I guess this topic about working for free has been building up in my blood for a little while and this morning the kettle finally boiled over.
I am a capitalist. Love it or hate it, it’s the truth. This is what I do for a living and I am not intending Tumblemoose Productions to be a non-profit corporation.
The straw this morning was an ad on Craigslist Alaska. I have a love/hate relationship with that site. On one hand I’ve found some great deals and have sold a few things there. On the other hand the Writing/Editing Jobs section is filled to the brim with scammer-spammmers. Now, I can handle the scam-spam. I can usually spot them a mile away. What gets my goat are the legitimate “opportunities” that want to squeeze original articles out of me for free, while they keep the rights. Here is the ad this morning that pushed me over the edge:
VMP Media specializes in providing online content for a wide variety of websites, blogs, print publications, ezines, and other venues. Currently, we are looking for dedicated, dependable freelance writers. Experience, while always helpful, is not reuired for these positions. As long as you possess a passion for the written word and have the ability to meet the minimal requirements below, we would like to hear from you. Writers should be able to provide a minimum of (2) 500-700 word articles per day, or a bulk total of (10) articles per week. These articles must be original material that has not been previously published on- or offline, and must be the original work of the provider. Any writer that submits material that does not meet these terms will be removed and will forfiet any payments owed by VMP Media. Payment rates will be determined on a per article basis, but will increase after the initial review period. Further details will be discussed with those individuals that are selected for the positions. To be considered for the openings that we have available, please send an email with your contact information and (2) original article samples that meet the requirements of the position (500 words minimum – original, unpublished content) to cl_openings@vmpmedia.com. Please note that all sample submissions will become the property of VMP Media, and may be used without compensation to the submitter.
Are you kidding me? Why would I do this? My work is valuable and it means something. With that said, I do have to give them credit. It’s a hell of a scam, right? I mean, if they get just 20 schmoes to submit articles, they have 40 decent sized articles to do with as they please and start making money.
As well, there is absolutely no mention of pay. Again, why would I give away my work for free only to find out later that I’ve been “accepted” and can now whore myself out maybe to get $40 for the 10 articles a week?
For any of you writers out there who would even consider doing such a travesty thing, DON’T DO IT! For the love of God don’t do it to yourself or to other writers. When you accept these kind of terms, you de-value every writer’s worth. Maybe, just maybe if writers would stand up and say NO!, we could all benefit.
Those of you who think this rant is over the top MUST watch this video. (Caution, virgin ears may be offended).
Let’s hear it. Are you one those “writers’ who go to bid sites and bid .05cents per word in order to undercut everyone and get the job?
Do you give it up for free?
Well said! That is truly disgracefull that they ask for so much for so little reward! Good on you for taking a stand!
Webesi3´s last blog post..Funday Fridays: Vol 3
Yup, that’s horrible.
Almost as bad (and also on Craigslist) are the blogging sites that want to hire bloggers for a “revenue share” deal. It’s one thing if we’re talking about an established site that is already getting a lot of traffic and making money (i.e. eHow), but usually these are startup blogs just looking for free work. You could work a year for an outfit like this and be lucky to make a few pennies.
@webdesi3: Thanks! I know it’s not much but I gotta do something.
@Lindsay: Those are another irritant for me. I write for Examiner.com. They expect 3 -4 articles per week and it’s paid per click. Now, I knew that going in, but it’s getting increasingly frustrating seeing close to zero hits and no comments whatsoever.
The folks with Medical-Nursing Training got hold of me, asked for a quote for weekly blogs/monthly articles, I quoted a fair price, they agreed and pay their invoice promptly each month. I wanna adopt them.
Thanks for your comments.
Cheers
George
So you’re saying ads like that really AREN’T “powerful, money-making work-at-home opportunities” and, by taking advantage, I won’t have “top insider secrets” revealed to me?
Aw, maaaaaaaan.
Gee, don’t understand why you’re not jumping all over that offer! I would love to know who they get, and what the quality is of those articles being produced.
Unreal,
Matt
Matt´s last blog post..Free Course – How to Write a Business Plan
I got suckered into one of those. This guy named Bert Teplitsky gets people to edit his articles for free by dangling a job opportunity in front of them. It was plainly obvious what he was up to. He said that if we edited two of his articles for him, he’d pay us $1,000 (or something like that) to write his book with him… BUT HE ALREADY HAS A BOOK WRITTEN available for sale on his website. -> http://www.sellitwithhumor.com/
Harry´s last blog post..Cheetah Girl Hits Lawyer After Nudie Pix Hit Net
someone named nitin who post on one of the writing sites did exactly the same with me. he actually got ten articles for free.
He-He.
I know, Dave. I was disappointed too, but my envelope stuffing mega money kit should be here soon. I paid for rush delivery…
Good morning George. I agree completely. $5 per article? are you kiddin me? Why don’t you just give me some candy instead? It’s a downright insult and I am outraged right along with you! Maybe we should put our comments together and sell them! ha!
@bloggerNewbie:
Too funny. Hmmm. A book of blog posts/comments. Hmmmm.
Cheers!
George
I don’t look for writing work but for people who need blog or website help. One remark that I see over and over is, “This is really simple so I’m not paying much.” I’ve never done it but am so tempted to reply, “It it’s SO simple, fix it yourself.” Grrr …
I would never send original content as a type of interview. Umm, here’s the stuff I’ve already written, check it out.
I also saw another ad where the guy said he could provide lots of beer. Ok … but I’d prefer the cash.
Kim Woodbridge´s last blog post..(Anti) Social-Lists 11/9/08
Hi Kim!
I agrrrree! If indeed it’s that simple…
Exactly. I point them to a profile page and advise them that there’s LOTS of things to look at or I send them something I’ve already done.
Hmmm. The beer thing IS tempting, but I don’t think the folks at VISA would be very happy with my decision.
Good to see you here, Kim.
Cheers
@Matt and Harry:
Sorry, guys. Silly Askimet musta thought you two were trojan warriors or something.
Thanks for the great comments!
cheers
George
I’m in complete agreement with you. Those ads have flooded Craigslist and finding a good writing opportunity that pays well is extremely difficult. I’m glad you posted this.
Mikia´s last blog post..My First Run Since the Marathon?
Thanks for the comments Mikia. Always nice to have you here.
George
I loved that video rant! I would never work at the ridiculously low rates I see advertised in some places. I’ve written a few unpaid guest posts before, and I might do it again. But generally, it makes sense to expect money in exchange for work. That’s how it works at a normal job, right?
Hunter Nuttall´s last blog post..Mirroring: Your Top Secret Psychological Weapon
Hi Hunter. Nice to see you again.
yeah, that video is awesome. The guy is ver animated and makes an outstanding point.
cheers
George
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I seem to always work for free and then wonder why I get no respect…
I spend a lot of years doing great work for the church …then got the great dump…
I set up a wonderful campus ministry program at the new college in our city for $500 a month and no benefits, worked 70 hours a week and taught in many of the programs for free to attract students to the wonderful programs we offered on campus…. they set me up and I was fired…now they have been through about a dozen other ministers and volunteers and they now pay $2000 a month and benefits for a guy who goes out to campus when the spirit moves him away from his book…
hmm…I was a volunteer counselor because the children needed me and still do…though I got gas for my car and a discount on my cell phone
I am trying to believe I will get paid for something I do and money that is reflective of my work…but I am increasing gun shy…I set aside an hour a day to work on the business end of things and stick to it…I will get there
I can’t make twitter work and am just to lesson 5 on Traffic Rush and SU…I am a very slow learner on the technical stuff…trust me on this… but everyone wants me to pay them so that they can tell me how to do “it”…I have no money…really.
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Patricia.
Wow. Your has been a difficult journey I can tell. You keep plugging away and the technical help will come. I’ll tell you something right now: Please do not pay anyone a single time to teach you about the technical stuff. Lots of great folks are around that will be happy to help for the asking – I’m one of them. If you have a question about something just let me know, OK?
George
Thank you so much…I appreciate your offer and I will take you up on it…I am sure…just got the power back on and now the sunshine is coming through…good for warming up the fingers and the house
I think that i am more unlucky than any of you. As i reside in South Africa, getting writing jobs is not easy at all, as we prefer to get paid in dollars, but working your butt of and get the response that a client is not satisfied with your work and you will not be paid, believe me, you have never seen a 35 year old throw a tantrum. I personally think that if you are someone like me, who is not a writer but like to do articles and research for an extra buck should just send all these people who actually betray you and your hard work at the end of the day, right to where it is hot all day.