Comments on: Writers Worth Tip #2 – Spotting a Raw Deal

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 08 May 2009 11:43:00 +0000

You sure won’t get an argument from me! Online ads, in general, rarely offer a decent wage. I look, but more often than not I’m disappointed.

By: Mridu Khullar

Mridu Khullar — Fri, 08 May 2009 10:06:00 +0000

I agree, Lori.

I understand that many writers will disagree with me on this, but to me, Craigslist is no better than any of the bidding websites. Hundreds of writers respond to these ads and the one with some experience (usually never a total newbie) and a low price will get it.

So someone with little experience and a low price has a much greater chance of getting work compared to an experienced professional who charges more.

Contacting people I'm interested in working with, I find, is a much better use of my time.

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:31:00 +0000

Mridu, don’t you find it incredibly depressing to weed through those ads? It’s why I won’t waste more than ten minutes on ANY job board list. You’re right – even if there are legitimate job ads out there, good luck rising to the top of the hundreds of responses. To me, it’s too passive an approach to the career. I’d much rather choose who I’d like to work with.

By: Mridu Khullar

Mridu Khullar — Thu, 07 May 2009 06:46:00 +0000

I don’t visit Craigslist for work anymore. The one odd job I might find after reading through (and possibly replying to) hundreds of duds is simply not worth the hassle. Instead, I focus that same energy on sending LOIs to people who (1) can pay, (2) are professional, and (3) are not bombarded with responses the way these posters are.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:23:00 +0000

I love every one of these!

Devon, AMEN. The longer the ad, the more involved the job, the more credentials you need, the less you're getting.

Krista, that one kills me. They're basically asking you to auction off your talent, only this time the lowest bidder wins. Fine. Keep your job - I'm not competing by dollars, only by talent. And those key words are DEFINITELY red flags!

Susan, I'm seeing a proliferation of those same ads. They mask themselves as job offers only to turn out to be marketing ploys. I guess now we have to start using a benign email address to avoid the garbage.

Cyndy, I'm with you. I am NOT taking a test. If 15 years of churning out great copy and satisfying clients isn't enough, begone! (waving my hand dismissively - I think I'll adopt this little move!)

Katharine, it does my heart good to see you so fired up over this! You're right - if they're a pain from the start, it's not going to get better.

By: Katharine Swan

Katharine Swan — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:44:00 +0000

My red flags:

1) Anything that touts exposure as a benefit, regardless of what it says about pay. They obviously think too highly of themselves and will probably be a pain in my a$$ even if they DO pay.

2) Anything that demands a writing test or has very strict application instructions. I'm a big girl, thanks. I know how to submit my cover letter and resume.

3) Anything that has strict turnaround requirements or has dire warnings about plagiarism. Wanting a lot and having to warn about plagiarism are two major red flags that their pay isn't worth crap.

By: Cyndy Kryder

Cyndy Kryder — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:04:00 +0000

I have to second everything already said. In addition, a big red flag is any ad requesting a rapid turnaround (or a large volume of writing needed quickly), especially when it’s paired with low compensation. I also shy away from ads that require a “writing test.” If my unedited samples aren’t enough, then I back away. And Lori, thank you so much for writing about this issue. Writers do not have to accept lousy pay or abuse from creepy clients.

By: Susan Johnston

Susan Johnston — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:09:00 +0000

I recently spotted an ad that was looking for “hungry, ambitious writers.” They probably mean desperate writers, which I am not. I agree with Devon that too much hoop jumping isn’t worth it, but if the ad is REALLY vague and scant on details, then that makes me wonder, too. Often those are a way for scam sites to collect writer emails and they’ll write back saying “here’s a way to get work for the low, low price of $19.99/month.”

By: Krista

Krista — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:00:00 +0000

My red flag is when ad posters ask for bids, and then state at the end of the ad that the most “reasonable” bid will get the project. Yeah, they’re looking for bargain basement pricing. Another sign the poster is a tightwad is when they make statements like “I’m not a millionaire,” “please be resonable,” or “we’re in a recession” when they’re talking (dancing around) the issue of pay. CL is so bad that I won’t even speak to people on the phone until we’ve discussed pay (or at least a ball park figure) through email first.

By: devonellington

devonellington — Wed, 06 May 2009 12:54:00 +0000

If the ad is too long, my eyes start crossing and I know it's not a good fit. Too many instructions in the ad, too much hoop jumping to apply, and forget it.

Also, when they ask for project-specific samples in the ad as part of the application process. That means everyone's told they weren't hired and the samples show up on sites without payment, no matter what caveats you added to them.

No. You want a project-specific sample? We negotiate a rate for it.