Dear Deborah,I read about your blog at WAHM because you show people jobs. I want to work at home except I don’t have skills in anything. I think I can write because you can do that at home and you don’t need skills. Please tell me what do to start writing at home and earning money.Sincerely,Brandy G.
Dear Brandy,
Get yourself some skills.
Good luck,
Deb
Hi, Deborah.
Can you shed some light on this for me? I see so many ads posted by people who want already existing articles “re-written,” and I can’tthink of a legitimate reason why they would hire somebody to do this. Is it plagiarizing without really plagiarizing?
I see these ads on sites such as GetaFreelancer.com and Elance.com.
Please pardon my naivete; I am truly serious. Why do people want to pay others to rewrite existing articles?
Thank you,
Beth
Hi Beth!
One day this week, I think I’ll talk about bidding sites. I won’t get into it too much now except to say they have mostly low-paying gigs and a lot of this rewriting stuff. The reason they want people to rewrite articles is because they only have to pay the “writers” to change some words around rather than write and research a whole piece. They want the articles to pass the Copyscape test. Rather than outright steal someone else’s article, they change some words around and voila! Cheap content for a new website. It’s a slimy way to stock a website. There’s even article spinning software where one can enter one article and have several others “spun” from them. So in other words, we don’t learn anything new, we just see the same content rewritten many other ways.
Hope that helped explain it!
Deb
Hey Deb,
What precautions do you take before sending an employer your social security number? Do you always give it over phone and never email? Should I call people listed on the company website that I’d be writing for?
-Matt Gould
Hey Matt,
You’ll need to give clients your Social Security Number in order to get paid. There’s really no getting around it. I know it’s a dangerous world and identity theft is a problem, but you have to do it. With that said, I do believe there’s a time and place to give out your number and it’s not on the application or your cover letter. I wouldn’t give out your Social unless you know for sure you’re hired.
Best,
Deb
Hello Deborah,
I just discovered your Web site and wanted to subscribe to it, but do not use Outlook. Is it possible to sign up through this email? Also, can you recommend a favorite Web site or document that comprehensively addresses the art of blog writing?
Thank you,
Shirley
Hi Shirley,
We actually have a Google group! It’s nothing major, I just alert you every time you update. If this interests you, subscribe here.
Thanks for your interest.
Deb
From the Comments…
Listening to Deb harp on and on about this over and over reminds me of the record industry lecturing people about downloading in 2000.
Deb, I’ll tell you what I told that distinguished panel, it is never going to stop, and if you can’t deal with it, then get out of the business.
BTW You never respond to e-mail, but seem to still want our sympathy on this issue. Sorry, I don’t follow that logic. Why should we care?
– Camera Obscura
Welcome to FWJ, Camera Obscura. Thank you for your welcome and cheerful contributions. I get hundreds of emails each day and do try to respond. Sometimes people fall through the cracks and I do apologize. If your email takes the tone of your comments here, the reasons for my not responding are obvious. As for why you should care, you don’t have to. The beauty of having my own blog is that I can discuss the issues that affect me, and you. Care, don’t care, at FWJ we like to offer the freedom of choice.
Oh wow, the old “work hard” lecture, never heard that before. Zzzzzzzz……
– Camera Obscura
Apparently not since you’re posting from your office. I like to think it’s good advice, but if you can offer us suggestions for not working hard and earning money, do share.
Hugs and kisses.
Deb’s writing is not that great (ever read her about.com page? good cure for insomnia), I can’t imagine anyone actually lifting her work. They must be new to the web.
-Camera Obscura
Well aren’t you just the joiner! A few weeks ago we never heard of you and now you’re just a chatty little bird. You should have come a few weeks earlier, in time for our comments contest. In fact with all of your insightful contributions, you’re sure to stimulate plenty of thoughtful discussions. I can’t wait until you return to work Monday so you can continue to dazzle us with your brilliance and wit.
I’m so glad to know you’re reading my work and it serves a purpose.
Love,
Deb
See ya later Writer’s Row, Deb is too big for you…
Camera Obscura
Au Contraire. We do appreciate your concern, but I’m still part of Writer’s Row. It’s just difficult hosting this blog as a subdomain. I’m still a member and hope to contribute some wonderful things in the future.
Dear Deb,
You have lots of blogs. Which one is your favorite?
Kathy
Hi Kathy,
This one is my favorite. It’s a lot of work and I barely break even but it’s worth everything I put into it. Each of my blogs has a special place in my heart though. I love them all.
Dear Deb,
Why do you insist on pimping your blogs every chance you get? Who cares about how many blogs you have or how many of your sheep nominated you for b.s. awards?
Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
My blogs didn’t succeed through lack of promotion, I do try not to be spammy though. As for why you should care, as I told my new BFF Camera Obscura above, you don’t have to care. I promise not to let it upset me.
Do come by again!
Deb