How to Succeed as a Content Producer on Associated Content

It is not always feasible for stay at home parents or homemakers to work outside the home, so it may make more sense to look for an opportunity to work from home and still have time to take care of children and the home. Associated Content allows you the flexibility to do just that.

Starting out with AC

Take full advantage of the opportunity to write for Associated Content. Start off by Setting up a PayPal account and verify your e-mail address, so that you can accept payment. Choose whether you want your work to be exclusive to AC or non-exclusive. Exclusive work tends to pay higher. Payments depend on the quality of your article. It also depends on whether the topic is of current interest and concern. So try to write about topics that are currently in the news, or may appeal to readers. Make sure you proof read and spell check your work carefully. I do this regularly, but I still find the odd mistake after my work is published and I end up kicking myself! Use your own personal experiences to write about what you know. If you are a parent, you are bound to have many parenting tips, ideas and suggestions. If you have a business background, write about that. It is really easy to get going on a topic that you are familiar with. But if you run out of ideas, do not worry! Go to the library section of AC and look at a topic that interests you. Of course, you must not copy someone else's work, but you may have an opposing view that you can then write about. Try to also write about topics that are outside your comfort zone. Be sure to research the topic carefully and then decide what slant you will take on it before you start writing. Another way to generate ideas for articles is to read newspapers, watch the news or go to news web sites. The one I use most often is http://news.bbc.co.uk because it is easy to navigate and it features news from around the world. The information is updated on a regular basis, so you are bound to come across a news item that interests you. Make sure you give credit to any web sites, or newspapers that you use, otherwise you will be guilty of plagiarism.

Contests

Take part in the monthly Associated Content contests. There is usually a good incentive to do so, as you will be paid a higher rate for your work, than you would in an average day or week. But before you submit your work, make sure that it conforms to the exact specifications that are set out in the guidelines. Use the correct template, keep within the word limit and do your best to produce a good, quality piece of work that others would want to read. If you submit an article that does not meet the requirements, it will be rejected for payment consideration.

Will your topic interest others?

Keep in mind that a fascinating topic for you may not be of interest to other readers. So do your research carefully. Go to the search option on AC and type in your topic of interest. Does it come back with many results? Have a quick look at these articles and pay attention to the format and layout. Without copying any of the work you come across, just get some ideas about how you will write your article.

Comment on other people's articles

Producing work for AC does not stop when you hit the finish and preview button. It goes further and you can do much to enhance your page views. One way is to read other people's articles and offer constructive criticism. When I say constructive, I mean helpful! If you notice lots of mistakes, mention this in a friendly manner. Do not resort to derogatory remarks, name calling and do not swear at a person. I have come across a few such individuals and it has really put me off from reading any further. I believe that if you cannot comment in a kind manner, you should be barred from submitting work for AC. When you offer comments, refer people back to your work. They are more likely to want to look at your own work if you have acted in a professional manner towards them.

Ask questions

I started submitting my work to AC about a month ago after I stumbled on this web site. I was not quite sure what was expected of me in the first few days. So I wrote to other content producers who had been doing this longer than me. They offered me some great suggestions and I am very grateful for their tips. As you start to gain more confidence in your own abilities you will see an improvement in your work. Remember that you are part of an online community. So at any time you feel the need for advice, just ask another content producer to look over your work or ask a question. Go to the chat forum and ask your question. Nine times out of ten, someone will be able to provide you with an answer.

Promotion

Promoting your work is going to help improve your page views. When you first start out, you do not have any "clout", so to speak. So it will help you become more well known if you can promote your work or sign up your friends to receive your work when it is published. It is free and can help improve your clout level. It ranges from 1-10, with 10 meaning you have the highest amount of page views.

Quantity counts

Not all people have hours devote to writing for AC each day, even if they are stay at home parents or homemakers. But if you do have a lot of time to yourself, such as I do, then try to make the best of that time by writing as much as you can each day or week. I write about three articles on average each day, but I am hoping to increase that. The more articles you are able to write, the more money you will be offered by AC.

Have fun!

Working for Associated Content is fun! You are able to write about a variety of topics that are of interest to you and you get paid for it too. So get out your notebook, jot down any ideas that come along, be aware of what is going on around you and write for AC! It is really satisfying to write for a company and receive quick recognition and payment for it. So what are you waiting for? Get going today!