What I Learned in My First Two Weeks Writing for Associated Content

I've been writing my whole life. I have a fair number of things published, but most were not for pay and none were targeted for on-line publication.

I signed up to be a Content Producer at Associated Content knowing that writing for an on-line market would be different than writing for printed publications but not knowing just what those differences were.

Thanks to all the good resources and helpful CP's at Associated Content, I've learned a lot in a short amount of time. I know I still have plenty more to learn, but I thought I'd share what I've picked up so far in case it helps someone else just starting out.

The Differences

Here are the areas I've identified so far as differences:

Titles
Topics
Abstracts
Keywords/keyword densities
Search engines
Promoting your content
Pay rates/process

Titles

The thing that seems like the biggest difference to me is the way titles are used. For instance, if your article is being published in an aquarium fish magazine, you have the freedom to make the title zany and obscure. In fact, I think it works well to do just that. The reader knows your topic is somehow related to fish-keeping, so it can be intriguing for them if they don't immediately know exactly what you're going to talk about. A catchy title can get them to start reading. For instance, if I call an article, "The Sleeping Habits of Fish," that may be fine. But "At Least They Don't Snore," is more fun.

For on-line, however, that would be a terrible title. Your article isn't going to get read unless someone can find it using a search engine. And nobody's going to search for the sleeping habits of fish by typing in, "at least they don't snore."

I sometimes find myself sliding back into the zany-title habit, but thanks to the edit feature, this is easily fixed.

Topics

This is an area I'm not yet quite sure how to adapt to. I know that the better I do at choosing topics that a lot of people want to read about, the higher my offers from Associated Content may be. Here's hoping that what people want matches at least somewhat with what I want to write about!

Abstracts

I wasn't quite sure how the abstract was to be used when I first signed up. By examining the "publish" feature and by reading a lot of articles by various CP's, I finally realized, "Duh! The abstract is the sales pitch!"

If the title doesn't hook the potential reader, then you have one more chance with the abstract. This is where the catchiness I used to put into titles belongs. When I'm scrolling down a long list of titles and abstracts looking for something to read, a well-written abstract will pull me in where a dull one might make me keep going.

Keywords/Keyword Densities/Search Engines

Wow! New concept for me! I'm not used to writing this way. Yet, it makes so much sense once I stop and think about it. As an internet user, I do a lot of searching for information. So now I just use that experience to think about how to build in keywords for others to find. An interesting side effect is that I believe I've become better at searching now that I consciously think about how another author might build in the keywords for the article I'm looking for.

Keywords are probably my weak spot at the moment, but the free tools like textalyzer.net are giving me a jump start. And I'm so glad I learned about the concept before I started submitting.

Promoting Your Content

Another new concept for me. Or at least a new spin. I'm familiar with the concepts of building a portfolio and establishing a style and reputation. I'm having to learn and practice the idea of actively trying to get people to get on line and read my stuff. Feels a little weird. But I'm grateful to have been enlightened as to why this is important. I suspect I wouldn't do it otherwise.

I get the "why." The "how" is a work in progress and I'm relying heavily on the information on the Associated Content website.

Pay Rates/Process

I confess I was a little shocked at the range of pay rates at first. But after awhile I realized that it's not so unreasonable. Considering the fact that you can write on whatever you want, whenever you feel like it, plus you can turn in fairly short pieces that don't necessarily require lots of time for research, it starts to look better. It also seems like a good opportunity to practice, experiment, and get feedback and make at least a little cash doing it. And judging by the articles I've read, some people are treating it like a real job and are making real money. Now that's pretty cool.

Resources For The Newbie

I highly recommend that the new writer read every section of Associated Content's Getting Started and AC 101. I also think you'll benefit from designating some time to read plenty of the forum stuff and lots of articles. If you can't find the answer to a question, do post it. There are amazingly generous people out there willing to help you help yourself.

Summary

Writing for on-line publication is a different animal than writing for print publication. You absolutely must adapt if you want to make money at it. But there are lots of good resources to get you started and the Associated Content community is impressively supportive of the new writer.

Thank you, Associated Content, and all you Content Producers. With any luck, I'll be giving you another update somewhere down the road!