The Dangers of Outsourcing Freelance Writing

So most of your average customer support has already been outsourced to India, but did you ever wonder what would happen if your local newspaper decided to outsource its writing? Here's a sampling of the type of articles you might be reading.

Outsource This!

The Ultimate Get-a-Clue Freelance Request for the Week of June 29, 2009

This week's Middle Finger Award winner comes courtesy of Debbi Mack. She uncovered this gagger on the bidding site Scriptlance. These types of sites have always included questionnable projects, but I think it's fair to say such projects are becoming more and more common these days--bidding or otherwise.

Project Description: How to Articles Needed
Specific Project Request: "Writer needed for 5 articles at a time. Each article must be a 500+ article arranged into 5+ steps and one introduction. I will pay $2 per article with an opportunity for pay increase. I will need several 5-article batches. These articles must be grammatically correct and 100% original. I also need links to each web resource that you use in each article."

Unless that pay increase is going to be 10,000%, I can't see the logic in even turning on the computer. But of course, the project was awarded to a "writer" in Pakistan who wrote: "*** Consider it done -- Quality Guaranteed ***."

Where Have You Been, Young Lady?

Yes, I've been absent for a while again. (Shame on me.) I've been trying to figure out why I've been letting this blog go so much of late. Sure, I could blame it on the family medical issues, the warm, sunny (finally!) weather, or my busy work schedule. All of those reasons are legitimate because they're true. However, I've come to another conclusion: I'm simply not seeking out new jobs as much as I used to. Therefore, I'm contending with a whole lot less Screw You! B.S. than I once did.

Don't get me wrong. There are still a whole lot of freelance-related issues to get my gander up about. (And since I have a bit of free time on my hands today, I'm about to put a few such posts in the hopper.) In fact, with the the economy staying in the dumper, the job opportunities are abysmal. So abysmal, in fact, that I'm passing them right by without even making the effort to get angry about them. If I did, I'd be livid 24/7.

You see, it's finally dawned on me. Almost every personal Screw You! story I've featured here has been the result of a new, one-time deal. Even more enlightening is that the vast majority of these horror-story individuals sought me out instead of the other way around. So I'm being more cautious these days. I'm bypassing job ads more, scrutizing inquiries more and focusing on my existing clientele more.

All of that makes for less stressed freelancing but more boring blogging. What's an Irreverent Freelancer to do?

Freelance Funny of the Day

Pearls Before Swine

What the Recession Means for Freelancers

There's an interesting article in last week's New York Times that I thought I'd open to discussion: The Self-Employed Depression.

Fair warning, it's a fairly lengthy read. Here's a main point to chew on: "But the downturn is eating away at their [the self-employed sector's] livelihoods and the identity they thought they chose when they decided to work for themselves." If you skim through it, be sure to pay attention to the last page for some potentially bright news down the road.

How is the economy affecting you?

The Ultimate Get-a-Clue Freelance Request for the Week of June 8, 2009

I'm back because I just saw a job posting that made every Screw You! ounce of my being quiver with rage. This ultra-deserving Middle Finger Award winner is making the rounds of job leads (?!!), so perhaps you've see it too.

Copy Editor needed for Book (Email Accessible)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reply to: job-wgyca-1206323094@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
Date: 2009-06-05, 6:38AM EDT



WORK-FOR-HIREI
I need someone who is deadline oriented that has 40 consecutive work hours that they can dedicate to copy edit 460 pages on lettersized paper. They type is doublespace except on a few pages where single space is used.

Work to start June 15th and end June 19th. Must complete and submit 92 pages each day for review before being assigned the next days work. There is some flexibility on the start and end date -- but not much!

A sample edit of 10 pages is required. Specifically I am looking for someone competent to do the following:

-fix all grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes
-revise awkward sentences
-suggest vocabulary changes to make text more vivid
-add transitional sentences
-make necessary diction and usage changes
-ensure proper structure, flow, and formatting
-adjust for necessary form and style specifications of Chicago Style Manual


Editor will make changes directly in Microsoft Word using Track Changes

College students -who are english/writing/creative writing majors are welcome

Book editing experience is not necessary -- but you must be able to edit.

I may hire more than one person to work on different chapters to get the work completed more quickly -- so If you are good at what you do, but only have one day available -- feel free to apply.

Submission of before/after previous writing samples are a plus.

Location: Email Accessible
Compensation: $200 day for 8 working hours -- plus copy edit credit in book if desired.
Telecommuting is ok.
This is a part-time job.
This is a contract job.
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
Please, no phone calls about this job!
Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

PostingID: 1206323094




Let's make no bones about it. This isn't work-for-hire; it's slave-for-hire. $200 for 40 consecutive hours is $5/hour, which is below minimum wage, correct? The job poster, however, wants you to be available at his/her beck and call throughout the 5-day duration. S/he also assumes that you'll be able to copyedit 11.5 pages per hour, with no break. As an editorial veteran, I can tell you that proofreading 11.5 pages per hour would be a stretch, let alone copyediting them. And finally, let's not forget that you'll have to toss in a 10-page freebie before you'll even be considered for this locked up and shackled position. Screw yous from every angle to this one!