Comments on: Top 10 Freelance Writing Job Ad Red Flags http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/ Freelance Writing Jobs for All Writers Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:52:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Tania Mara http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-118475 Tania Mara Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:28:51 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-118475 When I stumble upon the #1 type of ad, I generally skip it. Those gigs are almost always garbage. Although I don't feel that comfortable with vague ads, I've had some luck responding to a few of those. Then again, I can easily understand why they belong to this red-flag list. When I stumble upon the #1 type of ad, I generally skip it. Those gigs are almost always garbage.

Although I don’t feel that comfortable with vague ads, I’ve had some luck responding to a few of those. Then again, I can easily understand why they belong to this red-flag list.

]]> By: Chrystal http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117941 Chrystal Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:18:28 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117941 Deb, thanks for the post - although most professional freelancers & writers are familiar with ads such as those (listed), there are still aspiring freelancers who may not be, and your warning could be very helpful to them. BTW, #10 "Does this look familiar? “The job doesn’t pay now, but it may pay in the future.” My response to that is, “contact me when it pays.” Our landlords don’t allow us to maybe pay the rent. Our grocery stores don’t allow us to maybe pay for the grocieries. Writers shouldn’t maybe write for anyone." PRICELESS! Deb, thanks for the post – although most professional freelancers & writers are familiar with ads such as those (listed), there are still aspiring freelancers who may not be, and your warning could be very helpful to them.

BTW, #10 “Does this look familiar? “The job doesn’t pay now, but it may pay in the future.” My response to that is, “contact me when it pays.” Our landlords don’t allow us to maybe pay the rent. Our grocery stores don’t allow us to maybe pay for the grocieries. Writers shouldn’t maybe write for anyone.”

PRICELESS!

]]> By: cecile http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117697 cecile Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:22:52 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117697 pardon me but the adage “if it sounds to good to be true, it is,” shouldn't it be "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't true"? (or you can also drop the second 'true') ;] pardon me but the adage “if it sounds to good to be true, it is,” shouldn’t it be “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t true”? (or you can also drop the second ‘true’) ;]

]]> By: Sheila (@stinginthetail) http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117632 Sheila (@stinginthetail) Sun, 11 Oct 2009 22:10:23 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117632 saw Cheril's response and had to say "yeah". Unfortunately, there are so many wannabe writers who think doing it for nothing will be a good thing. All it does is teach you about being ripped off. saw Cheril’s response and had to say “yeah”. Unfortunately, there are so many wannabe writers who think doing it for nothing will be a good thing. All it does is teach you about being ripped off.

]]> By: Cheril Vernon http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117618 Cheril Vernon Sun, 11 Oct 2009 11:56:57 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117618 Love the list and I think people new to freelance writing will find it extremely helpful too. My pet peeves on the list are the vague ads and the "may lead to a paying opportunity." Free samples annoys me too - but sometimes these are legit, just depends on the ad. I also hate it when they say "it should only take you a few minutes to write a 500-word article," as their way of explaining why they are only going to pay you a few dollars to write it. If it was so easy, they would be doing it themselves. As with anything, it depends on the topic and whether or not research is involved. Love the list and I think people new to freelance writing will find it extremely helpful too.

My pet peeves on the list are the vague ads and the “may lead to a paying opportunity.” Free samples annoys me too – but sometimes these are legit, just depends on the ad.

I also hate it when they say “it should only take you a few minutes to write a 500-word article,” as their way of explaining why they are only going to pay you a few dollars to write it. If it was so easy, they would be doing it themselves. As with anything, it depends on the topic and whether or not research is involved.

]]> By: Sheila (@stinginthetail) http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117598 Sheila (@stinginthetail) Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:17:54 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117598 Add to the unpaid writing jobs, the unpaid reading ones - recently i saw two publishers, both "for profit" companies, offering their slush pile to be read to an eager reader who didn't need to be paid for it. Yes, the eager writer would be happy to do it for free, because it looked good on their resume. Having working in publishing, i wasn't surprised to see publishers are still the meanest people on the face of the earth. Add to the unpaid writing jobs, the unpaid reading ones – recently i saw two publishers, both “for profit” companies, offering their slush pile to be read to an eager reader who didn’t need to be paid for it. Yes, the eager writer would be happy to do it for free, because it looked good on their resume.

Having working in publishing, i wasn’t surprised to see publishers are still the meanest people on the face of the earth.

]]> By: Burnman http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117596 Burnman Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:42:47 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117596 Excellent list and so very true! Basically, if it reads like a used car dealership pitch, chances are it probably is. Well, metaphorically speaking. ;) I especially despise the pay-to-work scams, regardless of industry. Affiliate programs, reseller programs, none of them should cost you a dime unless you are gaining additional services like private label branding. But I digress... lol Excellent list and so very true! Basically, if it reads like a used car dealership pitch, chances are it probably is. Well, metaphorically speaking. ;)

I especially despise the pay-to-work scams, regardless of industry. Affiliate programs, reseller programs, none of them should cost you a dime unless you are gaining additional services like private label branding. But I digress… lol

]]> By: Chinamatt http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117586 Chinamatt Sat, 10 Oct 2009 17:45:55 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117586 Yup, they wanted me as an editor--would've been more than 10 hours a week of working without pay. And they apparently had a line of people willing to write for them. Plus I had to spend $8 to take the PATH and subway for the interview. Also, another red flag I keep: I keep getting email in which my first name isn't capitalized. And it's supposedly from a native English speaker. Yup, they wanted me as an editor–would’ve been more than 10 hours a week of working without pay. And they apparently had a line of people willing to write for them. Plus I had to spend $8 to take the PATH and subway for the interview.

Also, another red flag I keep: I keep getting email in which my first name isn’t capitalized. And it’s supposedly from a native English speaker.

]]> By: Grace http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117576 Grace Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:44:53 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117576 @Krista, Yes, there was that as well in her mail. Thing is the red flags are all over the place, its the green ones that have become difficult to spot these days. @Krista,
Yes, there was that as well in her mail. Thing is the red flags are all over the place, its the green ones that have become difficult to spot these days.

]]> By: Chari Dodge http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117575 Chari Dodge Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:31:36 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117575 The red flag I have noticed when getting a job - even ones not related to writing - is that if there are a ton of rules and instructions they are not going to pay a fair wage. It seems the less they intend to pay you the more nitpicking requirements they have. Thanks, Deb, for all your advice. I read often but usually don't comment. Chari The red flag I have noticed when getting a job – even ones not related to writing – is that if there are a ton of rules and instructions they are not going to pay a fair wage. It seems the less they intend to pay you the more nitpicking requirements they have.
Thanks, Deb, for all your advice. I read often but usually don’t comment.
Chari

]]> By: Krista http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117574 Krista Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:38:55 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117574 @ Grace - I also heard from Christine R. She claimed to need a credit and background check, but the link took me to a giftcard site. CL is getting REALLY bad for this type of thing. I can't even remember the last time I heard back from a real potential client. @ Grace – I also heard from Christine R. She claimed to need a credit and background check, but the link took me to a giftcard site. CL is getting REALLY bad for this type of thing. I can’t even remember the last time I heard back from a real potential client.

]]> By: Grace http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117573 Grace Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:56:25 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117573 Hi again, The inference obviously from the above is , its very hard to tell what's a legitimate opportunity unless companies give you the specifics as in their address and a phone or fax number. (Its not foolproof, but it helps) What I have done through the last 3 years is I treat every opportunity as a shady one unless I exchange at least 3-4 mails with the client and probably get on Skype with them. Hi again,
The inference obviously from the above is , its very hard to tell what’s a legitimate opportunity unless companies give you the specifics as in their address and a phone or fax number. (Its not foolproof, but it helps)

What I have done through the last 3 years is I treat every opportunity as a shady one unless I exchange at least 3-4 mails with the client and probably get on Skype with them.

]]> By: Grace http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117572 Grace Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:50:37 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117572 Hi Deb, Thanks for all you do. I recently had an experience with #5. Last week, (I think probably Monday) I answered an ad here that required 40 400 word articles with $35 promised for each one. It was related to the health/medical field and since I am a medical writer, I decided to give that one a go. I heard nothing for a couple of days and felt I had probably blown it. However on Wednesday, one Brain R responds saying, "We found someone to do 10 articles, but we need someone to finish the rest. The pay is now $55 for each piece, click here to register." I avoid these like hell, but curiosity got the better of me and I went to the Go Freelance sign-up page, where they obviously wanted me to become a member. I replied back to this Brain saying, "The link does not work. Please post specifics in the e-mail." (I knew he/she was a spammer/scammer, but I did this out of anger) Nothing again for two days. Today morning I see a mail from Christine R with the subject "Re:Re:Re:Re 40 400 word articles." Madam says "We found your resume to be the best among some 100 applicants, click here now to read job specifics." My question is how is my resume the best, when I never sent you one??!? (sorry for the exclamation, I could not resist ;) ) I think I have said enough Hi Deb,
Thanks for all you do.

I recently had an experience with #5. Last week, (I think probably Monday) I answered an ad here that required 40 400 word articles with $35 promised for each one. It was related to the health/medical field and since I am a medical writer, I decided to give that one a go.

I heard nothing for a couple of days and felt I had probably blown it. However on Wednesday, one Brain R responds saying, “We found someone to do 10 articles, but we need someone to finish the rest. The pay is now $55 for each piece, click here to register.”

I avoid these like hell, but curiosity got the better of me and I went to the Go Freelance sign-up page, where they obviously wanted me to become a member. I replied back to this Brain saying, “The link does not work. Please post specifics in the e-mail.” (I knew he/she was a spammer/scammer, but I did this out of anger)

Nothing again for two days. Today morning I see a mail from Christine R with the subject “Re:Re:Re:Re 40 400 word articles.” Madam says “We found your resume to be the best among some 100 applicants, click here now to read job specifics.”

My question is how is my resume the best, when I never sent you one??!? (sorry for the exclamation, I could not resist ;) )

I think I have said enough

]]> By: Deb http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117569 Deb Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:16:02 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117569 Drop me a line, Lisa. Let's talk. We pay for guest posts, you know! Drop me a line, Lisa. Let’s talk. We pay for guest posts, you know!

]]> By: LIsa http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117567 LIsa Sat, 10 Oct 2009 11:58:56 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117567 actually, Deb, this is a real button pusher for me... would be glad to write something for the site explaining just why grants aren't like sales, and what is involved in actually winning a grant. Let me know! Lisa actually, Deb, this is a real button pusher for me… would be glad to write something for the site explaining just why grants aren’t like sales, and what is involved in actually winning a grant. Let me know!

Lisa

]]> By: Deb http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117561 Deb Sat, 10 Oct 2009 11:41:48 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117561 No they don't, Lisa. I didn't know that at first but thanks to the grant writes who come to FWJ for pointing this out. I no longer post job ads for grants offering a percentage of the commission. No they don’t, Lisa. I didn’t know that at first but thanks to the grant writes who come to FWJ for pointing this out. I no longer post job ads for grants offering a percentage of the commission.

]]> By: Deb http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117560 Deb Sat, 10 Oct 2009 11:40:41 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117560 You're welcome, Victoria. Thank YOU for dropping by and commmenting! You’re welcome, Victoria. Thank YOU for dropping by and commmenting!

]]> By: Deb http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117559 Deb Sat, 10 Oct 2009 11:40:13 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117559 Hey Jodee, I don't get hung up on too many poorly written ads because there's a reason these people are hiring a writer. Of course some are just so far out in left field, I would stay far far away. There are some that are easy to forgive, however. I think it's easy to see who are well intentioned even if they don't have a writing background. Hey Jodee,

I don’t get hung up on too many poorly written ads because there’s a reason these people are hiring a writer. Of course some are just so far out in left field, I would stay far far away. There are some that are easy to forgive, however. I think it’s easy to see who are well intentioned even if they don’t have a writing background.

]]> By: Deb http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117558 Deb Sat, 10 Oct 2009 11:38:35 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117558 Rock on, Phil. Rock on, Phil.

]]> By: Deb http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117557 Deb Sat, 10 Oct 2009 11:38:18 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117557 Thanks, Chris. I like blogging because it's less structured, but I also think it leads to bad habits. I have to check myself for the more formal bits of writing in case I find myself becoming too "conversational". Thanks, Chris. I like blogging because it’s less structured, but I also think it leads to bad habits. I have to check myself for the more formal bits of writing in case I find myself becoming too “conversational”.

]]> By: Deb http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117556 Deb Sat, 10 Oct 2009 11:37:05 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117556 Thanks, Christi. Though it wasn't meant to be funny, I'm always happy to make smiles happen. Thanks, Christi. Though it wasn’t meant to be funny, I’m always happy to make smiles happen.

]]> By: Deb http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117555 Deb Sat, 10 Oct 2009 11:36:29 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117555 Holy cats! You mean you actually showed up at an interview and the gig didn't pay? That's wrong on so many levels. I would have been upset as well, and I would have sent a letter to the CEO in complaint. Holy cats! You mean you actually showed up at an interview and the gig didn’t pay? That’s wrong on so many levels. I would have been upset as well, and I would have sent a letter to the CEO in complaint.

]]> By: LIsa http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117510 LIsa Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:29:48 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117510 Another red flag: grant writing gigs that pay "on commission." Grants don't work that way, folks! Lisa Another red flag: grant writing gigs that pay “on commission.” Grants don’t work that way, folks!

Lisa

]]> By: Victoria http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117508 Victoria Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:05:39 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117508 Great post with some useful tips. Thanks. =) Great post with some useful tips. Thanks. =)

]]> By: Jodee http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/10/top-10-freelance-writing-job-ad-red-flags/comment-page-1/#comment-117506 Jodee Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:23:35 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=5482#comment-117506 I meant "may lead..." Anyone know any good writers? Anyone? I meant “may lead…” Anyone know any good writers? Anyone?

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