Weekly Roundup – Fourth of July Mania

What are you doing this Fourth of July? If you need some ideas or just want to get into the patriotic spirit, read some of these great Fourth of July articles from fellow contributors on AC:

Three Quick, Easy and Refreshing 4th of July Desserts by Donna T

The Top Ten Fourth of July Movies by Christopher Hundley

Cheap and Easy Fourth of July Crafty Activities by Amy Browne

Three Ways to Spend the Fourth of July Without Fireworks by George N Root III

Celebrate Independence Day the John Adams Way by Beverly Smith

Exceptional 4th of July Fireworks in Washington, D.C. Metro Area by M.G. Hardiman

Fourth of July Fireworks Fun Guide by Jan Peterson

Writing Great Headlines for AC: A Refresher

Writing compelling, click-worthy headlines is an important part of publishing articles on Associated Content. According to CopyBlogger.com, 8 out of 10 people will read the headline copy and only 2 out of 10 will read the rest.

If you’re determined to get those pageviews, paying attention to your headline will help you get more clicks. A high-impact, keyword rich headline will attract readers when it’s listed in a feed or posted anywhere else on the web, and also has the potential to rank high in the search engines.

You don’t need to  do keyword kung fu or use over-the-top statements to write some great headlines, but you will need to think about keyword placement, and choose certain words that attract clicks. Here’s a refresher on writing great headlines for AC articles:

1. Keep it Simple and State the Obvious

Let your creative side run free when writing your article, and stick with a direct, no-nonsense approach when creating the headline. The headline needs to tell the reader exactly what’s in store, so avoid using clichés or creative phrases. However, don’t be afraid to use superlatives to emphasize your point. You can keep your headline simple but make it more effective when you add words such as ‘best’, ‘worst’, or ‘most effective ways’ to the sentence.

2. Pose a Question

Readers like to have their questions answered directly, and an article that answers a specific question might just help you get more clicks. Rephrase a declarative statement used in your headline as if you were a reader looking for answers. What type of questions would they be asking? Use one of these questions as your headline to pique a prospective reader’s interest.

3. Generate a List

Who in the World is Melissa Raineri?

She’s a full-time mother in California who enjoys writing about parenting, fashion, books and health topics on Associated Content. Melissa Raineri has been publishing content on AC since November 2008, and admits that she’s been ‘hooked’ since day one.

When she’s not playing with her toddler, she’s reading up on the latest fashion, wedding and style trends for her future articles. I caught up with this busy mom to find out who in the world Melissa Raineri really is:

SK: How did you get started with writing for AC?
MR: As a stay-at-home mom, I have a lot of free time in my hands so I decided to take advantage of this by doing something productive. I discovered AC thanks to Google and since I love writing and I love earning money, I signed up right away. That was November 2008 and I’ve been hooked since.

SK: What inspired you to join?
MR: Writing has always been my outlet. I always feel a sense of accomplishment every time I’ve put my thoughts into words and organized it into an article. So, doing that regularly serves as some kind of therapy for me. Plus, the money incentive has a little something to do with it.

SK: Your favorite content category to browse at work is:
MR: I don’t work right now so I’m free to browse through entertainment anytime. I always want to be in the know when it comes to the latest celebrity news. I know, it sounds a bit shallow but we’ve all been there.

SK: Do you write for other online sites or publications, or only on AC?

Weekly Roundup: Summer Vacation Tips

Summer vacation is finally here, so it may soon be time to pack those bags and hit the road for an unforgettable trip. Here are some vacation-planning tips and ideas from Sources this season:

Tips for Rolling a Summer Vacation into Summer Relocation by Aly Adair

Have a Smokin’ HOT Summer Vacationa and Stay Cool by Talibah Fields

Planning Your Summer Vacation at Walt Disney World by Matthew Steed

Summer Vacation Safety Tips by Angie Shiflett

College Students and Summer Vacation: 10 Ways to spend Summer Vacation by Amy Brantley

Help Your Kids Beat Summer Boredom by T. Hillukka

Extreme Weather Vacation Destinations by Eisla Sebastian

Celebrate Summer with a Moonbow! by Sammie A.

5 Reasons to Continue Publishing with AC

There has been a lot of speculation and debates on the AC Forums lately about AC’s potential and page ranking ‘problems’ the site may be experiencing, but in spite of it all, I think it’s worth looking at all of the benefits of publishing with AC compared to other options online.

Whether you’re a newbie or have been with AC for years, here are just five reasons to keep on keeping on with Associated Content:

1. Associated Content is still one of the best publishing outlets online that pays upfront. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a site that pays on schedule for content that you choose to publish. When you need some extra cash, you can write about whatever you want and get paid for it. Sure you could make more if you published on your own blog, or sold your work to a magazine, but do you really have the time, skills and opportunities to do that?  Some writers on this site do, but the majority don’t.

AC’s system is efficient, easy to use, and really can be a reliable source of income.

2. You can improve your writing skills with each and every piece. Even if you don’t get the highest possible offer, or the highest ranking on Google for your article, you’ve gone through the writing process and are that much better than you were yesterday.

Keep at it, and you’ll only get better and better.

3. AC staff members are doing a pretty fine job with the tools and resources they have. Every company has its setbacks but things can change. Things can improve. We don’t have any idea what is going on behind the scenes, and speculation or excessive criticism downplays a lot of great things about this site,  and the hard work that the AC team has put into it.

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