Comments on: Six Phrases That Mean “I’m Not Paying”

By: Jen Brister

Jen Brister — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 20:07:00 +0000

I had to laugh at your post. How many times have I seen those phrases!? I just wrote an article about people who scam others into writing for them by advertising writing jobs and having them send in "original content" as part of the app. process.

Priceless

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:12:00 +0000

Wow. That's just absurd. You gotta admire the kahonas of the blog admin, who seems to think the entire writing profession has taken enough blows to the head to not see what's going on.

I hope you countered with a "Sure. My fee is ten times what you were paying them because you're now paying for QUALITY writing, and quality is worth more."

By: french panic

french panic — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:35:00 +0000

My favourite is "Wanna have some fun and get paid with free stuff?" This is a famous line for a lot of blogs catering to the sucker crowd: 20 somethings desperate to build their careers. One local entertainment blog asks their writers to post at least 3 times a week, the writer should ideally have a camera, and the rewards are: press passes to local music gigs.

The fantastic part is when the writers then complain bitterly on the blog that the "so-and-so music/film/whatever festival" are being jerks and not putting these writers on the guest list. Because they actually start to believe that they are Real Journalists and not suckas that are writing for a blog that has been around for 4 years and has yet to actually get enough traffic to justify payment through aforementioned "ad revenue".

When I contacted the blog in question, I received an email from the admin with the previously mentioned "rah! rah! be cool and write for us!" crap PLUS a whole sob story on how they are planning to get rid of their current writers who just aren't producing the quality they are looking for. Nice. Trash talking about your current suckers in a bid to attract more suckers? Yeah, you sound real "cool".

Madness!

By: David Niall Wilson

David Niall Wilson — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:12:00 +0000

Nothing is more irritating to a writer (this one, anyway) than those who don't understand that writing is work - creative effort - and should not be taken for granted.

Editors and publishers can be almost as guilty as these no-pay sites you mention because they often don't take authors and artists into the same consideration they would their secretary when it comes to payment.

DNW
Macabre Ink

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:59:00 +0000

Oh gawd, I hate that one! Interns, college students, moms, and those looking to gain exposure – excuses used to avoid payment. Good one, lemski!

By: Lemski

Lemski — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:42:00 +0000

One of my favorite lines: “I’m looking for interns” blah blah blah. I think it’s because they know they could pay less or none at all because of the so-called “lack of experience” and a comprehensive portfolio.

By: Erica DeWolf

Erica DeWolf — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 01:35:00 +0000

I once got the comment from a small business owner “your hourly rate is more than I even make.” Of course it is. I’m going to be working 5 hours a week for you. You work more than 40 hours a week because its your business.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 16:15:00 +0000

Make that bloggers–plural. Luckily, I did not try out, huh?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 16:14:00 +0000

How about: “I gave up on freelancing and have a job now, so I am looking for guest blogger to try out for free”?

By: Amanda Nicole

Amanda Nicole — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:21:00 +0000

Indeed!