Writers Worth: This Job, Not That Job

I’ve finally found it. I have found the worst freelance writing gig ever.

It’s been a minute since we’ve looked at some of the schlock out there that people are trying to pass off as freelance writing gigs. It’s not because things are getting better — far from it — but because there is simply too much to choose from.

This posting, which a fellow writer had posted on Threads, is by far the absolute worst freelance writing gig I’ve seen. And I highly doubt it will be eclipsed. Then again, life is full of surprises, as the low-paying content-mill era proved time and again. This one is so bad, I can’t even type it in. You have to see it for yourself.

Behold, the worst job on the planet:

While there are plenty of things wrong with this ad, the part that is highlighted is the worst offense. You’re an “employee” who has to pay to work there.

That’s right — you pay them for the privilege of having a “job” doing their freaking work for them. And honey? If you don’t pay them on time, you’re fired.

I for one cannot stop laughing right now.

That they put that utter bullshit under the heading “Cost and Payment Structure” adds that extra-special layer of insult, doesn’t it?

So, let’s recap:

You get a fancy title, which means you’re now training AI to take your damn job (because bet money it’s because they don’t want to pay a freelancer — hell, they don’t want to pay employees), the position is unpaid, and you owe them five hundred bucks every week because dammit, they gave you a job, you ungrateful bastard.

I don’t think anyone I know (AKA people who are alive) would ever fall for this. If they do, they kind of deserve to pay to work, don’t you think?

Let’s show those who don’t know any better how it’s actually done, shall we? We’ll start here:

Harvard Business Review

HBR covers a wide range of topics, including strategy, leadership, organizational change, diversity and inclusion, innovation, decision making, marketing, career transitions, work-life balance, and managing teams. Payment reported at $2/word. (They pay you, not the other way around.)

 

Writers and freelancers — in what situation would you work for nothing, if at all? What criteria would have to be there for you to say yes? Would you ever?