Not only have I written countless cheap articles over the years, I'm now running my own little content mill.

While many might think that makes me either a fool or a devil, I can assure you that I'm actually a relatively decent guy.

I personally believe that lower paying jobs CAN be just fine and dandy for the right people under the right circumstances.

These broad-brush criticisms of all low-rate work don't ring true to me. I think they often stem from the idea that there is one best way to approach writing, when there's actually plenty of room to develop one's own business model.

One other thing… I'm seeing an "eat your own" thing happening in the comments to some of the recent controversy surrounding these issues. People are going after the likes of Deb Ng and Kathy Kehrli in these comments, for instance.

While there's obviously some controversy regarding Deb's DS affiliation, she's done a lot for writers over the years and I think she deserves a little better. Kathy's Irreverent Freelancer blog is a great watchdog site that looks out for the interests of freelancers.

I've known both of them for a few years and have been on the opposite side of them in these rate debates (and they were sticking up for the "get more money" sides of things, btw). I've grown to appreciate them both even when I disagree with them. It really surprises me to see so many people (and I'm not just referencing this thread) taking people like that to task.

My perceptions might be entirely wrong. But they are what *I* have felt is coming through on Deb's posts. This almost desperate need for approval. And believe me, I know that trap (too well – it has paralyzed much of my personal blogging). I want people to like me. I don't like controversy (and hadn't meant to cause any by my comments, honestly). It has been a little tough to read some of the posts from Deb. And I haven't given my feedback on the site because I don't want to be skewered for just stating how *I* feel right now. So I've just stepped away, with plans to check in every now & then and see how things are going.

I think FWJ can help writers, just like I think Lori helps people here. The two sites serve different audiences and I truly think there's plenty of room for everyone.

And Lori, if you feel you need to kill this because it would just continue to stir things up, I am totally okay with that. I wasn't sure if I should respond and if you feel it's going to make things worse, I totally understand. See you on the flip side of the weekend!

This was my email- my average per hour has changed since my husband has a new job. It's far too hard to try to keep up the rate of speed now.

Hi Angela,

I write for Demand Studios. Typically it takes me about an hour to
write 2 to 3 How To articles. I've recently switched to Fact Sheets
and can finish 4 in an hour if I have no distractions. When I'm
feeling frisky I can get 20 of either format out in one day. (lots of
coffee for that!)

It averages out to around $30 an hour for me.

Demand pays me promptly via Paypal, usually about 6 PM EST. My very
first payment was later than that, it came in at 9 PM EST, which was
fine with me since DS is located on the West Coast and it was 6 PM for
them.

When I was first accepted to DS they were having major changes in
their structure and my first 9 articles were not paid for. They did
not take ownership of the articles- when I notified them that I had
not received payment I had the option to send in an invoice snail mail
or take back my work. I ended up taking back the work, posted it on
eHow and my revenue has been far more than what I was owed- so it
worked out.

The Editorial Staff and Help Desk staff has been nothing but friendly
and helpful since I decided to give DS a chance again. I'm very happy
with them and this is from someone that used to despise the company!
No, I don't work for them outside of writing, nor am I being asked to
give a good review. I'm just very impressed with how far the company
has come since my first bad experience to change it into a resource
that is a lifesaver when the regular gigs aren't coming through the
pipe.

You can use my name if you wish.

Thanks,
Julie"

This is what I received in response:
"I received soooo many notes about Demand Studios that I must do something I really hate to do….send you a form response. I am so sorry!!! 🙁

I am compiling many of the submitted comments and will post them in my article next week. We will not be publishing any names or identifying information.

Thank you sooooo much for sending your story to me, Julie! 🙂

Hugs,
Angela"

I may be wrong and missed my email in the bulk of the others posted. It's possible, but I'm too disappointed in the representation of Deb and the people who choose to work there that I don't want to bother anymore.

Oh, and Lori, sorry, I missed it in the comments where you already sort of addressed web content, content mills, pay etc.

I'm posting this as anonymous as your form wouldn't allow me to use my name and email, for some reason.

I have been staying out of responding because I don't want a whole lot of tit for tat and back and forth, but I will say Lisa is correct in that Angela Hoy left out a few details for her convenience.

For example, this is what I originally said in my post on the DS forum regarding Angela Hoy''s inquiry:

"Angela Hoy at WritersWeekly.com is investigating Demand Studios in her series about content writing sites. She's asking for writers from DS to send her a note detailing how long it takes to write each article, your hourly rate, and in general, if you're having a positive experience.

Weigh by sending your note to angela@writersweekly.com. "

and this is what I said at FWJ:

"Do you write for Demand Studios? Writer's Weekly is looking for experiences from DS Writers. Tell your story to angela@writersweekly.com. While I believe everyone should be honest in relaying their experiences, I will say I don't believe it to be fair to compare DS to sites such as AllVoices and Examiner (previously profiled at Writer's Weekly) which pay their writers very little residual income. Angela is looking to learn how much you earn and how long it takes you to write each article. She wants to know your hourly rate per article. Edited to add: Please don't send any more emails regarding DS to Angela Hoy. She's been inundated with responses and has everything she need"

As Angela has screenshots I'm sure she would agree this is what I originally said.

It wasn't until later that I made a comment that all the disgruntled people were going to come out of the woodwork. As you can see, there's a difference between what I said and the way Angela Hoy portrayed it. However, I don't wish to battle Angela Hoy. I'm going to let people draw their own conclusions, as they already have.

I appreciate everyone's feedback which I'm taking into consideration. I'm only posting this here because most of you have been very respectful and because you actually asked for my side of the story.

And the line in question? When I read it posted elsewhere – yea, it read like it was encouraging people with positive experiences to respond. No, I'm sure Deb didn't intend it to sound that way. But it did.

You are correct – that was Angela's quote in her newsletter last week.

And you're correct on your assumption – it's not writing content. It's writing for content mills that underpay its writers that's in question.