What’s on the iPod: Statesboro Blues by The Allman Brothers Yesterday was slow, but I got more accomplished than I thought. I managed everything on the to-do list, plus I had some time to work on personal projects and a little marketing. A day without marketing is like a day without work. Has Google figured…
Tag: low-balling
The Not-so-special Offer
Well, it doesn’t take me long to get back on a tear, especially when I sense an attempt to get out of paying a writer a decent wage. This week is no exception. I don’t know what it is or why it is that some prospective clients find it their business to define our businesses…
The Raw Deals Just Keep on Coming….
There are days when it’s all I can do to keep from lunging at someone… I love when you guys send me links that either enlighten me or get my Irish up. This week, it’s the Irish. Blog regular and chum Hugh McBride sent this link to an article that details a company’s offer to…
Rate Debate: Do Real Writers Actually Buy Into Low Rates?
A spirited debate is taking place over at Michelle Rafter’s blog about content mills and rates. I urge you to visit and comment. Surprisingly, both camps have strong defenders. I think I’m now a huge fan of Michelle thanks to her no-nonsense look at the topic and her own thoughts, which echo mine. And naturally,…
A Word to the Cheapskates
Dear cheap startup, viral marketer, and any other “employer” wanting writing for nothing: I keep seeing your ads all over the Internet. And I hope your responses from actual writers are more of the “you must be joking” variety than people actually foolish enough to think you mean what you say. I’d like to bring…
Bringing Up the Uncomfy
Sometimes they just need to hear it. Sometimes clients need to know exactly why you left, what they can do going forward, and how they can succeed post-you. I’m not talking about the fly-by-nights who want to justify a $1/article job as “exposure.” I’m talking about legitimate businesses making critical mistakes that are chasing away…
What We Can Do
I had a great phone conversation yesterday with another writer, Sally. (Hi Sally!) In the course of the conversation, she and I covered everything from crazy former bosses to the current state of freelancing. One of the biggest topics we talked about was the proliferation of awful job postings on the Internet. As we lamented…
But What About How Much You’re Worth?
My favorite Avid Writer Kimberly Ben has a great post up this week about why some freelancers (not her, so don’t give her grief) choose to work with content mills instead of traditional freelancing routes. The idea came to her after reading a discussion/debate on a forum where some writers were defending, even justifying their…
The Return of the Low-ballers
A Twitter acquaintance got in touch with me recently to get some suggestions/feedback/potential help on a project. He and I hit it off and we were both excited about this potential new project. Then we gave the client the price, which was more than fair and probably a bit on the low side, gauging the…