And this time, it’s aimed at writers.
Writers – where’s your pride?
I saw some job postings recently for those low-paying articles. This one in particular paid $15 an article. I wanted to see what kind of idiot would think we’d work for that kind of money, so I clicked on the link. The note at the top of the ad read: “These positions have all been filled. Thank you and look for our job offers in the future!”
May I ask what the hell some of you are thinking? Where in anyone’s universe is it a smart career move to work for less than minimum wage, huh? Do you not get yet that it’s not okay to accept low-paying crap in order to gather up some clips? Have I not preached to you often enough, loudly enough, vehemently enough? I have. Here’s one post. Here’s another. Here’s yet another. Need I go on?
Folks, listen. If those of you who accept these crap jobs would just step back from your current employment situation long enough, you’d see that in the long run, you’re hurting yourself. Yea, you’re hurting the rest of us (who, by the way, charge a lot more and sleep better for it), but the majority of the reflection rests on you. If you’re getting clips through one of these article mills, do you honestly think any employer is going to see that as a smart career move on your part? Do you think these “clips” you’re collecting are going to show an employer how talented you are, or is it possible, even slightly, that the employer will think, “Geezuz. This one is stupid enough to write for one of those article mills.”? Are you that desperate for a byline that you want to get stuck in the low-paying-market time warp? Not to mention that thanks to those of you willing to work for abysmal rates, future employers may offer even lower rates because hey, they saw it work for the throngs of “employers” in the past.
If you’re so hell-bent on writing for practically nothing, get a weblog, for crying out loud! Stop giving it away to strangers who are making you look bad! Write for free for one person – yourself. Okay, two people – your mother. You’re not going to charge her (unless you feel she can absorb your fee). At least with a weblog you can use it as a marketing tool. And you can sue the pants off anyone who lifts your copy without your permission.
In other words, have some pride! Work for a fighting wage. Otherwise, you’d be better off wearing the paper hat and serving up Happy Meals.
Gosh, how long had the ad been up before it was closed to further applications? Sad, but it doesn’t surprise me. With $5 keyword article requests running rampant, a lot of hungry writers probably drool over $15. As long as they continue to do so, however, buyers will keep pushing the low-price limits.
Unfortunately, I am probably one of the droolers. Why? I think its my thin portfolio. Either that or I am doing something wrong. I have been applying like a mad crazy woman lately to everything and everyone just about and I either never hear back or I get the polite decline. Do I not have enough solid clips under my belt? Do I not have enough relevant samples to send? I’m to the point that I am questioning my abilities and my choice to do this. With so few people willing to pay for a good writer, I can see why so many of us are willing to take whatever we can get. That isn’t to say that its right but from my point of view, I am running out of options, besided being out of work.
At $15 an article, I expect they will get what they are paying for. I have never forgiven myself for choosing the lowest bid on the replacement of my stairs; when I look at them, I am reminded what can happen when one gives a reformed pimp a saw and a hammer.
It’s just a different way to get nailed, ahvarahn. 😉