WTF 1.00 For 500 Words, Are You Serious?

[pheonix44]

I was looking on some of the freelancing sites searching for work as always, I found that besides from the main site elance virtually every other site I went to had low ball offers.


It was ridiculous; I was seeing people who wanted content properly researched and would pass copyscape, and several other high standards, but yet the most they were willing to pay me was 0.20 for a hundred words, can you believe that?


I mean seriously; does someone really expect you to sit down and trade your time for 0.20 cents for a hundred words? I understand people in other countries may appreciate this amount, but I would imagine that even to them their time is worth more.


I was really optimistic about it but found that after elance the dip in quality work was huge. You might get lucky to find one or two people who are willing to pay even five dollars an article.


The rest of the people were trying to scam me by asking me to write about a particular topic. I told them I had samples, but they wanted it on their niche. I understand but I have heard of people getting burned by doing this. A sample of my work should be enough.


I cannot believe there are people who actually expect you to sit down and do proper research for them, write quality, be perfect otherwise but pay them 1.00 for 500 words, it doesn't make sense to me. Can anyone else tell me what their experience has been with the freelance sites besides elance. my experience has been low ball offers that I would never work.

[Marhelper]

Although some will argue the point, you usually get what you pay for. Those that are looking for quality are usually willing to pay for it.

[Andyhenry]

What you need to remember is they're willing to pay what it's worth to them.

So they probably don't value their own time either.

You'll get a much better rate just dealing with business owners direct - I've paid a lot of people much more for content and I rarely find them on outsourcing sites since there are a lot of IMers who like to write.

Andy

[pheonix44]

There are a few that will write for lowball prices but the really good ones raise their prices pretty fast once word gets out.

Tina G

That is what I was doing, but found it really difficult.I love to write and have no problem doing so. It allows me to not have to depend on a job, but I refuse to sell myself that cheap, I don't mind doing it for a little while to build credibility though, but not for 0.20 a word.

[seasoned]

Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises

I just laugh at those kind of offers. I have done paid forum posting for professional companies that pay more than that rate...lol. What those people will likely get is broken English or rewritten work. There are a few that will write for lowball prices but the really good ones raise their prices pretty fast once word gets out.

Tina G

yah thay es likley two naht no ef thee inglesh es eaven korekt, layt allon lowerstan det!

Andyhenry,

Where do you get off saying "well meaning newbie"? If they are even a newbie and writting for such an audience, they certainly are NOT "well meaning".

And YEAH, I HAVE seen spelling as bad as my little example above!

Steve

[pheonix44]

yah thay es likley two naht no ef thee inglesh es eaven korekt, layt allon lowerstan det!

Andyhenry,

mee undastann wat u meeen, mee du no undastan wy itt bei liek thees

[tommygadget]

Wow, those lines really hurt my eyes. Having said that, the hedge you have against these extremely low offers is putting first class samples in your portfolio. Doing this will show prospective buyers that you are worth the extra cash.

TomG.

[pheonix44]

thaanks be e to yu mi frend

[SullyUI]

Yeah, using those sites is a waste of time for freelance writing. I do both internet marketing and writing, and I don't ever get my clients from any of the freelance websites like elance. Although, I have heard of writers having success on those sites.

I have had success selling to clients on sites that aren't centered around freelancing. Internet marketing forums, online classified ads, and local businesses are usually better sources, but you also need to justify your higher prices. Hope that helps.

[Ron Killian]

I'd be really curious if any one has gotten any usable content at that price. Course if they did, they would probably keep to themselves. I'd feel like I was ripping them off.

On the other hand, as mentioned, that might not be bad pay in another part of the world. Something better than nothing? I had some one hit me up on messenger yesterday, said he was from the warrior forum, looking for work. Seemed from the way he talked he would do anything at any price, said he was poor.

[pheonix44]

On the other hand, as mentioned, that might not be bad pay in another part of the world. Something better than nothing? I had some one hit me up on messenger yesterday, said he was from the warrior forum, looking for work. Seemed from the way he talked he would do anything at any price, said he was poor.

I understand that If I lived in a country like central america or something where opportunity was low I would do anything as well. I love to write, it helps me escape from reality. I am a big horse racing fan and have been studying it for the past two years and practicing on paper. I am using article writing to build a foundation for what I hope to be a successful business.

[Bev Clement]

I have never used a freelancing site. The majority of my work comes from people outside of the IM niche. You will find there are many people who are willing to pay far higher prices.

If you want to earn higher rates then you need to think beyond IMers because many of them will never pay higher rates. By higher rates I mean anything more than $0.10 per word.

[pheonix44]

I love what I do so much because it gives me the ability to not have to depend on a job. There was a time I would walk in 2 feet of snow at five in the morning just to go to a 8.00 an hour paying job. I hated it, but it makes me appreciate what I do so much more. I get pleasure out of knowing the people who read my stuff are being helped and even if I had to write about the same topic 1000 times I would try to make them all solve a different problem. When I think about the alternative of working in a factory for 8.00 an hour and having blood blisters on my hands versus writing at home I will chose the latter every time.

[howlinghawk]

My only advice is: if you have any spare time, write a couple articles yourself to avoid scams and bad work. Plus they only take 15 minutes to write.

-Howlinghawk

[peter gibson]

Someone willing to pay a buck for 500 words really needs to eye their subscribers, because I guarantee that by the time they spend 2.00 and get 2 articles, half the people reading their sites/blogs will have unsubscribed.

Cheap writing leads to a net loss as a webmaster. This I know from experience. Pay a dollar now and lose 500.00 in sales later. It's simple.

These prices do exist, and I have to admit I'm guilty of trying to find deals like this early in my IM career. All I can say is it amounts to nothing but rubbish. Pay nothing and you get nothing. You end up with non-English speaking people who have no clue as to the language, or you get idiots who refurbish junk and call it original.

Too good to be true always is. 1.00 for 500 words? I challenge anyone here to find a good article/ post for that kind of money.

[pheonix44]

Too good to be true always is. 1.00 for 500 words? I challenge anyone here to find a good article/ post for that kind of money

You got that right. It is really not that hard, but if you want me to sit down, do a little research for you and write you quality content that your customers will read and enjoy then be willing to be reasonable. I do not mind proving myself and all, but come on!

[tommygadget]

Originally Posted by Bev Clement

I have never used a freelancing site. The majority of my work comes from people outside of the IM niche. You will find there are many people who are willing to pay far higher prices.

If you want to earn higher rates then you need to think beyond IMers because many of them will never pay higher rates. By higher rates I mean anything more than $0.10 per word.

True, because most IM'ers are looking for search engine fodder, not quality content. That is a losing strategy IMO.

TomG.

[bannor32]

About the only time you'll be lucky to find decent quality for that price is if a talented writer is using it as an introductory price (loss leader) to try and establish a client-base before raising prices. If you find such a writer don't expect the low prices to last forever.

[Kael41]

Without a doubt. I get inquiries everyday as to "what do you charge for x amount of words, etc" for article creation services. And when I respond with either a link to the price list or the actual cost to create a 1000 word article the response is usually "k, thx, i'll ask on DP and get it done for 3$/article"

/shrug

No hair off my back. I prefer the clients who understand that utilizing a project manager, copy editor and writer actually adds cost to my overhead and thus is passed on through the price of an article. Back in 2005 when I entered this market with 20 writers in my group, it was a little easier to grab the low hanging fruit that were the customers. Now the expectation (wrongly or rightly given) is that content should be dirt cheap because that's what the market is willing to bear out. Just look at elance.com or getafreelancer for the going rate.

Originally Posted by tommygadget

True, because most IM'ers are looking for search engine fodder, not quality content. That is a losing strategy IMO.

TomG.

[pheonix44]

About the only time you'll be lucky to find decent quality for that price is if a talented writer is using it as an introductory price (loss leader) to try and establish a client-base before raising prices. If you find such a writer don't expect the low prices to last forever.

ey tank yu bery muche four undarstannung

[pheonix44]

Now the expectation (wrongly or rightly given) is that content should be dirt cheap because that's what the market is willing to bear out. Just look at elance.com or getafreelancer for the going rate.

I looked at getafreelancer and almost broke my computer. 1.00 for 500 words. 0.75 cents for a rewrite of 500 words

[peter gibson]

Originally Posted by pheonix44

I looked at getafreelancer and almost broke my computer. 1.00 for 500 words. 0.75 cents for a rewrite of 500 words

Thing about these prices is this; it always work out in the end. It's like karma.

Anyone offering services at these prices that has any salt to their work will be paid more, and very quickly, regardless of their nationality or schooling. And those that take these low paying jobs that suck, well they come, they make their crack pipe money, and they're gone. Better for us.

I can tell you that getafreelancer and even elance have been infected recently by the "will work for smokes" crowd, but in the end, it's the people hiring them that lose.

It's also worth mentioning that if I have a competitor in my given niche looking for writing services, I will always point them at these sites, or a cheap writer. Makes me look good in the long run.

[Rachel Goodchild]

i'm on Jimmy Browns list of reccomended writers- have to say I have NEVER accepted crap pay..
if you are good, it's worth it.
Have I accepted lower than top levels? absolutely. but never sell yourself short!

[pheonix44]

And those that take these low paying jobs that suck, well they come, they make their crack pipe money, and they're gone. Better for us.

I like this quote. I am working for low right now, but it is only because I love to write. You have to look at it as helping people and not just trying to sell them something. When I sit down to write an article I think to myself how can I help the reader. If I can do this successfully then I feel better, I am like a universal internet niche doctor phill

This is nothing new with freelance sites, this has been going on for years.. With my clients (when I took on clients) I would provide them with a full detailed proposal and prove to them that paying me $5,000 or more for a website was well worth the cost over someone that "claimed" they could do it for $200..

It really is that simple, provide proof that you are worth every single penny and give detailed information why you are worth it.

I personally do not take on clients any longer as I got tired of the rate race and buyers that wanted to pay $50 for a $5,000 site. I prefer now to build my own products and sell my own services and products... Now my stress levels are way down ...lol

James

[Sissy76]

It is offensive to see offers as low as that.
Instead of looking to write for others, why don't you write for yourself? Set up a blog and monetise it, become an affiliate and use article marketing to make sales for yourself, or write your own ebook and market it.
There are LOADS of helpful people on this forum who are more than willing to pass on their wisdom and expertise to get you going.
Ask and ye shall receive!

You could also post your services on this forum as a wso or classified, people here are always looking for quality writing and are willing to pay for it.

Best of luck,
Sissy

Originally Posted by Sissy76

It is offensive to see offers as low as that.
Instead of looking to write for others, why don't you write for yourself? Set up a blog and monetise it, become an affiliate and use article marketing to make sales for yourself, or write your own ebook and market it.
There are LOADS of helpful people on this forum who are more than willing to pass on their wisdom and expertise to get you going.
Ask and ye shall receive!

You could also post your services on this forum as a wso or classified, people here are always looking for quality writing and are willing to pay for it.

Best of luck,
Sissy

Exactly Sissy, you struck gold .....

James

[valerieSONORA]

On Digital Point I've seen threads where people have wanted perfect articles, perfect grammar, perfect English, fast turn around for $2 for 500 words. They will either be completely ignored or get terrible articles or copied ones. I find ads like that humorous They won't get what they are looking for.

[pheonix44]

It really is that simple, provide proof that you are worth every single penny and give detailed information why you are worth it.

That is exactly what I do. I am still proving myself though. I have been writing for warriors for a little while now and I love it. I thought I would try the freelancing sites and to my horror

[valerieSONORA]

I went to rentacoder just to find a crazy ad, which I knew they'd be there.

This guy wants 50 original articles 400-750 words and the MAXIMUM bid is 50 dollars!! hahahaha

Rent A Coder - 50 Original Articles, Various Topics

Yeah good luck on that one. I don't find these ads offensive I find them hilarious. You know nobody is going to write these perfect articles for $1 or less for 450-700 words. Craziness. Insanity.

[pheonix44]

This guy wants 50 original articles 400-750 words and the MAXIMUM bid is 50 dollars!! hahahaha

I would do it if it were 50 words each.

Originally Posted by pheonix44

That is exactly what I do. I am still proving myself though. I have been writing for warriors for a little while now and I love it. I thought I would try the freelancing sites and to my horror

Again I done this for years, I have built websites for over 15 years.. I have prefect feedback at GAF and $10,000's have went through my account but I have not even logged into the site in many months because as I said I changed my business model. I am much more happier now, sure I work 20 hours a day but it is on my terms for my own stuff and not some clients.

Stop trying to prove yourself and use your writing for your own purpose. Sissy posted real good advice.

James

[pheonix44]

Stop trying to prove yourself and use your writing for your own purpose. Sissy posted real good advice.

James

I will in time, but I am formulating a good plan write now. I have been studying article marketing for a while now and pretty much no what it takes to succeed. I work about 16 hours a day and love every second of it, though I spend about four of those hours studying horse races.

[J Elizabeth Dize]

Originally Posted by valerieSONORA

I went to rentacoder just to find a crazy ad, which I knew they'd be there.

This guy wants 50 original articles 400-750 words and the MAXIMUM bid is 50 dollars!! hahahaha

Rent A Coder - 50 Original Articles, Various Topics

Yeah good luck on that one. I don't find these ads offensive I find them hilarious. You know nobody is going to write these perfect articles for $1 or less for 450-700 words. Craziness. Insanity.

Thanks for the laugh Valerie Yikes

The sad thing is, there are some writers who think that is all they can get

[raiko]

Tommy G. has hit the nail on the head. Many people looking for cheap "articles" just need keyword filled text to put on their sites in an attempt to increase their Google rankings. They're not necessarily concerned about obtaining quality content to mesmerize their visitors. Besides, a poorly written article will cause the visitor to leave - which is exactly what they want - as long as they leave via a monetized click. Perhaps someday Google will be able to truly differentiate between good and bad writing. When that happens good writers will suddenly become very valuable and the rest will fade into cyber-obscurity.

[Poglia]

I had the same problem... some people even want free samples so they can use your articles for free, and some don't even pay.

[tranquility]

Yeah, I've laughed at some of those sites, too. Just shake my head and move on. I can't help feeling a bit peeved, though, at the people that actually bid on those jobs. My rates are quite low right now because I'm launching my business, but don't expect them to stay that low for long!

[pheonix44]

Needless to say, I didn't bother taking up any of their "generous" offers! I'd rather sell my hair for wig making. LG.

Yeah, I've laughed at some of those sites, too. Just shake my head and move on. I can't help feeling a bit peeved, though, at the people that actually bid on those jobs. My rates are quite low right now because I'm launching my business, but don't expect them to stay that low for long!

This was the same thing I was saying, but I can understand if you are from a poor country. I am willing to work hard to build credibility, but 1.00 for 500 words

[Bev Clement]

2 things which are often missed by writers. Some gurus (yes I have read it in their books) say, hire a writer, and pay them the lowest possible money you can get away with. Never tell who your writer is, because then others will want to use them and the writer will realise there are many people who will pay higher rates to them.

I discovered this via a number of warriors who say, always post on a site that you want a free sample. Wait until you have 10 or more samples, then say the job has been given, but never give it to anyone. Use the free samples and then post another ad.

The biggest problem with new writers is they assume that IMers are the only people who buy. Yet, they won't put their prices up because they are afraid that nobody will buy. However, those outside of IM don't normally pay the lower prices because they think that anything less than $0.10 per word isn't going to be that good.

[Bev Clement]

Tina, I don't normally go looking for clients, as most of mine find me through my website.

I do have a list of companies and yes they are for my coaching students only.

[pheonix44]

The biggest problem with new writers is they assume that IMers are the only people who buy. Yet, they won't put their prices up because they are afraid that nobody will buy. However, those outside of IM don't normally pay the lower prices because they think that anything less than $0.10 per word isn't going to be that good

I can attest to this myself.But I still do not know where to look

[Bev Clement]

Robin that is the point, you don't have to look. Many people who need a ghostwriter and are prepared to pay decent rates don't advertise. They use Google, and they will contact the writer rather than the writer having to spend hours every day looking for work.

One thing I teach is a way to get a client in 10 mins, and you can do that every single time you need work.

I know when I have said I don't go looking for work, people have decided to put all sorts of things into the equation which are not true.

I don't go looking for work, not because as some assume I'm too proud to look, but my clients come to me. I would say that 95% of our new clients in the last 2 years are not from the Warrior Forum. They have all approached me through my website, and being indexed on the 1st page of Google for many different keywords.

People read what they want to read and then make up the rest, but the reality is, we get a whole range of new clients looking for writing which isn't often articles, ebooks and reports, even though at times it does include those.

Everything we do through our site is for a reason, and even though we don't take the normal route of what people say here, it has given us clients who expect to pay higher prices.

Our list of services is now 12 pages long, and no we don't get to do them all in a week, but we do get the opportunity to do them over time.

There are some companies who pay higher rates, but the ads are on their own websites. I don't know of any higher paying company that uses the normal freelance sites.

When these people are searching for a writer, it seems they immediately reject those with lower prices. There are other factors which should be taken into consideration as well.

[Bev Clement]

We are in the process of changing the format of our course, and it will then be available all year round. Whether we will offer it again as a wso is open to discussion at the moment.

At the moment our course is aimed at new writers, but we have found that people who have been writing for a number of years have found they have been able to double their rates overnight.

We have 2 brand new courses about to be released which are for people who have completed the beginners course, and those will be teaching lots of things I have never seen on the forum before. Those 2 new courses are not available as a wso, and you have to do the beginners course first.

We were talking to a writer yesterday, and when we shared a few things, they said we did things totally differently from what is normally being taught by IMers.

We are told you can't do things the way we do things, because it isn't the acceptable way. But, it is only because IMers teach ways which work in affiliate marketing which don't always work for writing.

Even a simple change to your website will immediately make a difference to the rates you charge. But, as I say, here I'm a voice on my own, and people say you can't do it.

Generally speaking the advice is good advice, except the niche is totally wrong for the advice, but few can see that.

[valerieSONORA]

Originally Posted by Jenn Dize

Thanks for the laugh Valerie Yikes

The sad thing is, there are some writers who think that is all they can get

Yes that parts sad. I guess then those kind of ads take advantage of desperate people who have empty cupboards and need some food to feed their kids.

[pheonix44]

You guys have been really contributing alot to my thread, I did not think it would be this popular. Either way, I really love to write and I have no problem getting my feet a little wet because I have a master plan

[CDarklock]

Originally Posted by Jenn Dize

The sad thing is, there are some writers who think that is all they can get

I tend to see it from the other direction: that's all some people can get, and they think they're writers.

I'm sorry if that sounds cruel, but the fact is, I have lost more money than I care to count because people were just plain unreliable.

[redicelander]

You freelance writers in countries with high standards of living, such as U.S. or Europe, have to sit down and realize there are writers in India and Philippines who can give high quality work for a much lower price than you, and there are many on those freelance websites.

[BrianE]

When I first started, I hired a few of those with the low rates. Complete waste of time and money. I ended up rewriting the articles. I believe some of these people/companies have a "front man" who can write decent english to sell you on their abilities but then they turn around and outsource it themselves to others in 3rd world countries or maybe they are managers who assign the work to other less literate writers.
Anyway, I'll keep you in mind next time I need articles written.

[pheonix44]

I don't know anyother way to write article besides the right way. I believe that things even themselves out eventually. If you write for low you should do a good job because you never know where that might lead, and if you write for more you should do the same. Take pride in your work.

[peter gibson]

Originally Posted by redicelander

You freelance writers in countries with high standards of living, such as U.S. or Europe, have to sit down and realize there are writers in India and Philippines who can give high quality work for a much lower price than you, and there are many on those freelance websites.

I'm not a writer, and I don't even play one on TV. In a way you are preaching to the choir.

But I can tell you I've purchased writing from everywhere on this planet - cheap, and bloody expensive alike. So how about we fore-go a long drawn out argument and you PROVE your assertion, and prove it's written by someone on the down low from any of the aforementioned sites. I ask this because I've solicited work from those sites time after time hoping for the best - and I've been consistently disappointed, not to mention having wasted the few bucks I spent (trying to "save" money).

I've yet to get my moneys worth from anyone offering cheap writing from any country on planet earth, US and Canada included. It's just plain never happened, and furthermore, I am not assuming that because people have a lower standard of living they deserve to be paid less than a quality writer from... say... Seattle.

Don't get me wrong, once in a blue moon you will find someone willing to do decent work for dirt, but I guarantee that those ridiculous prices never last long, because quality writing is valued in this world - and before too long a good writer will figure that out on their own.

Personally, if I could ever find a writer from India, Philippines, Jakarta, Toledo or Timbuktu that was decent, I would pay them what they are worth regardless of their asking price, because I value good writing and I know how quality writing effects my bottom line. More than that however, I have learned that karma can very quickly come back and bite you in the ass if you knowingly underpay/undervalue anyone. And besides, who in their right mind wants a talented up and coming writer to be producing content for their competitors - at some point after you've already shilled them of what amounts to mere pennies?

I swear I fail to see the logic in every part of this "get cheap writers" concept. Even if the rare occasion proves that it's possible. It's just a miserable failure from the writer's perspective as well as the publisher. We are - for the most part - in the content production business online. It's either got to be killer copy, or compelling content, yes? So let me beg this question; if you were waging war, would you go out and pay your generals a pittance, or would you offer your minions what you think they are worth? Because if you are in for saving money at the top, by the end of the war the enemy has still broken the ranks, raped all your women, and stolen your gold.