Craigslist Ad of the Day: The We Flatter Ourselves Ad
October 20, 2008 by Deb
Filed under Freelance Writing
by Deborah Ng
Last time we did this, we showed a good example of a vague ad, one that expected interested writers to respond after giving out no information. Today, I’d like to share with you the “We Flatter Ourselves” ad. The kind of ad where the clients hopes you’ll be happy to work for this website at no charge because it’ll getcha noticed.
Never mind that this startup doesn’t yet exist. Never mind that we all know you probably won’t become a house hold name blogging for free for some brand new startup. Nevermind that these people are not willing to share any profit with the people doing all the work. Oh…nevermind.
Because I’m feeling generous, let’s take this one line by line:
Check it out:
Build your portfolio Blogging with Hot Startup! (Manhattan/From Home)
Reply to:
Date: 2008-10-17, 3:43PM EDT
Are you looking to get your writing noticed?
Um Yes. This is what we writers do. We enjoy rocking the byline. Plumbers plumb. Lawyers law. Writers write.
Join us for the launch of an innovative new blog, and get the experience and attention you’re looking for!
Oh heck yeah. Let me get myself some of that. Innovation, experience and attention. That’s for me for sure.
Helpful interests:
Current Events
Innovation
Health
Hygiene
Celebrities
Family
Personal Storytelling…and of course a sense of humor is a tremendous plus!
Of course, because the rates are laughable and if you’re going to be writing about hygiene, for free even, you best be able to laugh at yourself. Because everyone else will be laughing at you too.
Great for new graduates and stay-at-home mom’s.
Oh no you didn’t.
Resume and writing samples preferred but not required if your email does that job for you.
Translation: We get that people who write for free aren’t experienced and we can’t be too choosy.
Location: Manhattan/From Home it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests Compensation: no pay
I can’t wait until all that glory and recognition starts rolling in.
Not much to say other than – Too Funny! I wanna write about personal hygiene for no pay! Oh, and maybe venereal diseases too…
Cuz stay-at-home moms have nothing better to do, doncha know? And I don’t know where or why apostrophe S have become so prevelent. Want to pluralize? Just add apostrophe s! No one will know the difference. Argh!! And this makes me wonder: What ever happened to Craigslist Curmudgeon? Anyone know?
Well said, Deb! I’ve gotten pulled in to way too many of those ridiculous ads. I have a PNN.com account now because (silly me) I thought they would compensate me for the time I’m putting into my fashion writing. Uh huh… right.
@Michael – I know someone who recently sold an STD blog for about 90 grand. If you’re going to do it, don’t do it for free for someone else.
@Tish – Craigslist Curmudgeon has moved on to greener pastures.
Deb I had a feeling…
Do you think it’s because stay-at-home moms and/or graduates DO or DON’T know something about hygiene?
What’s been getting me lately are all the “do my homework for me!” posts. You can tell when the end of the semester looms…
I considered offering to tutor the guy who offered $200 for 9 chapters worth of math problems, by Dec 1st (he’s got the answers, but needs to show his work), but I suspect it’d be a wasted effort.
They are tempting, though. Damn my academic honesty…
I remember years ago when my daughter was MUCH younger, I was in an online group for stay-at-home-mom’s. We had a supposed male member enter who said that SAHM’s were sex deprived therefore read “romance novels and ate bon-bons” all the time. What was worse was that it was later revealed that her person behind that direct quote was a working mom who felt we had it so much easier.
I’m not convinced people will ever truly know exactly what a stay-home parent does unless they’ve lived it.
Great post! These ads are every where, especially for travel writing. If you go to TravelWriters.com, they have a listing of the “help build our website ads.”
Unfortunately, I took the “bait” of an ad that was for a travel writing position. It was one of these “sign up with our website, post an article, and our creative director will contact you about getting paid to write for our website.” I was never contacted. Good thing I only posted one article, which was the “test article.” Live and learn!
I am a WORK at home mom, and can I say that whenever I read those kind of ads all I can picture is Charlie Brown getting the football pulled out as he’s about to kick it. ‘ARRRGGGG”
I’ve just been looking over my marketing logs and notice that I’ve gotten really poor traction at craigslist. I also don’t like the fact that when the ad goes, so does your contact point, so you’re sort of left hanging.
Every contact I’ve gotten work from on craiglist actually had their company name, details, etc. on the ad.
Perhaps it’s my luck, but I’d like to think it reinforces the fact as everyone has said – be careful!
Do you think it’s possible that these ads are gathering up personal info and selling it — lists of gullible people, say?
Ick. I hate that so many people target work at home moms. Why on earth would they think a mom has time to write for free? :S
That would be hilarious if it weren’t so offensive.
Hilarious breakdown.
A friend of mine just had an operation that will keep her home from work for several weeks. She’s so happy that we can “hang out all day” now. Yeah, cause that’s what I do when everyone else is working.
I think my experience with craigsList is just like Andy’s: every CL ad that resulted in work included the company’s name. I doubt I’m the only person who likes to know where I’m applying!
OH NO!!! That’s just wrong on so many levels I can’t keep the coffee from jumping out of my nose.
By the way, Deb, I SO miss the Curmudgeon, but am happy to hear about the greener pastures (after all, I’m in my sheep halloween costume over here)… Please send dear CC a postcard from me. I was mostly a silent fan. But do let him know he’s missed.
that just made my monday!
I saw an ad in my CL travels this morning where instead of paying their writers, this “green” site will plant trees in your name. Just when I think I’ve seen everything….
@ Amy: I like your Halloween costume!
I just saw a Craigslist ad that pretty much takes the cake:
Articles must be at least 400 words each.
Articles must show proper grammar.
Articles will be on various topics.
Payment is set at $1.00 per article. You will not find freelance publishers who pay more than this.
Serious applicants respond ASAP.
Thanks Jodee! That ad you saw is pretty funny.
Hi Jeremy,
I saw that ad also. I laughed becasue they wanted 25 to 30 articles a day. All those words for like maybe .000000000005 cents a word! As they say in NYC, fud ged about it.
LOL Jeremy – I love it when they get all defensive about their rate right in the ad – shows they are up to no good. Unfortunately there is a down side to that; people with a low self-esteem and/or lack of experience can fall for it. Hopefully they stumble across sites like this one and get themselves educated.