Creative Response to Free Work Requests

My friend (and awesome writer--I'm reading her novel Identity Crisis right now), Debbi Mack sent me a link to a blog post this morning that I just have to share with my readers.

Just Like the Mail I Get details the hilarious strategy one graphic designer undertakes in response to a request to work for nothing.

The comments to the post are worth reading too. Therein, you'll find a link to a Best of Craigslist ad that is headlined re: novel editor wanted by an idiot.

Good stuff all of it.

Are Content Mill Writing Rates Devaluing the Profession?

There's a lot of debate going on these days about whether content mill writers who work for $15/article or less are damaging the writing market as a whole. Since I'm fortunate enough to still have enough work coming in at much higher rates, I tend to side with the live and let livers. That, however, doesn't mean I don't still market for new work. It's here where I'm starting to see a trend I don't particularly like, which may soon have me becoming more vocally against low-pay writers. Here's a stunning example of why.

What Happens When I Apply for an Article Writing Position in One of My Specialty Areas in Which the Compensation is Listed as "Depends on credentials"

I receive the response, "Our compensation is $10 per 500 words and an additional $5.00 for the posting requirement. We will also feature you in our 'Contributing Writer's' section and promote you through our site. In the spring when we begin our book process, we would like to include you, your writing and your expertise for further compensation to be discussed at that time. Eventually when we have established ourselves a little bit more, we would like to bring on 3-4 staff writers on a permanent basis with a set monthly compensation. Does this sound like something that interests you?"

What Happens When I Respond with, "Thanks, but no thanks. The rates you offer are way below professional standards."

By all accounts I should have been, and fully expected to be, written off. Apparently, however, my credentials impressed the job poster enough to write me back to ask what I normally charge.

What Happens When I Enlighten This Job Poster and Offer a Compromise, Short-Term Rate

I am shocked to receive yet another, apologetic, reply: "Thank you so much for your response. I hope I didn't offend you earlier. I was basing rates on responses that I had received earlier in the day. You are obviously very well experienced and qualified and I would love to have you write for us in the future. Maybe in a few months, once the market picks up a little and I have a bit more working capital, I can give you a call?"


I don't know yet whether I should laugh or cry about this situation. That several people beat me to the punch with content-mill-type rates, thereby setting the compensation standard this client was willing to offer, makes me want to cry. And yet, my experience and the quality of my samples still elevated me above them enough to make this potential client still want to work with me down the road, despite being able to get content much cheaper elsewhere.

Of course, it's a longshot this scenario will actually turn into paid work. And there's also the fact that it's a very isolated incident. Most other job posters will be more than willing to take on the lowballers regardless of their professional record.

I'm still undecided, but does this story alter your perception on the controversy?

A Freelance Fairy Tale

This story isn't mine. It comes from information shared with me by a reader, but I can assure that it is Screw You! worthy. Enjoy our version of a Brothers Grimm tale.

Once upon time there was a client who approached a writer about crafting fiction stories about a female spy.

The writer thought, "My how interesting!" and sent her credentials along.

The client decided a more personal interview was in order and requested an IM chat with the writer. Savoring the more intimate setting, the client shared additional info with the writer on his ideas for the main character.

"She's British," he began.

"She kills her enemies," he went on.

Then he moved in for the kill with, "... by choking them with her thighs while seducing them."

With good reason, the writer expressed skepticism. Surely this couldn't be a serious job offer. But the client pressed onward.

"I'd like you to write the stories in IM, one sentence at a time through a chat window," he instructed.

Before the writer could balk, the client added more specific details. "I want the text written in pink font. And I want the protagonist to be wearing sparkly pink dance tights and a bustier," he elaborated.

"We can practice with a test," he enthused. "You type what I tell you and we'll see how it goes."

Quickly realizing the client was paying someone to write while he beat off to his IM window, the writer broke all contact and cried, "Flee, flee, flee" as far away as she could run.

Sadly, it's a true story, folks, one that the writer found posted on oDesk. It ultimately went to a writer at the price of $0.68/hour. In her feedback for the client she raved, "He is the best buyer to work for! He tells you what he wants in extreme detail and his detail makes the job extremely easy! I would recommend this buyer to anyone that loves to write." Excuse me while I go gag.


Just in case you happen to run across it elsewhere, here's the job ad (poor grammar, spelling, et al), just so you don't get suckered into his lascivious lair.


"Hello

I am looking for a creative thinker who is able to describe in detail elements of the given storyline and posses good adaptability.

Essentially, looking to create a series of stories, based on three characters

- A single female character, comparable to Jason Bourne (The Bourne Indentity) in the sense of a Goverment sanctioned Assasin, with an emphasis on Stealth apose to Action

- Two other female operatives who work deep behind enemy lines (more information available)

If you would like more information or have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me."

Job-Bidding AmbASSador

I'm still getting back up to speed following vacation, so my Middle Finger Award posts will resume next week. In the meantime, I thought I'd cover a job posting I've been wanting to write about ever since I first saw it.

Even though my subscription lapsed over a year ago (the culminating factor being Elance accusing me of something I had never done--but that's another post), once a month I still scan through the job ads on Elance, just to see if there is anything worth spending my three free bids on. Well, last month, I ran across this posting...

Elance Ambassador - Writing Focus

We are looking to hire up to 4 “Ambassadors for Elance” to work up to 20 hours per week on an ongoing contract basis. We are seeking enthusiastic, creative, and high energy providers that can be a constant presence on the web in your area of expertise, communicating and representing the Elance value proposition, and generally being a positive influencer for the Elance community. The goals of this position are to identify and recruit skilled providers in key areas, to help onboard them into the Elance Provider Network, and to educate prospective clients on how they can use Elance for their business. The successful candidate will be an experienced Elance provider that has a track-record as a key influencer in their field and is familiar and engaged with social media.

We are looking for skilled writers that have deep experience in at least one of the following 4 areas:

1. Technology
2. Design
3. Mar keting Consulting (SEO, SEM, etc)
4. Writing

Detailed activities:

1. Exhibit thought leadership on the new way to work through regular blogging.
2. Protect and amplify the Elance brand on the web.
3. Monitor 3rd party forums and blogs, frequently posting and responding to threads, authentically promoting the benefits of Elance.
4. Write about various ways to use Elance as both a client and provider.
5. Join and participate in groups on social networks (Facebook/LinkedIn/etc), follow and respond on Twitter, answer/ask questions in Yahoo Answers.
6. Assist new providers/clients in registering and getting started on Elance.
7. Help ignite a movement by talking about Elance wherever you go, leading the discussion on the new way to work.


My first inclination was to send Elance a retroactive bill. After all, I've been an ambassador for the site for over two years now. My second inclination was to bid, just for the jollies of it all. Then I saw words like "positive influencer" and "protect and amplify the Elance brand on the web," which blew both inclinations right out of the water. In fact, methinks it's bloggers like me who necessitated such a job posting to begin with.

Next I had to laugh. Is there seriously an Elance provider with a proven track record who could "help ignite a movement by talking about Elance" (positively) wherever they go? Must be. I think I saw at least a dozen bids. I bookmarked the project to see who was selected but haven't returned yet. I think I'll take a little stroll on over right now.

In the meantime, here's a little Elance embassadoring for you: If you want to be paid fairly for your talents and don't want to be part of a model that hugely favors buyers over service providers (and if you don't want to be treated like dirt after raking in thousands of dollars for a company), steer clear of Elance.

I'm sure that comment will lure out the paid ambassadors, so bring it on.

The Ultimate Get-a-Clue Freelance Request for the Week of December 7, 2009

I'm on vacation this week, so feel free to rip this Middle Finger Award winner to shreds amongst yourself until I get back. It doesn't mention a specific rate, but it's loaded with red flags that can certainly lead one to a pretty good guess.

Project Description: I Need Press Releases Written

Specific Project Request: I need press releases written for 18 websites of mine. These press releases don't need to be the greatest quality, so if you have an incredible resume' you're probably not the person for the gig. My sites are music and fitness related, so if you're into that stuff this would probably be kind of fun for you. The ideal person for this gig would be able to get the releases written in a week. If not all, at least 10. I'd also prefer to work with someone who is a college student. It would be great to put on your resume and great practice.

If you're interested, let me know your rates, when you could begin and complete the project, and send me examples of your work.

Freelance Funny of the Day

As I gear up for vacation, enjoy a laugh to end your workweek.

Mother Goose and Grimm

The Ultimate Get-a-Clue Freelance Request for the Week of November 30, 2009

I don't think even my Middle Finger Award does this one justice.

Project Description: Looking for Writers - Long Term (Anywhere)

Specific Project Request: Looking for writers who can commit to writing at least 10 how-to articles every month. Basically, these articles are based on "how to" do anything; instructions, tutorials, in other words. A good example may be: "How to decorate your house for Christmas".

- These need to be original. I will be checking them for legitimacy or copyright issues.
- They need to be at least 250 to 400 words.
- Clean articles, free of grammatical errors, bad words, etc.
- Does NOT need to be overly-professional, but rather casual, as long as they deliver its instructional purpose in the end.
- Preferably needed between the 1st and 15th of each month.
- Will pay $1.5 per article, and increase the pay by .25 cents every three months.


Wow! A whole $1.50 per article. But wait, if you can hold out for a year, you'll (presumably) make $2.50 per article. I say that because 0.25 cents is actually $0.0025.

But let's just assume these idiot are idiotic about math too. At a $0.25 per quarter raise, I figure it will take 50 years before this company is paying anywhere near a fair wage.

You want written material free of bad words? Then try paying a rate that's not expletive worthy. A BIG FAT Screw you to you!

The Ultimate Get-a-Clue Freelance Request for the Week of November 23, 2009

This week's Middle Finger Award winner gets a double flipped bird. Because I'm number smart, that means TWO middle fingers. It also means I recognize this project for the avian doo-doo that it is.

Project Description: Writers wanted for www.theglasshammer.com- smart women in numbers

Specific Project Request: Theglasshammer.com is an award winning career blog for professional and executive women. We aim to inform, inspire and empower women to break the glass ceiling.

We are looking for writers to cover industry events, write profiles of CEO women and business leaders, and write news stories generally around the topic of professional women in the workplace

If you have knowledge of investment banking, fund management or legal industries this would be helpful, although we do cover the Fortune 500 and the top shakers and movers as well!

We are a dedicated small team with a great brand and an important and recognized mission. Our corporate sponsors include PwC and Goldman Sachs.

Please send a writing sample and a resume. Editing experience a plus.

Freelance and on a 1099 basis only.

Compensation: $20 per blog - usually 600-900 words


A magazine that aims to help women break the glass ceiling that's paying betweeen two and three CENTS per word. Oh yeah, and you'll need number smarts (which don't come easily and cheaply) to make that much. Hypocritical much?