August 15, 2010 – 4:52 pm
While I have written for other blogs in the past, and will likely continue to do in the future, one thing that really gets me angry are so-called “professional” blogs who want contributors to write new content just for their site, typically in the 500-word and up neighborhood, for free. This is fine if the blog is a community-oriented site that is more a labor of love and not meant as a main source of income for anyone, but if you’re running ads on your site, that means you need to figure out a way to pay your talent.
As I continue the job hunt, it’s amazing how many “hey, can you do this for free/on your own dime?” announcements I come across. Do not tell me the “compensation” of writing unique content for your blog is a link. Gee, wow. If this were 1995, that would be nice, but you know why people say, “you get what you pay for?”…because that’s the truth. Why should I spend time coming up with witty copy for a site to help you earn money?
As much as I love writing, I also like vodka, chocolate, frequent trips to Sephora and other items that require this little thing called currency. You know cash, moola, shekels, and so on.
The sad part is people seem to think creating new content, new code, new designs, etc. are something that anyone can do on the fly. So, instead of paying for quality, you have a bunch of sites subsisting off of low-quality design, content, and code developed by their neighbor’s sister’s cousin twice removed because someone didn’t bother to come up with a cohesive business plan that includes things such as paying your talent.
Come to me when you’re willing to pay for my Sephora habit or at least set me up with a bar tab at the Doug Fir. Until then, keep “employing” those people who will write for free.
Likewise, those folks who accept non-paying writing gigs from professional sites, my advice to you is simple: Value your work. If you don’t, you’re ultimately devaluing the rest of us who like to make a living off producing things. I’d rather risk losing a gig by requesting to be paid than to sell my talents short by working for free.
Posted in Internet, Ranting | 1 Comment »