by Sheryl Swan

Created on: May 26, 2007

Both Associated Content (www.associatedcontent.com) and Constant Content (www.constant-content.com) are Internet sites that pay for articles but have different strategies for doing so. In a nutshell, Associated Content offers money up front for any article that conforms to its writing standards. Constant Content, on the other hand, pays money only for articles that are sold through its website.

Articles sold to Associated Content can command anywhere from three to twenty dollars plus a bonus depending on the number of times people view them. Although worth a fraction of a penny per view, the bonus can add up over time similar to Helium's payment scheme. Writers are paid once a month. At Constant Content, you as the writer can set your own price for the article and hope that someone buys it at that price. The asking prices vary widely, some being offered for as little as $5 and others as much as a hundred dollars or more. Constant Content gets forty percent of the selling price and only pays when the writer has netted (after their commission) fifty dollars or more. Articles are definitely sold at Constant Content but some submissions can wait for months before a buyer comes along, if ever.

For both sites, articles go through an editorial review before posting which can take up to a few days depending on the workload for the editors. Associated Content pays for articles that are unique and use correct grammar and spelling. Constant Content focuses on correct grammar, spelling, and readability.

Associated Content is a much bigger enterprise than Constant Content with more opportunities for writers. It has contests, special offers, bonuses and more. It accepts videos and photos in addition to written items. Constant Content sticks to its core business which is to connect buyers and sellers of articles. However, Constant Content will pay writers residing anywhere in the world as long as they have a PayPal account, whereas Associated Content only pays writers living in the US or US citizens living outside of the US.

Both sites have forums for writers to obtain helpful suggestions from editors and other writers. Personally, it appears to me that Associated Content is a lot more interested in encouraging its writers and in being helpful. Constant Content editors can be quite abrupt and even rude in telling its writers that their work is not up to standard and will do this in the public forum rather than in confidence. It will also suspend writers without warning or explanation. So writers beware.

Both sites are good ways to begin earning money as a freelance writer since it is free and simple to submit work and start building a portfolio. Associated Content has the edge, though, since the writer can steer prospective buyers of their services to an article that has actually been published on the web which may even have positive comments made by other readers. Overall, for Americans and residents of the United States, Associated Content has more opportunities for developing a freelance career and making money at the same time.

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