Meet AC Community Manager, Brenna Boyce

AC Brenna is an Associated Content Community Manager. I am pleased that she has agreed to allow me to interview her via email. I am eagerly looking forward to reading and publishing her responses to the questions that I pose to her. I hope everyone that reads this interview comes away with a better understanding of Brenna as a person and as an Associated Content Community Manager. I am eager to read about her personal experiences with Associated Content as well as how she envisions the company going forward. I am also interested in learning in more detail how her role as an Associated Content Community Manager is both distinct, yet complimentary to Associated Content Community Manager AC Darnell.

1. I read that you received a B.A. in Sociology. What were you hoping to do with that type of degree?

I went into college as a political science major and wound up not liking it that much. Around that same time I started working at my college paper, The Daily Nexus. I loved journalism, but UCSB didn't offer that major. I really loved the sociology classes I was taking and thought sociological theory could be easily applied to many different jobs, so I decided to focus on that at school. But, I also took a ton of literature and art classes. I believe I got a well-rounded liberal arts degree, rather than just a sociology one-and it has served me well in my career.

2. When you signed on with Associated Content, were you initially a Content Producer or were you always a Community Manager?

I have always been a Community Manager here. I have written a few pieces since becoming an employee though-you can check them out on my AC Brenna profile.

3. You are approaching your first anniversary with Associated Content. Can you summarize briefly describe your overall experience in your first year with Associated Content? How do you feel Associated Content has progressed in your first year?

My first anniversary at AC was in May.AC has been a great place to work. I love the people and I feel strongly about the concept. In the past year, things have really picked up-our numbers are higher than ever, we have great new leadership from Patrick Keane and we are working towards improving our product and site every day. There have been a lot of changes in the past year, from site design to terminology, and I look forward to many great changes in the future.

4. Where do your job responsibilities overlap with AC Community Manager Darnell Witt and where are they separate?

Darnell is more in charge of recruitment and serves as the "face" of the Community Team. I handle activation and reactivation. On a daily basis I manage the Community Guides program, run the sweepstakes and contests and run the Rising Stars Award (Best New Contributor). I curate the Tutorials page; I also work with our content team to constantly update the Submission Guidelines and FAQ. During a transitional period a few months back, I answered our admin email, which has since been moved to Caleb, our new Help Desk Manager. While Darnell and I may have separate tasks, we work very closely, bouncing ideas back and forth. We also both work on engagement and retention tactics together.

5. I saw that that in 2008 that there was a program to recruit students that did not really get off the ground? Can you explain what happened with this program?

One of the best things about working for AC is the ability to try new things. We love students and think they are a great fit for the AC model. We tried a few things with them initially and they are definitely still on our radar. We are looking to tweak this idea and bring it back in the future.

6. Does Associated Content offer any type of incentive program for referring people to publish with Associated Content? If not, do you expect that there might be a program in the future?

We offer referral bonuses on a one-off basis, but it doesn't make sense to pay a bounty on referring just anyone to AC. We're currently working on some ideas that might allow us to bring back referrals in the future.

7. I see that you seem to be in charge of the Associated Content sweepstakes program. Can you elaborate on this program, including how the topics are chosen?

We started the sweepstakes program as a way to excite and engage our community. Over time it has become a great way to drive content submissions in different areas. Topics are chosen because we need a boost in a certain category or we think that a certain category will perform well in the coming month or two. I often talk to our sales team to see if any of our sponsors could benefit from added content in a certain category and I talk to our assignment desk folks who know what performs well and when it will get the most traffic.

8. Do you believe Associated Content is the premier platform for writers to publish online articles?

I strongly believe that AC is the premier place to publish online. There are other publishing sites that pay more upfront for certain types of content, and others that publish higher performance rates, but no one that combines upfront with performance and delivers the same volume of exposure. Many publishing sites have high barriers to entry-you have to submit writing samples and an application or resume. Our site caters to professional freelancers, but it remains open to average people with some knowledge to share. Their experiences and insight make for amazing content and our ever-growing traffic brings them the kind of audience they deserve.

I also consider AC to be the best site for learning how to write on the web-we have great resources to explain the basics of SEO, content promotion, title writing, adding photos and more. Our Content Managers provide valuable tips on submissions and our Forum is filled with seasoned AC veterans who are more than happy to answer questions. Our system lets users track daily page views for each piece of content so it's easy to tell what works and what doesn't. For most, AC is a hobby, but it can easily be a successful full-time job for those willing to put in the time. We have contributors who make over $1000 a month on Performance Payments alone. I can't say enough good things about AC.

9. Are there plans to have a Clout System that goes beyond Clout 10 with increases in the payment per page view?

As our community has grown, we have more and more contributors reaching Clout 10. That's not to discount the huge achievement it is to reach this Clout level, but it's inevitable that the longer AC is around, the more Clout 10s we'll have. I can't give you specifics, but we're currently working on some great new rewards programs that I think will please our community-so stay tuned!

10. How do you foresee Associated Content growing and improving in both the next year and in the next five years?

We want to keep our momentum by providing our contributors with greater distribution and earnings opportunities. We also want to hone our site and make it as user-friendly as possible.

11. Without identifying particular Content Contributors, are there particular Contributors that you find counter productive and a hindrance to executing Associated Content's mission?

Of course! The longer I am here, the better I am at pinpointing those who are valuable to AC.

12. Do you think it would be beneficial for Associated Content to alert their visitors which browsers are supported by the site, so people who visit using an older browser know that any problems viewing articles is a result of their browser and not Associated Content?

Yes, in fact I am working on adding it to our FAQ right now.

13. As a Community Manager for Associated Content what provides you with your greatest job satisfactions?

I get a lot of satisfaction from getting contributors to publish and reactivating those that may have dropped off over time. AC has so much to offer that it makes me very happy to see people taking full advantage of all of our opportunities. I also love getting to know our community. Darnell and I talk about our contributors like they are old friends, though we may have only had minimal contact with many them, we are constantly watching, reading content and tracking the progress of our contributors.

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

I have a million! I am on the board of my condo in Brooklyn and also for Brooklyn's Finest Garden, the community garden next to my apartment. I love to cook and bake and throw dinner parties. I am an avid reader. My boyfriend of 11 years (who is a fashion designer) and I have started our own clothing line called Brooklyn Tailors, which is mainly high-end, hand-tailored items like bespoke suits, made-to-measure shirts and custom jeans. I am a huge family person. I also love to travel-I just got back from Turks and Caicos and plan on visiting Providence; Portland, Oregon; San Diego and San Francisco still this year. I collect vintage furniture and art. I love old architecture. And I am a huge coffee snob.

15. I read that you graduated from University of California Santa Barbara and now you live and work in New York City. Which coast do you prefer?

I was born in Los Angeles, I moved to Orange County as a baby and then to San Diego on my 6^th birthday. I went to college at UCSB in Santa Barbara, which is one of the most beautiful places in the whole world. While I miss my family and the amazing Mexican food in San Diego, the flawless California weather and the beautiful California coastline, I'd say I am a New Yorker at heart. I am a busybody and the laid back California vibe never quite suited me. I have never been happier than living in Brooklyn.

16. I read that you are pet lover. What kind of domestic pets do you like? Are there any domestic pets that you don't like?

I am a huge animal lover. While I was in college, I volunteered at the Dog Adoption Welfare Group (DAWG), a no-kill animal shelter in Santa Barbara. I would spend hours taking the dogs on walks and eventually got to take dogs home for a few days at a time. I grew up with dogs and I hope to have one of my own as soon as I get a bigger apartment. I know I am not around enough to properly care for a dog right now and I don't have a yard, so I am waiting until the situation is right. For now I am a great dogsitter.

17. Would you recommend to other Associated Content staffers that they complete this interview?

Lisa Gooder (VP Community) and Craig Abruzzo (AC Legal) would both be great!

Click below to read an interview of another Associated Content Community Manager.

Han Van Meegerin Introduces and Interviews Darnell Witt, AC Community Manager