Associated Content-Write What You Want or Not?

I’ve written about 5 articles for Associated Content.  I wrote for them because you have a chance to get an upfront payment.  I thought that this would be the most ideal if I was to get paid at all.  My first two articles were accepted for upfront payment, but my other 3 were not.  The editor stated that they were well written, but either there were already too many articles on my subjects available, or the topic is more of an insight, rather than a how-to.  I thought that I could write about whatever I want and get paid if it was written well enough.  Obviously not.  At this point, I’m not sure what kind of articles would even get paid.  The first one I wrote is written about all over the net (making money online) and yet a very specialized review article about Build a Niche Store was rejected stating there were already too many articles written over the subject, or the subject is too broad. This made absolutely NO SENSE. 

I’m not losing sleep over it however because I will be starting my grant writing class soon and I’m very excited about it.  Not only that, but just writing the articles gives me that much more experience.  Plus, I can always resubmit them for performance payments.  I know that many many people write for AC and get upfront payments on their articles.  It makes me wonder what they are writing about.  Probably How- To’s on just about every subject imaginable.  I do not find writing those very stimulating or enjoyable.  Oh well, I guess I’ll just stick to writing what I know best.  I’ll just be sure not to put a ton of effort into it knowing I probably won’t get an upfront payment. 

I’ve also discovered that if you are going to be a freelance writer, or a writer for the internet, it is best to have a specialty of something that is very popular like business, finance, animals, cars, etc.  Most people want articles that would require research if you weren’t already involved in the subject matter they are wanting.  Unfortunately for me, I am not.  I have nothing very interesting to put on a resume besides being a stay at home mom.  I know all about parenting and babies, and a few other odds and ends, but I am by no means an expert in anything that I’ve seen requests for.  Once again, I’m not losing sleep, its just an observation.

Thanks for reading!