Don Draper
Power Member
- Jan 1, 2012
- 585
- 363
Funny... This guy threatened me that he will take necessary "measures" because I "hijacked" his thread. Oh well, it was a fun ride for you Captain Bogus.
Writers Offering Free Articles. Is it a Good Trend?
- Thread starter peerless2acme
- Start date
Funny... This guy threatened me that he will take necessary "measures" because I "hijacked" his thread. Oh well, it was a fun ride for you Captain Bogus.
Knoxgates
Supreme Member
- Aug 9, 2008
- 1,265
- 927
It's very difficult to write 50-100 articles for free and whoever is doing it they know the trick, They don't write a single article and they just scrap. There are few bots in the BST sections and after generating article with those tools then you get a copyscape passed article. If we check these articles with copyscape it passes the test. But if you copy a few words or lines from these articles and search it on google then u will find the original source of this article. And these articles are rubbish they will get u know where and the amount spent is totally waste for these kinds of articles
Total loss will be $5.
You are a article writer just ask one question to yourself. Can i write articles that takes around 1-2hrs and distribute it for free. Answer will be big NOOOOOOOOOOOO
Total loss will be $5.
You are a article writer just ask one question to yourself. Can i write articles that takes around 1-2hrs and distribute it for free. Answer will be big NOOOOOOOOOOOO
zebrahat
Elite Member
- Aug 6, 2008
- 2,514
- 3,037
The point behind giving free samples is to accelerate one's business exposure and reputation building. The optimal way to establish oneself as a new writer on one of these IM forums on this basis is to offer free live samples to X members with a significant post or reputation count. Once they see the quality of the work they can vouch for you, and may pay you for further work. Otherwise, the only free work samples you should offer are existing articles, not live original articles.
kvmcable
Supreme Member
- Dec 28, 2010
- 1,354
- 2,823
Freebies attract bottom feeders. Bottom feeders are bad for any business. They will CONSUME your limited resources and not care when they run you out of business. I learned the hard way.
I started my real business 23 years ago based on the idea of being the cheapest and best. Well that shit didn't work. Although I did drum up a lot of business quickly, I found most of my clients were the crumbs the competitors were happy for me to pick up. I had a ton of clients (more than I could service) but my bills were falling behind because bottom feeders are slow payers or no-payers. They pay previous invoices when a new problem arises and they need your services again. Otherwise they're just numbers on your accounts receivable.
This still happens today. My real business of 23 years is a retail computer store that earns 80% of its money doing service repairs. Every Office store in my area has jumped on the computer service bandwagon. Free tune-ups (whatever the "f" that is), free diagnosis, no repairs over $99 and it goes on and on. Now my mom & pop competitors are trying to compete with them, radio ads saying free tune ups, free diagnosis, etc. Someone comes in my store and we tell them $35 minimum. Most repairs under $100 labor plus parts if needed. Take it or leave it. We're not doing shit for free and don't want the customers that demand it. We're rarely out of work and if we get slow I have a ton of other business to earn money with. After 23 years I feel I've earned my wage and if someone wants to compare me to a 19 yr old kid at Staples then do me a favor and take your system there. I'll make my money online and not deal with your freebie demands.
I guess the point is to get enough lines in the water so you don't need to depend on any one line producing. When you get enough lines in the water you can set your prices, obtain better clients and sleep better at night. If you think you'll make a great business by being the cheapest or you're going to get clients by giving shit away, you're sadly mistaken. Converting freebie seekers into good clients is difficult if not impossible.
I started my real business 23 years ago based on the idea of being the cheapest and best. Well that shit didn't work. Although I did drum up a lot of business quickly, I found most of my clients were the crumbs the competitors were happy for me to pick up. I had a ton of clients (more than I could service) but my bills were falling behind because bottom feeders are slow payers or no-payers. They pay previous invoices when a new problem arises and they need your services again. Otherwise they're just numbers on your accounts receivable.
This still happens today. My real business of 23 years is a retail computer store that earns 80% of its money doing service repairs. Every Office store in my area has jumped on the computer service bandwagon. Free tune-ups (whatever the "f" that is), free diagnosis, no repairs over $99 and it goes on and on. Now my mom & pop competitors are trying to compete with them, radio ads saying free tune ups, free diagnosis, etc. Someone comes in my store and we tell them $35 minimum. Most repairs under $100 labor plus parts if needed. Take it or leave it. We're not doing shit for free and don't want the customers that demand it. We're rarely out of work and if we get slow I have a ton of other business to earn money with. After 23 years I feel I've earned my wage and if someone wants to compare me to a 19 yr old kid at Staples then do me a favor and take your system there. I'll make my money online and not deal with your freebie demands.
I guess the point is to get enough lines in the water so you don't need to depend on any one line producing. When you get enough lines in the water you can set your prices, obtain better clients and sleep better at night. If you think you'll make a great business by being the cheapest or you're going to get clients by giving shit away, you're sadly mistaken. Converting freebie seekers into good clients is difficult if not impossible.
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TheBlueWizard
Junior Member
- Mar 21, 2012
- 170
- 63
Hence, you filter out bottom feeders from those willing to compensate for somebodies time, but just need a sample.
If you provide freebies to those who have no intention of giving you a penny or even a review at the least, then yea, that's like trying to turn poop in to gold.
And so now I've read all the replies since my last one post here, we've come a full circle.
There's clearly room for attracting clients via a free offer for someone who can't put up a moderator-approved post for article writing services because of not meeting the post volume and rep criteria. I guess there's a lesson to be learnt in terms of trying to screen out "bottom feeders" and more importantly than anything else it's important to offer REAL quality.
It may backfire on me...err actually it's not going to...I'm going to put up a free article offer but with conditions and limits to numbers. Those that jump in will be very happy indeed to become long term clients. If anyone doesn't like my articles I will have failed miserably.
There's clearly room for attracting clients via a free offer for someone who can't put up a moderator-approved post for article writing services because of not meeting the post volume and rep criteria. I guess there's a lesson to be learnt in terms of trying to screen out "bottom feeders" and more importantly than anything else it's important to offer REAL quality.
It may backfire on me...err actually it's not going to...I'm going to put up a free article offer but with conditions and limits to numbers. Those that jump in will be very happy indeed to become long term clients. If anyone doesn't like my articles I will have failed miserably.
marsmadness
Registered Member
- Feb 19, 2012
- 82
- 64
That's crazy to come across this thread almost immediately after a guy threatened to leave me negative feedback on fiverr if I didn't write an article for him in place of a gig for some cool plrs I like. I think he might have just cancelled it if I had not written an entire article-length post explaining why my writing was far, far more valuable than five dollars. Ah, sweet wet Bourbon, you make me say the darndest things...
Also, I was a ghostwriter for about six months or so around 2005 or 2006, and it drove me crazy to produce work and eventually see someone's name other than mine under the title.
I think I may have said elsewhere around here on a similar subject to "never forget you get what you pay for."
You know what? Though I told that arguable little man with the lame threats that he could go away and make sweet-sweet monkey love to himself (though I worded it a bit differently at the time) for thinking my ramblings would be his for a fiverr, I can sort of see giving away an article or two on here. It would need to possess a special intrinsic value as a gift though: like a sweet story as a gift or a weird tale to make someone laugh with a sincere desire to give articles away to someone really interested to show appreciation. I feel that way about the men and women who have been through the ringer of Internet Marketing and are far, far more wealthy than me after not giving up. I know eventually my time will come, as long as I keep learning and don't give up, but I also know what resources I'm making online right now while I'm a growing little Baby Blackhat are certainly credit to you guys who mentor from your experiences. Also, ingratiating oneself with more wealthy and successful Internet Entrepreneurs can't be said to be bad in any way...
Appreciation and greed: most certainly worth an article or two.
Also, I was a ghostwriter for about six months or so around 2005 or 2006, and it drove me crazy to produce work and eventually see someone's name other than mine under the title.
I think I may have said elsewhere around here on a similar subject to "never forget you get what you pay for."
You know what? Though I told that arguable little man with the lame threats that he could go away and make sweet-sweet monkey love to himself (though I worded it a bit differently at the time) for thinking my ramblings would be his for a fiverr, I can sort of see giving away an article or two on here. It would need to possess a special intrinsic value as a gift though: like a sweet story as a gift or a weird tale to make someone laugh with a sincere desire to give articles away to someone really interested to show appreciation. I feel that way about the men and women who have been through the ringer of Internet Marketing and are far, far more wealthy than me after not giving up. I know eventually my time will come, as long as I keep learning and don't give up, but I also know what resources I'm making online right now while I'm a growing little Baby Blackhat are certainly credit to you guys who mentor from your experiences. Also, ingratiating oneself with more wealthy and successful Internet Entrepreneurs can't be said to be bad in any way...
Appreciation and greed: most certainly worth an article or two.
partymarty4870
Elite Member
- Jul 7, 2010
- 2,032
- 1,697
I always thought they were just fishing for good niches to work
Nigel Farage
BANNED
- Feb 8, 2012
- 565
- 1,502
I've hated "freebie seekers" since I was a student in college, waiting tables in restaurants at night. The dreaded "Happenings" coupon customers would roll in with the "Two for One" coupon and were the worst possible customers. Stupid, demanding, socially inept and always failed to tip. The hostess at the front desk would hear about it if you thought you got a disproportionate number of these customers.
Just yesterday morning I gave a quote and was informed that my price was "higher than expected", and then 2 hours later the prospect text-messaged a counter-offer 35% lower than my quote. This morning I am going to amend my previous offer and increase it by 15%. In his efforts to low-ball, me seeking a competitive advantage (the jackass thinks I'm going to "meet him halfway"), the prospect instead has provoked me into increasing my price. He can take it, or he can fuck himself. Even if he hires me at the newly increased price, already my intent is to deliver as low-quality service as I can get away with. Trying to get me to reduce my price has transitioned our possible relationship, from one of mutual trust where I have respect for him and take pride in my work, to an adverserial relationhip that is "just business" and both parties are trying to get as much as they can for as little as possible.
Here's a little message for all those retarded chislers and low-ballers out there that have the fucked-up notion that shaving back your costs to the greatest extent possible is somehow a brilliant financial strategy that is going to result in some kind of disproportionate gain for you: You're wrong, and your a loser, and you always will be one, and here's why.
In a transaction where one side is simply handing over money, and the other side is providing a service and/or product, there absolutely no ambiguity on the part of the Buyer as far as what he is bringing to the table. It's money, and it's either there or it's not there. Whereas, the other side has an infinite number of ways in which they can reduce the quality of whatever it is that you are paying for. Maybe I'll spend 20 minutes doing "X", or maybe just 5. I get to decide that, and most of the time the Buyer can't tell whether they've been given good quality or bad quality. If they knew shit about it, they'd be doing it themselves and not paying good money for it. Buyers are usually ignorant, and must trust the person they are paying to provide good service or product.
So, Mr. Chiseler wants to fuck around and give himself some kind of a discount, maybe I'll play. And in exchange for 30 seconds if compulsively chiseling a 10 percent discount, I might spend several
days figuring out how to reduce the quality by 3 or 4 times that amount. Or, even better, something unexpected comes up, and instead of throwing it in for free, I charge a premium and it's too late for Mr. Chiseler to go price-shopping.
I win, jackass, and you are too stupid to fucking know it.
Anyways, that's how I deal with chiselers, low-ballers and other cancerous forms of socialists.
Even if whoever is offering free articles is using the service to market their paid services, how can that be a bad trend? Sure, it may be bad for those not looking to put forth the time and effort to take a similar approach but offering free articles is a great way of letting potential buyers gauge the quality of one's writing.
If someone sees that a writer actually knows their shit and are capable of producing high quality articles they will A.) be more likely to buy from them in the future and/or B.) pay more for their articles as opposed to someone outsourcing their writing to those with poor writing skills.
If someone sees that a writer actually knows their shit and are capable of producing high quality articles they will A.) be more likely to buy from them in the future and/or B.) pay more for their articles as opposed to someone outsourcing their writing to those with poor writing skills.
Even if whoever is offering free articles is using the service to market their paid services, how can that be a bad trend? Sure, it may be bad for those not looking to put forth the time and effort to take a similar approach but offering free articles is a great way of letting potential buyers gauge the quality of one's writing.
If someone sees that a writer actually knows their shit and are capable of producing high quality articles they will A.) be more likely to buy from them in the future and/or B.) pay more for their articles as opposed to someone outsourcing their writing to those with poor writing skills.
EDIT: Just read Nigel Farage's post above me. All I have to say is, hell yes. If you buy shitty shit in the beginning, or at any point really, your shit will end up like shit in the end. End of story. Especially when it comes to the services market; you need to give someone an incentive to produce anything be it articles, web designs, videos, etc., that isn't shit. If you're paying $1 for a 500 word article, for example, the chances of you being able to read that article yourself without a translator are about as high as winning that recent half-billion dollar Mega Millions lottery. Just imagine someone finding that article through Google and reading the first sentence that looks something like "the way to money amken on internet is by work hard". I don't know about you, but I wouldn't be returning. </rant>
Double edit: Shit, accidentally double posted as opposed to editing the first one. Can any mods on hand delete it? Thanks, if at all possible.
If someone sees that a writer actually knows their shit and are capable of producing high quality articles they will A.) be more likely to buy from them in the future and/or B.) pay more for their articles as opposed to someone outsourcing their writing to those with poor writing skills.
EDIT: Just read Nigel Farage's post above me. All I have to say is, hell yes. If you buy shitty shit in the beginning, or at any point really, your shit will end up like shit in the end. End of story. Especially when it comes to the services market; you need to give someone an incentive to produce anything be it articles, web designs, videos, etc., that isn't shit. If you're paying $1 for a 500 word article, for example, the chances of you being able to read that article yourself without a translator are about as high as winning that recent half-billion dollar Mega Millions lottery. Just imagine someone finding that article through Google and reading the first sentence that looks something like "the way to money amken on internet is by work hard". I don't know about you, but I wouldn't be returning. </rant>
Double edit: Shit, accidentally double posted as opposed to editing the first one. Can any mods on hand delete it? Thanks, if at all possible.
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peerless2acme
BANNED
- Jun 9, 2011
- 502
- 186
Shit happens!! That's all I can say as a reply to your posts
{ PS: No Offense }. I have gone through each and every comment on this thread and I am glad to see that some senior members were in support of my viewpoint. The basic and core reason I started this thread was to bring notice of fellow members towards the increasing rate of freebies providers. Why the hell would I be against freebies but in the same breath I want to also point out that I can't understand why there is mad rush for freebies. I don't consider these guys as a competition to me but if you look at this trend and try analyzing its future impacts, then I am sorry to break the bubble but outcome won't be positive. A sense of desperation in any industry is really bad, as it spoils the entire market. Freebies is good for making base in the industry but all I want to say is that why not refine the freebie providers and allow only those who are capable of providing quality services. Hope you all agree to this point. I don't want debates, just general discussions for the welfare of this forum. That's all. Cheers. Pardon me, if I was rude or I hurt someone but to be frank some guys don't like being talked politely.
codexehow
Power Member
- Mar 23, 2012
- 771
- 506
It's a bad trend, imo.
It's bad for the writer themselves as well as other writers.
For one, people naturally devalue anything they get for free. Period. They won't remember the person that they got the free article from, even if it is exceptional. If they do remember them, they won't respect them.
The other problem that I have with this practice is that the apparent value of article writing has already taken such a hit over the last few years because of sites like Odesk, that we really can't afford to be working for free. I automatically refuse to work with any client that asks for anything free.
Can I go into a garage and ask the owner to fix 25% of my car for free? Can I tell him I'll pay for the muffler repair if he'll repair my air conditioning for free? Of course not.
It's bad for the writer themselves as well as other writers.
For one, people naturally devalue anything they get for free. Period. They won't remember the person that they got the free article from, even if it is exceptional. If they do remember them, they won't respect them.
The other problem that I have with this practice is that the apparent value of article writing has already taken such a hit over the last few years because of sites like Odesk, that we really can't afford to be working for free. I automatically refuse to work with any client that asks for anything free.
Can I go into a garage and ask the owner to fix 25% of my car for free? Can I tell him I'll pay for the muffler repair if he'll repair my air conditioning for free? Of course not.
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codexehow
Power Member
- Mar 23, 2012
- 771
- 506
The only writers that will work for free to "prove" themselves to you will be bad writers, period. There are enough clients these days that good writers like myself don't have to cater to beggars.
@ OldSalt,
Because time is money. That's as true for me as it is for you.
Refer back to my garage analogy. Or make it a doctor's office. You have a problem and need it solved. There are lots of other people around here who have the same problem. The doctor has absolutely 0 incentive to spend his valuable time proving himself to you when that same time and energy could be going to money making endeavors.
Now bring it back to article writing post-panda. See my point? The only people who will give you "samples" for absolutely no cost are novice writers who are non-native speakers. For $0 you get Engrish. As it should be.
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You have pointed out really some good points which I like a lot. You are right up to some extent.Level of the form must always be high by the management of the website and also it is the responsibility of the old members.In fact every person who is using this forum have some responsibilities which he must full fill.When every person is full fulling the responsibility he is making this forum more effective.
midnight_focus
BANNED
- Dec 2, 2008
- 781
- 481
giving away freebies is the best way to drive clients, this is 101 in marketing. If you are confident about your product (articles in this case) you would be able to provide a small sample article (usually 250 words) to prove your writing skills. it's just a way to attract sales.
If you don't want to give away freebies you should think of something else to attract customers instead of asking others to stop their marketing strategies
If you don't want to give away freebies you should think of something else to attract customers instead of asking others to stop their marketing strategies
crazedspyker
Senior Member
- Jan 5, 2010
- 1,004
- 661
Is that what a sample article is??? This whole time, whenever I asked for a sample I was referring to seeing a sample of the writers previous work, I didn't know a sample meant a freebie.
Whenever I requested a sample, I had no interest in a free article, I just want to see a piece of work the writer has done in the past. (could be the same sample article sent to 100 other people for all I care...)
I guess I just misinterpreted what a sample article was this whole time. Never had a problem with any writer though, I've always received a sample and I've ordered from most writing services here on BHW so I already know who the quality writers are
Whenever I requested a sample, I had no interest in a free article, I just want to see a piece of work the writer has done in the past. (could be the same sample article sent to 100 other people for all I care...)
I guess I just misinterpreted what a sample article was this whole time. Never had a problem with any writer though, I've always received a sample and I've ordered from most writing services here on BHW so I already know who the quality writers are
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codexehow
Power Member
- Mar 23, 2012
- 771
- 506
@Crazed,
Some prospective buyers point out that they have no way of knowing if we actually wrote the sample, and therefore would like us to write an original sample for them. This type of behavior occurs a lot on sites like ODesk, for instance.
The reason that most high-quality writers don't do this is that buyers tend to be flaky. They are usually courting several prospective writers at once, and we have no way of knowing how serious they are about buying. There are enough content seekers out there now that we don't need to play these games.
Time is money.
I just refer prospective buyers to my Constant Content articles, and if that isn't enough, I move on.
Some prospective buyers point out that they have no way of knowing if we actually wrote the sample, and therefore would like us to write an original sample for them. This type of behavior occurs a lot on sites like ODesk, for instance.
The reason that most high-quality writers don't do this is that buyers tend to be flaky. They are usually courting several prospective writers at once, and we have no way of knowing how serious they are about buying. There are enough content seekers out there now that we don't need to play these games.
Time is money.
I just refer prospective buyers to my Constant Content articles, and if that isn't enough, I move on.
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