Web Cash

Over the past year, I’ve been spending a lot of time learning and experimenting with digital cameras. I got a Nikon Coolpix P80 last spring (you can read review of the Coolpix P80 on Associated Content), and I recently upgraded to the Canon t1i and purchased a variety of lenses to go along with it.

I wrote up a series of short articles on Associated Content explaining the basics of exposure. If you’re starting out with photography and feel that you’re ready to break out of the “auto” mode on your camera, they’re a good read. The more you read about photography and how everything works together to create an image, the better you’ll be.

What Does the Aperture Setting of a Camera Do? The aperture is the size of the hole that lets light into your camera. Bigger hole = more light, smaller hole = less light. But, this also affects the depth of field – how much of an image will be in focus. Read the article for more details.

What Does the Shutter Speed Setting of Your Camera Do? The shutter speed is how long light is allowed to shine on your cameras image sensor (or film, if you’ve got a film camera). Keeping the shutter open longer allows in more light, and keep it open for a shorter period of time allows in less light. But… this also affects whether your picture will be blurry or not. Read the article for more details.

What Does the ISO Setting On Your Digital Camera Do? The ISO rating determines how sensitive your camera’s image sensor is to the light coming in. Turn the rating up, and your sensor will be more sensitive and create a brighter image. But, this also creates more “noise” – little pixelly speckles that can ruin your photo. Read the article for more details.

I’ve been writing at Associated Content for a few months now. I certainly think it’s a great place for budding freelance writers or ambitious college students to find some extra work.

Is it for everyone? Perhaps not. It’s got some great features, but it certainly has it’s drawbacks.

Start With the Pros – Great Things about AC

Up Front Payment. This is probably the greatest thing about Associated Content. I can write an article that I know will not garnish thousands of page views – and still get $4 for it. Even if your article is relatively popular and gets $0.50 a month in revenue sharing (~333 visitors), you’d have to wait 8 months to get the same payment.
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I suppose you want an answer to that most important question – how much money can you make with Associated Content?

That depends on a few things.

First, let’s examine what an average article will earn for you.

Average Article – Upfront Payment $3-7

If you submit a decent text article, you can expect to have it approved for up front payment. Associated Content claims that the range of offers is $3 to $20. Typically, people see offers from $3-7.

A great article might push closer to $10, but chances are you’ll average about $5 up front per article. Not a whole lot of money, but you need to consider it in the context of how much work you put in.
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So you’re interested in writing online at Associated Content, but you want to know a bit more about it?

It’s a pretty simple system. You submit your content through an online form – complete with WYSIWYG text editor and document templates. Then you choose whether you want it to be reviewed for upfront payment or published immediately – which means you’ll only earn money with the revenue sharing system (“performance payments” at Associated Content).

How to Submit? Type it Up and Hit the Button.

The submission process is pretty painless. When you log in and click on “Submit Content,” you’ll see a list of different article types. You could select a General Article – which gives you a basic form to fill out, an opportunity to add resource links, and a section to add pictures – or you could choose a special template for news, product reviews, or other articles.
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There are a lot of places you can go to write on the Internet. There aren’t that many you can use to reliably make a few bucks.

At Associated Content, you can.

Great Place to Start Freelance Writing

What is Associated Content? It’s kind of like a home for wayward and beginning freelance writers.

Anyone – with a bit of writing talent and experience – can come in, publish their work, and make a few bucks. No query letters to write, few rejections to worry about. In some cases, instant gratification.

What’s not to like?
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