What I’m reading: The Pearl by John Steinbeck
What’s on the iPod: Just Another Girl by Pete Yorn
Maybe someone can explain to me why companies tend to say one thing and do another. My new digital camera went back to the company for repair on September 15th (flash wasn’t working). The website says 10-15 days for warranty repair, which this is. However, the human I spoke with said four weeks. Excuse me, I said, but this is a warranty item. Why isn’t it following what the posted repair schedule says? She reiterated the four weeks and said it’s because they’re trying to determine the problem. Okay, if you can’t figure out the problem in a day, give me a new camera. I’m furious. And it was the brand I’d requested, which makes me even more furious.
From now on I will no longer honor their “Don’t take it back to the store” policy. By doing the right thing, I’m minus a camera during the most anticipated trip of my life. Thanks, you putzes. Next time I buy a product (and you can damn well bet it won’t be yours), it’s going back to the store. None of this “Save us money by returning it to us!” nonsense.
On to writerly topics.
File this under music to my ears: Thank you to the infamous Yolander Prinzel for alerting me to the movement by the National Writers Union , which putting together a task force to “lay the ground work for organizing writers who work for these low-wage Content Farms [Plantations].” The goal: to set a “new minimum standard” for content mill workers in the writing profession. If you’re interested in joining their cause, contact them at nwu@nwu.org. Please. I beg of you.
It feels like validation. To all those who argued until they were chartreuse and vermilion that content mills were such a peachy-keen place to hang out and become a real professional, gosh darn it – you’ve got a large organization now fighting for you (and probably against a few of you slower ones). Those rights you’re not quite up for standing up for? Yea, they’re going to do that. Oh, but they want your help. So help them. Join their cause. It’s a great first step in building a professional persona. And please stop wasting air trying to convince me and other like me that $10 an article is such a swell deal. It sucks and you know it.
That begs the question – what would you consider to be a minimum standard? I know my personal minimum standards. But what works for me may be too high/too low for others. Although if I’m too high, you might want to rethink your own rates, you know? And if I’m too low…ooo, vicious cycle about to begin.
So, freelancers. I pose the question – what would you consider a good minimum standard for the work content mills are churning out? And maybe the larger question – would any amount ever be enough to enter the stigmatized world of content mill writing? Can that business model ever fly as legitimate? My personal opinion? They’d have to stop assigning such insipid articles as How to Blow Dry Your Poodle or How To Dance Like Mr. Green Jeans before I’d consider them worthy of my time and talent.
Thoughts?
15 responses to “Rallying Around the Cause”
Agreed. Nothing further to say.
RE: Camera. File with the BBB, including a copy of the page where it says it'll be turned around in 10-15 days. You'll be surprised how fast they fix the problem, once the BBB is involved.
Great suggestion, Devon. I used BBB once and it was hysterical that the vendor who ignored my emails and follow-up actually acted hurt that I did that. He kept saying, "you filed a complaint with BBB."
Well, if you had met YOUR terms of delivery and maybe, I don't know, responded to my 6 follow-up queries, I might not have felt the need.
Regarding the content mill, I have such a niche that I could not give an opinion on what's fair. I do agree that if the articles were at least something useful, it would go a long way towards legitimacy. I question how much of an impact the union will have, but more power to them.
The other day, I mentioned a lunch w/freelancers. As it happens, one of the newer FLers (a 60-year-old man) expounded about how content mills aren't that bad — "It's easy beer money."
Call me crazy, but I can buy a case of lovely Oregon microbrew more easily with 20 words @ $1/word than I can by writing 1,000 words or whatever for Demand Studios. ("Look, ma, no burnout!")
And to answer your question, I can't imagine their commoditized version of content will ever reach a minimum standard on a large scale. They might occasionally get lucky, but not for long and not very often.
Jake, drop me a note. I'd love to have you guest post!
I'm fed up with all companies that such have ill-defined policies and/or such poorly-trained customer service representatives that asking the same question to five people can result in 15 different answers.
Anyway….I find it hard to believe that content mills could ever be seen as legitimate markets since their business model is focused on generating page hits, not providing quality content.
Lori, thanks for the kind offer, & please count me in — sent a note the other day that may have gone to your junk filter. jake at boomvangcreative dot com Not sure if it's GoDaddy IP that causes the problem or what…and if anyone knows how to get de-listed as spam, I'm all ears! Very frustrating.
Interesting twist to the camera story – I called back, explained the situation with the mailing of the camera, my understanding of the warranty work policy, and asked for their help. I was told, very kindly, that yes, they'd "try" to get it back to me by Tuesday.
Then an hour ago, I get an email saying they JUST received my camera. Are you kidding? I've called you twice and you've told me twice you received it on the 20th. So help me God if you change your tune, I'm naming names and taking no prisoners.
I agree about your statement with the insipid articles. I mean, really. Are there really people who search for information on how to dance like Mr. Green Jeans? I often wonder why people would be searching for articles similar to this one.
Sometimes it's easier to exchange it for a new camera than it is to argue with them to get it fixed. I realize it's not always a choice, but it still would be easier just to get a new one.
Cathy, you make a good point. It may not be effective in the short term. I'm hoping that long term, at least, will net fewer people taking on this ridiculous business model. I can understand the desire to get something for nothing, and I can understand the desire to get top rankings on search engines. I do NOT understand the need to suck in other people, convince them you're doing them a favor, and taking advantage of them with their full cooperation. Maybe a lack of knowledge on the writer side, maybe not. Either way, no thanks.
Jake, easy beer money? Is he serious? He can't afford beer, not if he earns pennies.
Paula, exactly what I think. They've tried combining "journalism" and "freelance writing career" with crap content that earns them search engine rankings. Either one or the other – it can't be both.
Wendy, I don't know about the Green Jeans article – I made it up. Hey, there's a business model for you – articles about more insipid crap than these content mills can churn out! LOL
The green jeans wasn't a real article? Don't worry, search that phrase a few times and it will probably show up on a site like ehow in no time. A writer will get the opportunity to write it at a low amount of pay. Isn't that how it works?
LOL! It's exactly how that works, Wendy. 🙂 I can't say How to Blow Dry a Poodle is real, iether,but give it time. 🙂
Why would I join a union? Wouldn't it be easier and more prudent to simply get a real job? Sorry, but your advice this morning is horrible. Empowering another criminal enterprise (and name one union that isn't) is the last thing this once great country needs.
You didn't read the post, Anonymous. I said to contact them and join the task force. And please, if you have something inflammatory to say, say so under your real name. I don't take too seriously those who hide under anonymity in order to make their point.
Besides, my stat counter software allows me to see who you really are.
I sent them an email and volunteered to help. Of course, before I actually *do* help I need to get a better sense of their plan, but I am super happy they've decided to do something.
Also, for anyone wondering, I've been an NU member for about 2 years now. They have a ton of contract resources for writers, lists of higher paying markets, access to lawyers, health insurance and more. As a member of NWU, you also get access to the AFL-CIO and its benefits.
Yo, I did the same. I want to know the plan, or if they need help in devising one. My suspicion is this is a call for help devising a plan. I'm cool with that.
I think people see the word "union" and panic. Hey, it's just a word. It's catchier than "association" at this point, and they do the same unifying activities any other reputable group would do.