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
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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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