Comments on: Questionable Phrases

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:41:55 +0000

LOL! Debra, you can answer my emails like that any day! Great response.

By: Debra Stang

Debra Stang — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:35:39 +0000

I've always liked it when ads say they want "perfect grammar and spelling"…and then go on to say that they pay $1 per article, or something ridiculous like that. I always want to email back and say, "I'm sorry, I'm only 'perfect' when I'm earning a reasonable wage. Would you settle for passable?"

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:36:17 +0000

Good one, Cathy. :)

Devon, I've often felt the same. If they want to use my connections, they have to pay me for them.

Good story, Paula. Sounds like she gave him a lesson in how to run a business. :)

By: Paula

Paula — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:54:27 +0000

Piggybacking on Cathy's reply, a good friend of mine had an odd experience last year with a client who was focused on "exposure" and "platform."

He was offering to pay more that a content mill, but not much more (red flag #1).

A few minutes into the meeting, my friend realized this guy was expecting she'd get all of her Facebook, blog and Twitter followers would flock to his new website (red flag #2). She smiled and said, "Good luck finding writers who can do what you want for the price you're willing to pay. Just remember there's a reason people say you get what you pay for."

A couple weeks ago she told me she ran into that "evil man" at a restaurant - no doubt leaving a tip that was more than he wanted to pay for web content.

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:44:33 +0000

"Must have strong connections within the industry" — means the employer has none, but expects you to turn over your Rolodex for nothing. Um, no.

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:00:14 +0000

The infamous This will give you a lot of exposure or I can introduce you to a lot of industry people.

I don't want your exposure (so to speak) :-) and how can you know you want to introduce me to your industry contacts when I haven't written anything for you yet?

And probably won't if that's your final offer. :-)