Comments on: Taking the High Road

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:07:25 +0000

Allena, totally agree. Sick of the topic and, as you say, there's no headway here at all. Newbies are just as lost as ever now. That's the real crime in all this.

My stronger opinions include the importance of marketing when you're busy and making marketing a small part of your day - not the main event. ;)

Kathy, I'm an English major. The math will remain a mystery. LOL

By: Allena

Allena — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:47:14 +0000

Argh, I don't even know why I'm weighing in on this again, because, honestly, I'm soooo bored of this subject! It's just that new writers, new freelancers jumping in are so, SO confused by this subject (my god I have the emails to prove it), and we (you, me, anne, deb, TW, whomever) are not making much headway in clarifying things for them. I think their heads are spinning. Heck mine is too.

One thing that has come out of this, though, Lori, is that I am on your blog much more often, on Deb's blog much more often, and I am finding that very helpful-- reading other professionals.

I am looking forward (now) to what else you have to say! What else is going on> And what other opinions do you (strongly) hold about htis career?

By: Irreverent Freelancer

Irreverent Freelancer — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:36:49 +0000

Admittedly, I could have confused the two main detractors' points, so double check their "facts," Lori, before you do a math post.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:05:02 +0000

Actually, it was someone else who made the tons of money from ehow. I believe he was just saying that one could possibly afford a porsche by writing for ehow. If I remember that right. I also believe he plans to write more for Demand next year.

I understand there's someone else planning a 2 day non-stop writing event coming up. That will be interesting to see how it comes out.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:51:44 +0000

He does say he's only written 40 articles for Demand and zero for eHow. I guess my question would be how can you write an article, with no research, on affording a Porsche with your eHow earnings? I suppose it's creative license?

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:44:36 +0000

Wow. That would change the game, wouldn't it? I can't verify that either, Anonymous. I'll dig around later, but I suspect you're correct. I know I sure couldn't take that kind of speed and maintain accuracy and originality!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:40:24 +0000

I don't think he actually works 8-hour days. Instead, he says if he "did" work 8-hour days, he would have a six-figure income from Demand. In fact, he has only written a few articles for Demand (something like 40). The reason he does not and has not written more (I presume) is because it is impossible to maintain that level of output (4 articles per hour for 8 hours each day). If I am wrong about what I understood, feel free to correct me.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:12:25 +0000

You're very kind, Hugh. Thank you. I'm very glad to share career space with you, as well. :) LOVE the quote. It may replace my own, which is, "Wherever you go, there you are."

I will admit to some embarrassment due to my zealous approach on this topic. I get a bit "worked up" as my mother says. It can be misinterpreted. I'm also a bit stubborn, so I push a bit more than I should. Telling people it's for their own good doesn't make it any easier to take, I suppose. ;)

Kathy, your argument is exceptionally sound. It's exactly the type of math that's going to get rewritten to serve this guy's needs. I'm fine with him working his arse off for his Porsche. I'm not fine with his flawed math. If he wants to show actual figures that represent reality, I'm all for that. But taking my very simple scenario and inserting his own figures to get to the number he wants isn't going to convince anyone.

I'm taking the same stance - if you think it's a great career move to work so hard, more power to you. I'll do it my way, thank you.

By: Irreverent Freelancer

Irreverent Freelancer — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:47:33 +0000

Okay, I'm still getting up to speed after vacation, but doesn't that poster who is arguing with you claim to be able to make $115,000/year if he worked solely with Demand Studios (which pays MORE than some of the sites he writes for)? Puhlease. If I understand correctly, Demand pays $15 per article. He says he works 8-hour days. So let's say 40 hours per week and 48 weeks per year to accommodate his six weekly jaunts to Europe. He would still have to write four 500-word articles every single hour, every single working day, every non-Europe-jaunting week of the year. Maybe for one week, or even a month, but there's no way someone is going to maintain that level of churning indefinitely ... and I won't even touch the level of quality that will result from such assembly line processing. Who could possibly be jealous of a working scenario like that?

I pretty much stay out of the content mill debate because frankly I'm thankful I have enough work that pays way more so that I don't have to resort to such slavery. If others want to tie themselves to the whipping post like that, it's their call. Meanwhile, I'll enjoy my freedom.

By: hugh.c.mcbride

hugh.c.mcbride — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:33:49 +0000

As a former high school teacher, I'm *quite* familiar with the concept of being belittled & berated by those one is attempting to assist. Still, that never quite prepares me for the vitriol that some persist on spewing toward those who are merely trying to make their corner of the world just a little bit better.

I don't have much to add to what the others have posted, other than to tell you how much I appreciate the great work you've done on this topic. I have no doubt that you've helped far more folks than you'll ever realize, & you've done it in manner that makes me proud to share a profession with you.

As for your detractors, I'll close with a quote from ol' Bert Einstein: "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."