them are less than 100. On the other end of the spectrum, my articles New iPhone 2009 Release Date for iPhone Firmware 3.0, LOST Season 5 Finale Predictions, and Top 10 Worship Songs for Youth Groups stand out with exceptionally high page views.

7. Which of your published articles on Associated Content are your personal favorites?

Ooh, this is hard. My favorites have all been ones that I wrote knowing that I probably would not get loads of page views from. How to Throw a December 21 2012 End of the World Party, was extremely fun to put together, and Journaling for Spiritual Growth Shows Your Deep Thoughts Have Value really dug into some things that I believe are very important.

8. As you approach your three month with Associated Content last month, how would you describe your overall experience as an Associated Content Source?

I have very much enjoyed being involved in Associated Content, and jumping back into writing (albeit in a limited fashion). The people here are great and very helpful, the forums fun, and winning the Best New Source award was really just icing on the cake.

9. How has your writing evolved over the course of your nearly three months writing and publishing with Associated Content?

Learning how to write for the web has been hard for me. I have a typically meandering thought process, and trying to chop and cut my thoughts into more precise, SEO optimized sentences has proven challenging. My page views seem to indicate that I am getting better at it, though I know I still have a long way to go.

10. What do you consider your three biggest achievements or milestones in your writing career with Associated Content?

Ah, a great question, and easy to answer. First, one of the biggest milestones didn't involve clout or page views or anything like that. My first big milestone was jumping into the forums. I avoided the forums at first, but when I finally became a part of the Associated Content community, I saw a dramatic increase in everything.

My second big milestone was writing an article that drew nearly 6000 hits (New iPhone 2009 Release Date for New iPhone Firmware 3.0). That article showed me the power of the search engines in making my page views rise.

My third achievement was being awarded the Best New Source award, for obvious reasons.

11. Are there any changes that that you would like to see with Associated Content in the near future?

Being a pastor, I would love for it to be easier to see what others are writing concerning religion. I've noticed that as I search for other writers handling spiritual issues, I hit this big wall every time. It seems to me that those topics should be better categorized.

12. Where do see yourself on your first and fifth anniversaries with Associated Content?

I'm going to shoot for the unreasonable and hope that I hit 200,000 page views by my first anniversary, and that I am Clout 10+ by my fifth. Also, I would love for Associated Content to make religion its own category, and to be the religion category editor (again, unreasonable).

13. How do you come up with ideas for articles for Associated Content?

My ideas for what to write about come from everywhere. Anything and everything is fair game in conversation and searching. I actually recently wrote about where I get my inspiration in my article
Observations at AC: Increase Page Views by Writing About What's Interesting.

14. Do you have a written list of article ideas that have you have yet to write?

I actually have a list that is currently 100 articles long that I would like to write. I have no lack of topics to write on. My problem is finding the time to write them. My day job requires a more than full-time commitment, and writing fits in wherever I can put it.

15. How long does it typically take you to write an article for Associated Content?

I rarely spend more than an hour on an article. Most of my articles are written around the 30 minute mark.

16. Which Associated Content Sources do you like to read the most?

It's hard to identify just a few writers whose stuff really draws me. The ones I find myself reading the most are probably those who have a personal touch to what they write. Tamara L. Waters, Joy Messer, and Radell are three of my favorites. Also, you always draw me in with your community-building, Han.

17. Do feel as though you have bonded with anyone within the Associated Content Community?

Radell, who was one of the Best New Sources before me, really offered out a helping hand to me in the beginning. I am grateful for her help and her kind words.

18. What has given you the greatest satisfaction so far in nearly three months of writing and publishing with Associated Content?

Just being able to write has given me a great amount of satisfaction.

19. Have you had experienced any disappointments in writing and publishing with Associated Content?

Yes. My first full month was frustrating, as I couldn't seem to draw in any readers. I was writing on the topics closest to my heart, but couldn't seem to get any page views. Since then I have focused on learning SEO and developing my ability to write for the web, and now I am looking forward to jumping back into those topics that most interest me.

20. What do you like best about writing for Associated Content?

Getting money for writing.

21. What do you like least about writing for Associated Content?

Not having enough time to write what I want to write. I'd love to knock out my list of 100 topics, but I can never find the time to get to them all.

22. What are your greatest frustrations or challenges in writing for Associated Content?

SEO optimization sometimes stunts my creativity, and trying to maintain the focus of web readers also proves difficult.

23. Do you ever get writers block and if so what do you do to overcome it? I know you have an article, How to Break the Writer's Block . Is there any additional information you would like to share about this subject?

I like to think that I overcame writer's block a few years ago. Now whenever I need to write, I simply start writing. I'll end up tossing out a paragraph at the beginning sometimes, but just the act of moving my fingers breaks down that barrier for me.

24. What are some of your interests outside of Associated Content?

I love to sing and play the guitar (I am a worship leader at my church). I enjoy books, movies, and video games as well. I also love being around people.

25. What are your favorite memories outside of Associated Content?

There are so many fond memories to choose from, but I would have to say that the summer I lived in Alaska was a huge event in my life. There's something truly amazing about that state.

26. Tell us how you became a Pastoral Leader of Student Ministries?

I have served in a leadership role in church student ministries for 10 years now. My graduate training is from Dallas Theological Seminary. Ministry is a huge part of my life.

This is an interesting turn-around from my high school years, however, when I hated Christians and churches. That, however, is a story too long to tell here.

27. What are your greatest challenges, serving as a Pastoral Leader of Student Ministries?

Being a pastor is a dynamic, ever-changing occupation. There are always administrative tasks, always hurting people, always events to organize, and always big mistakes in the lives of the people we work with. A job like this one is more than a job. Someone who enters into the ministry does so with his life, not just his working hours.

28. What are your greatest joys, serving as a Pastoral Leader of Student Ministries?

All those hours are worth it whenever I get to see my students "get it." There's a difference between knowing the facts about Christianity and "getting it." I knew the facts for a long time, and I hated them. I knew them, but I didn't believe them. Now, I get to help others understand, and let them make decisions for themselves.

29. Is there anything else that you would like to add to this interview?

Only a hearty thanks, Han. This interview was great fun. Associated Content should put you on their payroll for the way you add to our community.

Here is a link Sean Easley's Source Page:

Sean Easley