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This Job Not That Job

Writers Worth: This Job, Not That Job

Posted on November 13, 2024March 10, 2026 by lwidmer

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…

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Freelance Writing WTF: This Job, Not That Job

Posted on May 29, 2024March 10, 2026 by lwidmer

Sometimes in freelance writing, you just have to go with your first reaction, hence the WTF in today’s post title. Because it’s a true WTF moment. This is the message I received on LinkedIn offering me a freelance writing gig. And it’s bad enough that it’s perfect for my ongoing This Job, Not That Job…

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When is a Freelancer Not a Freelancer?

Posted on September 1, 2023September 1, 2023 by lwidmer

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Looking for writers with a background in digital news reporting to write for us on a freelance basis. We would need 40 hours per week and the hours would be 9-to-5. See anything wrong with that? You should. And your obvious follow-up question to the job poster…

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Writers Worth: This Job, Not That Job

Posted on June 27, 2023June 26, 2023 by lwidmer

You know, someday I hope that the world will sort itself out and that freelancers will shun the crap that is posted on job boards. Alas, that is not happening today. Thanks to Paula Hendrickson, who shared this particularly ridiculous job listing that came to her via a friend. And while this one pays better…

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Writers Worth: This Job Not That Job

Posted on March 1, 2023March 1, 2023 by lwidmer

The title of this post should be This Job and Definitely NOT That Job. Thanks to this post over at Filthy Dreams blog, I think the world has landed on what is possibly the worst job on the planet. I mean, everything I’ve ever shared her could not possibly touch the level of bad this one…

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Writers Worth: This Job, Not That Job

Posted on April 20, 2022April 22, 2022 by lwidmer

Oh, FFS. Maybe job posters haven’t read yet about The Great Resignation. Maybe they think that writers are really that damn desperate for work that they’ll work for pennies. Literal pennies. Such is the assumption one hapless job poster has made in this job sent to me by Paula Hendrickson. The assumption is that we’re…

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Freelance Follies: This Job, Not That Job

Posted on August 23, 2021August 20, 2021 by lwidmer

And the madness continues. In a slow month in which I’m poised to earn over $10K, there is still proof that some job posters think that writing is a fire-sale endeavor. Thanks to my chum Sharon Hurley Hall, I was alerted to this job. Well, let’s not call it a job. It’s more of a…

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Freelance Follies: This Job, Not That Job

Posted on May 7, 2021April 29, 2021 by lwidmer

Last week I wrote an article for a client: 600 words, $600. I thought I’d preface this month’s This Job, Not That Job by telling you that. It’s proof that yes, you can make more for your efforts than what you’re offered in some job listings. This particular listing came from writer and chum Sharon…

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Another Writers Worth: This Job, Not That Job

Posted on November 2, 2020October 30, 2020 by lwidmer

You know that feeling you get when you see a freelance writing job listing that just takes your breath away — but not in a good way? Writerly chum Mary Schneider sent this one over last week. Honestly, it took me a day to digest it, mainly because something this rotten can cause lots of…

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The Rise of the Volunteer Freelance Gigs

Posted on October 15, 2020October 14, 2020 by lwidmer

In case anyone missed this, we’re in a bit of a tight labor market. Too many workers, not enough work. Unfortunately, that means there is also an equally disturbing increase in job listings aimed at freelance writers that are abominable at best. But there’s an uptick in yet another disturbing facet of the “get writing…

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  1. Gabriella Avatar
    Gabriella
    October 15, 2020

    When I saw this post, I knew I had to send it to Lori!

    Look, I’m involved in a nonprofit dog rescue. And, yep, I’ve written real articles for which I’ve interviewed people. And I’m the lead on the biannual newsletter, where I write a bunch of stuff.

    Yep, all nonpaid. But that’s because it makes my heart sing, helping dogs.

    It doesn’t make my heart sing to earn nothing while making others profitable.

    I don’t get it.

    The worst example? All those fools who wrote for HuffPo for free and then let Arianna sell it for something like $300 million. I STILL won’t read HuffPo for that reason–I won’t give a single click that made its money off of unpaid work that should have been paid.

    OK, I’ll stop. But this one is a head scratcher for me. Thanks, Lori, for making this point so well!

    Reply
    1. lwidmer Avatar
      lwidmer
      October 15, 2020

      Thank you, Gabriella! This is a trend I’m not happy about in the least. HuffPo has had me steaming for a decade over their nonpayment policy. Why the hell should I work to make them rich at the cost of my own earnings?

      I hear you on the charity work. It has to be something that makes you feel good, not something that makes someone else overwork you for their own financial gain. No. Thanks!

  2. Gina Avatar
    Gina
    October 15, 2020

    I’m still recuperating from all the jobs I had in the 90s slaving for companies that sold out to mergers. Now, too many nonprofits are shells for what amount to mobs. They’ve refined the art of using enablers like me who learned the hard way. They just keep looking for fresh blood. I’m not bitter.

    Reply
    1. lwidmer Avatar
      lwidmer
      October 16, 2020

      All of what you said, Gina. Every bit! Nonprofits being shells — so true. And they do feed on people’s emotions. They give promises, they tell you you’ll be doing good deeds, all of the triggers that make us trust and get on board.

      I had that happen once. The guy had quite literally faked a charity and he was good — he managed to get me to volunteer to write a press release for free. That ended when the cops in his area alerted me to who he was. From that point, I decided it’s payment upfront, and I’m checking out everyone before I get on board.

      It’s hard not to be bitter, isn’t it?

    2. Gina Avatar
      Gina
      October 19, 2020

      I was too shell shocked to be properly bitter. Those jobs I had were mostly administrative – but even now, how do we all process how our whole system has been run more and more the way you describe. Writers, of all people, should lead the way out. You are an example, Lori!

    3. lwidmer Avatar
      lwidmer
      October 20, 2020

      We writers need to get backbones and some self-respect and do more than say no. We need to educate our peers, like you say — lead the way out.

    4. Gina Avatar
      Gina
      October 21, 2020

      Thanks, Lori. You’re right. We need an army of writers. It would be sooo much easier. : )

  3. Sharon Hurley Hall Avatar
    Sharon Hurley Hall
    October 16, 2020

    Well, that volunteer gig was a stinker, wasn’t it, Lori? They want a heck of a lot for no pay.

    Reply
    1. lwidmer Avatar
      lwidmer
      October 16, 2020

      Didn’t they, Sharon? It’s shocking that they’re calling that a volunteer job. With required hours. If it’s volunteer and I show up for just eight hours a week, how are you going to “fire” me? What motivates me to stick around?

      They didn’t think this through very well. 😉

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