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Would you recommend new freelancers to work for content mills/farms?

by Junaid khawaja
7 replies
Ok, let me accept this: When I started my freelance writing career, I worked for content mills.

Well, at that time, I didn't even know the term "content mills" and worked like a maniac for them (for as low as $10 per crapy article).

Those were times when I was hungry to get some reviews on my profile. And soon, I realized that content mills prefer quantity over quality. I remember they just needed 5 long paragraphs stuffed and scrambled with their recommended keywords.

After just a week working for them, I developed so much accuracy (At repeating the same stuff over and over again) that I could produce more than 6 articles a day! Pat me on the back for this

Fast forward to today, one of my friend recently decided to try his luck in freelancing and he asked me this very question: Should I work for content mills?

I know content mills are a creative killer. I know they don't let you grow. I know there is nothing to learn when you work for them.

I was desperate to WARN and SCOLD him with a big NO. But then I thought, I used the SAME content mills to earn my self some initial reviews on my profile. It did, somehow, help me earn some online reputation.....

So, how can I stop him from doing the same?

What are your views on this? Would you recommend new freelancers to work for content mills(at least initially to earn some reviews)?

Thanks
Junaid
#content #freelancers #mills or farms #recommend #work
  • Profile picture of the author William Waltham
    Not all content mills are created equally. I started out working for myself online in 2006 by writing for content mills. Some of them paid less than I could make working part-time at McDonalds. But, there are other, less well-known ones where you can make really decent money, and build up a regular client list at the same time. I found out about these places by going on freelance writing job boards. The higher quality content mills actually provided me with a full-time income while only working part-time at them, and allowed me to pay my bills while I built my SEO business.

    Some of the places I wrote for early on are no longer in business, but I know of at least one that still is, and it has an excellent reputation for paying well and treating its writers right. I would recommend writing for a high quality content mill that offers above average pay and has a reputation for being good to its writers. There are places like that online. You'll have to pass a writing test to get into them, but if you do, you can expect some relatively creative and rewarding work, and the ability to eventually select your own clients with whom you prefer to work.

    So, yes, I would recommend a content mill for someone just starting online. But, I would only recommend the better ones.
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    • Profile picture of the author Junaid khawaja
      Originally Posted by William Waltham View Post

      Not all content mills are created equally. I started out working for myself online in 2006 by writing for content mills. Some of them paid less than I could make working part-time at McDonalds. But, there are other, less well-known ones where you can make really decent money, and build up a regular client list at the same time. I found out about these places by going on freelance writing job boards. The higher quality content mills actually provided me with a full-time income while only working part-time at them, and allowed me to pay my bills while I built my SEO business.

      Some of the places I wrote for early on are no longer in business, but I know of at least one that still is, and it has an excellent reputation for paying well and treating its writers right. I would recommend writing for a high quality content mill that offers above average pay and has a reputation for being good to its writers. There are places like that online. You'll have to pass a writing test to get into them, but if you do, you can expect some relatively creative and rewarding work, and the ability to eventually select your own clients with whom you prefer to work.

      So, yes, I would recommend a content mill for someone just starting online. But, I would only recommend the better ones.
      Hi William, these are nice thoughts from your side. Couldn't agree more! New freelancers need to get some know-how of how internet market works, how to deal with clients, what are the buzz words and decorums. Working for content mills teaches us all this.

      However, working at humiliating rates does more harm than good (I think this is the single most strong reason that stops us from charging what we are worth, even after growing up to be an expert later) .

      Your advice to hunt for good and well-paying content mills from the very start is so spot on!
      Thanks
      Junaid
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  • Profile picture of the author writeaway
    I've written for content mills in the past

    They definitely give you a headstart

    You also learn how to structure your content

    Using the lessons I learned, I've become a more effective writer-both for my own projects as well as for my clients

    Remember: It's not where you start that matters... what matters is how quick you learn and how focused you are in chasing BIG dreams.
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    • Profile picture of the author Junaid khawaja
      Originally Posted by writeaway View Post

      I've written for content mills in the past



      Remember: It's not where you start that matters... what matters is how quick you learn and how focused you are in chasing BIG dreams.
      Perfect Perfect Perfect! It's not where you start that matters.

      I have seen starters comparing themselves with top players and then thinking bad about it. What they need to understand is, when they started, they also passed through all the similar phases. Instead of comparing ourselves with their FINAL destination, we should evaluate ourselves by comparing with their success phases, struggles, and milestones.

      Thanks for your great insights!
      -J
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    • Profile picture of the author makingitworkonline
      I love that quote!

      "Remember: It's not where you start that matters... what matters is how quick you learn and how focused you are in chasing BIG dreams."
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  • Profile picture of the author BradVert2013
    I started out writing for a content mill. Only got a couple of dollars per article. While the pay was crap, I did learn how to write good articles that got me repeat clients.

    Eventually, one client gave me his contact info to work for him directly. It was a lucky break for me, and it allowed me to wean myself off of the content mill and go after higher paying work.

    I think they can be good if you just want to get your feet wet in the content business. It requires no marketing on your part - you just pick a writing job and go for it. So you really have nothing to lose. That said, content mills are definitely not a good way to make a living. Use them as a learning tool and then move on to bigger and better things!
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    • Profile picture of the author Junaid khawaja
      Originally Posted by BradVert2013 View Post

      I started out writing for a content mill. Only got a couple of dollars per article. While the pay was crap, I did learn how to write good articles that got me repeat clients.

      Eventually, one client gave me his contact info to work for him directly. It was a lucky break for me, and it allowed me to wean myself off of the content mill and go after higher paying work.

      I think they can be good if you just want to get your feet wet in the content business. It requires no marketing on your part - you just pick a writing job and go for it. So you really have nothing to lose. That said, content mills are definitely not a good way to make a living. Use them as a learning tool and then move on to bigger and better things!
      HI Brad, thanks for sharing your experience. I totally agree with you -- if you have the right expertise, luck will shine and even a crapy thing like content mill will give you a break. I think, for most of the writers, going through the "content mill phase" is part of a learning curve.

      It is a preparation on how to deal our own clients in future.

      Thanks for your input!
      Junaid
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