From the number of comments and e-mails I get from people thanking me for all that I do to help the freelance writing community, I would have to disagree with your comment that I don’t help anyone.

Thank you for sharing.

Please raise your standards.

@ Amy: Thanks! And good point how having your stuff appear on some obscure site not really counting as “exposure.”

It’s just that I insist that it be printed on a check.

File a complaint through angela Hoy at Writersweekly.com.

“Give me your phone number so that I can call you collect to discuss the job opportunity.”

That won’t be happening.

In an ideal world, no one would accept these jobs, and they would eventually go away. In reality, though, there will always be people who jump at the chance to earn good karma and a byline. That harms the rest of the freelancers who know the value of their work.

@ Louise: I’m glad you liked today’s post. I might just write more posts when I’m feeling a bit crusty, after all!

That is too much! Kind of reminds me of a story I saw about parents going to job interviews with their recent college grads to make sure everything went well and their kids were treated right. Oh boy.

I just heard back about a potential gig that would offer the chance to win (yes, win) a $50 American Express gift card–and I was flabbergasted. Then I stopped by here to check out the latest blog and realized that there are even better stories out there. I agree with everyone posting here; I’ve spent too much time as a writer, building up credentials and honing my skills, to do this for nothing…or next to nothing. Now I know I’m not alone!

I’m talking about those who waste their time by actually sending emails to the employers asking writers to work for no pay that tell them to ask other professionals to work for no pay and see what happens. From comments that I’ve read, here and other writer forums, those emails are often snarky and counterproductive. Those are the ones that I find unprofessional and to be generally unhelpful to writers as a whole. Like I said, it’s one thing to educate; it’s another entirely to be snotty just because you don’t like what someone’s offering.

Make sense?

i am a photographer, too, and i have found it to be even worse in that field. like Nicole said about everybody writing lists and whatnot, as a photographer people are constantly devaluing the work.

everyone has a camera, or two or three, and on their cell phone, on their tooth brush, the key chain…who knows where these days.

i feel doubly special to be a writer and photographer. it makes me one of the chosen ones who apparently gets to enjoy life’s “work” as a neverending merry-go-round, rather than be bothered with paying bills.

if only the writer’s strike idea would work. but there’s always someone who will slip in and low-ball the industry; and there’s always a business who will take that cut-rate performance.

i’ve found it’s best to say “No, thank you” for myself, hope others do the same, and try not to think about those who don’t. a prospective employer/client who doesn’t understand our value, doesn’t understand a lot of things, i’m guessing.

If you’re offering an agreement, then you’re on! I won’t work for free either.

Now we just have to start working on getting a few other writers to join in our agreement.