Why Does This SAHM Continue to Write for Associated Content for Yahoo!

Are you a SAHM trying to write for Associated Content from Yahoo? As a SAHM who completed her two-year anniversary writing for Associated Content, I decided it was time to reflect on my experiences.

Background of this SAHM Prior to Writing for Associated Content from Yahoo

Prior to dabbling in online writing, I was a full-time SAHM for almost 10 years. My life revolved around my two girls (now 13 and 9 years) and their dad.Call me ol' fashioned, but I love being a mom who finds pleasure in cooking and cleaning. The stress of both partners working full-time never appealed. The thought of having no time for my family gave me a panic attack.

People talked about providing their children a better life. A better life in daycares with someone else taking care of them? Will they be happier left in front of the television or the computer, where they fend for themselves? I often questioned myself. I wanted to provide them the comfort of my presence, the gift of my time and the joy of having a mother around.

A SAHM Begins Her Online Writing Adventure With Associated Content from Yahoo!

Having said all that, being a SAHM is extremely difficult. At times, I was sucked into a vortex of innumerable questions and answers. "Am I doing the right thing?" "Should I be working?" It was one of the "What if?" months when my friend told me about Associated Content. "You can write and make some money."

"I can write and earn money right at home." My creative spirits found new wings as I signed up for an account in December 2008.

OK. I was in with a username and a password. What next? I remained clueless. The Assignment Desk stared with a list of topics that I could write. If only, I knew how to claim.

Was this the place for me? I wondered.
What could I lose? Nothing!

A SAHM Continues Her Writing Adventure with Associated Content from Yahoo

Perhaps, that was the smartest answer I ever gave. I really had nothing to lose! In January 2009, this SAHM published her first story for Associated Content.

Still completely ignorant about web writing, I slowly wandered around the site, tumbling here and there; trying to find what was in store. Writing to me meant telling stories; however, Associated Content was a different cup of tea. Yes, I found writers writing fiction, but most of the articles looked researched pieces on a subject.

Did that fascinate me? Completely! (You can only do it long if it thrills you.)

What I loved (or rather love) about Associated Content is that it allows writers of all calibers to publish for them. It was a perfect avenue for someone like me. When I understood the concept of Upfront Pay and Performance Payment Plan, my joy knew no limits. My first article fetched me $1 as Upfront and continues to make pennies. Even if it was a dollar, Associated Content from Yahoo always paid on time. It is completely legitimate!

This SAHM continued to learn and grow. Yes, there were boulders on the way. However, the Content Managers and the AC-community worked with me until I was way pass the learning curve.

Finding a Footing on Associated Content for Yahoo

In the beginning, it was depressing, hard and painful. However, I always believed in hard work. The more I saw million views on other contributors' profile, I knew I wanted to be among them. Here are some the steps I followed:

Read, read and read: I went through some of the valuable tutorials written by Associated Content veteran writers. What did it take to be a content provider? What was web writing all about? How could people find your articles online? What was the SEO monster all freelancers talk about?

Write, write and write: I Implemented skills I learned. I worked on balancing the act of keyword placing and aesthetic writing. With every article published, I checked its Google ranking and worked on making it better with the next article. At times it worked. At times, it didn't.

Remaining honest to my work, I tried to give the readers the best information I could.

What About the Moola?

Yes, the pennies don't look attractive on your account in the beginning. Your heart breaks when no one finds your articles and you struggle to make a decent amount for payout. However, it gets better with time. The more you learn and hone your skills, the better it gets. In fact, Associated Content for Yahoo is the only website that pays Upfront and on views.

Things have been extremely tough for the family in 2010 and I managed to publish around 85 articles this year, but my performance payment always made it to my Paypal account. Long-forgotten articles continue to earn me money. Can you earn a living writing for Associated Content? The answer for that differs for each person.All I can say is that the money just grows with time.

From a SAHM to WAHM

Today, I am a full-time freelance writer. Building a portfolio in Associated Content from Yahoo helped me getting started with several other websites. With Yahoo joining hands with Associated Content, content providers like me get a chance to publish their work on prestigious Yahoo sites.

In addition to being a proud Featured Contributor in Travel, and Shopping and Fashion, for Associated Content for Yahoo, today, my work can be found on eHow, USAToday, Trails, Travels, Suite101 and others.

What excites me is that it's just the beginning. I have covered miles and I look forward to tread unchartered territories, to learn, grow and to evolve.