Asociated Content Experiment

I'm considering running an Associated Content experiment, checking how much I can possibly make in a week, between page views and upfront payments. I'm hesitant because (a) Christmas is coming up rapidly and (b) I am still approved for H&G over at DMS and my background makes some of the older titles viable in my eyes.


I applied for Wisegeek and received a pretty fast rejection email. I did samples for a few companies, but have yet to hear anything back. I know what I need to make each month and hopefully I can get through the next few months, while finding other clients and jobs.


I created a list of potential topics for YCN/AC that I know could get some big deal page views over the next few months. I'd like to get those done and uploaded in the next few weeks. I rewrote two of my past Demand Studios articles with a different title and slant, which sold for $4 each on YCN. I submitted four other articles and earned $3.06, $4.50, and $4.06 with one article rejected. I guess that it isn't too bad, given that it took me 20 minutes or less to write each one...

Current Earnings

I just wanted a quick update to remind you where my earnings currently sit.

YCN: In October, I earned just over $60. As of right now, my residual payments clock in at almost $80. With my large amount of Halloween and haunted place articles, I expect to earn over $100 for November. My largest earning to date was $175, but I typically earn $30-50.

Suite 101: I created a Suite 101 account in 2010, but never contributed to it. At the time, I was hired because of my experience in home improvement, restorations, and architecture. When I discovered how low my other articles on the topics performed, I walked away. I plan on writing at least five articles for Suite 101 every day.

List My Five: I just setup an account with List My Five. I plan on doing a few articles for the site every month. Reviews tend to point to earnings being pretty small, so I won't concentrate too hard on this one.

Hubpages: I uploaded my first Hubpages article and already have comments on it. Like Suite 101 and YCN, I plan on doing five articles per month.

Associated Content Experiences

I was late to the party when it came to Associated Content and joined long after the $20 articles passed. I started out slow, by posting articles that covered new products or restaurants I tried and things I had experience with. I published a few articles on architecture and historic preservation, given my advanced degree. While those articles earned relatively high upfront payments, they earned little after.

I have had a few good experiences with YCN, as it is now known. An article I wrote on Sephora facial moisturizer was picked up by a well known health and beauty site, which substantially increased my page views. I sold an article on alcoholic drinks that earned a high upfront payment and lots of views from the site that bought it.

I love haunted stories, so I started writing articles on haunted places. An editor found my articles, tracked me down on Facebook and offered me a book contract. Last fall, my book Haunted Miami Valley was released. I am excited about increasing my page views and seeing what the future holds.

All About Me

I was fired from my full-time job in 2007, or "let go" as the case might be. The long story involves a supervisor that didn't like me and blamed me for her mistakes. I moved in with my parents for several months and eventually discovered the world of online writing. Once I had a few companies and private clients, I made the leap and moved out on my own.

I was lucky enough to meet a great guy and fall in love, which led to us getting our own place. Then I lost my highest paying private client and one of my websites went under. I kept plugging away at it and got my earnings back up. It's been an up hill battle of finding great clients and losing them in a poor economy.


My current goal is to increase my earnings every month and hopefully create a cushion that gives me extra coming in every month. As of right now, I have accounts with Associated Content, Helium, Suite 101, and Hubpages. I want to document my earnings every month and work on raising my income.