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Kathryn Mayer • Writing Out Loud

I write stuff down. writer • humorist • activist

When to Say No to Lousy Paying Jobs

October 22, 2010 by Kate Mayer 7 Comments

Okay, got your Friday freebie feelies? Then listen up as I need to share an important return-to-work lesson: know when to say no.

I’ve had a potential writing gig on the hook for …. okay, perhaps I exaggerate.  Let’s start again.

A potential employer has been teasing me for about 2 months now. I responded to a craigslist post for local, freelance bloggers. (Do not ignore craiglist. The legit jobs outnumber the scumbags for sure.)

A month later, I received an email response and they’re quite interested! Send “high-end” samples, as this is an “exclusive client.” Believe it or not, I have a few. Or two: a snazzy country club in uber-mega-hedgefund-wealthy town. And a gorgeous, fancy-pants brochure for THE diamond company which was distributed during a red carpet gala.

Perfect. He’ll be in touch. (Never a good sign.)

But weeks later, I get another email. They want me, starting immediately. Write 3-5 blogs a week, 4-7 paragraphs per post, meet with client weekly and keep on top of client for deadlines, content, posting protocol, social media tie-ins, etc.

WOOOO-HOOOOO!!! Nice, nice, nice! I’m writing for rich people! Imagine the leads! The content! The lunches!

Reimbursement: $5 per post. 

That’s FIVE (5) DOLLARS a post, $15-25 a week. 

Let’s do the math:

INTERVIEWING
RESEARCH
WRITING
EDITING
IMAGE SEARCH
LINKS
BILLING/emailing/incorporating revisions
and….
POSTING
Often, MONITORING COMMENTS and responding as needed
(Does not include time thus far securing this fat cash cow, mind you)


So, to get started, I spend approximately 3 hours doing the initial post only. That, by the way, would be record time, but as I become familiar, I usually post between 1-2 hours.

So that’s basically $3.00 an hour. Wow.

The last time I made $3/hour – $3.10 minimum wage to be precise  –  I was in high school selling Racing Forms and Camel no-filters to a guy who smoked them out of his trach.

Which, BTW, I’d rather do today than pimp myself out for less than my kid makes to pick up dog crap. Sometimes, it pays to turn down the job.


Feel Good Fridays: Boys Don’t Sing
Boobs. Boob, boobs, boobs.

Comments

  1. Kelli, Kellogg, Kellzer, Calleen, Squaleen..whatever says

    October 22, 2010 at 5:21 pm

    I think that “legit” job has now found themselves in the pile of “scumbags”.

    Reply
  2. Anonymous says

    October 22, 2010 at 6:12 pm

    “Reimbursement: $5 per post. ” And not a typo. Ludicrous!

    Another subject I’d love for you to blog on (if you take such requests, that is!): Deciding on taking a great job offer, in a terrible economy, where jobs are scarce, but….you have no interest in the industry. What to do what to do?

    Reply
  3. Michelle Saunderson says

    October 23, 2010 at 4:04 am

    A friend and I were just discussing today how companies seem to be taking advantage of people that need to make money because there is no where else to go. This is right along with the companies that we were discussing, low pay for a ton of work. Gee, sign me up now. (Note the sarcasm)

    Reply
  4. Kathy (p/t writer, f/t mom) says

    October 23, 2010 at 2:18 pm

    gotcha. my 2 cent bottom line advice which i’m totally unqualified to offer? TAKE THE JOB. Make them love you and become indispensable in a short amount of time then renegotiate the position to fit your life. lots more thoughts… will post L8r

    Reply
  5. Anonymous says

    October 25, 2010 at 12:55 pm

    Have the kids double their income and send this joker a post

    Reply
  6. Kathy (p/t writer, f/t mom) says

    October 25, 2010 at 1:30 pm

    I love that! i’ll have the 11 year old write about men’s fashion. He loves project runway, so it’s a perfect segue!

    Reply
  7. online survey jobs says

    October 29, 2010 at 5:14 am

    There are so many options these days of working.The world has shrunk and there could be loads of work done for home fr very god income.So one must consider all the opportunities before taking a plunge.

    Reply

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About Kathryn Mayer

Kathryn Mayer

An irreverent storyteller with a foul mouth and big heart, Kathryn Mayer (aka Kathy and/or Kate) is a writer, humorist, and (former) activist writing out loud with humor and grace about little life moments with big ripples, including the space between parenting and aging parents, social issues, angsty reflections of midlife, and, sigh, gun humpers. Still. Sometimes a big deal, sometimes not Mayer is a national award-winning columnist, according to the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, and her essays have been recognized as Voice of … Read More Here...

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