Important Question about what the Internet is doing to professional writing

[David Eide]

I want to quote what recent member Debora Hill wrote, "After a number of years working in television and film, I would like to re-enter the world of Journalism. But, it seems as if the pay offered to journalists now is remarkably low -- sometimes lower than when I started out as a journalist in 1991. I find this bewildering...also, when people read my credentials they often tell me they can't pay enough for a person with my experience. It seems to me that this disparity in pay has come about through the internet idea that writing is only writing, no matter who does it -- blogging has helped foster this concept, that anyone can write, and therefore there doesn't seem to be a point to paying professionals. I would like to know what others think of this?"

I've always been in conflict whether the internet is good for professional writers or not. They have to reach into the markets that will pay professional rates and they turn out to be professional publications that have gone online. What do other writers think of this question?

[Cheryl Wright]

Josh, that's exactly why I don't like bidding sites.

I've had a bit of success with Guru.com but I always submit bids for the same amounts I normally charge clients. I simply state something like "my fee for this service is..." - to prove this, I've added the fees for keyword articles to my bio. If they don't like my higher fees, I'm sure they'll find someone willing to give them rubbish for a few dollars. Their loss, not mine; I have plenty of work to keep me going to several years.

Yes, I'm sure you're right - the clients have no idea what's involved. They think it takes just a few minutes to sit and write copy. They forget we have to research, write around their keywords, and choose our words carefully.... all so they can have good quality articles.

[David Eide]

It begs the question, then, "how are employers educated as to the difference between effective writing and slop?" I've seen study after study showing how businesses spend billions of dollars a year training their own employees to learn to write in order to communicate within the company. Perhaps better education in the public schools would do it? Writing advocates who continually stress the importance of effective writing in and out of business? I read reports by the Dept. of Education showing how much it costs business to have poor written communications but I'm not sure anything is done about it.

[Josh S.]

The easy answer is here, on this forum posting. The very act of discussing this issue about which there happens to be a modicum of discourse if not discord, perpetuates a perspective which, in a way, presents the writer or an otherwise informed individual the opportunity to support this idea: namely, an abstract application of aggregate effect.
Not to say that a greater majority of people who consider the concept of good pay for good work would disagree, rather that there is an unspoken consensus in regards to internet work dictating competitive pay mirrors the free market capitalist manner of deriving a scale by which this commerce based enterprise is to function.
Yesterday, someone would say what I just said is hogwash.
Today, there is definitely an issue with the internet and all it's derivatives which is akin to the frenzy attributed to a cultural connundrum or justifiably intricate situation based on free lunches.
My hunch is that attitudes need to change.
That happens one person at a time.

[Cheryl Wright]

Yep, absolutely agree. And that was in my initial posting. Writers attitudes to this is what has kept the problem afloat.

One of the strangest things I've come across, that I totally don't understand is that you should be paid one fee for work 'on' the internet, and another for offline work.

I charge the same fees for both; always have, always will.

[Cheryl Wright]

David, I conduct workshops at some local schools. These particular schools are concerned about the quality of the writing, and are being proactive in trying to curb it.

One of the things I teach is how to research effectively, and then put together a report. We discuss plaguarism and how it's not cool to take other people's words, as well as making the most of their words.

In my opinion, this sort of workshop should be compulsory, because yes, these are tomorrow's employers and employees, and communication is so important, whether it's for the business world or not.

[Mary Anne Hahn]

Hi there--this is my first visit to this forum, and I have thoroughly enjoyed following this thread.

I have taken a couple of low paying jobs on sites such as Guru, ostensibly to get experience in a new form or writing and/or get testimonials for my writing site. Both times, I regretted selling my services so low, while at the same time watching hungry writers go for even lower fees. It's been a very demeaning experience.

It seems to me that those writers who ask for rates they deserve do eventually get them, if they stay focused and persevere.

I think that those of us who have newsletters or sites for writers (as I do at http://writesuccess.com ), or who interact with newer writers on any forum, need to stand together and stand firm on this issue of not selling our services on the cheap. We also need to not promote freelance writing products that point people towards these sites, or products like the one mentioned earlier on that say you can make a killing as a freelance writer even if you can't write. We should only promote products we truly believe in.

And we need to keep driving this message home. It's all about supply and demand--if the pool of good writers going cheap shrinks, then so will the demand for them. Or maybe we already have let the fox into the hen house? I hope not. I would love to believe it is not too late to turn this tide around.

[Cheryl Wright]

Hi Mary Anne, great to see you here!

Absolutely agree. The subject of not selling your writing at unreasonable rates is something I've been touching on regularly in my newsletter lately. (http://www.writer2writer.com)

I'm getting good feedback from writers, telling me they're sick and tired of selling their work for little return.

The short answer is "then don't do it!". Unfortunately it's more difficult than that. It's going to be a long and drawn out process getting writers to believe in themselves, and believe they can be paid quality money or quality work.


I don't believe it's too late. It's never too late in my opinion.

[David Eide]

When I was a freelance writer way back when this was an issue. When I got online this was an issue. And at the present time this is an issue. I think the National Writers Union tries to address it but you have to realize that editors are instructed to get content as cheaply as they can. That means, a) reprints, b) unknown and beginning writers, c) experts who don't care about payment d) members of the community who will write just to get their name in print.

There are many types of markets for writers. And professionals should focus on only those markets that pay reasonably for their services and they usually turn out to be business, high- circulation magazines, even corporate communication.

As Cheryl says if writers are sick and tired of selling their work cheaply they should not do it. They should focus their energies on scaling up the market where there is more competition and the writing has to be more professional. A writer has to use some metric to make sure his or her time is being spent well. I think a professional writer should put a goal in front of them such as "I want to make $5,000 this month" and then do what is required to make that goal. The market will give you some clues! Writers who want to make money writing are in business, there's no way around it. Business is a cold, calculating game filled with good, bad, and ugly people. The writing business is little different.

When I had my newsletter I used to say these things all the time but it just doesn't register with some writers. They want to write and business is for devils. That's the attitude of most writers and in one sense they are completely correct. But, the devils are signing the checks! And the thing is the publishing industry is driven by the pure self-interest of publishers, editors and so on. Writers have to learn their own self-interest and make sure it is not gamed away by these business types. Just my opinion.