Writing for Associated Content: A Look Back at My First Year

December 9^th, 2010, marks my one year anniversary as a contributor on Associated Content, which is now a part of the Yahoo! Contributor Network. This article is a look back at my first year, and all the wonderful changes in my life which were facilitated by my work with Associated Content.

Associated Content: A Legitimate Place To Pursue Writing Dreams

In November of 2009, I discovered Examiner.com on a local job board. The idea of being paid to write online, from the comfort of my home-which was a huge concern for me, as Virginia's climate was detrimental to my Fibromyalgia-was simply too enticing of an idea to pass. However, after being accepted to write as the Richmond New Age Examiner, I found the specifics of the contributor contract to be incompatible with what I was seeking; handing over Exclusive rights to all my work didn't sit well with me, and I had read mixed reviews from former contributors.

A friend heard my concerns, and told me about Associated Content. She had been a contributor on the site for several months, and was able to confirm that Associated Content was not a scam-she had been paid, exactly as the company advertised. I took her advice and explored Associated Content for myself, and was absolutely thrilled with what I found. Finally, I had a place to pursue my dreams of being a published writer-with the bonus of a supportive community, achievements to encourage personal goals, and much more.

Associated Content: Encouragement, Awards and Achievements

I was immediately impressed with the built-in awards and achievements available on Associated Content. From the "Clout" system, which rewards contributors with better pay for Page Views as they increase their total accumulated views, to the Best of AC awards and Featured Contributor programs, Associated Content has numerous opportunities for contributors to excel and shine as much as their determination, talent and effort allows.

Within my first month on Associated Content, I submitted an article for the $25 'Best of AC' assignment. To my surprise and immense honor, my article, Confessions of a Labrador Retriever: A Cautionary Tale, was accepted; the editor even took a moment to give me some encouraging feedback: "Great job with this submission. You did a good job of taking a popular topic and twisting it to make unique, funny and enjoyable to read." That small, but personal piece of encouragement meant so much to me as a new contributor, and it truly made me feel as though I had limitless potential writing for Associated Content.

In March 2010, I won the "Rising Star" award, as one of five new contributors that month who showed potential to the Associated Content staff and network. Words cannot express how humbled-and encouraged-I was by this honor; I still look at the badge on my profile with immense pride at this achievement. These kinds of above-and-beyond measures by the Associated Content staff only promote better content from the contributors, and I was certainly encouraged to continue to grow. Later in the summer, I was accepted into the Featured Contributor program in both the Video Games and Shopping & Fashion categories. I continue to be very proud of my membership in the FC program, and it continues to encourage me to produce better quality content, challenging myself continuously.

Associated Content: Lessons In SEO Techniques and Social Networking

Part of being a successful contributor with Associated Content is learning the tricks of the trade, such as proper SEO (search engine optimization) techniques and how to use social networking to promote your content. I signed up for Twitter several months after beginning my work here with Associated Content, and I was amazed at how much better my articles performed after being shared on Twitter-especially when one of the Associated Content accounts retweets my link to their followers. I wrote a guide on Associated Content Twitter profiles to follow, hoping that other new contributors would realize the immense value in taking the time to share their content. As an added bonus, the supportive folks at Associated Content often host events and games via Twitter-with $5 or $10 articles as the prize!

Although contributors are not required to use these means to garner more page views, both Associated Content and we contributors ourselves certainly benefit from doing so. Fortunately, Associated Content's contributors have produced a wellspring of articles on these methods, with invaluable tutorials and advice from the pros. Whether or not you continue with Associated Content long-term, these lessons are truly worth exploring if you desire a career as a freelance writer on the Internet.

Associated Content: A Stepping Stone To More Opportunities

While I continue to consider Associated Content, and now the Yahoo! Contributor Network, my true home among all my freelance writing affiliations, Associated Content allowed me to work towards an online presence and portfolio which opened many doors for me as a writer. When I first began as a freelance writer, I was turned down by numerous websites and companies for a lack of experience. After six months on Associated Content, with an award under my belt and admission into the Feature Contributor program, my content here paved the way to no less than six other freelance positions.

The Yahoo! acquisition of Associated Content followed on the heels of many contributors receiving jobs from the Yahoo! network of websites; I had been published several times on Yahoo! Games at the time, another achievement which gave me a tremendous boost in confidence as a writer. The unexpected connection between Associated Content and Yahoo! has provided contributors with a wealth of opportunities, further credibility as freelance writers, and a whole new set of goals and challenges.

Associated Content: Worth Its Weight In Gold

In conclusion, as I look back on my first year as an Associated Content contributor, I am immensely thankful that I decided to take a chance and explore my own personal potential and the vast merits of the company and site. I have grown considerably as a writer, an online presence and a member of the Associated Content community, and Associated Content has been right there evolving, growing and blossoming along with me and other contributors.

I truly feel that writing for Associated Content was one of those rare, precious opportunities to test my own potential and my drive to succeed as a writer, with legitimate rewards and earning potential, and I am very thankful for that. My affiliation with the site allowed me to pay for my family's relocation from Virginia to Colorado in the fall of 2010, and that accomplishment is minor compared to my true reward for working with Associated Content: The realization that I can change my life, build a career through hard work and a passion for writing, and become more of the person I want to be. I not only can be a writer-I am one, and it all started with a few free articles, a great company, and a dream.