DotWriter.com Pays Pennies

So, there's another writing opportunity out there for freelancers. It's called DotWriter.com. You craft unique and useful articles, and you get paid. At least this is the idea. Let's take a closer look at how DotWriter works, and find out whether or not this article sale site is worth your time and effort as a writer.

As a writer, you can sign up for a free account. According to DotWriter.com, you submit an original article, and the site/editor has to approve the article so it can be posted on the website for sale. This way potential buyers can view the article and see if they want to purchase it.

What about the pay? Well, you can sell your articles for one cent per word. Therefore if you write a 750-word article, it will by listed on DotWriter.com for $7.50. The buyers are never charged any additional fees. However, the writer has to pay DotWriter 20% of each sale. In other words, you only get $6 for that 750-word article. Hmm...

It's wise to do the math before you get involved with a web content dealer like DotWriter.com. How much is your time and expertise worth? Can you really imagine writing a 1,000-word article, and only making $8. That's absurd! As far as I can tell, DotWriter is another content mill that plans to make all the money, while you do all of the work. No thanks!

If you have the expertise, it makes more sense to sell your articles and blog posts to clients that pay real wages. Market yourself on writer forums, Linkedin, and freelance writing websites. If you prefer to sell articles that you already have written, try a website like ArticleSale.com, so you can dictate the price, and you make all of the profit.

Realistically you're never going to make much money through websites like DotWriter. These sites only devalue your skill set and leave you broke and frustrated. Furthermore, if you by chance acquire long-term clients via dotwriter.com, they will expect you to write for them at the absurd rate of one cent per word. 

Writers Beware of Jason Swanson

Writers BEWARE! There is an individual who goes by the name Jason Swanson, and he claims to provide solid copywriting work, but he DOES NOT PAY! He is located in St. Louis, MO. His ads often say that he needs writers immediately. He will ask you to start the same day or tomorrow. He asks you to write a minimum of 5 articles daily, but up to 25 each day. He will ask you to work on weekends and turn in all work by midnight the same day. He will also say that he can pay you in two weeks, but then on a weekly basis afterward, via Paypal. When he hired me, his email address was jayswayson@gmail.com, but this email no longer works. He also provided a second email for a supposed coworker Thomas Lish, which is tolish86@gmail.com. He immediately canceled these email accounts on December 1st, when he was supposed to pay me. Do not fall for this scam. He will probably use a different name and email address next time. I noticed that he posts all over Craigslist. I contacted him through all the posts I could find, and he closed them all immediately. He also has a profile on Freelanced.com. If you have any information on Jason Swanson or his shady copywriting business, please contact me.

Here is the writer guide he sent me.

Writer Guidelines for Jason Swanson

1. Daily Work Load: You will be asked to complete a minimum of 5 articles per day. This can increase as time goes on, if you like. Writers can inquiry anytime about increasing or decreasing workload. Articles must be turned in by 11:59 central each day. Work will usually be assigned in the mornings before 8 am central, and due by the evening 11:59 pm central. However, if that timing schedule doesn't work for you, then please just let me know. This is long term, and I would like writers who can work for me for a year or more.

2. Accepting work: All assignments must be confirmed! Any assignment that isn't confirmed within 12 hours will be reassigned. Writers can reject anything they are unable to write. I'm also here to help, as it may seem overwhelming at first. Assignment emails will read subject line "Assignment" Revision emails will read subject line "Revision." Revision must be turned in same day.

3. Turn in: Writers must turn in all assignments as attachments saved as the article title. Article guidelines will be given before your first assignment in an assignment email that contains the instructions for the assignment, as well as other vital information. Writers must follow all directions closely, and ask questions when needed.

4. Invoicing: Writers must turn in an invoice for payment. Payment is only made through paypal. Invoices should be made by each individual on an excel sheet, and sent direct email as an attachment. Writers should use excel to create invoices. Invoices should include "writer's name" "Number of article completed," "The titles of these articles" "Dates of completion," "date of invoice," and "paypal address"

5. Payment: Payment will be made on the 10th and 24th of each month. Payment for articles is $5 per 100 words or $15 for 300 words, or $25 per 500 words. However, this can vary from project to project. Please state that you understand and accept this, as the basics were laid out in the job description.

6. Penalties: Any work that is not turned in without prior notice will be subject to a $5 deduction in pay per article or article set. This may seem a bit harsh but deadlines are essential, and I'm very understanding and if you need extra time, then all you have to do is ask. However, writers will be limited to only 3 extra time days per month.  Once your days or used up, then the penalty will be applied. Most assignments are not flexible with the deadlines, sorry!

FlexJobs for Freelancers

As a freelance writer, finding steady work can be tough. Ask any freelance writer, copywriter, freelance editor, or website content writer who works from home. On the bright side, there are more and more writing opportunities emerging each year. It seems that most reading sources are being converted to the Internet. One job posting board or website where you'll find freelance work is FlexJobs.com.

Let's take a closer look at FlexJobs. This website provides leads on countless freelance jobs in more than 50 different categories. Great! Flex Jobs allows you access to dozens of telecommuting jobs. Awesome! This website posts new jobs every day. Wonderful! But, there is a catch. It's not free!

How much are you going to have to pay to get access to these freelance writing jobs and telecommuting gigs? Well, prices start at $14.95 per month. Now, think about that for a second. That's about $180 a year for a membership to a job board. If you're looking for work, you probably don't have $15 to fork out each month. Right?

While I appreciate the concept of FlexJobs.com, I have no interest in paying a monthly fee to see what jobs are available. Since when do we have to pay to get a job? There are major job boards and websites like Careerbuilder.com and Monster.com that charge nothing. Not to mention a number of other freelance writing job websites that can assist you.

Feel free to browse through the Flex Jobs website, but keep in mind that you can't apply for any of the available work until you pay the fee. While this may be okay with some people, I'd rather get paid to work. I have no intention of paying for work. Check out these free job postings. 

Triple Curve Writing and Editing Jobs

If you're a freelance writer, editor, or copywriter, then you may be familiar with Triple Curve. While this company is not that old, it does employ a good number of writers and editors. Like other freelance writing opportunities, Triple Curve allows people to work remotely. You just need a computer and Internet access. The question is, how much is your time worth?

Like many freelance writing businesses, Triple Curve makes a lot of promises. I recently spotted a few job posts for this company, so I decided to apply for an editing position. In order to apply, you have to revise an article Triple Curve provides. Note that this article is literally in shambles, and appears to have been crafted by a six-year-old. Regardless, I spent 30 minutes revising the article, and submitted my finished product. 

A few days later I was informed that I could now edit for Triple Curve Enterprise Content. I thought to myself, cool, this might be a little extra income on the side. Soon enough, I was sent an email that informed me I could edit brief blurbs or descriptions. I was to take a look at each one, and decide if it should be approved or not approved. For each one I approved, I would be paid 2 cents. You heard right, 2 cents.

Okay, I'm not sure how valuable your time is, but my time is money, and there is no way I am taking the time to read through and approve 50 blurbs for a whopping $1. This is absolutely absurd, and furthermore, this is America, not a third-world country. Needless to say, I'm not wasting any time on a content mill like Triple Curve Enterprise Content. 

Before you make any rash decisions regarding freelance writing jobs, online editing positions, and SEO content writing, remember that your time is valuable as well. Moreover, you will make more money at a minimum wage job than you will at a content mill like Triple Curve. This is something to think about. Especially if you have real bills to pay. 

There are plenty of clients out there who will pay a solid wage for your expertise. Seek them out. Although it can take a little time, it's well worth it. Just to give you an idea, I just spotted a freelance writing post for 500-word automotive articles that pay $250 each. If you have automotive experience and know your way around an engine, this is a good opportunity for you. There are countless clients out there that need daily blog posts, SEO content to build traffic to their websites, and businesses that need a copywriter with marketing expertise. 

The moral of the story is, don't sell yourself short. Find real writing jobs that pay a living wage. This will help build your resume and refine your writing skills. Here is a good place to start. 

12 Best Writing Job Websites

The good writing jobs are becoming more and more difficult to find. It seems like there are so many content mills out there that pay next to nothing for your valuable time. Some prime examples are Elance, Demand Studios, oDesk, Examiner, and CrowdSource. These websites/writing companies will drain you of your time, and eventually your soul. All the while, they make a fortune off of your hard work.

Unfortunately Craigslist is another prime example of BAD writing job opportunities. If you take the time to browse through the writing job and writing gig posts, you will find a deluge of sad and insulting writing jobs and freelance gigs. Many of these will offer you rates like $5 for a 500-word article or 1 cent per word. This is absolutely absurd, and you can be sure the people offering these jobs would never work for these pitiful rates. This is less than minimum wage.

Okay, on the bright side, there are some good places to find legitimate writing jobs and freelance work. Here are the 12 best writing job websites I have discovered over the years. I hope they help you find some great opportunities.

1) Morning Coffee

2) BloggingPro Job Board

3) Journalism Jobs

4) MediaBistro

5) ProBlogger Latest Jobs

6) Freelance Job Openings

7) Freelance Writing

8) Indeed

9) The Write Jobs

10) Jobster

11)  Simply Hired

12) CareerBuilder

You will notice that there are no fees involved with these writing job websites. The truth is no one wants to pay money to find a job!