Do you do Associated Content "calls for content"?
By AnythngArt
@AnythngArt (3302)
United States
August 19, 2009 10:37pm CST
Occasionally I look over the calls for content on the account page of Associated Content. Usually they are just for performance payment and not upfront. Do you participate in these? What is the benefit? Are the page views really enough to justify doing an article without upfront payment? Normally the only non-upfront payment articles I do are re-posts of articles I have written for another site. Is it worth it to write for page views only?
I'd love to hear about your experiences with "calls for content."
3 people like this
4 responses
@unusualsuspect (2602)
• United States
20 Aug 09
I've only done one C4C, and that was the flash fiction contest. I try to remember to check them out most days, but if the number available is going down, I don't even bother to look through them. There's hardly ever a topic that I'd be interested in writing about, and even if I was, what's the point of giving it away when it's only worth page views?
Another thing to think about is the number of slots being offered for a topic. If everybody and their cat is going to be writing on one topic, then the chances of even being read probably go way down.
I got into a PM conversation with a fairly new writer recently, and she was trying desperately to earn some specific amount of money by a certain date. But she seemed to think that the only topics allowed were the ones in the c4c list. She was sitting and waiting for new topics to come up, poor thing. I let her know that wasn't true and suggested she read the FAQS, guidelines, and tutorials. It made me wonder if very many newbies think the c4cs are all they can write.
2 people like this
@AnythngArt (3302)
• United States
20 Aug 09
Poor thing! Can you imagine sitting around waiting for the "call for content" topics? That's the thing with any of these writing sites...and why I appreciate MyLot so much (where I can ask other authors questions)...it's not always clear how they work unless you really probe.
There was a writer on AC recently who said she made $500+ in one month on AC from writing about Halloween. Just guess how many people are going to now be following her advice? That place will be flooded, but by that time, it will probably be too late.
2 people like this
@AnythngArt (3302)
• United States
21 Aug 09
I think that the writing experience is really the most enjoyable when you like the process and topic. Otherwise it's work. Sometimes that's fine because work still improves your writing skill, but real pleasure can be had when you write because you are interested in a topic or want to learn more. That makes Associated Content a good venue (as opposed to a site like Helium, where they provide the topics).
I have looked into some paid writing assignments and just wonder how people do it. Writing 25 articles on the same topic (which wasn't interesting to begin with). They must have more willpower than I do!
1 person likes this
@unusualsuspect (2602)
• United States
21 Aug 09
I've tried writing on subjects that are supposed to be popular, but I got so bored that I quit. I don't do a lot of writing, and if I can't enjoy it, it's just not worth it. I write on subjects that interest me, and try to give them a unique slant. That seems to be working for me. I do envy the people who can churn out lots of articles on popular subjects and make lots of money, but that's just not my way. I appreciate AC because whatever your interests are, or your writing style, if you work at it, you can find readers and make some money.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
20 Aug 09
It's been awhile since I've even looked at the calls for content but like you unless I'm posting an article I've already published elsewhere I prefer the uprfront payment thing...just doesn't seem worth it to knock oneself out doing an article for AC for performance payment only...I never get that many "hits" on my articles to make it worthwhile
2 people like this
@AnythngArt (3302)
• United States
20 Aug 09
That has been my philosophy. I just wondered because I see other people writing for these topics, and I think to myself, "why?" I guess if someone already has hundreds of articles on Associated Content and a million views, then they can afford to write only for the page views.
I just wondered if I was missing an opportunity. Until I hear from someone else, I guess I will stick to my old method.
1 person likes this
@oscar6 (1938)
• United States
17 Jun 11
I dont do assignments or calls for content unless they pay upfront. This is because I can write about whatever I want in order to get page views so I dont need thier topics. However it is easier to get something approved sometimes if you accept an assignment for upfront payment. Then its a sure thing to get it approved most of the time.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
31 Aug 09
At AC I am always concerned something will come up and I will not be able to make the deadline so I have not claimed any of those assignments. There was actually one for a back to school craft that was a call for a video that was actually paying but I couldn't do it. I will have to concentrate on other things offline for a while and then with my computer down I won't get much done anyway.
1 person likes this
@AnythngArt (3302)
• United States
31 Aug 09
I understand if people do them and they pay. But I just don't get why anyone would do them for page views only. Then you might as well write about what you like, right? I guess I am wondering if the traffic is so great that the calls for content are worth it?
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
31 Aug 09
I think it really depends on the topic. If you can use SEO to attract more page views and you choose the correct keywords you will get a lot of hits. I have one article on AC that has done very well and if I can convert that to 5 with that number of views I will probably start getting paid every month. I just don't know when I'll be able to put real time into it.
