The Best Associated Content Success Stories

As a writer for Associated Content, I have become at the huge amount of success stories by content producers who have written for this growing website and company. From success stories that I have read, Associated Content success stories can be divided into 3 different categories. The first category of writers were either out of a job or unable to work a job because of illness or disability or they were fired from a job. This category of people use Associated Content as a primary job and primary source of income. The second category of people write for Associated Content as means of a secondary source of income for more retirement money or to pay for their children's Christmas gifts or new household items, etc. The third and final category of success stories involves content producers who have gotten jobs as a result of being recognized as a writer for Associated Content. This may have involved interviewing someone famous or offering their opinion on something. So without further ado, here are success stories that I have compiled from message boards and article comments. Enjoy!

Success stories on AC:
I have 9 articles on AC which I used as clips to land a paying gig with Northern Virginia magazine as its monthly (9 issues per year) real estate columnist! I get to fill one whole page of the magazine with two articles, 9 times a year for a surprisingly good amount of money. The november issue will also carry an 800-word article that I wrote based on an interview that I conducted. My AC articles also gave me an opportunity to sell an article to the Metropolitan Tribune newspaper with other projects in the making. Although I haven't written for AC in some time, my contractual obligations for this year have been completed and I can now submit some more articles here, although I'm already starting to do some research for my January column. I mention this because I was told (by numerous people on other sites) that clips generated for content providers would not amount to much. Granted, they may not have gotten me in the door with any of the slick, full-color national magazines, but it did get me in the door with a slick, full-color regional magazine that is sold 9 times a year in all of the major bookstores and retail outlets in Northern Virginia. In my opinion, the key to getting published is the quality of the work, not the venue. Although I still consider myself a writer-in-training, I make certain that all of my work is the best that it can be. For that reason I edit all of my work at least 6 or 7 or more times. I sleep on it and then read it again the next day. I read it out loud to see how it sounds, how it flows, and once I'm sure that it's the best that I can muster at that time, I submit it. Once I have my foot in the door, I don't argue with my editor about my work but rewrite it, if necessary, in order to make it fit her needs for that month. And above all, I meet my deadlines ... at least a couple of days in advance. As a writer, I'm an unknown quantity, so I check my ego at the door and provide the product that my editor asks of me, in the fashion that she asks of me, to be delivered at the time that she asks of me. I now have a solid writing gig ... my name is even on the magazine's masthead for as long as I can provide copy that meets the magazine's requirements. I landed that gig with my AC clips! Thank you AC for the opportunity!
By Ray

I am a dentist. I attended a large meeting in January 2007. I found that someone at a major dental service corporation found an article I wrote about them. That person made sure that many key people in the company received a copy. Walking around this meeting (over 20,000 attendees) every once in a while, a new person would stop me to thank me for writing such an informative article about their company.
Many of these people already know me through my work and my volunteer work. I think that it is great that they know me for my writing as well.
By David leader

I have an experience similar to a couple of other people's, but I'll toss my two cents' worth in. I have just finished treatments for a form of cervical cancer (which, at age 28, is pretty unusual) and also suffer from a related health condition that generally makes it extremely difficult for me to even think about holding down a "normal" job. When I first found AC several years ago, I was faced with the split of myself and my daughter's father, trying to figure out how I could manage to keep by girl and I going without going back to a 9-5. Luckily, I'd had some savings built up and was able to find AC in time.
In short, AC has allowed me to spend time with my child and earn an income that helped me stay at home and heal. It has also given me some really, really great opportunities career/writing wise, allowed me to meet some amazing people, and build my self-confidence again. By Lolaness

Many of you know that I am legally blind since my first article made the feature page. Something I did not mention in the article is how difficult it is to make ends meet with the sole income of disability. It helps and we do fairly well all things considering; however, if it were not for AC and the extra I earn from my work here, I would not be able to do the special things I do with my children. I am forever in your debt AC. This website allows me to showcase my work, make a name for myself within the writing community, and do those special things with my children such as purchase that special toy, order takeout, or go out to eat on occasion when a bill is not terribly pressing. Thank you just doesn't seem to be enough. By Paisley Place

I just recently joined AC and think it's a fantastic site, well organized and full of possibility. I am not a writer but a thrid grade teacher. So far the $10 I've earned from my writing (boy that sounds good!) is going into my retirement account. I haven't been able to contribute to my IRA for 8 years! I'm hoping to be more involved in AC now that I've finished my Masters and survived my first year of teaching. I am eager to share my education experiences to help other teachers make the most out of their instruction for their students. I also finally have an outlet for my poetry, which has been hidden in a manilla folder for many years. It's exciting and intellectually stimulating to be a part of a vibrant community of people with a lot to say! by Jennifer Tarbox

I had signed up a while ago, and only recently started writing. I am in need of any additional income, so I checked back into this site and started writing. I have been suffering from depression due to ex, child, financial, work issues. It has gotten so bad that I neglected a lot of things financially and I am doing what I can to avoid the big "B". Writing on AC has given me a purpose. I am now starting to be able to focus more on day to day things. I reward myself with sitting down and writing after I have accomplished something around the house - no matter how small. I now do less of the dust bunny act under the couch. I sometimes get very obsessed with certain things, or very excited about certain things and AC gives me a place to take my personality defect of wanting to always be a helper and help others online. I have always wanted to write a book, and I hope that with practicing on AC I will eventually get there. Thanks AC! By Emma

I retired early to be with a very sick husband. Was lost for awhile but after I stumbled upon AC I have a new perspective on life itself. I find that writing is fun and ya'll actually enjoy some of the articles. That gives me encouragement to do more. May earn more in the future (some of you seem to do pretty well) when time permits to write more. I have certainly enjoyed your articles. Thank you AC and all of you who contribute. By Grits