Thought I'd share this interesting blog post I came across:

Writers: Beware of New Sites Seeking Free Content
Posted on July 13, 2011 by Tammi Kibler

Are you jumping through hoops?

I applied to a writing job the other day. They said they needed an editor and writer to help sort through hundreds of submissions they receive each day. I followed their instructions and asked for more information.

Turns out, there is no job currently being offered. They want writers to submit 3 or 4 stories (under a pseudonym, no less) and then a determination will be made in a few weeks based on “Content, Creativity, page-views, and finally reader feedback/responses to those stories.”

Nice. They are not looking for an editor, they are looking for unpaid (and UNCREDITED) writers to populate their site with content. I mean really, if you had hundreds of submissions pouring in, would you be wasting time placing Craigslist ads on every city? When your slush pile gets “over-whelming [sic],” perhaps you should focus on getting through it rather than making it larger.

Unfortunately, they are not the only ones employing these deceptive practices. Every week, I see a new site posting ads directing you to audition for the job by “proving” yourself on their site.

In order to demonstrate your skills in this area, preferably sign up…per our normal sign up terms, create a strong compelling profile and post a few sample blogs (macro and micro).

As if the blogs and samples you have already created are not demonstrative of your skills.
Are They Crazy?
No, not really.

They are just part of the general “something for nothing” attitude so prevalent online. Some of them may even have the best intentions. They may have deluded themselves into believing that someday their site will catch on, make lots of money, and then they will go back and reward those responsible for their success.

Of course, by the time that happens, they will have convinced themselves that it was their own ingenuity and not the writing efforts of those foolish enough to write for free that led to the site’s success.

You Aren’t Crazy

You know better. You know you deserve to get paid for the work you do. Let those websites get what they pay for, while you build your foundation on paid credits.

Develop a portfolio, so you won’t have to create samples from scratch.
Specialize in a niche, so you have credibility that can’t be ignored.
Remember: Freelance isn't free.

are just part of the general “something for nothing” attitude so prevalent online.

As a freelancer who understands what you mean, you definitely said something there....nice post and warning btw....rep given

There's always goign to be a few scammers in the pile, its a given, give them samples of work you've already completed and they cannot profit from.

LOL..

This is a BH method that's been shared here before under the guise of getting free content for people's websites.

Job postings for a "writer" get free content.

As a copywriter, and a graphic artist, I have a portfolio. This is all you need for people to see value in you. Would've expected you guys to have seen that coming.

Live n learn eh?

lol yeah one of the methods here .

also come on should be easy to tell a fake like that right ?

Whenever I hire a writer on odesk or elance I always ask for samples or previous work. All writers should have a portfolio.