There was an article posted last week about Demand Media’s move to shed itself of writers. What I find interesting wasn’t in the body of the story, but in the comments. There are a lot of angry people out there, but seeing a few of them virtually lynching other writers for offering help is, well, childish at best. I won’t share the link because frankly I’m not into promoting people who post vitriol anonymously. To the one who asked for my 1040 as proof of my income, which they assumed was low – right. Give me your name and we’ll talk.
One comment stuck out. A writer posted this:
“…I also find it ridiculous that these freelance writing “advice sites” keep claiming that they have an answer. These people are coming in as the second round of vampires, offering their own magic bullet for success.”
If you’re visiting the right places, you get that there is no “magic bullet” for success. There’s advice, sure, and there’s free advice here and tons of other places. Yes, some of them charge for advice (I do, but that’s called “coaching”,”webinars”, and “ebooks”), but you can find virtually any answer to your questions for free if you just search. I agree with her that there are sites out there that do claim to have an answer. As long as they’re not claiming to have “the answer” I don’t think it’s a problem. Take what you can use, leave the rest.
This poster also said:
Long-time writers know that the days of $500 a pop stories for trade publications and others — or even $75 freelance news stories — are all but gone.
What I don’t like about this assumption – and it’s just that, an assumption – is that one person’s experience is the way it is everywhere. Not so. Every article I’ve written this year (and last, for that matter) has been over that $500. That’s my reality. I’d love to talk to this writer and see if there’s something she’s missing.
The part that made me shake my head was where she said:
“If the money was truly out there, these people would be actually writing. Instead they are trying to make money off of their own “How To” articles and ebooks on freelance writing. It’s really similar to Ehow; it’s just packaged differently.”
There’s where she couldn’t be more wrong.
A good writer understands that writing magazine articles or news stories isn’t your only option. If you want to do more with your writing, you diversify. We’ve talked about it a lot here. But for the latecomers, let’s go over it again. In order to grow a business, you need to expand your client base. While some writers do offer advice and how-to processes, that’s usually not the entire range of their business reach. And there are plenty of successful writers who write in one area only who and are doing beautifully. It may come down to a difference in marketing.
Still, if you’re looking to diversify, here are some options for you:
Articles. Because my experience is different than the poster’s, I still believe there’s a ton of work in magazine and online publication articles. Last month I wrote six for one publication (smaller profile pieces) plus a larger feature. The work is there at the price that’s acceptable to you. If you’re not where you want to be earnings wise, look higher up the food chain.
Ebooks. If you have a specialty area of writing or you have a topic you’re especially interested in, try either writing a book on it or teaming up with an expert in that field and co-authoring a book. Or you could….
Ghostwrite. Maybe you don’t have enough material or interest in writing it yourself. You could present yourself to potential clients as someone who ghostwrites articles and books. I ghostwrite quite a few articles for corporations. It’s somewhat of an untapped market. They want to get published, but have no time to write it. That’s where you come in.
Seminars. Teach that corporation’s employees how to put together grammatically correct communications, or talk to a group of locals on how to structure a resume. Host a seminar for other writers on how to network or market.
Speech writing. If you’ve sat through one speech that everyone applauded because it was finally over, you know the need is there. Hook up with your local Chamber of Commerce or try locating Toastmasters groups in your area. Don’t overlook politicians – they may be in the market for someone who can clean up their grammar.
Tutoring. Parents are only too happy to pay you to get their children’s English grades up.
Resumes. I wrote resumes for four years and they served as a steady income base. Don’t go with just any company – look for one that pays you a fair rate and doesn’t allow clients to have endless revisions (they don’t pay you for revisions).
Blogs. Another good steady source of income. I write for three blogs at the moment. The work is solid and the topics are interesting.
The list is as limited as your own imagination. Think within your own skills and get creative on how you can apply them. That may be writing some how-to articles that help your peers in some way. That’s called business. So be it.
Lori, you've wasted enough time and energy on these morons. Good riddance to bad rubbish. The very few who are actually writers will find the mentors and situations that will make it possible for them to survive. Let the others drown in their bitterness and pettiness. The rest of us have actual work to do that earns us a living wage.
Those who spew anonymous spite do it INSTEAD of spending that time and energy landing and working viable gigs. That's their choice. Don't get sucked into their vampiric vitriol.
Devon, I agree on the anonymous nonsense. Own your words and you'll not need to waste time in these places chewing other people apart. It's the mature thing to do.
I do this for the ones who want to do better. The ones who don't are on their own. Like you've experienced yourself, too many expect it to be handed to them and expect other writers to push them through their careers. I'm too busy working to do that. I'll provide resources to those who are able to act like business people.
I cautiously agree with Devon. I know what she's saying – advice like this has been repeated over and over and over, but there is always someone new who has finally gathered up enough courage to freelancing a shot. Plenty of people just want an easy way to make money writing which is what makes writing for content farms so appealing to them – even though in my opinion it's the equivalent of a sweat shop in many ways. However, someone out there is just getting started, and while searching for information found TONS of it by content farm writers claiming to be making a good living.
Eventually, the writer who's serious about making a living freelancing will get wise and realize what a waste of time, energy and talent writing for mills is (and we've also seen they's come to realize there's no loyalty to the writers, regardless of what the mills insinuate). They will want a better alternative and need a bit of guidance. For THOSE writers, blogs like this one, Jenn's, Anne's, Carol Tice's and others are PRICELESS. I'm talking from personal experience.
You can't save everyone of course. I've been lurking on a writers forum where the majority seem to favor content mill work. Most are scrambling around searching for new mills ignoring the clear warning signs that these companies will NOT sustain them. There are, however, a few who see the writing on the wall and are venturing out to focus on building an actual client base and creating a business. It's a very small group unfortunately.
This information may seem obvious, but hopefully it reaches someone who is not only looking for guidance, but is also willing to get online and find more information and put practical advice into action.
Please excuse my misspellings and other errors. I was doing two things at once while posting.
Can we meet these "long-time writers"? Apparently, your 15+ years isn't long enough, Lori, Geez! LOL!
Then again, trade pubs and other high-paying magazines prefer quality clips, not Ehow content churned out in 10-15 min.
Kim, I agree, too. Devon's right. She's been right about this from the start of the entire debacle and debate. Those who want to will put the effort into it. Those who don't will either give up or raise holy hell that others didn't help them enough. I'm opting to concentrate on the former. 🙂
It pains me to hear other writers saying this is the only work they can find. They're stuck in "search" mode instead of building a strategy for getting the work they want. It frustrates me no end to have them arguing and fuming about how they're looked down upon for their choices. That's in their heads much of the time and probably based on disagreement from others. If they argue that they love the way they do things, then I'm open to disagree. And I do.
Wendy, I'd like to meet them, too. 🙂 I hear a lot of frustration in that woman's post. She's looking for something and not finding it. My guess is she's not thought of her approach and her market as the problems. Just a hunch based on what I think she was trying to say, which is "Where is the good work?"
It's wherever you decide it is.
Maybe it's because I'm from a long line of self-employed (the real "job creators," if you will), but I don't understand people who somehow feel others are obligated to provide them with jobs or assignments.
I've never expected anyone to hand me work. I need to pitch ideas, send LOIs and actively seek out new markets and different clients. After I secure the clients, I need to do all I can to retain the best ones. Sometimes it feels like an uphill battle, but it's sure better than what happens when the gravy train goes dry and no one is waiting there to hand you more work.
One more point to add to your list, Lori: Multiple clients. Don't fall into the easy habit of letting one big client make up the bulk of your income. If they go under, they'll take you with them.
The first rule I remember from taking a lifeguard course way back when is…if you're trying to rescue someone and they start to drown you, get the heck away from them.
I'm with Devon. No sense in trying to convert the unconvertible. (Why do I think that word should be unconvertable? Hmf.) Anyway, the wise ex-DSers will quickly disassociate themselves as ever having had anything to do with it, and devil take the hindmost.
Devon is a straight shooter, and not afraid to tell it as she sees it. I feel her frustration -especially after reading some of the quotes you shared. Some people will continue to refuse to look beyond where they are, and that's unfortunate.
There is so much junk out there from mill writers claiming to be living "the writer's dream" writing for these low-paying companies that some people aren't looking beyond that to see ALL of the options available to writers. Another big problem is many writers who find themselves stuck writing for mills (and claiming they can't find anything else that pays) are operating with an employee mentality. They are not treating the services they provide as a business. Part of running a business means you have to market yourself to keep business flowing so you can earn a profit. Relying completely on someone else to do it for you just doesn't work.
I like that you're discussing diversification. That is certainly what's kept me afloat as a freelance writer for the past 6 years.
Jake, good point. As they say on airplanes, make sure your own air mask is secured before assisting others…. well, that's different, isn't it? 🙂
Kim, some of the quotes are unrepeatable. I won't, either. Stupid behavior doesn't get rewarded with my time or attention. I didn't mind responding about this woman because there's an underlying frustration there. She's not pointing fingers necessarily as she's wondering who's out there who can point her in the right direction. At least that's what I heard.
I can't imagine surviving without some form of diversification. Sure, there are writers who specialize in one area only, but maybe they diversify their client base. It's a good way to stay fresh and not feel the boredom that can creep into the job.
Jake said: "The first rule I remember from taking a lifeguard course way back when is…if you're trying to rescue someone and they start to drown you, get the heck away from them."
LOL – you're right. That's "Survival 101." :~)
Yes, secure your own mask first. *makes international flight attendant gesture over head*
At the risk of hyperextending similes, it's even more like buddy breathing in scuba, because they're alleging there's only one air source and we're hogging it. But guess what? Boo frickin hoo. I'm not the one whose tank is on "E" for lack of proper technique and/or preparation and/or because I was panicking.
It's highly frustrating, and also somewhat amusing, that people get so belligerent like this! As mentioned earlier, the anonymity of the internet does allow people to act like small children without any consequences – let's face it, if they'd acted like that in front of their grandmother, they'd have gotten what they deserved! I think you hit on a good point though – when you mentioned how many say it's "the only work they can find". When you don't go beyond the end of your nose, sure, you don't find much. Writing isn't really much different to any other business – the sweatshops are easy to come by, and they flourish because people continue to work there. Meantime, there are wonderful opportunities out there, but you have to seek them out and do your networking. I don't care whether you're a writer or a brain surgeon, you still have to get proactive and seek out the golden opportunities. There isn't just some magic website where the 6-figure salaries are overflowing and awaiting your appearance.
Nicky, I want to bottle you and sell you to all the writers who ask that very question. You hit it exactly. 🙂
Precisely, Jake. I'm not the one who forgot to fill her oxygen tank, so to speak. LOL
What Devon, Jake and Nicky said, and tons of others thought – the people who snipe at us are probably jealous.
And btw, Jake's right, that's what they teach in life guarding classes. (If you think there's a brag there you're right.)
Today I guess my comment was the one eaten by Blogger….
Again? Let me rescue it, Paula.
Paula, amen to all you said. I don't think I've ever expected anyone to hand me a thing. Even clients who contract with me – I don't assume anything until the check clears. 🙂
Having multiple clients is critical. I used to have four regular ones. Then within days of each other, two of them stopped with assignments. Ouch. That made up about $3K of my monthly income. I was lucky to have the other two, but I knew I had to keep looking for more regular work. Who's to say the remaining two wouldn't disappear, too?
Anne, I don't think it's jealousy as much as it's frustration. Yes, there probably are some writers who are jealous of others' successes, but I'd say a lot of them are just plain confused and frustrated on where to go. Maybe I give too much credit.