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The Marketplace For Content Has An Echo

by Corey Geer
7 replies
I track the WF and a couple of other marketing forums twice a day for new content that needs to be done. However, it seems as of lately there's an echo and the marketplace is empty.

I haven't been actively looking around the marketplace for a while but you could find at least a few people a day who needed to hire content writers, but now you're lucky to see one every couple of days.

Warriorforum is the only forum I know of that doesn't look like this:
"must have high qualities writes with budget of .50c per 100 words"
"payment will be sent after qualities of writes are good and seen"

I've tried Guru/Elance, but I never have success with that. I always get outbid horrendously (and my prices aren't ridiculous). Maybe it's the time of the year or what?

At this rate with the lack of people looking for content writers (and the lack of people willing to pay more than $1 per 100 words), I might end up on Textbroker whoring myself out.

Anyone have any ideas as to why the need for content has been so slow as of lately?
#content #echo #freelancing #marketplace #writing
  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    If I look at your signature I will see you offer $3/100 words. The problem is yourself and the other writers. As each of you compete and lower your prices to get the work, your customers keep expecting more for less. There would be other writers out there (that charge more) who hate the prices you are charging just as much as you hate the prices others below you are charging.
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    • Profile picture of the author Corey Geer
      Originally Posted by WillR View Post

      If I look at your signature I will see you offer $3/100 words. The problem is yourself and the other writers. As each of you compete and lower your prices to get the work, your customers keep expecting less for more. There would be other writers out there (that charge more) who hate the prices you are charging just as much as you hate the prices others below you are charging.
      That's always going to be a problem regardless of how many people are looking for content writers. I'd highly prefer to stay away from the people who have a budget of .50c/100 words or $1 per 100 words.

      I mean it just seems that there's a severe lack of people in marketplaces looking for work to be done. The pages move slow, there's not many new posts in the sections on a day to day basis, etc.

      Maybe it's seasonal, who knows.
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    Just because others charge those prices doesn't mean you have to though. I know plenty of graphic designers and copywriters who sell their services on this forum for way cheaper than they should be. I also know copywriters and graphic designers outside of this forum who charge much higher prices for their work and are always booked out well in advance.

    Often people will equate higher prices with higher quality so don't be afraid to charge more. If you think your work is worth more then charge more and attract those types of clients you are wanting to work with. But so long as you keep devaluing your services your clients will not value your service and they will continue to expect everything for nothing.
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  • Profile picture of the author CandyxLand
    What about Fiverr? Lots of content writers seem to be doing well over there?
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    • Profile picture of the author TimothyTorrents
      Originally Posted by CandyxLand View Post

      What about Fiverr? Lots of content writers seem to be doing well over there?
      Because fiverr pays you 5$ for each gig and you have to wait for two weeks before your 5$ is cleared. It is much more convenient to deal with clients directly.

      Do you have a thread in the Warriors for Hire section? If you don't, get one. Also, a link to your thread in your signature would be helpful. I used to advertise my writing service on several different websites but the vast majority of my clients came from this forum.

      Additionally, people like to read testimonials. Maybe you could consider handing out a few free review copies to respectable members of this forum.

      Either way, don't give up. I almost did a few months ago but stuck it out and now my work has picked up and I am making much more than I ever did before.

      Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author phowell23
    Just my opinion, but I believe it's because more advanced content creation systems are out there now and also more advanced article spinners. I know that nothing beats a hand written article and that is why I normally write all of my articles myself. However, I also use a popular online spinning program that can take my unique article and create thousands of unique articles.
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    Stop wasting time. Just do it!

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  • Profile picture of the author Fun to Write
    Freelance writers will always have slow periods. I like to call this type of living a feast or famine situation.

    As to your observation about less writing requests on WF, I've seen that too. I think it has more to do with Penguin and Panda. Less IM people are into the whole article marketing thing. However, there is always a need for high quality web content.

    You should follow the advice and create a page that advertises your services. Give away free review copies, and put a link in your signature. That will help you out here.

    You could do a LinkedIn profile and learn how to gain attention and clients on that platform.

    You can go to SunOasis.com and check out daily freelance writing gigs posted on Craigslist.

    You could contact some SEO companies in your local area and see if they could use your services. They work with business clients that often need fresh content.

    You don't have a good opinion about Textbroker, but lots of freelance writers use them as a backup to earn money during slow periods. They pay weekly via Paypal. Think about it as a viable option.

    And, if you're really smart you would be using your writing talents to write Kindle books, or create affiliate sites to that can earn you regular residual money. You should be working on building your own stream of income whenever you have free time. This way, you are not solely dependent on an unpredictable source of income.

    Freelance writing is very unpredictable. Clients come and go at the drop of a hat. Also, if you can't write for some reason, you stop making money.

    The competition for writing gigs is pretty stiff. The amount clients are willing to pay is across the board from low to high. Not everyone wants to lowball writers. But, you've got to think a lot more strategically about your own situation in order to survive in this market.
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