Meet AC Rockstar plntpolice

You probably know her as plntpolice on Associated Content, but Rose Field is an online publishing maven with a background in journalism and horticulture, sharing tips and advice about gardening, jewelry making and lifestyle topics.

Rose has been publishing on Associated Content since February 2007, and has been using social media tools including Facebook and Twitter to share her work with the world.

Here’s what she has to say about her experience with AC, her 2010 publishing goals, and some insights about writing online:

SK: How long did it take you to become an AC addict?

RF: A few months, because I dabbled around on some other writing sites and compared the results before deciding that AC worked for me.

SK: Why have you stuck with AC for so long?

RF: It offers freedom. I’ve never been a prolific producer. Sometimes I don’t publish for weeks at a time. Plus, my topics vary widely, and with AC, I feel that when inspiration strikes I can submit what I want, when I want; no pressure. I love that.

SK: Out of all of the topics you write about, how do you decide which ones to develop or focus on in any given month?

RF: My main interest and area of expertise has always been horticulture, so I continue to do plant related articles, and they perform for me. For quite a while I made jewelry and wrote a few articles on that topic, but they’ve gotten so-so views, and I stopped.

My most personally rewarding article discussed my cat’s leg amputation. Many people contacted me with questions and stories or left comments when their cat underwent an amputation. For once, I felt like my writing made a meaningful contribution to others and the comments were gratifying. Not to mention, the article has almost 15,000 PVs and adds about 1,000/month. I’m planning a follow up article on Zipper’s progress. Other than that, I let my writing go where ever my interests lead at any given time; sorry to confess I’m not cleverly intentional about any of it.

SK: If you could start your AC writing career over again, what is the one thing you would do differently?

Meet AC Rockstar Agnes Farside

She’s one of AC’s Top 1000 Contributors and juggles a full-time job and writing articles on a wide range of topics. Agnes Farside has been on AC since September 2007 and published over 400 articles on crafts, hobbies, movies, gardening, travel, fitness an quilting. Here’s what this AC rockstar has to share with her fans and AC Contributors:

SK: How long did it take you to become an AC addict?
AF: I was hooked right from the start.

SK: Why have you stuck with AC for so long?
AF: AC allows me to write on just about any subject.  The site is easy to maneuver and I love getting paid for my articles.

SK: Out of all of the topics you write about, how do you decide which ones to develop or focus on in any given month?
AF: What I write about depends on a lot of things.  The seasons inspire me to write timely articles pertaining to each one.  Holidays or any upcoming event can also get me thinking of writing an article.  I do crafting, gardening and love to quilt, which provide great topics to write about.  I might write my thoughts on a hot political topic or a personal issue that affected me in some way.

SK: If you could start your AC writing career over again, what is the one thing you would do differently?
AF: I would research more on how to write my articles to be more searchable on the internet.  I would not rush and would profread for errors more.

SK: Do you use any social media tools to promote your content? If so, which ones?
AF: I use FaceBook to promote my articles.  I work full time and do not have time for much more than that.  I have printed cards with my AC url on it and pass them out to people at various venues.

Meet AC Rockstar A. Hermitt

A busy homeschooling mom, A. Hermitt has been rocking the AC waves since March 2005 and published over 1,400 pieces of content. She’s one of AC’s most prolific writers, publishing on topics including parenting, home and garden, education and interior designing amongst dozens of others.

I caught up with A. Hermitt to find out why she’s stuck with AC for so long, and what she hopes to accomplish in 2010:

SK: How long did it take you to become an AC addict?

AH: I wouldn’t call myself an addict, but it took me about a year to see the value of it.  I submitted a few articles when the website we new and came back a year later to find I had a bunch of traffic, so I started writing regularly.

SK: Why have you stuck with AC for so long?

AH: I’m kind of loyal… like a puppy.

SK: Out of all of the topics you write about, how do you decide which ones to develop or focus on in any given month?

AH: I try to write within the season, pulling events from news or life to write about.  That keeps the writing fresh and relevant.

SK: If you could start your AC writing career over again, what is the one thing you would do differently?

AH: I would have taken a different approach to making videos.  I HATE the videos I made a few years ago.

SK: Do you use any social media tools to promote your content? If so, which ones?