How Much Money You Make at Associated Content is Up to You

Actually, I wouldn't say that I am exactly making a living wage, but that's because I freelance at several local newspapers and am trying to get my hand into writing for old-fashioned, off-line publications. However, writing for associated does pay me well for the time I devoted to it. My only criticism is that my background is in news and that's what I would prefer to write. The problem is that the time delay for posting news, if I want to get paid for it, is the same as everything else and well, the timeliness fades and the articles are rejected.

I have written for weekly newspapers and magazines with a future publication date, so I know the tricks to avoid some of the news rejections, but this is my one plea to Associated Content, if you want better news coverage, pay for it! Amy's article is right on the money when she says the best way to make sure you can earn a living wage, or at least reasonable spending money on Associated Content, is to be sure to do all the promotions.

Actually, it was one of AC's promotions that moved me from someone who had signed up and never done anything to a somewhat regular producer. I got an email from Associated Content promoting the winners of their Worst Road Trip ever contest and decided, well, I can write like that.

Reading the work of other producers on the site encouraged me to come up with new ideas and branch out. And, reading about the contest winners encouraged me to actually submit something.

The key, as Amy points out, is that you can't make any money writing if you aren't actually doing it. This seems like a no-brainer, but in reality, a lot of people call themselves writers and never actually put words on paper...or computer screen. It may be a bit frustrating to go to you "My Content" page and see lots of things awaiting approval, but it is also very rewarding.
On average, I transfer $100 a week from my PayPal account to my checking account because of the money I make freelancing at on-line sites, primarily Associated Content. October was the first month I made that amount consistently, but it was also the first month that I produced consistently.

No, $400 a month isn't a living wage, but did I mention that I usually only devote an hour a day, or less, to developing my content for submission?

I know that I could make more if I devoted more time to it. In fact, the major issue in determining how much I make writing for Associated Content seems to be my commitment to it.

To be honest, I don't promote my content as well as I should. I have sent links to friends and family and have them tell their friends and so on and so on....Oops, momentary lapse into a Brick commercial. But the reality is, I need those tutorials on how to increase your page views and Amy's suggestions about word density are helpful too.

My problem is that I refused to change the way I write to make better key word density. Sorry, it comes from years of training in the printed word, where repeating yourself for the sake of repeating yourself is frowned on.

Generally, I only add photos to my submissions if I have a photo taken by my husband or I and directly related to the article. More effort here on my part would again mean more money, but I get out of it what I put into it.

And, sure, there have been a few articles that I have been disappointed with the offer on, but I have been willing to accept the offer anyway because, they're paying me for things I would have done anyway.

My article about the key to a happy marriage was a lark, written after a writer's group writing practice on personal essays. It took 15 minutes to complete and I got paid $4. Would I have liked more? Of course, but the point is, I was going to write it anyway. If Associated Content hadn't published it, I would have still written it.

Amy's other advice regarding looking at the weekly list of wanted topics and writing what you know are important too. Actually, it's that third one, write what you know that is most important of all. Research takes a ton of time. If you are going to do the interviews or the research anyway, then by all means write something for Associated Content about the research you did, but doing hours worth of research for a topic you aren't otherwise interested in leads to less money for you.

The one other suggestion I would have to increase your cash flow from Associated Content and get closer to that living wage is to plan ahead. Articles on things people will be looking for next month are going to be much more popular, and probably pay more, than the things they are looking for today.

Use your imagination and write about things that affect your daily life. I was pleasantly surprised when I got paid $8 for an article on planning a Thanksgiving party that I wrote a couple weeks ago. I wrote it because I was working on the planning of the party and needed to take a break from party planning. So my other piece of advice, is always, always, submit what you write. If it's already written, what's the worst that could happen?

Amy's article is a great guide to getting started making serious money at Associated Content. Follow her advice and write often and the money will come flowing in.