Contributors Honor Lyn Lomasi with Day of Appreciation

We at the Associated Content offices are amazed and delighted every day by the close bonds of friendship and random acts of generosity that characterize our community of Contributors. That spirit of camaraderie was especially apparent today as a group of Contributors used social networks to organize "Lyn Lomasi Appreciation Day," honoring one of our most active Contributors by sharing her work through social networks including Twitter and Facebook.

Lyn Lomasi is an Associated Content Community Guide who has worked tirelessly to help new Contributors succeed. She's always eager to assist other writers in the promotion of their content. On April 23rd, 2010, the tables were turned as numerous Contributors pledged to share at least ten pieces of Lyn's content with their own social networks and/or personal blogs and websites. Many also shared a message recognizing Lyn's extraordinary contributions to Associated Content on the topics of parenting, green living, and home schooling.

The Day of Appreciation began as soon as Lyn logged off her computer and went to bed last night. Her friends and supporters immediately started sharing some of her best articles through Facebook, Twitter, and their own websites. This morning, Lyn woke up and began her day of writing and social networking with a great surprise: Her writing was all over the Internet, along with compliments and thanks for the help she's given to so many Contributors. True to form, Lyn immediately took time to thank each participant individually.

Associated Content congratulates Lyn Lomasi on the hard work and gracious character that has endeared her to so many Contributors. We're Lyn Lomasi Appreciators, too, and we can't wait to meet her during her upcoming visit to the Denver office.

Thanks to the group of Contributors who organized to celebrate Lyn. What great friends you all are!

In the spirit of the day, here are ten of our favorite articles by Lyn:

Business and Personal Benefits of Being an AC Contributor

PMA Acceptance Speech: Lyn Lomasi, Community Spirit

8 Musts on a Freelance Writer's Website

Guide to Virtual Volunteerism

Easy Promotional Techniques for Online Writers

Homeschool FAQ: Common Myths and Questions

How to Balance Time for Writing, Networking and More at AC

I'm an AC Millionaire: You Can Be One, Too!

New to AC? How to Use the Social Networking Features

Twitter is a Must for Associated Content Contributors

April Showers Bring May Flowers Sweepstakes and Referral Program

This spring, you can enter to win an Apple iPad as part of our April Showers Bring May Flowers Sweepstakes and Referral Program! During this spring promotion, we're giving away 32GB, WiFi-enabled Apple iPads to TWO lucky contributors and showering referral bonus love down on all!


Here's how it works:

(1) Every contributor will gain one entry to our sweepstakes for each new referral you sign up on Associated Content (through May 31st). For your entry to qualify, your referral must: (a) sign up through your personalized referral link on April 13 through May 31 and successfully confirm their Pay Pal account, and (b) publish at least one piece of content* by May 31st.

(2) Every new contributor (who joined on or after April 13, 2010) will also earn one entry in our sweepstakes when they publish content* by May 31. Refer your friend and they'll have their own chance at the prize! (Note: New contributors do not have to have a personal referral in order to qualify.)

When you refer a new contributor and help guide them to publish, both you and your referral will have a chance to win an iPad:

And there's more...

As we all know, a little sunshine and water can go a long way for flowers to reach full bloom. We'll send a $10 referral bonus for each new referral who reaches Clout 5 by August 31. The more seeds you sow, the better your chances for beautiful blossoms! There's no limit to how many referral entries and bonuses you can earn... so start referring! For referral tips and guidelines, check out this article.

The April Showers Bring May Flowers Sweepstakes and Referral Program runs today until May 31, 2010 and the winners for our sweepstakes will be announced by the last week of June. For more sweepstakes rules and details, please go here if you are entering our sweeps as a new contributor and here if you are entering through your referrals.

If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment or email us at community@associatedcontent.com.

Best of luck to all!

*Content must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM EST on 5/31/10. Content can be published on Associated Content after that date.

Patrick Keane: Don't Confuse Social Networking with Social Media

Social networking is a hot topic for businesses, but how many are getting it right? Some big brands establish a Twitter account but never interact, winding up with a mere handful of followers and no value added to the business. Others, like CNN, take engagement to the next level and offer their social network fans or followers a real chance to not only get updates about the brand but also contribute to and interact with it.

Associated Content CEO Patrick Keane makes his case for social content creation and curation in an Ad Age column this week. He feels that Associated Content's diverse community and crowdsourced content is the way of the future, along with other brands like Wikipedia and Youtube with similar diverse communities and massive amounts of user generated content.

Read the whole editorial and leave Patrick a comment here!

March 2010 Award Winners

We'd like to congratulate the winners of Associated Content's March 2010 awards!

Best of AC: Automotive, Business & Finance, Gardening

Our monthly Best of AC awards recognize the achievements of Contributors publishing extraordinary content in a wide range of topics. March's winners are:

Best of AC: Automotive -- Michael MrTechnical Hewitt
Featured Contributor and auto enthusiast Michael MrTechnical Hewitt boasts extensive experience in auto repair, including more than 5 years as a Chrysler Master Mechanic. Check out his library for helpful DIY auto tutorials (like Replacing a Worn Out Brake Light) and niche car buying guides (Top Five Cars that Will Please Even the Most Active Seniors).

Best of AC: Business and Finance -- Angie Mohr
Angie Mohr has been an Associated Content Contributor since 2007, and has published more than 80 Business & Finance articles to date -- each piece informed by years of experience as a certified professional accountant. Check out her library of content for expert advice on everything from doing your taxes (don't forget these commonly-missed tax breaks!) to insurance coverage and policies (Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance: Is it Worth It?).

Best of AC: Gardening -- Dena E. Bolton
Dena E. Bolton, a master gardener for over 40 years, has contributed more than 200 gardening articles since she joined Associated Content in 2008. Whether she's guiding you through your first blueberry bush grow, offering tips on how to prevent pesky pest invasions or giving you a sneak peek into her herb garden in progress, Dena's passion for gardening is palpable in the work she publishes.

Rising Stars

Our Rising Star awards shine a spotlight on some of our most promising new Contributors. March's winners are...


Carly Morgan joined Associated Content in December, 2009 and is already a Featured Contributor in our Travel and Weddings categories. She's published nearly 90 pieces of content since becoming a Contributor. Don't miss her intensely personal and important piece, I'm Bulimic: The True Story of a Fifteen Year Struggle with Bulimia.

Our next Rising Star is Featured Mental Health Contributor, former law enforcement officer and crime novelist, Asher Kade. His content often incorporates extensive personal experience and in-depth interviews that are both touching and informative. Make sure to read his article, What Every American Needs to Know About Pakistan.

Donald Allen traveled the world during his 12 years in the military, as is readily apparent to any reader skimming his library of over 50 pieces of compelling content. He writes about a variety of topics, but really shines when addressing issues important to travelers. Don't miss his expert advice in Travel Safety: Defending Yourself While Traveling Abroad.

As a Featured Shopping & Fashion and Video Games Contributor, Lori May brings her unique perspective to each piece of content. Lori offers a refreshing take on compelling topics from Top 5 Punk Prom Dress Vendors to GameCrush: Gaming Social Network or Disguised Video Dating?

Shane Smith writes great SEO-friendly web content on Arts and Entertainment topics that genuinely interest her. Her achievements--including a spot in our Hot 500--are all the more impressive in light of the fact that she became a Contributor less than two months ago For her take on the recent Lindsay Lohan situation, check out Dina and Michael Lohan Faceoff Over Lindsay's Self Destruction.

Congratulations to all of our wonderful award winners! Stop by their profile pages to leave your own congratulations.

How Will Health Care Reform Really Impact Americans? Find Out Here!

Special Health Care Hub on Associated Content Features Compelling First-Person Stories

The Associated Content community is one of the largest and most diverse groups of content creators on the web. When landmark health care reform legislation was signed into law next week, we knew that our Contributors would know better than anyone else how this bill might impact ordinary Americans. We asked you to research the legislation and tell us about how it may affect you and your families, and the response was incredible. In fact, the content we received was so amazing that we've created a special section of Associated Content in which to showcase our most compelling pieces!
In the new health care hub you'll find a wide range of opinions on H.R. 4872, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. One woman fears that her coverage choices under the new legislation are, "get rich or get on welfare." But a young and growing family in Colorado expects to save a few thousand dollars every year thanks to health care reform.

Where do you stand? Take a moment to view our featured pieces--each one is personal, unique and captivating--and then take the poll found on the right side of the hub page. At the time of this posting, most Associated Content Contributors and viewers have voted in favor of health care reform.