Comments on: A Dollar an Hour? – A Guest Article

By: annew

annew — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:24:17 +0000

wow… a truly ever green post… thanks!

By: Jan Hill

Jan Hill — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 02:28:26 +0000

I love this post!! Whenever I feel inadequate or under-confident about my abilities as a writer and start to think about taking some lowball work, I read it, have a good laugh, and get back to looking for worthwhile gigs. George L Ghio, you are awesome!!!!
Jan Hill recently posted..Happy-Sad Halloween

By: annew

annew — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 23:51:04 +0000

Well said.

By: Janienne

Janienne — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 23:11:49 +0000

One good way to get a decent job writing online is to establish yourself as somewhat of an “expert” in some area.

What do you know well? Sit down and try to write 15 solid articles about that – about 600 words each. Can you do it? That will tell you a lot.

After that, try submitting an article or two to a related blog. See if they will post you as a guest writer. Little by little, work up to having about 20 published items online, all in the same general area (computers, making candles, selling widgets, whatever).

After that, you can go to paying sites and apply as a writer. I would say to avoid those “write 50 articles” advertisements. Look for something real. See if a blog needs an assistant writer.

The key is establishing yourself (and convincing yourself) as/that you are competent to write consistently well.

Hope this helps!
Janienne recently posted..JJNWs Lensography All About All My Squidoo Lens Sites! updated Tue Oct 19 2010 12-52 am CDT

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:40:40 +0000

When I first started out I worked quite a few low paying gigs until I realized what I was doing! This is a very good reminder. Though I DO wish I could leave the writing up to my cat at times. Also, thank you for the words “snollygosters” and “thrimmelling!” lol. What unique and eye-catching words….living in the U.S you just never know what you’re missing!

By: Jenny Cromie

Jenny Cromie — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 07:21:22 +0000

Thanks for a great post, George.

I think far too many writers sell themselves short. And as tough as the economy is right now, I do not think anyone should be writing on spec or taking jobs for pennies. In addition to hurting the pocketbook, if you take on such low-paying gigs you just give the bozos who offer them more incentive to keep lowballing writers.

I take on the occasional low-paying gig to fill in the gaps between better-paying assignments. And I also occasionally take a low-paying assignment if I think it might lead to something better-paying down the road. But I’m in agreement—you have to draw the line somewhere. If you’re writing for .03 cents a word, you’re just donating your time and your work. And donated time doesn’t pay the mortgage or the utility bill.

Jenny Cromie
(http://www.thegoldenpencil.com)

Jenny Cromie’s last blog post..Extra! Extra! Hope After a Media Layoff or Buyout

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:23:04 +0000

I am so glad to see this. Sometimes I get so frustrated when I see ads that want to $10 for ten 1000 word articles per day and they must be perfect, and then the client has the nerve to complain that they have been getting substandard work. I want to tell them……”NO KIDDING! You get what you pay for!! DUH!” Thank you for reminding me that I am a professional and I deserve to paid a reasonable wage. Writing is not all that easy, or everybody would do it.

By: Annie

Annie — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:11:16 +0000

Thanks for this article – I’ve just been scouting a LOT of new job possibilities and though I’ve held my payment standards to a reasonable level thus far, I was starting to question if that was smart. There are so many insulting offers that I was beginning to think maybe that was normal, after all. I appreciate the reminder.

By: George L Ghio

George L Ghio — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:55:04 +0000

Manuscript critiquer? Yeah, could be. It’s one of the things I like about English. Many people thing that English is a language when it is in fact a collection of dialects of English. It also has the advantage that spelling and punctuation is optional.

By: Michelle Kafka

Michelle Kafka — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:19:26 +0000

Good article to keep in mind/in favs. A possum... awwww. A "professional reader?" Cool term, but isn't it also known as manuscript critiquer? Michelle Kafka’s last blog post..Blog Action Day 2008 - Poverty, Island Whispers Blog