Don’t you get tired of reading the same over-published, randomly copied Craigslist jobs for freelance writers? These gigs are mostly trash, don’t pay, and some are even out-right scams. However, there are work-at-home, telecommute jobs for writers — jobs that pay decent money. Here’s one of my best finds.

A site called Cheapism hires freelancers to write short reviews of low-price, high-value consumer goods. Here’s their ad:

Are you a thorough researcher, fluid writer, and cautious spender? If the answer to all three is yes, Cheapism.com would like to meet you. We are a new website that aims to be consumers’ first stop on the way to finding the best inexpensive goods and services.

We are looking for freelance writers who will learn about a product category, identify the low-priced products, assess what the experts and users say about them, and write an article that tells consumers what they need to know and recommends the best budget buys.

In this time of economic stress, you can help put some lining back into consumers’ pockets and cash into your wallet; last but not least, you’ll have the good fortune of working with a collegial and easy-going crowd.

Contact us today at jobs@cheapism.com

I went through the application process with these folks a while back. They are serious about their business and looking for long-term relationships with good writers who can produce quickly.

Cheapism pays adequately. You will be asked to submit samples and suggestions. You will undergo an in-depth telephone interview and the company principals will take a few days to decide if you’re a good match. Feel free to ask questions.

Let us know how you fared with them and what you thought of the hiring process and the job.

More to read:

How to stop bitching and sell your writing

Make $30K annually from your blog

Content mills and farms can be good for writers

I’ve written for Suite101 and other content mill farms in various iterations on and off for about 10 years and have seldom been a fan of how they treat writers. But let me say this: Suite101’s newest management team, seems to have a better path.

There have been a confusing number of shake ups there, but now they may have put together a group that understands both the make-money and the treat-writers-with-dignity points-of-view.

How much do writers get paid, and is it on time?

First off, know that Suite101 always pays writers as agreed and on time through Paypal. Like clockwork. Every month. Can’t argue that. Some content  mills don’t pay consistently.

The amount of pay at all content mills if you don’t know how to work the system is minuscule at best. We all know that. Yes, Suite101 touts occasional writers who make “thousands.” Money depends on the topic, the section, and your writing (quality and quantity), PLUS promoting your articles effectively. But thousands? Rare.

As far as residuals, I make enough per month, without writing anything else for Suite101, to cover a nice car payment. Get that – no work, and I cover a car payment. I have about 125 articles up in carefully selected topic areas. My traffic is steady as a clock, no spikes, no dips. If you read my ebook, Writing for Content Mills, you’ll learn how to create a passive revenue stream that can really work — as a stream, not a river.

How Suite101 is fixing some things

Suite101 may, however, be heading in a direction that will increase writers’ rewards. And I don’t mean their contests, which are basically, sophomoric and not very helpful.

What they’ve done right, to my way of thinking, is dumped some of their arrogant, unprofessional, unskilled “editors” in favor of people who at least have experience within the Suite101 environment. The quotas for writers are reasonable. The exposure, no matter what nay-sayers say, is significant if you are in a trending topic. You must be savvy enough to know what topics are trending.

They pay residuals on existing articles, which many, many mills have stopped doing. Examiner, though they promised forever residuals, stopped paying them about a year ago. Suite101 just inked a deal with Google to feed Google News with Suite101 news articles from certain writers. This could mean traffic spikes and more money for certain news topics. Inquiring about writing news features is worthwhile.

How writers can win

Decide what your goal is and what YOU need to advance your freelance business. If you are looking for a way to make a living, look elsewhere. If you seek steady streams of modest revenue, consider Suite101.

I’ll keep you posted on how things progress. This company may end up being a good place for SOME writers.  If you want to know more, post a question here or browse Ontext.com

Other terrific articles:

Make real money as a freelancer

Can writers find jobs at Facebook, Twitter, and social media?

“Bow to your fears, and you will be made afraid.”

Don’t tolerate sub-standard treatment. Claudia holds that we teach people how to treat us, and Dr. Phil (for what it’s worth) agrees. Consider what Claudia’s years of experience and lucrative business have taught her. Claudia’s business, by the bye, is in a nice neighborhood – the six figure avenue.

“ Thousands of writers, editors, and journalists have lost their jobs in the past four to six years; probably tens of thousands. They’re scrambling and vying with each other — answering ads and selling themselves cheap. They create their own “lack” mentality by holding themselves cheap.” (emphasis by mkp) 

Claudia says writers are professionals – like chiropractors, lawyers, electricians. If trained and experienced, they are in a position to earn and warrant respect and good pay. Not everyone can write. Look around you, if you don’t believe me. Read what’s out there. Read the stuff that gets paid $1 per hundred words.

Professionals hold to standards

Professionals go out and find business. They market themselves in a professional way. That doesn’t mean posting sarcastic, begging, or plain obscene crap on social media sites. It means promoting a reputation and appearance of professional excellence.

People who answer ads, says Claudia, have an employee mentality.

“They are looking to be hired; they are competing for a job; they are accepting their place in the cattle-call to serve in the chorus. They do not offer professional services to potential clients who can afford and will appreciate  their expertise. They position themselves as clerks and thus attract that level of respect and compensation.”   

If you want to be a pro – then don’t do that. Develop superior skills. Take time and put forth effort to do the work and acquire those skills. Claudia tells her ghostwriting students that professionals charge for their expertise, not their time, not the number of words they write or edit.

“Professionals are not displaced employees; they are independent contractors, the ultimate small business people who make up a greater percentage of the gross national product than do major corporations. It is a question of positioning, a matter of authority. ” 

Spme writers work cheap, some customers pay poorly

Claudia, my mentor and friend, believes there will always be people willing to work cheap, and thus lower the standard of the industry (indeed, any industry).  And there will always be people who, wanting a Rolls Royce for $1,000, try to con someone out of their deceased cousin’s old vehicle, or, wanting work done for almost free, might try to con you into sweating bullets for pennies. Claudia summed it up.

“(Take specific steps) “… to elevate yourself out of that league. Begin as you mean to go on, Alexander of Macedon said. Be who you would mean to be, Plato, I think, said. Hold yourself with respect and you will be held with respect. Bow to your fears, and you will be made afraid.”

 Claudia Suzanne trains ghostwriters and offers resources for authors, agents, and publishers. 

Other valuable classes and resources may be found at Women on Writing.

Leave a comment with your favorite writer resources and classes!