Here’s the Thing…
May 28, 2008 by Deb Ng
Filed under Freelance Writing
The more I blog, the more I learn I’m not going to please everyone. Lately it seems I’m pleasing everyone less and less. That doesn’t make me enjoy what I do much.
Here’s the thing. I like to make it easy for clients to post gigs, and for you to find gigs. That’s why I do this. I don’t make much money and it doesn’t leave me much time for a life, but it is… or was something that gave me pleasure.
I don’t have too many rules…
For my community I ask for us all to be respectful. That’s it, just be respectful. Be nice to each other, and be nice to the people who single us out to post their jobs here.
There’s a reason clients want to place their ads here rather than Craiglist. It’s because they want quality writers for their gigs. Yet if they’re to read the comments, they see a lot of complaining going on. So what do I do, leave them up and scare away clients or have a free for all and risk having my community labeled as "hostile" as has been done before?
For the jobs I won’t post anything under $10., no term paper mills, no scams, no ad or traffic revenue only gigs, you know the drill. Jodee works darn hard to make sure you have a great big list of leads every day and wades through so much garbage to bring legitimate paying opportunity. Many of these are $10 gigs too.
By all means, discuss wages, talk about what you think is fair and why, but be respectful. When clients are being put down or insulted I have to draw the line. Don’t show up at their door with the pitchforks and torches because it makes people not want to come here with their jobs and it makes them not want to hire members of this community. It’s also giving me, this blog, and this community a very bad reputation and that’s starting to piss me off a little.
So please. Be respectful to all and try to understand where I’m coming from.
Thank you.
Deb
@ Deb: Here’s a virtual (((hug))) for you. I don’t blame you for being P.O.’d.
I understand where you’re coming from completely, Deb. I don’t visit your blog nearly as much as I used to, largely because of some of the same bitching and complaining that you’ve mentioned. I hope that things do turn around for you in regards to this, and wish you the best.
Deb, you have my support completely. This is your blog and you can run it by your rules – simple as that. I hugely appreciate the work and time that you and Jodee put into this. You can’t please everyone but they always have the option of going elsewhere so the rest of us can enjoy the community you’ve built.
virtual hug…howzabout some brick walls [[[security]]]. we blog because we have a voice, not because we want to hear someone else’s.
Thank you Deb and Jodee. This is an amazing website and community. You work hard every day, and because of that, I have more opportunities than I ever have – that is priceless.
I got my book deal through you guys, and nearly every writing job I have ever had. I owe you guys a lot.
Please know that while some people may be unhappy, some of us are very grateful for what you do each day.
Deb – I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Most of the jobs posted here aren’t for me – for a variety of reasons. But, I come back every day because every once in a while, there is something that is A) in my pay range, B) interesting to me, or C) something I’m qualified for.
I come back because I know you and Jodee work hard and you just never know when there will be something. I would never dream of complaining about something that is FREE to me – I can choose just not to come back any more.
I know it’s not nice, but I’d block the chronic complainers. You don’t need it.
Deb – your site is top notch!
However, as writers, we thankfully all have our own opinions and suggestions.
I didn’t see what the other people wrote about the $10 articles. I saw the ad and thought it would be good for someone who is at the beginning stages of their writing career.
Also, I just landed a weekly blogging gig with a pretty generous hourly wage from this site. Your site is definitely appreciated!
(Also, the job ad description on this ad was to my liking! LOL)
I just wanted to say how much I love this website! I really do appreciate the hard work that goes into everything (so thank you Deb and Jodee!).
Deb – I seldom view the comments, so I’m a bit in the dark about their content; however, I want to tell you I LOVE this site. I’m not quite ready to actually respond to the gigs listed, but I’m working my way up to it. I honestly can’t imagine what anyone would complain about.
So thanks again. I appreciate your hard work.
Thanks for what you do! I’ve only been visiting for the past 3 months, but this site has been essential for both leads and general information as I start out with freelancing.
I enjoy visiting it everyday and learning from those who have more experience. The guest blogs this month have been great with all the variety of topics.
Hi, just wanted to chime in and say thank you also. I recently started coming to this site almost everyday. It is a resource for me. I appreciate that it is available.
Thank you, Deb and Jodee, for all you do. You’ve delivered an incredible consistency of job leads and interesting discussion and that is why I come here everyday.
@Scribette: you say “I saw the ad and thought it would be good for someone who is at the beginning stages of their writing career.” Actually, I find this a little demeaning. I applied for that job and I am not at the beginning stages of my writing career. But I consider many things other than wage when I decide to take or not take a job. Passion about a topic, desire to contribute to a worthy forum, etc. Some of us write for reasons other than just a good paycheck (which I get from other clients btw.) And I believe deciding to take, or keep, any job should be based on more than the wage.
Kati – ok … its good for other reasons too! Just wasnt for me …
Jodee and Deb, I have to say that I first came to the site mainly for the jobs, and now I visit more and more for the educational tips about the industry. I learn as much from my fellow visitors as I do from the articles.
I know it’s hard to pull back and have to play watchdog and diplomat, especially when there is typically such a warm vibe on the site. I hope you know it’s probably a temporary bump, and that, like a big family, we’ll all get over our disagreements.
We are clearly passionate about what we do. And sometimes those passions run high. But once we settle in, we’ll get over it. I know those who commented on the low pay meant well. As writers, we’re so used to scraping and fighting for jobs and consistent opportunities, that we can face the world with more ferocity than intended. We seldom get paid what we’re worth.
But this site is worth a great deal to many of us, even the newcomers. I, for one, am willing to grow with it, bumps and all!
Kim – good points!
With regard to the ad which is drawing some controversy, it seems to be a reasonable amount of money for an easily written article each week. It is a short article which is a familiar topic for many of us writers. I can understand that not all website owners, especially those who do not own a large amount of sites, are able to pay $50 or more on an article of this type. I too am wary of individuals who charge too little for having an article written, but in my opinion this amount is just fine. Thanks for posting this job Deb and Jodee!
Hi! I just found this site and am so glad I did. I am trying really hard to get some writing jobs and didn’t know where to look. This should help. I am new to blogging , so have a lot to learn there also. Anyway , I love this site.
Hello,
People are getting crazier by the day..You are both are doing a great job.
I am the Project Manager for a team of freelancers. They all conme from different states, with different backgrounds and skills. Creating this team has made us a one stop shopping business.
I use your site to look for jobs, read your articles, and try and learn from your helpful hints you have.
I have turned many writers onto this site and they love it.
It is getting harder to satisfy people lately. You need to remember that people always seem to find time to complain but never can find the time to say somethng nice.
I am here to say keep up the good work!!!
Deb – you and Jodee work darn hard to create this website, with little if any payment. You’re a busy work at home mom and have created this blog with a lot of dedication, focus and sacrifice. I think a lot of people need to realize this before they start harping on you. I hope the support you get from those that do care what you are doing here and realize that you’re not a doormat helps keep you going!
Though I have a different opinion about “good” rates than others here, I save that for discussions on rates and would not take issue with the payor at through this blog. If someone doesn’t pay a rate that works for me, I move on. People who spend the time complaining about a rate through this blog have to consider how their time might be better spent.
You and Jodee do an excellent job, which is why I’m here daily even though there have only been a couple of positions that have seemed like fits — though none has come through.
Hi Deb-
You are absolutely and sometimes we have to draw a line in the sand even if the shore line keeps moving!
Hi Deb and Jodee,
It looks like I must have missed a recent discussion here with regards to going rates but I must say you can only do what you can do. You can’t please everyone!
This is a free resource, and thus we must be grateful. I come to this site and also do additional research. People will come across low rates but then you have to move on. A rate may seem low to one person but could be high to another, all depending on where the writer is based.
You’ve posted some gem of a gigs here in the past, and if there is one or two that doesn’t appeal then there are usually many more that do. There’s no problem really because it isn’t as if we have to subscribe or anything like that. You have helped a lot of people!
You know, I’ve only ever commented negatively on a job when it seemed the job poster was being rude. That being said, I still backed up and apologized. If others can’t do that, I’d say it was time to block them.
Wow, I visit this site every day for the jobs and also the posts about the industry. I rarely read through the comments, so I’m a bit in the dark. I’m sorry you’re getting a hard time for doing such a great thing for people like me. I, for one, appreciate your site and the effort you and Jodee put into it.
I’m a new freelancer, and I’ve gotten a couple of jobs in the past few weeks. Not extremely high paying, but fun and going well! and who knows what they might lead to? I hope you continue to do what you’re doing.
Hi Deb and Jodee,
Just wanted to add my voice to the chorus and say how wonderful this site is. I started reading the job listings several months ago, and now I read the comments as well because I learn a lot from them.
I agree about the tenor of the posts — I would like to see people remain respectful and supportive of each other. That’s what community is all about!
I hope you are able to keep up this good work.
Hey Deb and Jodee,
the way I see it, if the job offers less than you are willing to work for, then don’t apply for it! I’m actually making a nice supplementary income on lower paying gigs. And I appreciate them. I’ve applied for some jobs posted here that ended up being non paying, but I would never think to complain about it or make any comments that it has anything to do with you guys. Personally I am so thankful for this site, as it gives me more time to write.
This is THE BEST free source our there for finding writing jobs and you guys do a heck of a job. I have found three of my best gigs from here. To you malcontents, seriously, find somewhere else to whine. If you aren’t making it, maybe it isn’t because of what gets posted here, but because you spend too much time complaining.
Second, everyone who is a fan, don’t just keep coming back. CLICK THE ADS! Seriously, I don’t have a lot of extra cash to donate, but I make sure and click at least one ad every time I come here. If everyone did the same, then maybe this great resource can stay free – forever!
Deb:
Well, I hope folks will start posting you some slack.
Job postings are just postings. It’s up to everyone to do their due dilligence in deciding what jobs to seek and what jobs to actually accept.
I’m lucky to find one job a day here that I might be interested in, but then again, I’m selective. Recently, there was a book publisher that I found here that I emailed back and forth for some time until we settled upon a fee for my services. However, I found the client to be so disorganized and it was so unclear what he wanted me to do that eventually – even though I was happy with the fee we agreed upon – told him thanks but no thanks.
Of course, I never blame you or this board for the jobs I’m not interested in or the clients that I find to be less than ideal. That’s just part of the business, and I’m happy to have one more place to visit to look for a job.
On the other side of things, I found my best client by visiting this board, and they pay me a consistent $900 or so a month for marketing copywriting I do in my spare time.
You take the good with the bad. That’s life.
Thanks for your efforts!
I’ve been visiting this site daily lately and have found a few great jobs, you definitely won’t find me complaining around here, I’m grateful for Jodee and Deb and all they do for us!
I just wanted to say thank you too! This site has been very helpful to me, alerting me to jobs, contests and other things. Honestly, the first thing I do when I wake up is check the site. (Okay, the second, I go for the tea first!)
Good job!
I am new to your site and have been scanning it for a few weeks…this is awesome! Great job!
Wow, I rarely read the comments so I missed all the negativity. I think you guys do a wonderful job and this site is an incredible resource for us. Thanks for all you do.
I for one appreciate all that you do. Because of this site, I was able to not only get my foot in the door with freelancing, but I am almost to the point where I can do it full time. This site is the best one for writers to find work, and it saves so much time to come here and get great leads without having to troll the internet ourselves. Thank you!
I visit multiple times daily, and have for awhile. I enjoy every post. You’re performing a wonderful service, and should be commended. I’m sorry I haven’t shown my appreciation in the past.
Deb and Jodee, you do a great job and consistently provide a free resource and service to freelancers.
Most visitors are looking for work that will lead to more work; it is incredibly counterproductive for any one of us to be unprofessional. This really just makes me shake my head.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to post a positive comment. It really means a lot.
I come here almost every day and really appreciate the work put into the blog and building the job lists.
It is unfortunate that vocal and rude minority is selfishly endangering such a great resource — but that’s people for you.
I am going to ditto Brian Nelson here . . .this really is THE BEST free job board for writers (I’m thinking it beats most if not all the paid ones, too!); and by all means, people: CLICK THE ADS. Buy Jodee and Deb a cup of coffee now and then. If everyone clicked the ads each time they came, and bought a cup of coffee once a month – what a huge thank you that would be to them for all the hard work they do for us!
I’ve gotten a few different things from ads posted here and some resulting in ongoing work. If I see ads posted I don’t like for any reason I just click past them – no big deal.
Some of the ads have inspired me with ideas for new blog posts to write or new articles to write in order to create new areas in which I have writing samples.
I love this site, and I truly appreciate Jodee and Deb!!!!
{{Big Hugs}}
I’ve used this site as a way to study freelancing before I take the leap for quite some time now. It always seems to amaze me how hard Deb & Jodee work.
Some people seem to have a hard time with some of the pay rates. As others have said, if it’s not your cup of tea, pass it up for the next thing. Rather than complaining, I’d imagine that time would be better spent searching for opportunities that suit you. Not everything is going to be a perfect match for every visitor to this site.
For the job posting in question, I’d imagine it would not take so long to do the work as the posting implied this would be a topic familiar and part of the daily life of the writing. Was the pay rate that bad for a half an hour of quick work really?
There are a lot of different factors to consider for each posting, and those factors vary to each individual. A hard topic for me could be a breeze for you. I don’t think it’s really fair to judge postings because it simply does not apply to your individual situation. It might be the perfect fit for someone else.
Should be “daily life of the writer.” Gotta love typos!
@tjwriter – that’s exactly it. I just finished an article in an hour’s time, including proofreading. It’s an article I’m being paid $60 to do. This is a job that the Craigslist poster took flack for paying too little from a number of people. I won’t balk at $60 an hour!
For those who are interested in learning about how some writers determine their rates, here is a link to an article on it:
http://www.writedirection.com/rprt300e.htm
Hi! Since we are discussing rates …
If anyone is interested in finding out how writers determine their rates (and the additional costs/time involved with self employment), google “how to set writer rates”
that sucks that people complain a lot, personally I get a lot of good info I wouldn’t have known otherwise.
I think it’s good however for writers to inform eachother on the right choices for a job. It’s good to know what are scams, underpaying and what is looked for. Perhaps it could be done in a more productive way however
Deb,
I’m sorry – but not surprised – to hear people are complaining about job postings that you provide to them free. Too many people have a sense of entitlement. Instead of appreciating what you do, they expect you to provide the perfect job listings at no cost to them. Next thing you know, they’ll be expecting you to hand them gigs … then maybe they’ll expect to get paid without having to write anything! You have no obligation to allow negative comments that detract from the great service you offer here.
Deb,
I’m sorry – but not surprised – to hear people are complaining about job postings that you provide to them free. Too many people have a sense of entitlement. Instead of appreciating what you do, they expect you to provide the perfect job listings at no cost to them. Next thing you know, they’ll be expecting you to get them gigs without having to through all the work of querying … then maybe they’ll expect to get paid without having to write anything! You have no obligation to allow negative comments that detract from the great service you offer here.
I love this site and recommend it to anyone interested in writing. My sister recently began to work as a freelance writer and she found (and got) several jobs here. I actually make a living off of a blogging job that was posted on your site.
Thanks for taking the time to work on this site.
Deb and Jodee:
This blog launched my freelance career two years ago. With barely a portfolio, I landed a regular PT gig at $50/hour that lasted almost a year. I have received three fabulous gigs off of here, and each time, I have sent Deb an hour’s pay — usually around $50. It’s certainly worth fifty bucks not to have to do all of this info gathering myself, especially if the gig is ongoing, as mine have all been. Deb and Jodee find jobs I could NEVER find on my own. I simply don’t have time. I do hope other people show the love, though!
I for one am SO grateful for everything Deb and Jodee do. I have steady work now, but I’ve been so pleased with the content now on the site … lots of great tips, ideas, and advice. Even when I’m not looking for a gig, I come here just for the info. Thank you x10!
Beth Grant