Testimonial: I've Been Writing for Yahoo! for 6 Months!

Hello to all of my Associated Content writing peers. We are learning that Yahoo! and Associated Content will become a team. Is this good news? Should we literally shout, "Yahoo!"? I believe so.

In the AC forum pages, I am seeing some concerns regarding this acquisition, and so I am giving testimony that this will be really great for us. This is my statement because Yahoo!'s link with Associated Content has already provided me with an opportunity - an opportunity that I really appreciate.

I've been part of a Yahoo! project in which I provide Yahoo! with news content pertaining to the Detroit area. I live near Detroit, in Saginaw, where I reported for 33 years for my hometown newspaper. Therefore, thanks to Associated Content, I am able to write Detroit-based articles that Associated Content provides to Yahoo.com. I have been privileged to write dozens of articles for this project during the past six months.

This is a fantastic arrangement. Older journalists like me try to act all jaded, but we still like seeing our bylines - especially on websites as esteemed as Yahoo.com!

Sometimes I receive specific assignments from AC and Yahoo!. For example, I was assigned two articles about the Detroit Kennel Club Dog Shows, which is a huge annual event in metro Detroit. I never-never would have written an article on my own about a dog show, but when I received these assignments, I became a "student" and I learned. I was also assigned an article in March about where locals could watch Michigan State University's basketball team play in the college tournament. That was fun.

But I am also allowed to suggest topics. For example, I proposed a story about conservation incentives offered by DTE Energy (the old Detroit Edison). I suggested this story idea, and the editors from Associated Content and Yahoo! liked the idea - and in my opinion the result was a really positive article: Winter protection from DTE Energy shutoffs expires in April. There are a ton of ways that people can save energy, and even get rebates, and these programs need to make some headlines for Detroiters.

If you are like me, Associated Content and Yahoo! provide an ideal arrangement for a writer. We need somebody to provide assignments, but at the same time, we want to pursue our own ideas. We also want to be published on reputable sites like AssociatedContent.com - as well as the many sites that Yahoo! offers.

I want to make one final point for those among you who have come to Associated Content, in part, as a learning experience. When you receive Yahoo! assignments through Associated Content, you will be paired with excellent editors, who in a way serve as tutors. It's almost like taking a college class, except instead of paying tuition, you receive cash. I have learned a great deal from the guidance offered by the AC editors, even in my old age.

Hopefully, AC writing peers, the Yahoo! acquisition will bring opportunities to you in a similar way that opportunities have come to me. My experience has been entirely positive. Feel free to send me a note if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Michael Thompson