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!

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!

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

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!

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.

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

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!

There’s an open position that I’m really qualified for and I’m hoping to get the chance to compete (they have several writers/experts compete before they choose one).

If anyone has a tip or an “in”, there’s chocolate in it for you! ~ Wendy

Have a margarita for me!

Wendy

This what Christina emailed yesterday to me. Made me mad because a) she wasted my time and b) the pay is offensive to professional writers (not to mention writers who have a long background in public relations):

“I’m not 100% certain what the compensation rate would be, but I’m guessing that our budget would be around $5/post with a cap on max # of posts … possibly up to $100/month.”

She’s “not 100% certain” and then uses the word “possibly”. These words are vague and ultimately let them wiggle out of any “agreement”.

Thought I’d get the word out.

Wendy

And they should be called Too Tight to Pay Zoo.

I wrote a great email and received a great response.

Here’s the catch: they want to pay nothing for “60 to 90″ days and then they will compensate.

I pushed about compensation and was finally told that they pay “$5 a post”.

$5?!?! On what planet is that compensation?

There. I a little better now.

I’ve had somewhat similar situations that are also extremely frustrating… I think the economy is one reason behind what we’re observing.

I also agree with Robin: some companies think they’re ready to hire writers, but they’re not. I recently spent several hours speaking with a prospective client about a project that sounded interesting, but he’d never thought through certain processes and procedures associated with the writing, so everything stalled.

I just keep writing applications and LOIs… and am thrilled when I find people who know what they want and how much they can pay!

Lisa

This happens to me…a lot. I’ve learned to just take it as part of the job. At this point, I don’t actually believe I’ve gotten the job until I have an assignment in my inbox.

And Fiona, I agree. At least have the courtesy to cut me loose so I can keep looking. Last year, I signed a $6,000 contract with a company. They gave me $300 worth of work. I didn’t hear from them for a while, so I emailed to see what was up. This was in December. They said the project would be starting up again during the first quarter of 2008. Nothing. Emailed them last week to confirm the project was cancelled and was told that they ‘thought it was still going ahead.’ Coulda fooled me. I also have a company that’s been stringing me along for months now, and so far, despite all their promises, I’ve only completed one assignment. They take weeks and weeks to answer a simple question. I swear I’d strangle the person I’ve been dealing with if we ever met. He’s in Korea, though, so it’s not likely to happen.

Phew. Sorry for the rant.