Networking just isn’t essential for improving your writing–it can get you actual writing gigs. Like in the “real” world, most online writing jobs aren’t advertised, and sometimes networking is the only way to get it. Establishing relationships with other writers can help you find writing gigs advertised “behind-the-scenes”, eliminating the work of finding a job on your own. Use these websites to kick-start your networking potential.

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 …