What’s on the iPod: Cinderella Man by Eminem
A week or so ago, I was reading through the comments when something our own Wendy Johnson’s comment about writing for mills. She said, ” I wish I could say that I never did it. On the other hand, though, it taught me some valuable lessons.”
That’s when I knew Wendy had something to teach all of us. She graciously agreed to tell us her story about working for content farms and how/why she broke free. Wendy, yours is more of a success story than you realize. We all could benefit from your ability to reinvent yourself.
Confessions of an Ex-Mill Writer
by Wendy Johnson
We’ve all probably done some things in our careers that we’re not really proud of. I know I have. The decisions I made 5 years ago to get into this business were not the best ones, but the journey I took didn’t turn out so bad. So, what gives? Why would Lori want me to bore you with my story?
She asked me to share whatever I had to say about my mill days and getting beyond it. Here’s the thing, though. I’m not a successful writer, at least in the sense that most people picture one to be. I’m just your average Joe freelancer stumbling my way up the ladder. I’m in no position to be offering advice to anyone, for the most part.
So, instead of giving advice, I thought I would just share a small part of my story. You can decide if there’s anything worth taking out of it or not. If not, well, I hope you, at least, enjoy the read.
Stepping off the dock
My first writing job was a content farm owned by a writer. A keyword-stuffing, teeth grinding, hair pulling job. I had to write 30-50 articles a week, using assigned keyword phrases, all for the rate of $4 a pop. Yes, I admit that I looked at the money end of it when I took on the job¬$120-200 a week. It sounds great until you realize the work put into it.
I could barely make the 30 article requirement. My nerves were shot, trying to meet those deadlines. A few months at this job and it only got worse. I quit in the middle of trying to write a 63 keyword-phrase article that was impossible to do (if you wanted it to make sense anyway).
I used some of those mill articles for clips and pitched everywhere I could. I could only land the $5 gigs. It wasn’t what I wanted, so I kept trying for higher-paying opportunities. I was rejected. Majorly. I was told my samples were horrible, my writing was bad and I just didn’t have the right mindset for the job. Looking back, I have to agree with them. My samples weren’t about quality, which is what they needed. Frankly, if I were looking to hire a writer, I wouldn’t have hired me either. At least, not at that point.
Then, I got involved in the WAHM community. Huge mistake, on my part, but also a long story. I lost some of those gigs and I didn’t even care. I even lost most of my spark to write. My nerves never completely recovered from my mill days. I could no longer handle too tight of a deadline, which was a handicap for me and still is, really.
Then along comes a two-bit person from Craigslist. His offer of two-buck articles and his telling me that I should be glad for it, since I got to work from home, changed everything. I had taken enough and decided I was getting out. Not out of writing, just out of all these bad situations.
Starting over
I walked away from the internet and went locally. I claimed no writing experience. I found a business that needed a writer, so I pitched my services. They needed to see samples, but I wasn’t going to use the crap I had written before. Not knowing what else to do, I wrote some up and printed them out.
I took a risk, but I figured, why not? What’s the worst that could happen? They’d say No? As if I hadn’t heard that word many times before. In my case, it paid off. They hired me for a $45 per newsletter article gig (far cry from the $4 start). It took awhile, but I got more clients and the rate slowly went up from there. Now, I get about $75 for an article, depending on what’s needed.
Success or Not
So, that’s my experience. Notice you didn’t read a rags to riches story, nor were you slammed with overnight success claims. I don’t have trophy fish hanging all over my house, nor am I the greatest paid freelance writer around. But that’s okay, because I’ll keep trying and taking risks.
The one positive thing I have to say about my mill experience is that it toughened me up a bit. I’ve been rejected, cussed at and criticized for my writing. I don’t let it bother me too much. Why? Because I don’t think that any of that is worse than my keyword-stuffing days. Come on, can I get an amen on that?
My journey has been riddled with mistakes and has taken a lot longer than some. I don’t know everything and I probably will never claim to. Am I offering advice to others? No. Just telling my story. Take whatever you want out of it.
I’m still pretty proud of what I have accomplished, so far, in my career. Does that make me a successful writer or not? As far as the rate factor, I would say not, but when it comes to determination, that’s a different story.
What about the rest of you? Do you consider yourself a success?
Wendy S. Johnson is a Freelance Writer who specializes in writing motivational material for Employee Mentoring programs of small businesses and corporations. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found next to the coffee pot or following her fishing pole. She just started a blog as therapy to help on those maddening work days. You can see it at Motivating Madness
16 responses to “Guest Post: Confessions of an Ex-mill Writer”
Wendy-one of the things freelancing requires is perseverance, and you have that in spades. You should be very proud of yourself for not giving up-many would have.
What that tells me is that deep in your heart, you know you are a good writer. And you won't let anyone tell you anything different. Way to go, Wendy!
I think Wendy is a success — and deserves a lot of credit for getting out. You'll note that she had to write new samples to use to land those better- paying jobs. Yet another example of how content mills CAN be a career-killer if you let it. I dismiss content mill writers as both lacking talent and motivation to land better paying jobs. Wendy obviously had the talent to create outside of the mill and the motivation to do whatever was necessary to get a better paying job. Good for her!
Do I consider myself a success? Depends on the day. Today, having just landed a year-long, decently paying gig that starts in fall, doing something I'm really excited about, yes. If I hit a dry patch with little coming in (summer looks that way right now), I may define myself differently.
Wendy,
I'm glad Lori invited you to tell your story. I consider you a success for re-inventing yourself and persevering. You may not be where you want to be rate-wise yet, but you're headed in the right direction. Best wishes.
Cathy, thanks so much. You’re right about perserverance. It seems to be what I have a lot of. Without that, I don’t think I could’ve done any of it. I don’t use Step #1, #2, #3 formulas. Sometimes it’s just the ride that gets you there.
Devon, you said it better than me and in fewer words. Motivation. There is so much more to being a success than just making $xxx for projects. You’ve got to want it and be willing to handle some hard work along the way. I already know you’re a success. It’s hearing about it that helps others, like me, keep the motivation going, and personally, I thank you for that.
Lillie, thank you for the kind words. No, I’m not at the rate I want to be, but the challenge to get there is a whole lot of fun for me.
Cathy, you're right – Wendy's story shows her belief in her own capabilities. It's inspiring.
Devon, congrats on the contract! Glad to see the details are in order. 🙂
Lillie, it's wonderful seeing you again! I agree – Wendy's already building a strong foundation. The rate hike will come.
Wendy, Devon's right. You had the sense and the motivation to create new samples. I think that move cemented your career reinvention. I can't imagine how you'd still be struggling if you relied on those content-farm clips.
I commend you, Wendy. I think experiences like your early ones would break most people. It shows you're cut out for freelancing. I see a very bright future in store for you.
Wendy, Wendy, Wendy!
Congrats for telling your story!
You're a tough woman, and I admire your perseverance. I really like that you've learned from the very difficult and frazzling start you had and are pushing forward. I think you're more successful than you realize.
My humble advice? Don't sound apologetic, which I see a little bit in your post. Stand up and say, "Yep, I'm making more and more money on writing as I learn more and gain more experience." That's all any of us can ask for in this business.
You go, girl!
Amen to that, Gabriella!
Kathy, you're right. She does have what it takes, doesn't she?
Lori, the articles I was using back then wouldn’t have gotten me anywhere. Writing-wise all they really showed was that I could cram a bunch of keywords in a 450 word article. Impressive, huh? LOL!
Kathy, thanks for the kind words. In all honesty, I might have quit altogether, if it weren’t for the wonderful ad from Craigslist. The one that pi**ed me off so much and put some fire under my determination.
Gabriella, I can’t think of a better compliment than, ‘tough woman.’ That just made my day. It’s so nice to have the attitude of, “Sorry you don’t like it. NEXT!”
Wendy, while the others are right that you demonstrated how crucial perseverance is to any freelancer's success, you mentioned another key factor: Risk. You took the risk and trusted in yourself and your talent.
Someone afraid of risk will never cut it as a freelancer. Every day we work with the risk of not having an employer to prop us up or provide perks like health insurance or simply paying part of our income tax withholdings.
Of course, the longer you freelance the better you get at mitigating risk – as Lori reminds us every time she stresses the importance of spelling everything out in contracts.
Good for you, Wendy! I'm sure you'll get better and better jobs as time goes on.
One of the worst things about content mills, I think, is their ability to burn a good writer out before they've even started.
It's ridiculous to expect quality at $15 an hour when a professional writer may spend weeks perfecting an article.
Wendy, congratulations on moving away from mills and growing your freelance writing business. It takes courage to step away from what's easy (the status quo), and it sounds like you really made it work for you. Success often does involve risks. And your situation is a great illustration of how little people value the work of not only mill writers but anyone who works at home. For those who run mills, you're just a replaceable body there to churn out content. And that's not much different than the $1-5 webmaster clients who think you should be grateful for their peanuts because you get the "perks" of working at home. Congrats again on being a success story.
Interesting story.
Knowing when to quit a way that is not working and try another way, requires a lot of insight, self-confidence and courage. 🙂 Congratulations and I agree, this is a success story 🙂
Thank you Wendy for sharing and thanks Lori for hosting the story 🙂
Jacqueline, I was thrilled that Wendy had suggested it. It's a story we all need to hear, digest, and learn from.
Thanks for commenting. I hope you make it a habit. 🙂
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