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information and (2) original article samples that meet the requirements of the position (500 words minimum – original, unpublished content) to cl_openings@vmpmedia.com.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?