Freelance Writing Jobs for Friday, March 6, 2009
March 6, 2009 by Deb
Filed under Writing Gigs
I have some more food for though for you to discuss. Yesterday, one of the regulars brought an ad to our attention. It was from one of the major blog networks looking for submissions from writers and bloggers, but they’re unpaid. A couple of us discussed this on Twitter. You know how I feel about promising writers glory in exchanged for free writing, so I won’t get into that. However the manager and editor at this network both told me it was a good thing. To give the people who want to write for that network a chance. I’m not so sure how I feel about that. There are plenty of places I’d love to write, but very few in which I’d truly give up the goods for nothing. What do you think?
Also, I really need your help. This bloggers appreciation contest at Cellphones.org is offering paid cellphone bills for a year. It would really help the Ng family a lot, since we’re about to lose an income. Can I ask for your vote? There’s nothing to sign up for, just click the little button next to “Deb Ng”. I’d be ever so grateful. I was in the lead before, but with your help I can catch up again.
Thanks. And…leads…
- Fluent Spanish Speaker
- Online Fashion Content Editor
- Website Content Needed
- Freelance Copywriter
- Atlanta Writers
- Finance Savvy Writer
- Writer Needed – Consumer Experience Helpful
- Freelance Medical Editor
- Freelance Product Writer – .04/cent
- Freelance Copywriter
- Technical Writer -Aerospace Manufacturing – Sub Contract
- Educational/Marketing/PR Writers
- Contract Editor Sports & Business
- E-Book Writer - $250
- Web Research
- Press Release Writer
- Web Content
Have a great weekend!
Deb
So how is it a good thing for us to write for free while someone else makes money off of it?
I’ve just heard from one company, I can’t remember if I saw the ad here, Minimax Consulting. They have 2 unpaid trials and have just sent me the first one – due tomorrow. It involves major editing of doctoral dissertation, and the adding of new review material. Hmmm….
I went through the first stage of that Minimax Consulting gig. It sounded great at first, especially since I’m doing academic research for my graduate degree right now. However, they sent the first trial project on a Friday evening, around 10 or 11pm if I remember right, and it was due at 2pm that Sunday. I worked on it as best I could but weekends are family time and I already had other things planned. Needless to say, I was not chosen for round 2. After thinking about it more, I realized I should not have even wasted precious family time on round 1. Look at their emails – none of mine had my name on it. They all appeared to be mass emails sent at very odd times. I think they’re a legit company but I didn’t like the way they did business. And the trial projects involve an incredible amount of work – but absolutely no pay.
Deb, of course the manager and editor of that network will tell you that unpaid work is a good thing. That it’ll get you glory and fame and a new car and your landlord will forgive your rent for six months because you wrote for Minimax.
They deserve to have their heads handed to them. The day that my car repairman, dentist, vet, and local grocery store take that same BS excuse — that providing services to me free of charge will somehow get them somewhere — well, that day I still won’t work for a bottom-feeder like Minimax.
Allison – Minimax is not the blogging network Deb mentioned. Minimax is a “statistical consulting firm” that works with dissertations.
Oops – my apologies, Minimax. And thank you, Fiona, for pointing out my error!
It’s frustrating when new publications/websites don’t build paying for content into their business model. I recently was at a food writing panel where one small, relatively new publication paid in “opportunity,” e.g.–getting to have a fancy dinner with a well-known chef for free and writing it up for the publication. I’m not sure the electric company would like the “opportunity” to light my apartment for free, just for the sheer pleasure of adding to their customer numbers.
Hi there,
I am the manager Deb mentioned above. I certainly understand her opinion, though we don’t promise glory or even insinuate that by submitting articles that will naturally always lead to a paid position down the road. we wanted to provide a more streamlined way for people to contribute articles (right now they find *somebody’s* email address and email it to us) while also being upfront about what we can provide and what we can’t offer on websites that aren’t hiring.
We’re not trying to rip anyone off, but guest writing, writing for profile and writing for a byline is a standard part of how some writers increase their exposure – though I am aware (and understand why) that’s not something everyone agrees with here.
If anyone has any other questions, feel free to contact me directly at rachel@b5media.com.
Rachel Segal
Director, Content
Thanks Deb. Found two good leads today.
Have an awesome weekend!
You got my vote Deb
)
Thanks for all you do here!
Voted for your blog. Go Deb go!
Okay, Deb – I voted for you in the cellphone thing. I don’t even have a cellphone (I think that’s hilarious.)
At any rate, I hope you win!
There are many reasons for writing – particularly for a site that offers high exposure. I agree with Rachel that writing in order to establish credibility is often worth the hour of time. It may also be worthwhile for an individual who wants her/his voice to be heard on a particular subject.
Lisa
Rachel, thank you for your response. I’m posting mine here, rather than emailing you directly, because I’m interested in what other FWJ folk might add.
My question: How do you offer writers exposure that they cannot procure for themselves through the magic of personal websites and blogging? Moreover, what does this exposure in turn offer writers? I’ve been freelancing for the better part of a decade and I’ve never been offered a job on the strength of a client having run across my work online.
I respect the fact that you’re upfront, as opposed to other businesses who offer pay but don’t deliver, but I still have to question the business model of a company that makes some revenue (I assume you’re a salaried employee?) but does not pass that money onto those who help them earn that cash.
Thanks for your time.
The concept at b5media (the network in question) is similar to guest blogging. Many bloggers guest blog for free, right? We aren’t eliminating having paid bloggers. This is just supplemental. There are people who want to write in the network. We don’t have openings for them right now, but they still want to contribute. They guest blog with a link back to their site or blog (if they have one). If they want to do it regularly and their work is good, then they’ll be considered when we add new bloggers.
Outside of the b5 issue …
I know that many people don’t think you should ever write for free, but I disagree primarily because of my personal experience. I had a full time corporate job in Los Angeles for many years. I had the opportunity to write for a sports website for free. That gig led to a college basketball sideline reporter job a few months later, press credentials with an NBA team within a year, and multitudes of paid writing assignments. Sure, I could have gotten all that eventually anyway, but taking the ‘free’ job put me on a faster track, while allowing me to figure out if it’s what I wanted to do.
For the past few years, I have been freelance writing/blogging fulltime now and making three times more than I ever made in Corporate America.
We aren’t promising anyone any glory. Just supplementing our content, getting the opportunity to check out new writers, and allowing them to contribute.
To be honest, I find the arguments used by non-paying markets (including the one we are discussing) to be suspect. Many markets offer a byline as well as payment, so it makes no sense for writers to accept free gigs. If the company cannot afford to pay, it should not ask for writers. It really is that simple.
Thanks all for weighing in, especially Kori and Rachel. I appreciate your taking time out of your busy schedules to share your point of view. I wasn’t going to name names or places, but I do respect your coming to respond.
As you know, I don’t believe writers need to write for free to gain exposure or get a foot in the door. There are so many places off and online offering pay, even a little pay, that this isn’t necessary. Moreover, now that everyone can be a publisher, it’s better to start one’s own blog or website and earn all the revenue than to let someone else earn money from one’s unpaid work. Because let’s face it, it’s not like you’re not earning money from your guest bloggers’ writing.If there was even a rev share of some sort I wouldn’t be as distressed. And frankly, if you’re not even offering glory, and you’re admittedly “just supplementing our content” what benefit is it to the writer?
It’s for this very reason that I decided not to have any more “guest blogging” months. It just didn’t seem fair to stock my blog with all that free content, even if thousands of people were seeing each bloggers’ writing. A lot of people write here too, but since I couldn’t afford to pay them, I wasn’t going to post their work. I receive dozens of guest blog posts per month and turn them all down. Every now and then another blogging friend and I will exchange guests posts, but that’s rare.
I know this is something I’ve been harping on for years, but no one asks plumbers to work for free just because they want to work for a certain company. No one tells a Fortune 500 accountant he should be so thrilled to have that company on his resume, he doesn’t need to collect pay. It’s only writers. I don’t get that.
I understand what you’re doing but I just don’t agree with it. This isn’t Joe’s content mill, it’s b5Media. A place that held a very special place in my heart. Surely you’re above not paying writers for their work?
I voted for you Deb, hope you win. Thanks for the leads
Awww thanks for the votes, guys. Don’t think I’m going to win but as always, I’m humbled by your support.
Our area newspaper started allowing anyone to go in and write articles for free to “gain exposure.” In the end, it cheapened their paper. Articles are now filled with sloppy grammar, spelling errors and even incorrect facts. I stopped paying for my newspaper subscription because of the horrendous downturn in grammar and spelling.
Yesterday, the paper was caught having not double-checked their facts on an article they published. It’s a major embarrassment to them that could lead to a legal battle if the injured party so chose.
Not paying your writers can have a serious impact on your business in ways you might not have thought.
You got my vote, Deb! Thanks for continuing to be an advocate for writers.
Hi Allison,
No problem – of course happy to respond here as well.
Writers have approached our bloggers and b5 directly looking to guest post, which in the past has been difficult to manage, especially across hundreds of blogs. We now have a better forum for that, and a way to push a guest bloggers content to the forefront, especially when it’s really darn good stuff (like the three articles submitted/published yesterday). If a guest post with a link to their blog drives a little traffic to them or is something they can point to as a place where they’ve been published online, or is just a place where they can write without the regular commitment of a personal blog, then cool. We aren’t suggesting this is the best way to get exposure or promote your work, but just one way.
Deb,
I understand where you’re coming from, but I don’t think what we’re offering is the same thing as asking a plumber to work for free. Yes, writing has typically been an industry with it’s fair share of “paying dues”. Exhausting unpaid internships, low paying grunt work jobs, only to end up stuck in the middle with thousands of other writers struggling to get their break too…have been par for the course in order to get anywhere in publishing (and many other) industries.
Which sucks.
If a blogger contributes an article to us or any number of the other websites/magazines/blogs that accept submissions, and establishes a relationship with other writers in a niche they want to break into, gets some advice and council on their post, and can promote it to their heart’s content with our endorsement, then I think we’ve provided some value. I totally get the point of contention about the value not being monetary. But I don’t think that our proposition is without value or misleading, though I’m sure many will disagree with me/Kori on that point.
(you got my vote too, Deb!)
Hi Anne G.,
All our blog posts are reviewed, edited and published by our editorial team. Not everything makes it through, and you’re right if poorly edited posts became the bulk of our content it would cheapen the experience or value that our bloggers have worked to create.
Thankfully we all get a little leniency on our blogs…I know a few typos in my writing have slipped past my eye from time to time!
Rachel, thanks for your response to me. With regard to your response to Deb, I couldn’t disagree more. Unpaid internships and jobs that pay nearly nothing are not part and parcel of a successful writing career.
I have never in my life held an internship. Couldn’t do it in college (couldn’t afford not to make money), never had to do it post-graduation. I won’t say my early jobs were huge bread-winners, but they paid the bills and allowed me to build up clips and experience that contributed to my current freelance career.
Rachel, I certainly don’t suspect you or b5 of malicious intent, but I do believe your way of handling writers is misguided. Paying one’s dues shouldn’t have to mean providing free work. Others will disagree with me and that’s fine, but in order to be a professional you need to take yourself seriously. That means commanding a decent wage for your time, effort, and talent.
Allison said:”I’ve never been offered a job on the strength of a client having run across my work online.”
I have. I’ve also been offered many perks based on someone finding my work online, so I’m behind that.
As for guest posting – I think it’s semantics. If we think of guest posting as barter for ad space, it’s a different story. For example – if I want to sell copies of my latest scifi book, I can pay a scifi site to run an ad, or I can trade them a post about the subject. I get eyeballs, they get content – it’s a fair trade.
Allison – Just to be clear (in case some aren’t), it’s not our way of handling all writers. At b5media, we have 100s of paid bloggers on board. The free guest blogging is just for those who want to contribute but we don’t have any opening for them yet.
I will admit my frustration with some of the places out there that seem to think that writing for them is pay enough. I spent seven years as a daily newspaper journalist and now I am in media relations. I recently applied for a media relations freelance position I saw on here with a company wanting to give a way a house in Hawaii in a contest. Their goal was to get 6,000 entries and they thought their story was worthy of some news coverage and thus gain entries.
I had several e-mail conversations with this person and and he was interested in using me. Then came the discussion about pay. Anyone who has written a decent press release and then distributed it to the media knows that it takes hours of work. He wanted me to research/ interview, write, distribute, handle media inquiries, etc. all to be piad at the end of the contest period, which was like March with the possibility of extending further if they didn’t get enough entries. Add to that, the payment was results based and anyone who works with the media knows its a fickle world. No one can guarentee converage in the media especially major national media. I told him that I would only agree to this if I get a retainer to pay for all my work initially in preparing the release – $400. That retainer could be deducted from the final payment at the end of the contest. Needless to say, I never heard from him again. People can’t expect for people to spend hours working on a project and not expect to get paid.
Allison, my point about unpaid internships was that it’s a part of publishing that has, in some instances, gone too far the other way – with people slogging through trying to get a break, but not getting paid until they “make it”. Doing work that sometimes doesn’t even involve writing simply to get noticed. I don’t think that allowing submissions where your work is published alongside the incredible, talented bloggers we have contributing to Splendicity (in this example).I’m not suggesting this is the only way to get where you or any other freelance writer wants to go. But it is a career path that a lot of people in publishing (and lots of other industries) take.
If a writer does a great article on unique wedding ring designs (http://www.splendicity.com/articles/wedding-bells-rings-by-stacie-midori-design/) that links to her website with more of her work, then maybe she gets a few more pageviews, maybe she gets noticed by someone else. Maybe a PR person who is poking around our site simply picks up on her work as well – and shes gets added to a list of writers that person calls on when they are promoting a new indie line of clothing or something. It all depends on what that writer’s particular goals/interests, interests and I’m glad we can offer that now.
And on that childish note from T, I’ll leave this thread behind.
“I understand what you’re doing but I just don’t agree with it. This isn’t Joe’s content mill, it’s b5Media. A place that held a very special place in my heart. Surely you’re above not paying writers for their work?”
Beautifully said, Deb. You have aways been supportive of b5, but I agree that this is a new low.
I agree with many of the points made here by all parties. I agree with Rachel and Kori that sometimes writing for free can get you something good in return. I agree with Deb that if you’re going to write for free, then you should write for free for yourself.
B5 is obviously an exception to what I am going to say next, since they are established. But, most of these startups offering no pay in exchange for exposure can’t provide exposure. They’re brand new, they have no traffic, and some of them have no plan for generating traffic. Who exactly is going to see your writing?
If you’re going to write for free, why not spend time writing samples in an area you would like to break into with paid assignments? Why not do some pro bono work for a nonprofit organization that you support? There are much more effective ways to gain exposure and credit than by writing for free for a blog network that is going to make money off of your content and not give you a single penny.
I would never drive my car after a mechanic worked on it for free “to get exposure” and I certainly wouldn’t allow a surgeon to operate on me for free to “build his resume”. And yes, I know there are people who will scream at me that we can’t compare these careers (and I’m not talking about medical students or student mechanics; I assume we’re all talking as creative professionals here).
Would you trust a service vendor who didn’t charge you? What is their work worth and how much would you trust it? I also recall a post from someone awhile back who said something like: If the non-paying client wants to pay my rent and utility bills, fine.
I also like Abby’s suggestion of working for a non-profit to build your skills and portfolio; that way the line between actual charity and compromising yourself as a professional, is clear.
The only way we, as writers, can create and maintain a reputation as valuable service vendors, no different than any other providers of services to the public, is by standing up for it. What would happen if you found out that paying your mechanic or your doctor, was optional?
Christine, these are all wonderful points. I particularly like the last paragraph. And Abby, I agree with you about building your portfolio by giving your time and skills to a nonprofit that means something to you.
Whenever I see a nonpaying job ad, or an ad that promises to pay after a while, I want to ask: So, hiring manager, is that how YOU got started in this position?
My response to the those head honchos over there: “Dear Sirs or Madams: If I were working on staff for your company would you expect me to work for free? Would you expect your tax consultant to work for free? Do you expect your child’s teacher to work for free? Do YOU work for free? If you answered no, to the above questions then as a published writer who is offering my writing services and represents my company/business; therefore, I don’t write for free and you should not expect other freelance writers to write for free. Writing isn’t a whim. We are writers who have writing skills. Just as you don’t expect your tax accountant to just do your taxes for free, well, don’t expect writers to just WRITE for the hell of it.”
A good thing? How is writing for free a good thing? Just because they are cheapskates and are looking for free writing for nothing? As writers, we provide a service – end of story.
Speaking of free…recently I had someone who attended one of my marketing seminars send me a position here locally for a non-profit. It was for an “unpaid internship” that could potentially lead to something more (which was completely ambiguous as it was). I responded back and said I was way past the internship stage and as a consultant, I wouldn’t take on any pro-bono, unpaid work. I was actually pretty insulted that she sent it to me. It was just WEIRD. She actually took on a defensive tone (people are weird) when I responded to her. I don’t think people truly understand what the word “consulting” means – it does mean I’m going to do work for FREE. UGH!
It’s a fine line and I’ve had people get snippy when I tell them that if they want my professional expertise and advice I will charge them an hourly rate. I’m really tired of people who think they can just get “free” advice from me. It really doesn’t work that way.
PS: I meant “it doesn’t mean I’m going to work for FREE!”
@Anne G: I need to send your comments to my local paper’s editor (I write for them/him – albeit it’s a low fee but I get paid for my work). I had this same conversation with the editor about “getting what you pay for” and he’s been trying to persuade me to take on more cover stories. They just can’t pay me enough for the time and research involved in cover stories. I was very frank with him and told him if I was starting out in journalism it would be one thing but I’m a published writer with clips and know how to write AP-style, feature-style articles. I tell him he’s getting a bargain with me ha! Our compromise is I’ve taken on shorter, less research intense articles that work with my schedule and allows me to get my journalism writing/reporting fix.
It’s a small, local paper and if they are still in business next year I’ll be surprised. I would hate to see the paper go under but advertising is bad right now and that’s how they make their money.
That’s HORRIBLE about the unpaid writers in a local paper. I just cringe thinking about the crap stories in there. UGH – talk about a major lawsuit. The editor of that paper is an idiot! Wow, talk about DUMB!
Hey guys, just a reminder to keep it respectful. Please make note of our comment policy. Disagreeing is fine as long as it’s respectful and no personal attacks.
Apologies to Rachel and Kori for the abusive comment. I’ll be removing that shortly.
I do want to say one thing, I have fond memories of b5Media and the bloggers and CEs I worked with. I can’t say what it’s like today, but I worked there for a year (having left in June to begin a full time job) and it was one of my favorite gigs at the time. Not a high payer, but it supplemented my income nicely. I don’t much agree with b5’s new payment system or the soliciting of unpaid content, but it’s not a seedy content mill. I understand they might be struggling a bit. Out of respect for this blog, I ask you to please be respectful of the folks who visit this blog from b5Media.
Thanks for keeping it pleasant.
This has been an interesting day of posts. I am against writing for free as a blogger for a company that pays other writers.
I understand the idea of getting your foot in the door, but I don’t think that applies in this arena.
I, too was chosen by Minimax for their writing “test”. I suspected that something was not right when the email pay offer range was significantly lower than the range in their ad My suspicions were increased when I received no reply to an email I sent questioning how many of the low end projects I would be assigned vs the $200 projects. Sure enough 3 days later on Thursday at 10pm, I received a 250 page dissertation to be edited along with a suggestion I first purchase and read a textbook and also review the university’s style guide. Of course, the project was due on Saturday morning. Thankfully, I wasn’t stupid enough to even attempt to work on it. To do so would mean giving them $400 of free work (at their high rates) and no assurance I would get any actual paid assignments. I agree with Deb–experienced writers don’t need to prove themselves and when I figured out the amount of time it would take to complete the project–there was no way I could sleep and do a good job and still earn their projected $3000-$4000 a month.
All they need are enough people to do a semi-good job on 2 test projects each and they don’t need to pay any of us. I demand and get a contract when I take on these type of projects–you should do the same
How sad is that you write and write and then you’re not paid. It is not easy to write specially on a different topic which is there choice. Hopefully this can resolve immediately.
@Therese – Last night, there was a very good example of the mistakes that happen with this paper. I was talking with one of my parents’ neighbors. She’s a very opinionated retiree who, despite her quirks, is actually a lot of fun. Years ago, she was the president of the Vermont chapter of some national stamp collecting society. Not my cup of tea, but whatever.
She started telling me how she was battling this paper because they’d printed a huge article about how in 2009, the stamp society had finally hired their first female president. The new president got a full-page spread about how long it’s taken to get a female president.
She contacted the paper who put her in touch with the writer. Turns out the writer had asked one former member, a 90 year old, if there had ever been a female president, he said “not that I remember” and that was the extent of the writer’s research.
Now they have to retract the whole story. The new female president is balking though saying it’s unfair to give her the kudos and then yank them away.
My first round Minimax “test” was to completely edit a 250 page dissertation, then read a lit review and select the pieces that needed to go into the dissertation and write those segments where relevant, AND read a multi-page feedback from his dissertation chair and make all of the changes she requested. I also noticed that the pay was suddenly lower than what was stated in the ad.
No thanks – I already have plans for today.
Deb, voted, will get my wife to vote as well.
http://individualthoughtpattern.today.com
A relatively newbie to the world of freelance writing… I have to say after reading all of your seasoned&conflicting views on the matter, I’m left straddling both sides of the fence because as a new writer, I’m thinking “exposure” free, or, otherwise can only help my situation…On the other hand, as I’ve gained access to a few paid gigs and loved it!, I’d rather see the monies. Right now, I’m just playing it by ear until I’m on solid footing as a freelance writer so, thanks guys for all of these views from seasoned writers:)
Deb, I cast my vote, good luck!
Clara.
Sorry I missed this discussion in real time…I was busy doing interviews for (paid) assignments.
I feel like we’ve been ’round and ’round this topic a lot lately. Write for free! Don’t write for free! It’s okay to write for free sometimes! It’s never acceptable! You have to pay your dues! I’ve already paid mine! You’re bringing down wages for the rest of us! I’m trying to build my portfolio and this is the only way!
Whew. I’m tired, just thinking about it. Aren’t y’all?
For the record, I generally do not like the concept of anyone expecting professional writers to provide content for free. Of course, I have a very few exceptions, including doing pro-bono-type work for a cause near and dear to your heart. But I have a master’s degree and a dozen years’ of professional writing experience, and I think I’ve earned the right to be paid for my work. And I think those of you who don’t have a master’s degree and a dozen years’ of work experience but who also write for a living and take your job seriously and do a good job also deserve to be paid for your work. If you want to choose a job that does not pay, well, I hope you have good reasons for doing so and not because you feel you don’t have any better options.
@Anne: Talk about bad research ha! I live in a small town and I have to laugh at some of the articles they’ve printed lately – definitely NOT newsworthy. It’s turned into a gripe fest amongst local business owners – one gets coverage and then someone complains about not getting their name/biz splashed on the front page. It’s a joke.
I just voted for you. Right now, you’re down by 250 votes… let’s help her out everyone!
Hi Deb,
You are way ahead on the cell phone. Good luck. When will you Know?
Rachel Segal and Kori Ellis are two bottom-feeders looking for suckers to work for free.
I especially loved how Rachel made it a point to say her company’s not promising “glory” in exchange for free work, then went on to inform us that writing for free “is a standard part of how some writers increase their exposure.”
Unless you’re Rolling Stone or the New York Times (and you aren’t) you’re not offering any damn exposure, you’re just looking to rip people off.
Aren’t you guys ashamed of yourselves?
Their not ashamed of themselves. They just cut a bunch more jobs. They’re happy for free content.Make no mistake about those two. the evil twins.