Comments on: Worthy Tip: This Job, Not That Job

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 25 May 2011 15:04:06 +0000

LC, I see that same mentality on a few writer's forums, too. It's scary.

Anon, it does seem that way, but let's look at both jobs. The first obviously sucks. The second - a legitimate market that pays a lot more than a dollar. Okay, it's not a job I'd take, but I'm well into my career and shouldn't have to. Someone starting out could do well to earn $500 in one article. Not so bad, really.

Jenn, that's insane. That they would try to start the relationship out based on lack of trust is a stupid business practice. And I have come to the "let 'em rot" point too - many times. There are those people who refuse to change their habits no matter how much their habits are holding them back.

Kim, that's a super idea! I think your business rocks, but only you see it from the inside. I have one recommendation, if you like. Drop me a note...

By: Kimberly Ben

Kimberly Ben — Mon, 23 May 2011 17:52:21 +0000

I saw that ad. Like Jenn I'm amazed that people still post ads like that, but sadder still is the idea that someone must be responding.

Your post is timely as usual. I'm looking to work with a coach this year. I think it could be a worthy investment. Your post is a good reminder for me to do my research and choose carefully.

By: Jenn Mattern

Jenn Mattern — Mon, 23 May 2011 17:35:35 +0000

L.C. – What's really sad is when that ignorance spreads so far that people assume there's truth in numbers. Then they ignore the people who have real experience and try to help them do better. Over the years I've finally come to the "let 'em rot" mindset where I don't even bother getting involved in those cesspools anymore. Anyone who wants better for themselves has to be willing and able to separate themselves from the mob mentality and seek out better information. I've taken solace in the fact that at least a handful will in any of these groups. I wish it were more. But that won't happen until someone pulls the rug out from under the group as a whole. It usually happens and we have a big "I told ya so" moment. But it tends to take quite a while.

By: Jenn Mattern

Jenn Mattern — Mon, 23 May 2011 17:32:00 +0000

Lori – It was so bad when I first started working with webmasters and online business owners that I actually had to include something about it in my business site's FAQs. I very plainly tell them if they so much as mention Copyscape up front, therefore accusing me of being a potential plagiarist before we ever begin a working relationship, they can take their job elsewhere. Sadly it still happens once in a while, even on the upper tier gigs. They get a "buh-bye" and they're welcome to find some pansy who doesn't mind being pushed around and insulted. That won't ever be me.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 23 May 2011 16:17:24 +0000

Gosh it really looks to me like both of these gigs suck — one just sucks slightly harder than the other.

By: L.C. Gant

L.C. Gant — Mon, 23 May 2011 15:45:26 +0000

Ads like this make me sick to my stomach. About a year ago, when I was still getting my feet wet in freelancing, I wrote an article for a certain content mill that shall remain nameless. When I compared the work I had done to write it to the measly $15 I was paid, I knew I'd been robbed and that I could do better.

However, I'm a firm believer that ignorance often breeds more ignorance. Hop on some of the writer's forums out there and you'll see what I mean. People just keep trading misinformation until someone with more experience tells them otherwise.

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 23 May 2011 12:25:56 +0000

Jenn, it's odd to see any ad starting out assuming the respondents are plagiarists, isn't it? There's a huge red flag.

I can't wait for the day when these ads no longer populate the Internet. It will happen the day writer wanna-bes stop taking them seriously.

By: Jenn Mattern

Jenn Mattern — Mon, 23 May 2011 10:00:44 +0000

Wow. I can't believe people are still posting ads like these. Just when you think garbage like ehow.com can't get any worse, you see the rip-offs that try to do it for even less. When are these tightwads going to realize you don't get quality work unless you're willing to pay for it. The fact that they have to threaten to check the originality of each piece up front in the ad says it all. When you hire real writers, you don't have to threaten to hold Copyscape and similar services against them. Mention it at all, and it's an invitation for content spinners / "rewriters" to apply and try to beat your check (and unfortunately those tools are so flawed that they're not hard to beat anymore). Just sad.

By: Lori

Lori — Sun, 22 May 2011 14:05:25 +0000

Devon, Canon does deliver. :)

Anne, that's my wish, too. :)

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Sat, 21 May 2011 12:13:34 +0000

Honestly, I haven't been looking. I'm up to my eyeballs in current work and proposals, and then I've got to get back to work on my brochure and do a direct mailing.

And I'm doing PR for the upcoming release.

I haven't even found the time to go out and buy ink -- which I desperately need!