How to Make Money on Associated Content

Associated Content (AC) fashions itself as the "People's Media" company and features a business model that combines freelance writing, social networking, and online advertising. Professional writers frequent the site as a networking tool, while the amateur will work Associated Content in order to hone his skills.

Making money online is the focal point at AC, which joins these writers, alongside everyday Americans to earn extra income. This article will discuss the intricacies of how to make money freelance writing for Associated Content by walking readers through the application process, payment set up, and search engine optimization strategies that are necessary to begin collecting real income.

I have personally earned $1,000 as a freelance writer for Associated Content.

Join Associated Content

Join Associated Content by clicking on the "Sign up / Publish" tab on the home page. The online form will request basic data, such as your name, address, and phone number. Beyond this initial screen, I would recommend that applicants use their legal names as online handles, or screen names, in order to network more efficiently.

Applicants will then select an avatar, which matches their personality. Self-portraits, or pictures of family pets, such as Greenhill's Abby, are the most popular and common.

The approved applicant is now a content producer (CP) and is ready to start making money by writing online content. Be certain to set up a PayPal account in order to receive payments.

How to Make Money on Associated Content

Associated Content offers up front payments daily, alongside performance payments that accumulate and are remitted monthly according to the page views or "hits" upon your catalogue of articles. The site suggests assignments that writers may claim; and also allows CPs the flexibility to submit their own ideas for publication through the "Publish" tab.

Up front payments are negotiable, but will often range from $3 - $5 for decent work.

Performance payments are tiered by "clout," which is similar to break points and employment raises. Beginners will start off at Clout 1 earning $1.50 per every 1,000 views, while Clout 10 producers are rewarded with $2.00. Basic math proves that writers must be committed to large volume writing for AC in order to make decent money.

Associated Content allows CPs to post work as display only, non-exclusive, or exclusive, with varying ownership rights and payment structures.

Volume and consistency are the keys to making money at Associated Content. Rookie producers should set a goal of achieving 100,000 page views at all costs, before making a decision to continue writing for AC. Most writers will find the going difficult between 10,000 and 100,000 views, where the novelty has worn off, yet the cash flow is still minimal.

Technical know-how, alongside residual views from earlier articles will create a snowball effect to make money at the 100,000-view mark.

How to Make Money on Associated Content: Search Engine Optimization

Online writing for Associated Content requires a unique skill set that each writer must tailor to his own strengths in order to be successful. CPs will build their brand by writing well, prior to learning to write well upon things that people actually care about. Making money at Associated Content is defined by a mastery of search engine optimization (SEO) and Internet politics.

Search engine optimization relates to the ability to write an article that will be granted preferential treatment to show up on the first few pages of Google or Yahoo! search engines. CPs must be able to anticipate popular subject matter and develop a niche that is mined by minimal competition in order to attract solid views and high amounts of payments. Google Trends is always a good research tool for popular topics.

I have become familiar with SEO from many different angles through trial and error.

I have published 334 articles on Associated Content, covering business, politics, sports, entertainment, transportation, celebrity gossip, and exercise. I have also written "cheap gas" articles for every major city and region within the United States.

Personally, I have found that anything related to health, football, relationships, and celebrity gossip will be appealing to the masses. Per geography, the northeast takes precedence in terms of views, which is logical, considering the high population densities of the region.

After selecting a topic, CPs must be certain to write focused content, which will be searchable per headers and keywords. Online tools, such as textalyser are available to analyze text. Important keywords should be written with a frequency that is between three and five percent of your article.

Remember to close all published articles with online references that also feature prominent keywords within the links.

How to Make Money on Associated Content: Freelance Online Writing Politics

Are you sure that you are really built for this?

The Internet, although very much developed into Web 2.0, is still the proverbial Wild West for transacting business, where the rules are not always defined. Associated Content producers must be prepared to open themselves up to low offers, healthy criticism, and even brazen attacks against one's character.

All online writers should master a good sense of self to appreciate what is real. Making money as a freelance writer online for Associated Content is similar to making money within any business. Associated Content demands quality and persistence.

How to Make Money on Associated Content, Sources: My Most Successful Articles

I have selected the most popular articles of the diverse genres that I have written upon. Sports, celebrity gossip, relationships, and exercise are always hot topics to generate views. NFL Football is especially successful. Of course, every writer should focus upon finding his own "voice."

Interestingly, the amount of comments upon an article does not always translate into hefty page views.

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How to Make Money on Associated Content, Sources:

Associated Content, http://www.associatedcontent.com/

Writing.com, http://www.writing.com/

CNN Money - Personal Finance, http://money.cnn.com/

Kofi Bofah - Associated Content Producer Page,http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/313402/kofi_bofah.html