Associated Content... do you only write on what you know?

I think it is best to write about what you are interested in. Sometimes that means doing research to learn more, sometimes you can write from your own experience. I find that the people on Associated Content that I am most interested in reading are usually drawn to certain types of articles. For example, one of the people I subscribe to writes a lot about gardening. I love to read those articles and she writes a lot of them, from different angles. When you really like a topic, you can think of endless things to write about. Often I get inspired to write about something I've read something about. For example, I've been trying to be more "green" this year, and I started researching ways to save on electricity and came up with an article on how to save money on electricity, as well as helping the earth by using less. You get the idea. What interests you will no doubt be completely different than my interests, but that's the beauty of it all on Associated Content.

I research every article I write even if it is something I already know about. The research helps me add statistics and some great links. My first paid article was complete research. I didn't know any more than the average person but I found an ebook and some websites and created my article from reading those. I haven't written since November because of the holidays and life getting in the way. At first I was just trying to find things to write about regardless of if I new about the topic or not. Now I try to rely more on what I have experience with. I have a lot of ebooks so I tend to get my ideas from there alot. I also read articles on AC and when I come across one that I feel I can add to or that I have a differnt viewpoint on, I will write about that. I also try to write articles on the stuff that AC sends in the content emails. I figure if they are looking for something I will have a better chance of getting a higher pay rate. I am still fairly new at it, and I am still trying to figure out just what my niche is going to be. I think a lot depends on what you are more comfortable with. If you are more comfortable writing on topics you know about then stick with it. IF, like me, you are more comfortable writing stuf that you research then go that way. I find that I tend to get too personal when I am writing on topics that are claose to me, so I end up being too picky and it takes too long, which is why I like to stick with the research. I am more detached from it. Just keep testing different things and you will find what you prefer.

I have written a lot of articles for AC which have been accepted and published. All of them up until this point have related to my work and experience in the health care field. I do a lot of research before writing the articles because I want to be able to include up-to-date statistics and links to helpful websites. I also want to be able to quote any significant research articles that support what I am writing about. You don't have to be an "expert" on something to write about it. You can research and write about anything that interests and inspires you. I find that I do better when I have a passion about a topic or area that I am writing about. Anything that you enjoy or have an interest in can be a topic. Use your imagination! I am starting to come up with some ideas myself that are outside of the medical field. Did you browse through the articles on the site at AC? You can get some ideas of what people are writing about and go from there. Good Luck!

They have a set of topics, Find out your niche or web is a treasure.You 'll have to go for treasure hunt in abig way

Thanks for these tips. I've registered and am trying to start writing, but I can never figure out what to write about. I really think I need to read other articles to see how they were done. Once I do one though, I'm sure I'll get the hang of it quickly.

I try to mix it up a bit. Sometimes I write primarily about things I know because I've already researched and studied them in my job. Those tend to be any of my articles that are related to college and college life, since I've worked at universities for 10-plus years. Some of my articles are a combination of things I have experienced in my life and research. I use my personal experience to get me started and as an example, but then read up on the topic to add other insights. Another thing you might find is that as you work on one article, or go back and read what you've written, your work will inspire ideas for more articles. For example, I have one article in my AC pending content about personality tests and what to make of them. As I was writing it, I was also making notes for future articles getting into more detail about individual tests. I also have one pending about things people should consider before deciding to get a ferret as a pet. While writing it, I got all sorts of ideas for future articles about common medical conditions in ferrets, ferret care tips, etc. Good luck with AC - I think you'll like it! Let us know when you post so that we can read your work!

You don't have to be an expert to write about things, as long as you're willing to do the research. I choose most of what I write about because it interests me and/or I have something to say about it. Just life itself will inspire you!

My natural tendency is to do research when writing, but since AC doesn't pay much I feel it's not worth my while. So I write about what I know for them, and I usually only write for their special offers these days. I don't want to put in the time researching and writing an article and then only get offered $3 or $4 for it.

I generally only write about what I know because the pay isn't good enough for research. I'll do a bit of research so that I can add in links and such, but other than that, I write from my experience. Of course, the college papers I submit have generally been researched. You'd be surprised at what you know. I've gained a lot of experience through volunteering and love to write about that.

I have a couple of strong points, North Carolina travel type and Pro Football Articles. But I do write about other stuff. I just try to research it very well first.

yeah I do my articles that way. i have posted about craft ideas and about singers that I like alot

All the articles I've written so far have just been things that I know. But they've mostly been about my own experiences, with my baby and with the military. The pay has been decent, but I tend to put a lot of details into them. The two how to pieces that I did were decorating wipes cases and making a diaper wallet. They are both really easy projects and I outlined them step by step. I made decent money on both of them and didn't have to do any outside research because they were things I already knew how to do. I think the reason that they paid well was because they were different than most of the how to's on the site. My military article that was published was a good payer, too. I think it's because a lot of people are fascinated with the military way of life because they don't understand it. I just wrote what it's like for me personally, so I didn't have to do any research at all. Probably as I start writing more, I will have to do some research because I will run out of ideas that I know enough about. But for now I'll stick with the easy articles that come easily to me.