2 Scams Freelance Writers Need to Be Aware of Immediately

As the economy worsens, the online scam artists come out in full force. I'm pretty used to online scams -- and how to avoid them. But, I received two variations of some old ones that were pretty convincing in my inbox this morning. So, I took a chunk out of my day to write up a pretty extensive article detailing them -- and how to avoid them.

I posted this piece on AssociatedContent.com so it could reach as many freelance writers as possible. Read AssociatedContent and PayPal Scams: How to Keep Your Online Earnings Safe 100% of the Time for full details.

I know a lot of us freelance writers use these two sites. So feel free to pass this along to any of your friends -- even friends who aren't writers as there are some concrete actions suggested that can keep your money accounts safe online.

Want to Immediately Make More Money as a Freelance Writer?

Moving on to a different topic, yesterday, I wrote a post on BloggingTips.com entitled, Freelance Writers: How to Immediately Make More Money. It's kind of a case study in when to say no to a client; when to cut them loose. Very insightful if you have clients who suck you dry in the time department.

How to Use Traditional Media Tactics to Make Your Blog Stand Out, Get More Traffic and Increase Sales

This was another post I did over at BloggingTips this week. A few readers have commented on the "tie in" tip. What is it? Read the post to find out. This never occurs to a lot of bloggers, but is a trick used by "traditional" journalists all the time.

Aw Shucks, You Made Me Blush!
(and yes, black people do blush! :-))

I receive a lot of flattering emails from readers of my blog, websites and hundreds of articles distributed via article directories. This is one of my favorites: Every time I read one of your articles, I bow to your insightfulness! As always, thank you so much for all you share :-)

Thanks Herstory (a fellow AC writer). Learn more about her here.

While I don't do unique posts here often anymore (that'll change as soon as I can catch my breath this year), I do try to keep you updated. And remember, if you want to submit a guest post, I'm all for it!

Yuwanda (anytime you wanna know what I'm up to, check me out on Twitter)
Contact: info *at* InkwellEditorial.com
P.S.: Where are all the freelance writing jobs? Find out in the 2008-2009 Freelance Writing Jobs Report
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Freelance Success Stories! There are freelancers who make very good livings at what they love. Inkwell Editorial’s newsletter features these successful professionals who put to rest the phrase, “starving freelancer.” Current Issue: How to Make the Most Money as a Freelance Writer. Subscribe to read this, and all previous, issues.
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Copyright ©2009 InkwellEditorial.com. Except where noted, no part of this site may be reproduced in any manner without the express, written consent of the publisher. Violators will be prosecuted.

SEO Article Writing Scams: One Freelancer's Nightmare

Before we get to today's entry, a little reminder: The newest issue of Inkwell Editorial's newsletter was published yesterday. The leading story in this issue is how to make $75,000 to $100,000/year as an SEO writer. I outline 8 keys to my success since I started in this niche, in hopes that it will help others. You can read it here free. Subscribe to receive future issues.

Now on to today's post . . .

Freelance SEO writer Roy de Silva sent the following (very long) comment to my blog post entitled, WARNING: New Scam Job Site Targeting Freelancers. I break up the comment by adding some tips on how to prevent this from happening to you.

The Biggest Cheat There Ever Was, Is And Will Be - Elliott Leee

I am sure what I am going to say now will shake off the socks of every content writer present in the world. This is the bitterest experience anyone can ever have, so be warned. I have been mightily cheated by Elliott Leee, and I call upon everyone to be very vigilant about this person. Here's my story.

I am a freelance writer and this Elliott Leee contacted me through one of them (job site). His username is richuser2008 there (later I found out he has one more username richuser2009 also, on the same site). Okay, he contracted me to do 100 articles in 2 days for him. The articles were of 500 words each, and on various topics. The payment decided for them was $600.

Normally, freelance sites allow for escrow, and I prefer that mode, but this Elliott Leee said he will not escrow because he didn't have funds. Still, I needed the money, so I accepted the work. I have a kid aged 1.5 years and parents aged 61 and 73 years to look after. So I accepted. That was my mistake number one.
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My Take: The poster is right, this was a huge mistake. What should have clued him in: (i) the large order; (ii) the crazy turnaround time (2 days for 100 articles – come on!); and (iii) the buyers inability to escrow (ie, follow prescribed guidelines as outlined by the job posting sites).

Scammers often use job sites for two reasons: (i) it’s the easiest way to target a lot of freelance writers quickly; and (ii) a lot of writers who use these sites are accustomed to working for pennies (no knock to the freelancer). Writers who charge more tend to stay away from sites like this (I know I do), or at least not waste their time responding to orders like this one.

Read the rest of this extensive tale here -- with more valuable lessons thrown in. If you troll the web looking for work, this is a must-read.

Don't forget to check out today's freelance writing job leads below.

Sincerely,
Yuwanda Black, Publisher
http://inkwelleditorial.com/
http://inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/
http://seo-article-writer.com/
http://seo-articles-for-sale.com/
How to Start a Successful Freelance Writing Career Newsletter
P.S: Want to learn how to make at least $250/day writing simple 500-word SEO articles? Read how here.
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Freelance Success Stories! There are freelancers who make very good livings at what they love. Inkwell Editorial's newsletter features these successful professionals who put to rest the phrase, "starving freelancer." Subscribe to read this, and all previous, issues.

Previous Issue. Spotlight on Multiple Streams of Income for Freelance Writers: An interview with multi-talented freelancer Shel Horowitz. Shel shares tips on how to market your freelance writing services on a shoe-string budget (he's written five books on grassroots marketing); how he created multiple streams of income (writing, speaking, consulting) and more. Subscribe to read this, and all previous, issues.

Current Issue. Spotlight on How to Make $75,000 to $100,000/Year as an SEO Writer: In this issue, I dispense the 8 keys to my success as an SEO writer. There are some definites that must gel to find success in this field. I outline them all here. And of course, it’s based on my own personal experience. Subscribe to read this, and all previous, issues.
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Copyright © 2008 InkwellEditorial.com: Freelance success stories, e-courses, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Except where noted, no part of this site may be reproduced in any manner without the express, written consent of the publisher. Violators will be prosecuted.

Today’s Freelance Writing Jobs / SEO Writing Jobs
Note about job listings: I list positions that offer immediate work – and future work. Keeping your pipeline full requires taking a long-range approach and thinking out of the box (eg, sending in your credentials to FT postings). That's why explanations may be given w/some listings.

Atlanta Real Estate Website Writing Needed

PUBLISHER NEEDED for AUSTIN pages of NAT'L GREEN MAGAZINE (great one to pitch for freelance writing assignments)

Contract Web/Copy Editor(s)

Family/Parenting Bloggers

Freelance Writing Jobs from the Public Request Section of Constant-Content.com (read more about this here).

Title: Illustration of a Castle
Description: I am looking for an illustrator to provide illustration of a castle. The illustration must contain... a visualization of what a well guarded castle might have looked like. Example: The illustration must contain a land mass on which sits a steep hill on which the castle sits inside of a perimeter wall which sits inside of a moat on the hill... The idea is to show the various layers of security in creating a fortress...
Price: $50-100
Article amount: 1
Content length: 0
Subjects: Illustration of Castle
Notes: Please do not begin to create a work of art without having submitted a concept sketch...
Title: Chinchillas
Description: Would like a story - approximately 500-600 words on what a chinchilla is and the care of this animal. website references for more info as well.
Price: $30-40
Article amount: 1
Content length: 500-600
Subjects: Chinchillas Notes: This is for a Pet Magazine so needs to be geared to pet owners or potential owners of Chinchillas

Title: Health, Fitness, Exercise and all that is healthy
Description: Looking for articles on these topics. No Ghost writers, wanting articls of 500 to 1500 words on what\'s listed in the title. Must submit background with topic and I would like research done through ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine)and for content to be up to date within the last 2 years. I have been working with Lynn Diamond and would like her to be able to submit the work she has done. Looking for multiple articles on these topics but really want the work to be researched through collegiate journals and all work to be documented giving credit where it is suppose to be avoiding any chances of plagerism.
Price: $10-20
Article amount: many above 10
Content length: 500 to 1500
Subjects: health, obesity, weight loss, weight gain, child obesity, nutrition, meals, diets, exercise, cholesterol, heart disease, studies done on these topics, anything related to exercise and fitness!!
Notes: I look foward to reading through the submissions

How I Almost Got Scammed: A Freelance Writing Lesson

In Friday’s post, I promised to tell you about a couple of writing opportunities that came my way that had me kind of pissed off. Here goes . . .

I must have applied to this one particular company a while ago (I apply for a lot of stuff and don’t exactly remember), because they sent me the following email:

Thank you for your interest in freelance writing for (said site). We are in the process of selecting candidates for freelance writing projects. Because of the amount of response we’ve had to our ad, we are asking prospective freelancers to take a short writing test (emphasis added) via e-mail. This will help us get a better sense of your voice, style and deadline management. You’ll have an allotted time period (24 hours) to take the test and return it.

If you’re interested in freelancing with (said site), please select one of the following time slots. We will e-mail you the test at that time, and you’ll need to send it back to me within 24 hours:

Thursday Feb. 28 at noon and 3p.m.

Friday Feb. 29 at noon and 3p.m.
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I started not to respond because I usually don’t test. But, I thought to myself, don’t cut off your nose to spite your face. This could be steady work, and a “short writing test” isn’t so bad. So, I chose the Thursday at 3pm slot and waited for the test to be sent to me. I received it right at 4pm – and it wasn’t short. The following is what they wanted:

Read the rest here.
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Today’s Freelance Writing Jobs
(Note: I list positions that offer immediate work – and future work. Keeping your pipeline full requires taking a long-range approach and thinking out of the box (eg, sending in your credentials to FT postings). That’s why I provide explanations as to why I list certain positions. My goal is to get freelancers to start thinking of marketing as an on-going business task, not a one-shot, “apply to this gig b/c it’s open” thing.)

FREELANCE COPYWRITER

FREELANCE - ONLINE WRITER

Proposal Writer (I’ll often apply to jobs like this b/c freelance information is usually kept on file for future use if the need is not immediate and/or if no suitable FT candidate is found).

Marketing Writer (see explanation above)

Writer / Analyst

COPY WRITER

Staff Writer (these types of jobs present excellent opportunities for freelancers to establish a long-term relationship with an organization b/c they are in constant need of proposals, marketing materials, etc.)

Graphics Designer- Freelance (As I’ve stated before, I’ll apply to industry related positions b/c if they hire freelance talent in one area, this means they probably hire it across the board (eg, freelance writers, editors, copy editors, etc.)).

Hope everyone had a productive Monday. I took a mental health day. I’ve been feeling unmotivated and listless lately. So in an effort to recharge and refocus, I did practically nothing (caught a great movie on Lifetime and worked out a little).

Here’s looking forward to a productive Tuesday,
Yuwanda Black, Publisher
http://inkwelleditorial.com/
http://inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/
http://seo-article-writer.com/
http://seo-articles-for-sale.com/
How to Start a Successful Freelance Writing Career Newsletter
P.S: Want to learn how to make at least $250/day writing simple 500-word articles? Read how here.
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Read Freelance Success Stories! There are freelancers who make very good livings at what they love. Inkwell Editorial's newsletter features these successful professionals who put to rest the phrase, "starving freelancer." Subscribe to read this, and all previous, issues.

Previous Issue: Interview with author and freelance writer Misti Sandefur. Also, info on 4 quick, simple things I do on a daily basis to increase traffic to my website and blog (and you can too!); how I made $4,000 in 30-days from one client -- and a whole lot more!

Current Issue. Spotlight on How to Make Money Online: An interview with internet marketer Pat B. Doyle. Pat shares tips on how to make passive income online via affiliate marketing; some common mistakes online entrepreneurs make; and some free and low-cost methods to make money online. There's more also. Subscribe to read this, and all previous, issues.
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Copyright © 2008 InkwellEditorial.com: Freelance success stories, e-courses, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Except where noted, no part of this site may be reproduced in any manner without the express, written consent of the publisher. Violators will be prosecuted.

WARNING: New Scam Job Site Targeting Freelancers

I Googled my name last night – as I often do – to see where my work is appearing. It’s a vanity/confidence boosting thing.

As I clicked through the links, I ran across an ad on Craigslist and what do I find? One of my articles – the whole thing – pasted in the body of a job ad.

The poster, fraudulently, had changed the title of the article and inserted their website address in the body of the article to make it seem like I promoted their site. The kicker? The copyright information was left intact. This is what infuriated me the most.

I’ve had my articles stolen before – outright copied word for word. BUT, in most instances, the copyright information was removed and the thief’s information was put there. This felt like so much more of a violation because they changed the article to make it appear as if I endorsed their site.

And, they outright lied in the article – inputting text that I hadn’t written.
Here it is – in black and white. NOTE: Italicized copy is what they changed/inserted.

Original Article Copy

The 7 Highly Effective, Profitable Habits of Successful Freelancers

I’ve been in publishing since 1987, have been a freelancer since 1993 and ran an editorial staffing agency in New York City from 1996 through 2004.

Over the years, I’ve noticed that successful freelancers, eg, those who make their living entirely from freelancing (writing, editing, copywriting, web design, etc.), have the following seven traits in common.

Altered Copy

HOW TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL FREELANCER AND MAKE REAL JOB MONEY AT HOME

I’ve been in publishing since 1987, have been a freelancer since 1993 and ran an editorial staffing agency in New York City from 1996 through 2004.

Now I do most of my work freelance online, and it is very lucrative. (try Getafreelancer.com) Over the years, I’ve noticed that successful freelancers, eg, those who make their living entirely from freelancing (writing, editing, copywriting, web design, etc.), have the following seven traits in common.

POST CONTINUED BELOW
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Endangering Your Reputation & the Chance for Future Work

What was so disconcerting about this is the fact that my reputation is on the line. It’s one thing to outright steal my work and put your name on it – at least if you leave it intact, it’s still my (brilliant, I think!) ideas being distributed.

BUT, if you alter copy and leave my name on it, then it’s stealing from me. They’re using my hard-earned reputation in the industry to promote their crappy service. I’m forever linked to them. What does this do for my chances for future work – especially if they’re embroiled in some scandal? Arrgghhhh! The more I type the madder I’m getting.

Your Free Articles Used to Promote Other’s Ventures

The real shame in all of this is that the article was offered freely by me – as most of my articles on freelance writing are.

They could have just posted their ad anywhere near the article – even smack dab in the middle of it (think Google ads on a site) – if they had stated that it was an advertisement and the article was “Continued Below.”

So, beware of GetAFreelancer.com. The funny thing is, on their site, they write: “GetAFreelancer.com is one of the largest sites of its kind. We have earned a good reputation and you can trust us.”

As my father used to say, “You don’t have to say what’s obvious.” Why would you have to tell someone they can trust you – their policies would automatically convey that, don’cha think?

If they are willing to stoop to such low measures as stealing from others to promote their site – then what other unethical measures are they employing? Eg, not paying freelancers for work, posting fraudulent projects, listing fake testimonials, etc.

Freelancers are so hungry for work that many depend on the pay for job sites – which I’ve always thought were mostly bottom feeders.

The universe speaks to you in strange ways. I’d just read an article yesterday by Associated Content writer, Regina Paul, another freelance scam site, FreelanceWorkExchange.com, aka GoFreelance.com. She details in an article her experience with this site. Read about it here.

NOTE TO FREELANCERS: There is legitimate work out there that you can find on your own. Beware of sites that ask you to pay for memberships, job listings, etc. Most of them are not worth the money.

What action can you take if this happens to you? Notify the webmaster of the site where the material is listed and ask that it be removed. I did this and Craigslist removed the ad -- literally within minutes of me notifying them.

For all the grief they get for posting bogus/no-paying/low-paying jobs, they came through on my request. For this, they get my undying thanks – for me personally – and for all the freelancers out there who would have potentially wasted hard-earned money on this site.

Know of a scam targeting freelancers? Let me know and I'll gladly post it!
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Copyright Notice: May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Log on to InkwellEditorial.com.
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