Associated Content
I realize I haven't updated this blog as faithfully as I'd like to. Paying writing gigs have taken up the vast majority of my time, and seeing as how I make very little money from this blog, I do need to make a living elsewhere! I will try to keep up with this as much as possible, but there are no guarantees. I hope all of you will continue checking back every now and then.
Now that we've gotten that out of the way, I want to get your opinions about Associated Content. I've read many, MANY differing opinions about the value/worth of AC, but I'd like you to explain your reasoning in a little more depth if you don't mind.
1. Do you believe AC is a viable part-time income filler when your normal workload is lagging?
2. Do you submit articles to Associated Content? If you don't anymore, have you in the past?
3. What were your usual payrates for articles submitted to AC?(If you don't mind answering.)
4. From your experience, which categories seemed to pay better than others?
Feel free to answer these questions in the comments box below, or add any additional thoughts you might have. I'm curious to know what anyone reading this blog thinks about Associated Content, and whether it's a valuable resource for beginning writers or experienced freelancers who'd like to fill the income gap.
Best Wishes,
Denise
Breaking Out Into Other Niches
Today's question:
Would you ever accept a job paying less than you normally charge if you didn't have any experience in a particular field but wanted to break into it? Furthermore, do you believe this is a good stepping stone to higher paying gigs in the future?
Please leave your thoughts below.
Best Wishes,
Denise
Accepting Lower Rates
This post references an earlier post I made about freelance writing rates. How many of you charge acceptable rates in your field, but occasionally accept jobs that are far below what you usually charge your clients?
I'm sure the large majority of writers have done this at one point or another in their career. Whether they believed working for a particular client would enhance their resume or they were creating content for a close relative or family friend at a discount, I don't necessarily believe accepting lower than your standard wages is a bad idea.
What are your thoughts? Please let me know in the comments below. I look forward to hearing your opinions!
Regards,
Denise
Specialized Niches and Stolen Wallets
Well, I've been up all night because I've had a surge of adrenaline coursing through my body since approximately 8:30 p.m. yesterday evening. Why? Because a person I thought I could trust stole my wallet -- and laughed about it.
It goes to show you that you never know who you can truly trust, doesn't it?
In any case, today I'd like to talk about specialized niches. Do you freelance in any specific niche? I'd love to hear about it if you do!
Please leave your comments in the box below. I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend.
Regards,
Denise
Going Through a Dry Spell
As freelancers, we come to depend on our steady gigs. Unfortunately, when those "steady gigs" suddenly disappear, it leaves us wondering what route to take next.
I am going through a bit of a dry spell right now and feeling quite discouraged. As freelance writers yourself, is there any advice you can pass on to me? I don't want to give up this job that I love so much, and I don't plan to. However, this career path can be quite disheartening at times when there seem to be no new prospects on the horizon. Please tell me I'm not the only one who feels this way?
Any words of encouragement or advice would be wonderful. I thank you in advance.
Warm Regards,
Denise
Working for Free
For beginning writers especially, working for no pay seems commonplace. Even more established freelance writers might submit to non-paying publications on occasion, depending on the cirumstances and the publication they are writing for. However, the question that often arises from people new to the field -- should I write for free -- meets with mixed responses depending upon who you ask.
Personally, if you are just beginning your career, submitting your work to non-paying publications may be beneficial to you in order to gain the exposure you need. As a novice writer, you will probably have to take low paying or non-paying assignments until you build up your resume and clips, but these markets are still a viable way to get your name out there in the writing community.
A few more established writers will tell you that writing is a profession like any other -- and writers are the only people who are repeatedly asked to work for free; no other proffession hires workers, only to tell them they aren't getting paid. This is definitely true, but in order to gain the exposure you need to approach the big names in the writing industry, you're going to have to go through some grunt work before you can reach the top.
Ultimately, you have to decide who you're willing to work for and which rates are acceptable to you. If you have any thoughts to add, please do so in the comments section! I look forward to reading your responses.
Best Wishes,
Denise
