What Happened Associated Content?

In November of 2006, Associated Content, you offered me a job. I would become a writer and you would help by publishing my articles for pay. Since my mom has been nagging me forever, it seemed like destiny for us both. Instead a relationship began and blossomed. Now it seems to be withering and dying quickly.

AC, I followed your advice and started taking the hobby I have coddled for so long and made it my pursuit. I was thoughtful and chose my topics carefully. Drawing a lot from my own experiences to keep readers entertained past the first paragraph. And to a point I have been very successful. Since installing the page views beta, I have been able to constantly keep track of my traffic. I "dugg" my own articles when the icon was installed, promoted my pieces by signing up subscribers, reading and commenting on other CP's articles, taking part of the forums as suggested also. Plus I currently advertise AC on my web page and my million-word pages for which I receive nothing in return.

It seems as if this beautiful relationship we have going is slowly becoming one sided. I still do everything I am able to do for Associated Content, but in return you are no longer giving back. You have rejected more articles recently than published. You refuse to pay me anymore also. The last article you rejected was the straw that broke that poor camel's back. It spoke about customer service and how retailers no longer value their customers. How they take everyone and everything for granted. Similar to the treatment that AC is now promoting. Funny thing, another e-zine thought my piece was quite insightful and full of promise.

This last month has been an eye opening experience to say the least, AC. It has showed me that like retailer giants, Associated Content is not the only game on the block. That perhaps, like purchasing furniture, I should shop my articles around for the best prices. I have found your pettiness to be tiring, AC. Your advice is no longer sound, but lame along with the newest bunch of content managers.

Alot like marriage counseling, let's open a dialogue here and now to discuss the problem between us. I feel as if you are using me for your own personal gain, Associated Content. What do I do differently now than in my earlier pieces? Where did I go wrong? Or is this one of those situations where it's YOU and not me with the problem? Who decided to change the forum of Associated Content a short time ago? Because in my opinion it was working like a well-oiled machine before the changes were made. Now it is questionable.

I now write for pursuit, as described previously, not merely for fun or the health of it. My hope is to inspire others in anyway I can. You AC, on the other hand, want me to wait weeks now for my pieces to be reviewed and then turn them down. Or you want my pieces for pennies instead of the dollars you used to pay me. You offer topics that are region related alot of times, holiday specific or beat down so bad that it is tough to take advice in that area either. The last contest [my biggest secret] taught many folks that women can be colorblind and got well over 1000 page views and yet I lost. Despite many comments and sitting on the front page for over three days. When checking back on the winning article I noticed that it had NO page views before everyone was notified. So what exactly does it take to win a contest for AC? What criteria do the content managers use to pick a winner?

What does it take to be a successful paid writer for Associated Content? Should I be writing more about Britney, Paris and all the over-exposed idiots that America calls role models today? I thought the concept of The People's Media Company was to be different from mainstream media. Should I write multiple 400-word articles per day on meaningless drivel without facts but plenty of key words? By the way, do my humor pieces scare the content managers? The last one I published for no pay was received pretty well - so why didn't you like it AC?

I have been plenty proud of the articles I have successfully published through Associated Content. Happy to have a place that would respect my ideals, opinions and beliefs enough to advertise for free. But now AC, you're making me feel like a cheap hooker on a dirty street instead of your constant lover. What happened to the love that was happening on a weekly basis for a few months between us? Have I been relegated to the "something to do in the meantime" category already? That little "one in the hand and one in the bush" tactic? Is this why there are so many content producers who quit after a short time, with few articles to show for their effort?

What will it take for you to notice me again AC? Should I lower my standards and accept the treatment you hand down more and more like a battered wife? Or would it be suicide to divorce myself from this relationship?

A response from you, AC, would be greatly appreciated. Though I will not hold my breath, I think my 15 minutes of fame are just about up at this point!