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.
Let’s do the math:
RESEARCH
WRITING
EDITING
IMAGE SEARCH
LINKS
BILLING/emailing/incorporating revisions
and….
POSTING
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.
I think that “legit” job has now found themselves in the pile of “scumbags”.
“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?
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)
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
Have the kids double their income and send this joker a post
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!
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.