There’s an earworm for you. But it’s something we should all remember, for I’m about to go out on a limb and make a prediction. I predict that within the year, content mills will lose a lot of business – so much so that many who own them will see the futility of the business model.
It’s simple math (coming from someone for whom the words “simple” and “math” don’t quite go together). Mills use their reams of content to increase page rankings in search engines. That’s a pretty good model, right? Only the more content mills that enter the competition, the more their content cancels each other out. Floods of articles on things like how to get paint fumes out of a room may put your content mill on the first page, but given the content I’ve seen coming out of those searches, we surfers aren’t sticking around to click on your ads. (As an example, that article on paint fumes had the uber-useful advice “Some people say using coffee grounds or vanilla will take the smell out, but I haven’t tried it so I don’t know.” At least everything was spelled correctly this time.) It’s a waste of time and after enough times being burned, we surfers learn your URL and avoid it.
Should you believe my predictions? Sure, why not? It’s not about any ability I might have to predict the future -it’s about you buying into the outcome you want. When you believe it, you tend to remove it as an obstacle or aim for that particular outcome. Try it.
With clients returning at my rates (and yours) and with more people considering quality over price, I believe things are about to cycle back. It’s that belief on which I will base every client interaction and project fee. Inserting confidence can only benefit the bottom line.
What signs of turnaround have you seen?
4 responses to “Turn the Beat Around”
People want quality for their money.
I stand on that when I'm a client, and I end business relationships that don't give me what I pay for — and I tell them why they've lost me as a customer.
When a business counts on excellent, engaging writing to draw in their customer base, as many web-based portals do, they need a high quality.
Having read some of these pieces by some of the staunchest defenders of content mills — i know six year olds who write more engaging and informative material. They wouldn't last ten minutes in the client arena in which we work and earn a living wage.
Value for money. You get what you pay for. Quality rises to the top — there's a reason those sayings are still around.
Quality for the money – I'm also of the opinion that as writers, we need to expect money for our quality. In one particular client situation currently, I'm not getting compensated for what I'm delivering (and frankly, the hassle I'm receiving negates any level of pay). There are clients who still believe that barking instantly translates into someone jumping. I'll jump, but it'll cost you.
Lori, I agree. And several clients who I dumped because they were a hassle came back, offering me a higher rate when they saw their numbers drop once they'd hired someone else.
Some I take back, and some, as you mentioned, aren't worth the hassle at ANY price.
Amen to that, Devon! Sometimes waving buh-bye is the best solution.