Comments on: Freelance Writing Jobs for Friday, May 16, 2008

By: Therese

Therese — Sun, 18 May 2008 05:18:25 +0000

In response to Kathy’s question: I found some good leads and a long standing blogging assignment that’s turned into other work with this particular editor. Karma must be on my side but things are rolling along for me. I’ve had some weird experiences too. There was a food blogging job (I think it was via this site), but the person wanted a dissertation and it was fishy–she wanted basically a project for free and there was a disclaimer about giving up your rights for the “sample”–no way, no thanks. It sounds like she was trying to obtain content without paying for it.

I also landed some more work through another editor (I’m writing for a health/wellness site–this was a freakin’ lucky gig–I’m writing yoga articles and yoga is my lifelong passion–yeahhhh!) Anyway, she noticed I’m trying to promote myself as a writer and asked me if I was interested in more writing for another project (different clients). I’m starting to feel like a real journalist/writer finally. I’ve had some amazing interviews with some fabulous people (and landed a publicity gig out of it too–I have a PR/marketing background as well).

Anyway, don’t be discouraged. It’s a crazy world out there! Just keep writing!

By: Adam

Adam — Sat, 17 May 2008 19:14:39 +0000

$1000 for 10 minutes of material. If only it were $1000/ten minutes of writing.

By: Shell

Shell — Sat, 17 May 2008 17:30:50 +0000

I’m feeling let down too. I sent my work out to a literary agent. I made sure it was well drafted and in good print quality. I also let them know that I had sent the manuscript off.

Three months later, I chased them up asking if they have reviewed my work. I received a ‘read’ receipt via my email transmission but did not get a reply. I followed up again and still no response.

Are these people professionals or not? That is my question. All they had to do was let me know of their decision… er, unless they have lost my work and cannot comment of course!

By: Wendy

Wendy — Sat, 17 May 2008 16:08:45 +0000

I second what LJ is saying and want to add that it devalues all of us when some of us take these low paying or no paying jobs.

If we don’t value our writing, nobody else will either.

To me, the dog blog looked like full time work which should also deliver a full time salary.

Wendy

By: LJ

LJ — Sat, 17 May 2008 15:42:36 +0000

That dog blog position requires a lot of work. And then they don’t even tell you what they pay. It’s just “based on level of experience and blog traffic.” Well, I’m qualified to do it, but I know that it’s a significant amount of work that also requires more knowledge than just writing (which I have). But I’m not willing to work for pennies.

I see so many positions where they have a list a mile long of things they want you to know, qualities they want you to have, yet they want to get you to work for less than what you could be flipping burgers. Seriously…jobs without many skills pay more than some of the techie and writing jobs out there. Ugh!

By: hana

hana — Sat, 17 May 2008 02:33:14 +0000

Wendy,

On this loooong thread for about.com, there is a lot of information about the application and prep process: http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52188

I was accepted into the prep process and went through the training period. They picked someone else but I found that thread to be a great resource. It’s a great community with current About.com guides and those going through the application process.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Fri, 16 May 2008 23:26:06 +0000

Thanks Matt. I can’t even seem to get in the door to get a guide mentor.

The reason the About jobs are so appealing is that then I don’t have to query editors week after week. It would be a topic I know: nice and reliable work.

But if I can’t even get a toe in, the whole point is moot anyway.

Thank you!! It’s hot here in California — a marg sounds wonderful!

Wendy

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 16 May 2008 23:03:50 +0000

Wendy, I know you weren’t talking to me, but I’m gonna go with your suggestion anyway and have a Margarita.

As for the guide site, good luck. I did two tries there on different but similar topics, which is how I came to e-know deb. Been here ever since and am having way more fun than I would have been if I’d have got the About jobs. Pay is better and I have more freedom of schedule.

My advice is to get a good guide mentor person, and hope they like you. But then again, my advice probably doesn’t hold much water considering I don’t work there.

The good thing for me is that I created lots of good content that I’ve been able to use elsewhere. Again, for better money than I would have gotten at About.

Good luck!

By: Kathy I

Kathy I — Fri, 16 May 2008 22:48:20 +0000

Thank you all for your wonderful posts about the wriggling out clients. I spent many, many years in the book length fiction business sending out proposals and waiting, waiting, waiting. Then, the call comes, they want my book! Then . . nothing. I was so hoping this would be different, but it feels good to find out this is happening to others. Misery loves company, you know.

By: Maryam

Maryam — Fri, 16 May 2008 21:26:27 +0000

ah good to know, wonder why such a reputable site is being so shady. The website layout is pretty good too, funny because i just started blogging and get paid 5-10 dollars a post but this isn’t on something so specified for pr or advertising which takes a whole lot more research and time… i still might do it just because i don’t have much pr in my ” online” resume. Wouldnt blog more than a couple times a month though.
Bear in mind , blogs get revenue depending on traffic, and if you are getting money off of it like adsense then it would make sense. not sure how it works though…
Hart empire seems like a cool place, I applied for the dog lover post, let’s see how it goes.