Freelance Writing Jobs for Thursday, August 21, 2008
August 21, 2008 by Jodee
Filed under Writing Gigs
Good morning FWJ Friends! I’ve got leads for content writers, and web editors this morning. There are some opps for healthcare writers, bloggers, and one for a translator. There’s a job for a web TV news writer as well.
I hope you find something that you are interested in applying for on today’s list.
Leads…
- Content Writer and Photographer Wanted
- Health Care Freelance Writer @ NurseTV.com – Contract ($0.20 per word/up to 700 words)
- Copywriter – Temporary – Richmond, VA ($30-$35 per hour)
- Books and Authors Web Producer @ Scholastic - Temp Position – New York
- Freelance Web Editor – All You @ Time Inc. – New York
- New Media Fitness Blogger/Writer – Atlanta Area Applicants Preferred
- Fashion Blog Style Writers Needed
- New Dad Blogger Wanted ($10 per post; 1 post per week)
- Writers/Bloggers Needed for New Christian Web Site
- Denver/Boulder Area Freelance Copy Writer
- Part Time Web SEO/Web Content Writer – Houston
- Translation – English to Spanish – Retail Labels and Brochures
- Informational Copywriter Needed Immediately – Contract – Henderson/Las Vegas (up to $17.50 per hour)
- Unique Opportunity for a Great Business Writer and Researcher – Los Angeles/LAX Area ($20 per hour + Bonuses)
- Experienced Writer Needed for Web TV News – Los Angeles
- Freelance Writers/Journalists Needed - Telecommute
- Entertainment Writer/Freelancer – Miami ($50 for 400-500 word article)
- Freelance Copywriter - Contract
- Ghost Writers to Convert Screenplays into Book Form
- Major New York Media Company Seeks Technical Writer
- Copywriter – Freelance to Full Time – Manhattan ($30-$40 per hour)
- Health Writer/Editor - East Valley, Phoenix (up to $290 per month)
- Health and Beauty Writer - Bainbridge Island – Work from Home
- Patient Education Writer/Health Newsletter
- Website Writer Needed - Contract
- Editorial Agency Seeks Writing Intern – College Credit
Good Luck!
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Great list as usual.
I heard back from one job that was posted in Craigslist a few weeks ago. The job was creating two or three-page menus for a New York firm. He claims he has a writer willing to do the job for 50 cents each menu and suggested I top that price if I want the job. Another email deleted…
Not sure where else to ask this, but I was wondering if anyone had any advice for clients that aren’t paying. I have completed three jobs where I haven’t seen a paycheck yet and they were all large enough jobs that I’m somewhat concerned. Each client was happy with the work I gave them and some of them have even contacted me since then, asking for more. I’ve told them that I’m happy to take on more work from them but that my policy is to start on a new job once I’ve received payment for the last. One client is three months past due on a $1,200 assignment, saying that money is short but he’ll definitely pay me. I’m not sure how often to contact him now. Another client keeps on telling me that “the check is in the mail,” but it’s been about a month since I was first told that (1.5 months since I completed the job). Other clients pay on time – should I take this as a lesson learned and implement new payment policies (and what about clients who have their own policy, such as paying once completed), keep contacting the clients, or something else? Oy.
I know that it has been discussed here in the past – but as I was just getting started I didn’t pay adequate attention – I am wondering about ads that request payment structures. Do I reveal a payment structure or state that it is negotiable? By not answering their question am I putting my chances in jeopardy? By answering too low or too high am I putting myself out of contention? Not sure what to do. Thanks!
@ Ann G: Thanks. I don’t know what to say about the menu thing. Just when you think you’ve heard everything, you realize you haven’t.
@ Rachel: I would try to resolve the situation amicably first. With the client who is short of funds, you could offer to work out a payment schedule. Do let him know that you will be charging a late fee, though.
It has happened that a client’s check did get lost in the mail and so did the replacement check she sent. The third one finally arrived in my mailbox. For that one, contact the client and ask them to put a stop payment on the first check and issue a replacement one.
Once you have come to some kind of an agreement, then you can let them know that you are making a note that you will follow up with them again in X number of days if you haven’t received your payment. Then do it.
I find myself incredibly amused by the terrible spelling I seein some adds
Should we see that as a warning sign?
relating to the last two comments, a post about charging methods would really be appreciated.
Thanks again for the daily roundup
@ Lara: If the ad states that you need to provide a payment structure, then you should do so. You could mention a range, “depending on the project” and explain that if you need to do extensive research, you will be charging at the higher end of the scale. Or you could say that your rates start at $X and vary depending on the project, and that you are willing to negotiate.
Quoting a higher number may not put you out of contention. If the client wants “you” to do the work, then they may be willing to pay a bit more to get the writer they want, as long as they can see that they are getting good value for their money.
Great list!! I found several today that I was interested in. I loved the Christian “blogger” gig… got my fingers crossed tightly for that one!
A few months ago I was just starting to apply for real gigs online. I was afraid to ask for the money I felt was really fair and was working MUCH to cheaply. Now, I know how low I’m willing to go, and no matter what, I won’t accept a job that pays less than that. I think you really have to decide what your personal standards are and then stick with them. Being patient and waiting for the right job, that’s willing to pay you what you’re worth, is HARD. After a solid month of NO JOB I’ve finally got my foot in the door with one. Should know for sure if it’s got my name on it or not today. (so stressful waiting…) It is at the low end of my standards, but after a month of no income, I’m willing to accept it, this time.
Thanks, Jodee! I focus on health and medical writing, so particularly liked today’s list!
@Rachel: First, let me say I completely understand your frustration. The economy has hit a lot of small businesses quite hard, and I e-mailed a long-term client earlier today, suggesting a payment plan. I echo Jodee’s other comments and suggestions, too, particularly because I’ve also had many, many problems with invoices and checks getting lost in transit. I hope the clients pay you soon!
@Lara: Like Jodee, I quote a range when a prospective client asks for rates. I sometimes use a slightly lower rate for large/long projects.
L
@ Rachel: I’m in the same boat as you. I have a client who owes me a fairly large amount for copyediting and proofreading work, and they’re not returning my calls or emails. Almost all of the projects were for one particular publisher, and I’m wondering what my rights would be as a subcontractor. Is it like the building trades where a subcontractor can put a lien on a house if he’s not paid? I mean, I wouldn’t do that–it would be penalizing an author for something totally out of their control–but I could threaten to as a pressure tactic. I’m not sure how to approach the publisher, especially because I am starting a freelance relationship with them independent of my client. I’d really appreciate any advice. Thanks!
@Rachel – The economy has been a bear for a lot of people and thankfully, I’ve lined up jobs with some companies who have been great at paying on time, but this was not always the case. I still have one Texan tourism site that owes me money since March and she’s now blocking my emails, so I bet I’ll never see it. It wasn’t a lot of money, though, so I told the company hosting her site that she’d not paid me and that I wanted my articles removed from her site until money was sent. That seemed to work, but in the amounts you’re discussion, that’s not much of a solution.
Angela Hoy is a route to take for your issue.
If you have a client who is not paying, I would apply presure gradually. I personally have had success doing this by contacting them once a week, every five days, every three days, two and one.
I give them ample time to pay me.
I then tell them that I will post an unfavorable mention to several freelance writing pages and list them. I then tell them I will let the National Writer’s Union know too. I usually get paid right away.
The point being is this: if the person is not paying you, he or she might not be paying other writers or might be hiring other writers still, and then not intending to pay them.
I’ve been freelance writing long enough to know I deserve to be paid. The agreement between the client and I is that I get paid.
When I get to the point above, a long time has passed and usually I haven’t heard from the client in a long time. I don’t want to write for them again because they don’t pay timely.
We have to pay our bills, eat and enjoy what we do for a living.
Another indicator to discontinue writing for a client is if the editors start to quit. They are usually the first ones to know the publication or website is having financial problems.
@Kenna – Your last paragraph is very true. I wrote for MoreFocus for a while, but then my editor up and left. I was assigned a new editor who also left. Since then, I haven’t had an assignment, but those who have, I hear their last paychecks bounced. I’m glad I’m not involved in that mess right now.
Lara-If you are interested, I own a collection agency. We use a softer approach as to not damage your reputation, but if you are ready, perhaps we can be of help.
My email is melissa@dovcocs.com
@Rachel – I started writing a full answer here and then realized I would be taking up a whole page, so the short version is to use your invoice to remind your clients about how late payment is (one per month) using what I call the doctor’s office method.
Then, if you get to the point where you have to burn the bridge, threaten legal action.
The long version with all the “how” details is on my professional freelance writing blog.
As far as the economy goes, if things are tight, then it is ok to cut back on hiring people, it is NOT ok to cut back on paying them. Your bank won’t stop collecting your mortgage payment because the economy is tough.
Hi There:
I, too, agree with using a collection agency after a decent amount of time has lapsed. Your time should be spent writing rather than making collection calls. Before sending anything to collections, send an e-mail and phone the client to let them know that you will give them 7 days to come to terms before you take the agency path, some will comply when they know that you are serious. Sadly there are business owners out there who pay only when the situation gets dire, I have seen this in my “other life” in sales multiple times. There is also no good initial indicator that a client will be one of these types, in fact these types usually go out of their way to make themselves look respectable so that people will give them credit.
Never feel bad about sending a past due account to collections – if the roles were reversed your client would quickly and gladly do it to you.
Sincere Regards,
Angela
Rachel,
You might want to consider contacting Angela Hoy at Writer’s Weekly (www.writersweekly.com). In the “Whispers and Warnings” section of her newsletter, she goes after deadbeat companies and, usually, succeeds in getting them to pay. Furthermore, she publishes the name(s) of the deadbeats so that other writers will know to avoid them.
Good luck!
Bobbi
RE:
Actually, while I’ll never say it’s okay to stop or reduce what employees are paid in lieu of hiring freezes, I actually am seeing that happen. A bunch of companies are giving you an option, get paid less or quit. While it’s not quite on the same level as not being paid at all, it seems employers have the upper hand. You either take what they give you or hope you can find a new job.
IBM here in Essex, Vermont is cutting their manufacturing employees’ pay by up to 20% effective January 1st. Everyone has to agree to this pay cut or find new jobs.
My husband’s company gave them a 25 cent per hour raise this spring and then opted to drop the longevity pay that the employees earned after 10 years with the company. My husband’s been with them 30 years, so he took a 30 cent per hour pay cut that negates the raise and lowered his salary.
Many people who signed up with Today.com a few months back saw their pay drop from $5 per post to $1 per post and they’ve kept hiring.
Two weeks ago, I was offered a position writing book reviews for money. After one week, the owner came back and said that he could no longer pay, but he still wanted everyone to keep buying books and reviewing them for free.
Then earlier this month, I was informed by one employer that I could take a 50 percent pay cut or leave. It was a commission job, I got 60 percent and a free online classroom and they got 40 percent. They want their staff to now work for a 30% commission and they get the other 70%. Meanwhile, they are continually adding more teaching staff at this new lower rate. I’m opting to leave. I’ve found another site willing to host my class, but it means redoing the entire course from scratch and that’s going to take a lot of time – time that I don’t have most days.
Speaking of money. . .is it cool to let a company pay by Paypal? My computer geek husband has always been anti-Paypal (says they can, and have, held accounts and not given money to the right person etc.) so he’s asked me in the past to avoid Paypal.
But more and more companies are paying that way. I was thinking that if I don’t allow large payments on Paypal that if Paypal did hold an account for some reason, I’d only be out $50 or something.
Are there other risks to Paypal? I’ve often thought that my husband is paranoid, but he often turns out to be right in these computer matters.
Much as I hate to admit it!!
Wendy
Bobbi,
Thanks for the heads up–I am in a similar situation with the “check is in the mail” responses to calls–I will have to look the Madame up if another week or two passes without payment…
I am giving them the benefit of the doubt…
Wendy,
I get paid by paypal all the time and love it — so far I have had no problems–the money is instantaneous and you can transfer funds from paypal into your bank account.
I even have a paypal debit card.
They charge a percentage of the transaction of course, but it is nominal and they are providing a valuable service…
I actually prefer it to checks, but to each their own….
I prefer PayPal, as does my computer geek boyfriend and all his computer geek friends for getting paid for providing computer geek services.
To each computer geek his own, I guess! PayPal is very convenient, fast, and I’ve never had any problems with them.
very funny–I have a computer geek hubby as well–hummmm…
Wendy — I’ve had my paypal account hacked and a large amount of money stolen, and paypal was no help. Luckily my bank reversed everything. But I wasn’t happy. I now have a separate checking account to tie to paypal, so that if someone does break in all my money won’t disappear from my real account. At this point all my clients pay by check. At one time I had an Australian client who paid by paypal. I still use paypal occasionally to buy things or pay people who are out of the US, but that’s about it.
Doh–I have heard horror stories like that too and so far *knock on wood* no probs in that regard. I did have a buyer related issue with Paypal I didn’t like ( I ended up having to pay after being defrauded by an eBay seller)…
But in the three years I have used it it has been great…
Amy, that sux girl — dealing online can be hazardous–I had to close my account after a company that offered a so called free trial kept hitting up my bank account for a “membership fee” I somehow automatically enrolled in for this trial ( something that they state in fine print on like the fifth page of the site…as they say caveat emptor…)
I asked them to cancel and they wouldn’t stop–incredibly there is no law that stops this as once you give a person access to your account they can practically do what they want…
All you can do is close your account…
How no one is screaming about this fact in Washington is beyond me…
@Rachel: I too, have a client who owes me money for a project that I completed for him. He stopped returning my phone calls and emails, so I assume that I am never going to get paid. Apparently, he is making a habit of not paying writers for their work because there are complaints about him at the Absolute Write “Water Cooler” Forum http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2672761.
I’m not sure if I am supposed to state his name in this post, but I feel that I have an obligation to warn other writers about him. Well, his name is Scott Raskiewicz and he is the CEO of People Enterprises in Austin, Texas. Please be aware and do not let this man use you!
And Jodee, this is such a wonderful job site and I appreciate your hard work! Thank you!
Michelle — don’t give up! Let me help you! Please check out my website at http://www.dovcocs.com
Hey ya’ll
I also took Bobbi’s advice and contacted Angela–she was very prompt in response to my dilemma–try her out…
Scott Raskiewicz also owes me money–a lot of money. I advise all writers to stay far away. Thanks for posting that link, Michelle. I had no idea there were so many other writers who have been stiffed by him.
Wow, that’s scary! Why are people so scummy?
Wanted to chime in and say that i receive payments from Helium a few times a month from article writing and gigs and love it. If they sent me a check, there’s always the “it’s in the mail” excuse or it may be a ‘bad check.’ With Paypal, I request payment, and they send it or they don’t. They cannot claim it was lost or it is on its way. Once it’s in my acct I immediately transfer it to my bank acct.
Another good list. I’ve heard back from a job I applied for on here a couple days ago and am having a phone interview tomorrow at noon. Hope it goes well.
@ Spencer: Hope your interview goes well tomorrow!
Spencer, Yes–let us know if you can!
Aw thanks guys! It went great. I’m excited about the possibility! I have two writing samples I’m doing for them this weekend and then they’ll let me know in a week or so about it.
@ Melissa: Thank you so much! I am going to stop by your website today.
@ Serenity: You’re very welcome! I just found out that Scott changed the name of his company from People Enterprises to iContent Studios. The company is still located in Austin, Texas, he’s just operating the company under a new name.