Writers Worth: This Job, Not That Job

I take it back.

When I said last week that the job posting we looked at was probably the worst ever, I was wrong.

Really wrong.

As in really, really wrong.

Thanks to Sharon Hurley Hall for sending this along. I couldn’t contain my shock, either. And I’m willing to bet you each what this company is willing to pay per word that you won’t be able to, either.

It’s that bad.

Without further delay, let’s see what may be the worst possible candidate for This Job, Not That Job.

Blog Content Writer

We’re looking for more experienced freelancer writers (long term, regular basis)
for researching topics and writing articles in one of our blogs.

Need to answer the following criteria:

• Native written English
•  Wordpress Experience
• Understanding of basic HTML (headers: h1,h2,h3)
• Great researcher
• Availability on Skype
• Can commit to deadlines for articles

You’ll be asked to read and follow our guidelines document for articles,
as well as sign an agreement to ensure the authenticity of the content and
that content will not be shared with others.

We pay 0.03$ per word (might increase after time)
when usually these are the article lengths:
1500 words – 45$
2500 words – 75$
3500 words – 105$

Yea? Isn’t that the worst you’ve ever seen? No? Then read on. Oh, let’s all read on, just for fun.

We’re looking for more experienced freelancer writers (long term, regular basis)
for researching topics and writing articles in one of our blogs.

More experienced. Researching and writing. For three cents a word. Oh but wait, there’s more.

• Native written English
•  Wordpress Experience
• Understanding of basic HTML (headers: h1,h2,h3)
• Great researcher
• Availability on Skype
• Can commit to deadlines for articles

So I ask you — aside from the obvious insult that any native English speaker/writer would agree to work for less than your kid gets for allowance each week, why does this writer need WordPress experience, HTML experience, and Skype availability? Because, my writer friend, they’re not telling you that you have to post to WordPress or that you have to format those posts. Wow. That three cents a word is looking so tempting right now, isn’t it?

The Skype thing — I can only imagine they want you available for calls. But why? What in God’s name are they thinking you need to check in for? So you don’t abscond with half a buck?

As you may have guessed, this is not a US-based company (Israel). So when they tell you they’re paying you “45$” it’s forty-five bucks.

We pay 0.03$ per word (might increase after time)
when usually these are the article lengths:
1500 words – 45$
2500 words – 75$
3500 words – 105$

That they explained that and seem to think it’s okay to tell people they can write a feature-length article for a few dollars and change shows just how desperate they think you are. And it shows arrogance — we might pay you more (right — I’m not waiting for the raise) and we feel perfectly okay with telling you this is all you’re worth.

I can’t go on.

Try something like this instead:

Scrap

Scrap is the bimonthly magazine of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), a Washington, D.C.-based trade association. Scrap welcomes letters and articles on issues facing the recycling industry and other topics of interest to ISRI members.

Pay: $800-1200 for features

Write about recycling and reducing waste. Don’t collect waste in the form of a lousy job.

Writers, what alternatives can you suggest?