Looking For Work In All The Wrong Places?
What writers should know about on-line job boards.
Recently there has been a surge of web sites devoted to "assisting" writers find assignments. They display your resume and credentials so that, "agents and editors can see your work." It is tempting to try these services out, but wait before you become seriously involved.
What is the truth on such companies? Are they genuine or just another place where writers get scammed?
The main catch-phrase for these companies seems to be "free exposure." What writer can't use free exposure? In other words, you can post your resume and credentials for free. These companies will often have actual job listings in a forum or message board format.
There may even be some from well-known and reputable publications. From all outward appearances, all you do is browse the listings and contact interested parties who are seeking a position you are interested in. But, after you sign up you receive an e-mail stating:
"We've recently expanded our company to include (whatever features are *new*), and an entire staff to help keep the company accurate and the listings current!"
Then here comes the prices. Suddenly this free company doesn't seem so beneficial or helpful. Often you are charged to just access such things as: the job listings, web site classified bank, etc. Now you find that you can't even browse the job ads unless you send them your payment information.
By the time the company has included all prices and regulation fees, the non-paying members will not be noticed at all. You find your information has been virtually excluded from everything unless you refer, or "invite," someone else to look at it. Let's face it, how many busy editors have the time to explore the internet just to see a resume of a possible freelance writer? Few, if any, can afford such activities. These positions are for temporary, freelance assignments.
While it is uncertain who invented such a board (and decided struggling writers could afford to support a company), there is one thing for certain. Legitimate, enduring results almost never arise. Why is this? There are several main reasons why writers can often be seduced into these places. One of the largest is:
"Post your resume on-line for editors to see."
This line has brought about much hardship for writers everywhere. Many advertisements for these companies have testimonials from "writers" who were "picked up," because an editor noticed their post. The best remedy for this is to consult an entire group of writers who have participated in such a board. The majority will not be employed, nor have found prospects through the company. The few who do locate a position will not have anything lasting or steady aside from "commissioned work," which may or may not last for six months. A good search engine will be more apt to provide unbiased opinions and information where there isn't the danger of the message board participants actually being the staff of the company.
The sad fact so often found between the lines and not clearly printed is that these professionals don't look for staff or permanent writers online. These listings are usually posted because the company is experiencing a difficult deadline and the editor is seeking some temporary assistance.
What Would You Pay?
Writers who have successfully obtained any work from these companies often complain about the terrible pay. Editors who use these methods know what they are doing. They can receive the maximum amount of work for the minimum amount of pay. While different individuals will have different procedures for contracting a writer, most will promise "the prestige of writing for (the publication)," and seduce the writer to dive into the project with full attention and focus. When the deadline has passed the writer is politely "shown the door."
Now, for your pay. Unless your rate is specifically mentioned in a signed contract, you may lose there as well. The loss can be devastating. An editor can request an article of 1,000 words and agree to pay you .10/per word. But, when they receive the piece they can lawfully edit it down to around 500 words and only pay you for the 500 words. It happens more than you think. Always try to get your rate in writing and inside a contract.
The desks of major agents and editors are covered with new queries and their schedules are filled with existing clients and employees. Most major agents will see a minimum of 50 queries on their desks a day. Editors are covered up in hopeful writers and freelance applicants who submit via postal mail. They will not be searching the Internet for something which is right on their desk.
This editor behavior isn't always ethical, nor is it completely honest. However, it's out there. A writer can suffer a major loss of profit. Five hundred dollars seems like a major accomplishment for a single assignment. However, figure in the six months it takes you to write the piece and it comes out to about eighty three bucks a month. If you're putting in ten hours a week on the project, you'll be working for about twenty dollars a week or two dollars an hour.
It just isn't worth your time or work. If you have absolutely no professional credentials, working on an assignment or two with one of these companies can get you some qualifications. However there will be other writers who may have extensive writing backgrounds also vying for the position. You should approach it realistically and not expecting overnight success or even financial profit. If you think the position will give you more than it really does, your overall determination will suffer.
Instead of driving yourself into one of these temporary positions try some more reliable and rewarding work. How can you get into writing without these companies at all?
The best way is to go local. You know where the companies are and you can often meet with your editors and/or publisher to get to know them. You aren't sending your work off into cyberspace without knowing where it goes.
Remember, when you're starting out, you may have to do some work for free. This is not unusual and credits are more beneficial than monetary pay if you plan to continue your career. It's all part of a process that has been on-going since publishers began seeking writers.
More tips for starting out are:
*Contact a local newspaper or magazine and ask about guest writer or freelance work. If you don't have any credentials, you may need to work for free for a time. But, you will build up solid credits you can use later on.
*Check out small periodicals or publications in your area. Environmental, organizational, or even religious publications can also help you get started.
*Get involved with local writers and writing-related community groups. Join local writing clubs or book groups.
*Don't depend too much on the internet for your career. Computers crash and internet browsers can be fickle. Let people in real life know about your search for writing jobs. You may have a neighbor or co-worker who, "knows this guy at the paper."
*Submit well-written, polished "letters to the editor," of local papers and magazines. Many writers are surprised to find that's how many "contributing writers," get their start with a paper. The title of a contributing writer or guest columnist is a very impressive credit.