Writing for Pennies
I got some flak about last week's job list. One of the editors at one of the listed jobs was not happy that I had recommended his site only for beginners. So, I thought I'd clarify why I recommend some sites for "beginners in need of a clip."
I don't like writers wasting their time. I don't like it when they work for free or work for pennies. I don't like recommending such sites to them. However, I understand that sometimes you have to start from somewhere. I also understand many new writers will go after those few pennies (or even few dollar jobs) no matter what I say. Therefore, I noted some jobs as "only for beginners" so that intermediate and advanced writers out there, who I know will most likely skip these jobs, won't waste the click.
How do I know that intermediate and advanced writers will most likely skip penny-paying jobs? Well, I got my ear to the ground! Ok, really it's because I know there are decent paying freelance writing jobs out there, and most writers who've been fingers to keyboard for more than a month start to realize it, too. It just takes a couple of weeks at the keyboard, and exploring the net, to realize that there's no shortage of people hiring for somewhat decent pay.
The projects paying pennies are easy to find. They think a writer is willing to work for less than minimum wage. Some projects are that when you add up the time spent. If you can type 200 error free words a minute and don’t need to revise or edit it’s no problem. But if you are slow on a keyboard and make frequent corrections you lose. Hey just because you are a writer doesn’t mean you’re a keyboard whiz. Some top writers are lousy typists.
What’s worse is when they want a Bob Bly or Clayton Makepeace but expect them to work for free.
The biggest problem some of us have is we don’t know where to find the high-paying work and can’t afford to spend a fortune to get it.
One of my biggest gripes are the ads where you are asked what you expect to be paid, without knowing the word count or frequency of what you would be writing. Why can’t the advertisers openly offer their anticipated pay range and give a few details so writers can quickly judge whether to spend the time required to apply?
I am in two minds about this. I have written a lot of pieces as freebies, or for very little financial gain. I think this is an important part of becoming a writer though, as it provides a training ground to see what opportunities you are suited to and discover what kind of writing you want to do. Too many writers just want to write, OR just want to get paid for writing anything, but the types of writing are so diverse, that it is crazy to apply for all jobs. Pay your dues, and you will be happy you did in the long run when you are collecting decent paychecks for writing that you loved doing.