Comments on: Blog and online writing gig danger signs!

By: Improving the job market for bloggers and online writers | Network Blogging Tips

Fri, 29 May 2009 16:12:54 +0000

[...] the qualified apps – it’s no wonder potential clients end up writing ads with all sorts of bogus rules. Blogging and online writing gigs are very different from other sorts of writing gigs. To improve [...]

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:06:31 +0000

This is Jennifer not Deb Common mistake here though.

By: Jennifer L

Jennifer L — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:04:11 +0000

Deb, I’m glad you said that because I wanted to say that earlier, too. Thanks, but no thanks.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:07:47 +0000

I should ask if any of y’all have had experience writing for Internet Brands Inc. It’s a content mill for do-it-yourselfers, auto enthusiasts and a bunch of other sites and forums. Their app calls for a 400 word “sample essay” on a topic of your choice. That sets off my BS meter right away…that they’ll gladly latch onto your 400 word thing and blow you off without so much as a thank-you.

By: Gail

Gail — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:03:00 +0000

Thanks, Jerry! Just wanted to make sure it wasn’t me missing an opportunity! I’m already in print on a weekly basis but now I need to get with the century and start bloggin’. I think it frightens me because I’m a HORRIBLE picture taker and my niche is gardens & birds. How could I possibly blog without THOSE pictures!? Not possible, in my mind.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:01:09 +0000

This is Jennifer, not Deb, but I wouldn’t take an Examiner job. I’m hoping actually to post an anonymous interview with an Examiner writer soon. They pay too little. It’s not worth your time.

By: Jennifer L

Jennifer L — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:45:01 +0000

Jerry, don’t fret yet. That was just last week. Some very reputable organizations take months to pay out. Don’t panic just yet. But if you don’t hear from them by next week, I’d send an email to them.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:40:25 +0000

I’ve looked into the Examiner thing too. I would not put in those kind of hours for that kind of return. No way.

Right now I’ve got a content-mill site into me for $50. I did 4 125 word articles for em, took me about an hour. They loved it, told me there was plenty more work where that came from, and even talked about putting me on retainer for a certain number of little articles or blog entries every week. Well, that’s where it left off. They were supposed to cut me a check on Friday and get it in the mail…I’m still waiting.

By: Gail

Gail — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:26:34 +0000

1st timer post. Pls don’t blast me if I’m posting in the wrong location…I’ve been offered one of the positions at examiner.com $10 for 1000 hits. I’m thinking is too much time spent (3-6 hrs/week) for little $$? Can I even say that here? If not, I hope you’ll delete this, Deb! Should I even be considering this? On one hand, exposure. On another, it just seems like…

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 19 May 2009 23:01:11 +0000

Trust me, it’s still depressing after years of freelancing. It only seems to make me angrier as time goes on. However, I try to focus on the key danger signs we’ve all been discussing and it helps me to avoid most of the bad ones though. You get quicker at scanning for baddies too.