Scribbles 'n Scraps

I seriously have noticed an increase in posts on a forum I frequent that revolve around questions regarding Associated Content. I thought I might add a list of FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) to make understanding how things work over there, just a bit easier. I will update it as needed.

Associated Content (AC) F.A.Q

Is it easy to get published?

The opinions on this vary, however so far it seems that there are very few denials. There have been several very low offers for work that took a bit to write for some writer’s but nothing denied except personal experience articles and some book reviews if the book isn’t real popular. So yes, I would say its pretty easy to get published. Now, making good money is a whole different ball game.

What is the minimum word count accepted?

The minimum is 400 but I would recommend being sure you have written a bit more. Although there is no direct correlation between word count and payment offer, it does help to write a little more.

How long does it take to approve articles?

Well, there are several items that weigh into effect when judging how long it will take to get your article looked at. First, the content manager’s and how many articles they have in their que is the biggest factor. Most people believe that it takes between 5 and 8 business days to get approved. I have had an article approved in 24 hours and then I have one that took ten days to get approved. So there is no simple answer. Only that the estimate as of this date, seems to be around 5-8 days.

Once my article has an offer on it, how long does it take before they publish it and pay me?

Well, again – this is a no simple answer kind of question. Sometimes my articles will publish before I get paid. Othertimes I will get paid days before I ever seem my article publish. However, it is usually much quicker, after you have accepted an offer, to have it actually publish and you get paid. It seems to be a 1-3 day turn around, however there are certainly acceptions to that rule.

How many articles can I submit at one time?

To date, I know of nobody who has ever exceeded any type of limit. I know a lady who uploaded ten in one day, and I know another who did fourteen. Here’s my take on that though. For consistancy, and always having money coming in, you might wish to post several each day, rather than huge batches all at one time. Unless of course you can write that many quality articles in one day, but fourteen seems to push it a little.

What is the average price that AC pays for articles?

Well, according to their website, they pay anywhere between $3.00-$40.00. I can honestly say that I have not met anyone who has earned $40 from AC for an article, but that is certainly not saying it hasn’t happened. The average price they pay per article at this time seems to be between $8.00-$10.00. However, this is different for everyone.

…or simply put, answers to the most frequently asked questions on AC.

It seems ridiculous to me both some of the habits AC’s Content Mangers (CM’s) have, and some of the things that other Content Producers (CP’s) complain about. There doesn’t seem to be a grey area either. It seems that with both sides, it’s either black or white. No compromise, no in between.

With the Content Managers, most of them are really decent. They are helpful, honest and obviously enjoy their jobs. But there is one, maybe two, that could benefit greatly from a class I once took called Interpersonal Communications. Keyword: Communication.

Some of the things that have changed at AC recently:

• Keyword Auto Linking System in place. Which is really kind-of annoying, because intersparsed in our articles are these ridiculous keyword links that take the reader to “related content” that really has nothing to do with the actual article, since it is just linking to a random keyword. Plus, CP’s have no control over which words the keyword auto linker selects. *sigh* I get the point, but it’s really not very professional looking.
• No Page View button or Vote Count stats. There used to be a way to check how many people had voted on each article. Apparently that has disappeared. At least as of the past week it has disappeared. Doesn’t AC think it would be great for their CP’s to be able to check and see how many page hits certain articles are getting? One would think this ability would help enhance the content at AC because people would begin to focus on certain subjects that bring readers, and try to write more like the one’s that get more page hits. I know CP’s would like to see this function returned.
• Clout Meter Broken. This is absolutely nuts to me, but I guess since we have pretty much come to the conclusion that clout means NOTHING anymore I should just let it drop. However, because I am new to being published on AC, it would be really nice to see where my “REAL” clout number is. Here’s why – because they removed the “vote count” feature and they don’t have a page hit feature, then the only way to tell how many readers are reading our things are by the CLOUT meter. Which happens to be broken. Which is annoying to me because I am new and I am still at CLOUT 1 and I know that is incorrect. Everyone I know has been clicking on my articles and I know, there is not one possible way I am under 101! Please AC, if there is nothing else you can do about any of the complaints that CP’s have – fix the freakin’ clout meter! That’s all I’m asking!

And then there’s the list of ridiculous complaints that I have found over at the AC forums. Go over there, sign up and read the forums. It’s nuts really. Some are valid complaints, of course. And I would certainly never deny ANYONE the ability to form an opinion on something they would like to see changed, but it seems lately, to be a WHOLE lot of whining. For the record, I hate the new formatting, I don’t like how close the “related articles” box is to my actual article, and I’m mad as hell that I cannot see how many people have been reading my articles. But that doesn’t mean I need to post about it in five different spots on the forums.

Ok, I’m stepping off my soap box now. *whew* I feel SO much better!

I guess I am at a open mouth, insert foot spot. In fact, I am eating my own words from several weeks back. After this post, I wound up checking Associated Content out even further.

I was still wondering how it was going to benefit me at all, since I already had a pretty steady writing gig plus several freelance things.

However, I decided to write some articles for a content call they had. I felt the call was an easy one to do and didn’t require a ton of research to complete.

Well, guess what? Every one of them (five total) got accepted for publication at their given rate. That was some serious pocket money I needed for the holidays.

So for anyone who I offended by comparing AC and CC I now totally understand how different the two sites are. It is true that Constant Content pays better if you set your articles high, but the waiting game is excruciating. It can be weeks or even months before you get a nibble. Wherease with Associated Content you usually get an offer within a few days. There is simply nothing better than seeing “Offer from Associated Content” in your email box!

At any rate, I now to date have FIVE articles published with AC – and two of those came today! YAY!
I have three in que to go, but several I still need to get up and posted so I can be in agony over the wait to see if they make an offer and it’s not low-balled by the ridiculous CM (Content Manager) who constantly offers everyone $4 for any and all articles he makes an offer ON!

Talk to you all soon! Hey and go sign up for Associated Content. In fact, click on this link so I at least get credit for referring you! Please?!?!