ASSOCIATED CONTENT

Associated Content (associatedcontent.com) is a UGC site, meaning its users generate all of its content.  Anyone over the age of 18 can earn small residual and upfront payments for writing well-focused, informational articles about nearly all subjects.  The ability to freely submit content for payment is a major advantage, but the low payments tend to detract serious freelance writers.

History

Associated Content was founded in 2005 by Luke Beatty, who wanted to create a website that specialized in “user level content”.  He wanted to offer a different form of information that wasn’t necessarily commercial or created by companies.

Associated Content was created to meet that need, and the website has flourished since that time.  Today Associated Content is still one of the top UGC sites on the web, with over 200,000 contributors.

Revenue

Associated Content thrives because it earns revenue in two ways: through advertisements displayed with articles and by distributing some content to other websites.  The Business Insider estimates Associated Content earns between $7 to $10 per 1000 page views, and this isn’t even factoring in the payments it receives from other companies looking for content to purchase.  If Associated Content has an expiration date, it won’t be anytime soon.

Payment

Associated Content pays its contributors in two ways: through upfront and performance payments.  An upfront payment is given to an article Associated Content wants to buy all or some rights to, after evaluation by a content manager.  The average payment is between $3-$7, although some contributors report making over $10 an article.

Associated Content generates an upfront payment based on a specific system they will not disclose.  Associated Content contributors think it may be based on a person’s past ability to generate page views, their page view average, what types of ads the article will generate, and how unique the article is.

Performance payments are continuous monthly payments given to contributors based on how many page views their articles receive.  The base rate is currently $1.50 per 1000 page views.  This is where contributors earn the most money.  It is especially advantageous for people who know which articles attract the most web traffic.  Some contributors report making over $100 per month only with performance payments.

Verdict

Associated Content’s payments are initially low, but the performance pay has potential to generate valuable residual income for freelancers.  This is a great “first platform” for new or amateur freelancers to improve their craft, but established freelancers may wish to find a website that offers a bigger, more immediate payoff.