Comments on: Return of the Demand(ing) Jobs

By: Kimberly Ben

Kimberly Ben — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 02:40:40 +0000

Yes, Lori, the mill I wrote for paid $20 and up, but I always earned so much better when I marketed my own services. I'd do a lot of things differently if I could do it all again, but I've learned a lot since then and I'm still learning. :)

Lisa, having a specialty can make all the difference, and it sounds like you have a very good one. Some worry that this DS situation will mean more competition for clients, but I don't worry about that. Some writers unwilling to put in the work and effort will naturally fall away. Besides, there's more than enough out there to go around.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:02:14 +0000

Lisa, thanks for offering your own experience. I think the appeal of the DS model for writers is it's "easy" work - meaning no marketing, no thinking, not much research. But it's not career-changing in the way many hope. It makes them complacent.

I'm glad you made the switch. :)

By: Lisa Cunningham

Lisa Cunningham — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 03:37:54 +0000

Kim, I agree with you. I wrote for Demand for a short time while I was getting my writing business off the ground. Finally, I realized that I had far more expertise than most of the writers on DS. I grew tired of trying to motivate myself to write for less than $15 an hour.

Now I'd rather spend the time I used to waste on Demand marketing myself to businesses that have money to pay better. I also recommend selecting a niche. Mine is health care. Doctors and dentists can afford to pay good writers for their blogs, news releases and business letters.

When Google changed its policy about not using the content mills' content for its top rankings, the tide began to turn. I'm thankful, actually, that DS has a lot less work for writers. That means that the professionals among us can shine.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:12:29 +0000

She would have changed her tune the minute she had to make a living at it, Paula. We know that because we're doing it. She would have strugggled and failed with an attitude like that. "I'll just be a writer" is like my saying "I'll just solve global warming." It's just talk.

Kim, I remember your being in that farm. It was a bit better paying - $20, wasn't it? I like that you had a plan. And like you say, without a plan, some writers are going to be stuck with no direction once the work disappears.

By: Kimberly Ben

Kimberly Ben — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:07:09 +0000

Back in the day, when I was first getting started, I worked with a California content farm (they paid better than DS, but a content mill is a content mill). Thankfully I was also actively marketing and building relationships with private clients too, but my logic at the time was that this mill would at least provide some steady income while I worked to get higher paying work. It was a means to an end for me - NOT a model for my business. The workload was sometimes intense and the deadlines more so (juggling mill work with client projects resulted in a few "all-nighters"). About 3 months or so later, the projects had all dried up. Some of the long-term writers (some had worked for this company for 3+ years) were caught unprepared and panicked. Thankfully I had enough clients that losing the mill didn't hurt too badly. It freed me up to find another client to take its place.

If you've turn to mills because you want to earn a living writing without marketing yourself, I'm not really sure what to tell you. But if you want better paying work and just need to know what to do to get it, this blog and Jennifer's series are a really good place to start learning.

By: Paula

Paula — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:39:46 +0000

A couple years ago, a librarian I know (the sister of one of my best friends) claimed she wasn't too worried about pending layoffs at the library. Why not? "I'll just be a writer, like Paula."

Um, we were in the same creative writing class in high school, and all she did was write trite, boring retreads of her favorite romance novels. I remember she named one hero Mr. Carstairs. Sure. That should be enough to support you, your two kids and freeloading boyfriend. Luckily for her and readers everywhere, she was transfered to a smaller branch but kept her day job.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:09:45 +0000

Good morning, Wendy. :)

You're right - there's so much free advice out there, and most of it good. If a writer is willing to take time to read and absorb the information, she'll increase her chances of building a strong career.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:53:33 +0000

I would say that you should take advantage of the free material out there. It will help you decide if freelancing is for you or not. If it is, then you've got a lot of great stuff to use to get started.

Since the assignments are dwindling at DS, now would be the best time to start searching. Don't wait until the last minute.