I do still find myself working on sites for small amounts, or nothing at all, more because of personal interest in the projects, but I can see how such an exercise would remind you of how you got where you are today, and give you a new sense of appreciation for it.

For example, you might learn that it’s *not* that easy to just “Stop writing 2$ articles! You’re worth more than that!!” Go bid on jobs via the auction sites and see the challenges writers using them face.

For example, you might learn what it’s like to be treated like crap. High-paid writers are respected. Poorly paid writers are worth the respect and are constantly put down, condescended to and treated terribly.

We well-paid writers take life much for granted. Coming down for a while off our pedastels can help us understand the obstacles others face – and then talk to them in their language knowing exactly the challenges they face to help bring them out of the rut.

I don’t know about you, but that seems pretty good stuff to me, no?

Writing a $2 article doesn’t actually give you the experience of *needing* the money badly enough to accept such paltry rates. The needing is the key point to understanding, as you put it, the ‘cycle of poverty’. The fact that you can *choose* to do, or not do, this exercise is the very thing preventing you from understanding what it’s like for someone who *doesn’t* have a choice. As a friend of mine likes to say, going to the zoo doesn’t make you a monkey.

I’m also confused as to what you think a highly paid writer would learn from the exercise that they could pass on to a writer working for $2 a pop. How does going from B to A teach you how to get from A to B?

New freelance writers are coming to these pages for tips and advice, and yes, they read the comments too. So that person you are all looking down upon is watching what you are doing. What impression are they getting? That writers are a bunch of smug fools.

While $2 an article may not seem worth it to many of you, for others, its income. Don’t forget about that single mom just trying to feed her child, or many others just trying to make some additional money for the basics. Not everyone is so lucky to be able to make freelance writing a full time gig, or has the time to take on the higher paying projects. They’re cramming some writing time in between taking care of the kids, household duties, a full time job, sometimes a part time job as well.

For myself personally, $2 an article averages out to be higher then my hourly rate at my job. For someone making minimum wage, its nearly double theirs in my state. To you its pocket change, to someone else its the difference between life and death. Come back down to earth and remember who and what you are. Writing is a calling, not a gift.

Sorry James, just had to add my two cents!

This is more of a “big picture” kind of idea. No suggestion to actually change your rates, do different type of work, give in to a slave mentality. None of that. This is about appreciation. And it doesn’t seem like he’s suggesting it be done any certain amount of times per year, or length of time, etc.

It’s one thing to remember a past experience. It’s another to experience it again in the present time. I’m not booking any cheap articles anytime soon, but just the thought that I could get some personal value from it is intriguing.

I’m not sure why so many people are offended here. It’s a suggestion, not a mandate. And he’s not attacking anyone’s principals. While it’s not always necessar to be of help when you don’t share the same types of experiences, there is no substitute for experiential knowledge. And sometimes, a little dip in the cess pool can help you remember why you were able to move into a beach house.

What’s interesting is that the post really isn’t about what you earn now or earning higher rates – I find it intriguing that you read that angle in my words. The post is much more about gaining a richer experience of heart, values and beliefs.

Of course, no one is obligated to attempt a suggestion they feel isn’t a good fit for them, and I respect that you don’t feel it’s an experience that you would partake in, despite that I think it could be a rich learning experience.

Thanks for your thoughts!

I don’t have to put myself into someone else’s shoes mentally either, I’ve been there. None of us start at $60+ an hour, no matter their status in other occupations.

If I need to read the post a few times, then you’ve not written it well enough in my opinion. Writing is all about convey a message — the first time it’s read.

Cheryl

I think you may need to reread the post a few times to understand the point I tried to convey. It may be difficult to step into someone else’s shoes, even mentally, but I think the experience could be enlightening.

Are you going to tell me I should charge $4 an hour instead? Because that’s what you might as well say since you’re telling me to write articles for $2. (The average writer will spend 30 minutes plus researching and writing each article, so there’s your $4 an hour.)

If you want writers to learn about hard work, let them scrub the floors. This sort of nonsense is why writers are writing for free or for peanuts.

You should be tarred and feathered, then hung out to dry.

Cheryl Wright
Owner of http://www.writer2writer.com and self-appointed advocate for writers