I don’t know what sites you were writing for, but the ones I have chosen are more picky about your content. Reading between the lines, you would consider my writing second rate. You come across with a case of tunnel vision and I’m sensing that was not your intention. Please broaden your perspective and consider another situation that is not less honorable than the one you have chosen.

I am mobility-challenged with multiple sclerosis and had to channel my education and talents into research and writing. This also means that participating at the bidding sites was not the “happening place” for me. I needed something steady, dependable and available.

I choose titles or topics on Sunday nights and try to have 2-3 that overlap. That way, I can do research for those little bunches of articles by using a keyword or phrase that returns information I can use for all. This means that I won’t need to research EACH article before I write it. And, yes, it takes me two hours to get through an article as the tremors in my limbs, especially hands, causes me to make unintentional typos.

Everything I write is interesting to me as I am a generalist, also. Some say that my closest living relative is a sponge, but I consider that as a compliment! I do not write query letters, which take unpaid time to churn out and send. I never “wait” for communications from my editors – they are prompt and timely. I am never “wondering” when my writing will appear in print as it is accepted, returned for rewrite or rejected within 48-72 hours. Since I have about 3 productive hours each weekday, I need the time for paid writing.

My brain is totally active, I am doing something productive and I’m getting paid to do it. So, when you say it is no wonder that we see the unspoken, but underlying, statement that you are better than any of us because you write articles of substance for a high-quality publication. And the rest of us … don’t?

I have written for content sites, but quickly became bored. There was no sense of accomplishment associated with the fluffy type of article that moves well at content mills.

I prefer writing and marketing articles that have substance and merit.

Rather the spending time on SEO for my articles, I better enjoy spending my time engaging in face to face interviews with interesting people, putting time into quality research efforts, networking with editors, as well as working with demanding editors who critique and help me hone my writing skills.

There is too much low quality writing on the internet and I don’t enjoy being part of it. I also think spending too much time writing for content mills will stunt a quality writers style. At content mills, any quality of writing is accepted. Hence there is no need to improve your writing skill, only your SEO skills.

That’s just my own opinion, however. If someone is happy churning out low quality articles for content mills, more power to them.

For my part, when I was expending energy writing for content mills, I felt empty. I prefer the prestige of writing an article of substance for a high-quality publication

I very much do have the “art versus paycheck” mentality, and I’ve often referenced actors like Sir Laurence Olivier who publicly stated on more than one occasion that he did films for the paycheck and theater for the art.

Now, I could spend ALL my time sending off short stories, but here’s the thing: right now, for example, I have a short story that has been in submission since June, and I have yet to hear back from the editor as to whether or not it’s been accepted or rejected. I had another magazine who paid for a story last year go out of business last month, just before they were going to print the latest issue with my story in it. Another editor got back to me last week after a 4 month waiting period.

The fastest I have ever heard back from an editor is 6 weeks, and the one in particular that I just mentioned that has been in since June is the longest (approaching 6 months now). If I were trying to feed my family with fiction, we’d be out in the streets, starving. Freelance writing for clients + content sites gives me the paycheck aspect that I need to provide us with the things we want out of life. I love content sites because I don’t have to query, I don’t have to pitch, I don’t have to wait, and I don’t have to run the risk that even if something sells it might be 6 months to a year before it ever sees the light of day (if at all), and in the meantime you generally have to wait 2 years before the rights revert back to you.

Content sites have titles already laid out for me. The tone is already suggested. All I have to do is show up, pick the articles, fill in the blanks, and walk away with a paycheck. My new phrase that drives my wife nuts is “bing, bang, bucks”. It sounds like a cheesy car salesman line, but it’s fairly accurate.

I just love the e-mail that started this all Classic two-face. Writer A thinks their job is “better” and naturally assumes they make more money, then when writer B shows up and makes 15k more, the only thing Writer A can come up with is “well that wasn’t the point. My job is more prestigious than yours.”

Bzzzz. Wrong answer

But I don’t think you have to choose between prestige and a roof over your head… or ignore the possibility of writing something you care about (and I gather you’re writing fiction which you care about deeply) because it’s faster to write for content mills.

IMHO, moderation in all things makes the most sense. As a result, I personally take on a wide range of projects. And I recommend the same to others. I think that approach fulfills many different needs.

Lisa

At the end of the day what people choose to do with their lives is simply that…a choice. It is neither wrong nor right. What matters is if the person behind those choices is happy with them, and if they are being successful in their lives.

I understand that certain individuals tire of me talking about my personal circumstances, but much like the guy who runs Passive Income (Pat), I find that it is incredibly important to share everything behind what made me as successful as I am today to not only motivate other writers to do the same, but to inspire others to take charge of their lives and stop living under the thumb of what someone else tells them they should/shouldn’t be doing.

Trade publications are great. Prestige is great. But at the end of the day, what is more important? Your name in the byline or a roof over the head of your family and food on their table?

It all boils down to choice, and just as much as I am unqualified to judge whether or not your choices are the right ones or not, so is everyone else when it comes to looking at other writers. There is no such thing as “one way”, and until writers stop sneering down their noses at each other these types of threads will continue to pop up.

But the fact that it works well for you doesn’t mean its the only “good” choice.

OF COURSE we choose our lives. I wouldn’t choose a childless life away from the people I know and love – though I can understand the attraction of such a life. And OF COURSE we choose our clients.

I’ve worked for content mills, and am sure I will again. But I have to say, though, that I do find value and satisfaction in doing projects that connect me with a client, a community, and a mission. I enjoy playing a part in something bigger than myself.

My point, TW, is that your life is not “the” life, and your choices are not “the” choices. It’s wonderful that you’re happy – and perhaps some folks here will follow your path. Others won’t.

TW, I am NOT complaining about my costs, my income or my clients. I LIKE the life I lead, and I’m happy with the choices I’ve made. Please don’t assume that needing more money for my chosen lifestyle equates with unhappiness or frustration.

Lisa

You, and you alone, are responsible for your cost of living. Is it my fault (or anyone’s fault, for that matter) that you are in a position where you are required to make more than 50k a year to make ends meet or to feel wealthy?

There are quite a few people out there who choose how to make the most out of life, rather than letting life choose for them.

You claim that (and I quote), “here’s simply no reason to solely churn out “quick and dirty” pieces when there really are opportunities to do major projects for clients who are doing significant work. Not only do I make more money on average writing for many of those clients (museums, hospitals, universities, major educational institutions, etc.), but I can feel that I’ve done something worth doing at the end of the day.”

You are making the assumption that “quick and dirty” is somehow “less prestigious” than what you do. You are judging content writers as beneath you, because you “feel” that you’ve done something worth doing at the end of the day.

Content sites are an amazing tool for the modern freelancer. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s a fast paycheck. To those of us who make a significant amount of money doing content sites (as in the case of the example that started this whole thread), are we not “doing something worth doing at the end of the day”? After all, we have put food on the table and made a damn good wage. Why does it matter WHO we are writing for?

My example of where I live and my cost of living is additional proof that for a great many people 50k a year is a great wage. For you, you CHOSE to have kids. You CHOSE to have a mortgage. You, and you alone, put yourself in a position where you require X amount of dollars per year to be profitable above and beyond the cost of your living. I’ve used this example elsewhere in the past, but for the sake of argument let’s say you are someone who makes 80k a year, and your cost of living with 3 kids, mortgage, 2 cars, etc., comes to 78k a year. At the end of the year you put 2k in your savings.

Meanwhile, here’s a guy who makes 25k a year working at McDonalds. His cost of living is 15k a year because he lives with a friend in an apartment, has no kids, and at the end of the year he puts 15k in his savings account.

The above example is exactly why you (and others) should not make baseless assumptions about whether or not 50k is a good/not good wage. Maybe it’s not a good wage for YOU, but you are not the judge nor are you the jury for the entire global writing community.

50k a year is a damn good wage for a great many writers. Until you are in their shoes you have no basis for your comments.

But I do have some issues with what you’re saying.

1. content sites are available, but they’re by no means the sum total of opportunities for freelancers – nor do they suit the talents, interests or experience of all freelancers. granted that it’s nice to know the work is there when you need it, there’s simply no reason to solely churn out “quick and dirty” pieces when there really are opportunities to do major projects for clients who are doing significant work. Not only do I make more money on average writing for many of those clients (museums, hospitals, universities, major educational institutions, etc.), but I can feel that I’ve done something worth doing at the end of the day.

2. we all understand that you’re happily living at very low cost with no kids outside of the US, and that’s great. but to suggest that a $10,000 a year lifestyle makes sense for everyone is kinda silly.

When I was in my early 20′s, I paid $175 a month for rent, had no car, and we all cooked together in a group rental house. I made $15,000 a year and felt wealthy. That was great. Now I’m 50, have two kids, a mortgage, a car, and need a lot more cash. That, too, is great. Different, but great.

Lisa

Anyone who claims that content sites don’t pay have absolutely no clue about the market.

If I worked full-time this year I would have made just under 54,000 USD, averaging 28 USD per hour. Full time assumes 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.

@ Phil: 52k is a very solid wage. It depends on where you live, your personal cost of living,and many other factors. For example, my wife and I have a situation where our TOTAL cost of living INCLUDING entertainment for the year is a maximum of 10k USD. That means anything above and beyond 10k goes straight into the bank. There is a reason we take 5-6 trips a year throughout Europe. I’m not even 30 years old yet (although that’s closing in January!)

If I were to work full time at what I do and make 50 grand a year, that means 40 thousand USD per year that I can spend on whatever I want. I work for 10 years, that’s 400k in the bank, assuming no emergency expenditures. My wife’s part-time job actually pays our living expenses (she’s also a full-time student) which means if I wanted to, I could put an easy 50k every single year in the bank. That’s half a million in savings in 10 years. Anything more I make only increases the rate and speed. Not bad for a middle-income bracket when most people who make 50k a year have to eke out an existence. So 50k is solid income…depending on the circumstances.

@ some of the other comments. I am in literal shock at how little some of you are making. I’ve seen comments throughout this thread regarding “oh how I wish I was making that kind of money being a freelance writer.”

What’s stopping you!?!? The only person standing between you and success is YOU. Not the market. Not the competition.

There is an entire WORLD worth of jobs out there right now. I pull clients from every corner of the globe. In fact, 70-80% of my clients are European-based. It takes 10 minutes to Google prospective markets and send queries.

I’m wrapping up my second year of freelancing. In fact, I did so well this year that I’m taking the entire month of December off to focus on the hard launch of my website, finish the first of the three e-books I have planned for next year, and start marketing the brand and networking. At no point in 2009 did I make less than 25 USD per hour, and I did at least 70% of my work from content mills. I’ve seen some comments regarding how it’s “impossible” to write 500 word articles in less than 2 hours, and I fall back on the old “you have no idea what you are talking about” comment.

If you know the topic intimately (and most people who choose to write for content sites do), you don’t have research, and you can pound out a 500 word article in 15-20 minutes, tops. Even quicker if you use a speech to text program like Dragon NaturallySpeaking.

But even if you don’t…the 21st century is all about fast, disposable content. You aren’t writing Pulitzer prize winning content here. You are writing content for a content mill. It’s not expected to be of the same caliber as an article in the New York Times. It’s meant to fill a website, to put words on a page, and draw in readers. It’s fluff.

Now, you can choose to be the “artist” and claim that you won’t write anything unless it takes you 5 hours to prep it and write it because otherwise it’s “crap”, but don’t come complaining when your friend makes double the income you did.

I write fiction for the art. I write content for the cash. It’s as simple as that.

At the end of the day the only people not making money in the current freelance industry are the people who don’t really want to succeed. They come up with a million excuses as to why it’s not their fault, but when it comes right down to it they lack the motivation to truly see it through to the end. Success isn’t born of luck. It is a direct result of getting your ass out there and doing whatever it takes to make as much money as possible for the least amount of effort. I’m not here to have my name remembered (although if my fiction work ends up being recognized, w00t!) when I look at content work. I’m here for a paycheck. And I’m going to do whatever it takes to get that paycheck so my wife and I can live the lives we want to live.

$52k a year is “solid” if you are single or part of a dual-income household. It probably isn’t enough to sustain a family on its own though.

52,000 per year — if you’re making $20 per article — means you are churning out 50 articles per week. It takes me personally about 2 hours on average to do a 500-word (or less) article that involves a quick research-and-write-up job. This means I’d be spending 10 hours a day doing just that. This only leaves me with 9.7 hours per day to myself — mostly for sleep, with 1.7 hours per day left over for eating, relaxing and spending time with my husband.

Of course, this depends on how fast you write and how much research you do, but I do a *lot* of research for my articles and oftentimes interview primary sources. There is no way I could do this. Does C.A. only work for content sites? That’s a whole lot of constant cranking out without time for the brain to breathe!

Lias

I was a tax preparer for two years, so I write a lot of tax articles. I’m an avid gardener, so I write those as well. I’m also a little silly, so I write articles about Teddy Bear Tea Parties. When there aren’t many articles in my specialties, I work on my book proposal.

-Jenn

Bottom line: if you’re not making enough as a freelancer, and you’re the sole earner, it’s probably time to look for a full time job!

Lisa