Good morning folks,

I trust you all have had a pleasant day so far. I'll just dig right into the topic. I am keeping this “short and sweet”

Like Uatu The Watcher, I have been observing the “drama” between many Nairaland writers and their clients. It can be quite entertaining. Some of it is funny, some of it ludicrous, while some is just plain sad.
It can be quite depressing and aggravating when you get a “Kansas City Shuffle” played on you after toiling for hours(sometimes days or even weeks) on a 5000 word piece. It’s the stuff of nightmares!
However, I have discovered that the real problem lies with the writer. That’s right. Nairaland writers are their own worst enemies. Let me explain.

NUMBER ONE: Majority of you have no idea how the business of writing works! The ignorance and mediocrity is so thick and palpable you can almost cut it with a knife. If you want to enter any business or any field of study, the first thing you do is: AQUIRE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THAT FIELD! I mean isn’t that why people go to school in the first place? I see a lot of folks around here say “I am a writer” but can’t even construct a simple paragraph. Some of their paragraphs look like it was shot full of holes by some drug crazed soldier.

There is no rule of thumb that says you must have a background in the arts to be a writer, but in the name of the spirit of creativity, know your work! Quincy Jones once said: “you have got to respect the gift God gave you by learning your craft”. It’s that simple. How do you expect all the contractors and clients running around Nairaland to respect you when you write without skill? No skill, no fluidity and no coherence gets you ZERO money.

How do you hone your skills? Simple. It is a four letter word. READ! A good writer is not just a reader, but an insatiable reader. Read everything. Know something about everything, and everything about something. If you write for 1hour, read for 3hours. Why? What you read is stored in your mind even when you can’t seem to recall it. It flows into your writing over time. Ever notice yourself using words and expressions in your work you can’t remember where you learnt them? Chances are you read it or learnt it somehow. You want to be an exceptional writer? This is how you do it. No shortcuts. Anybody can call themselves “a writer”, but it’s not something you parrot. You earn it by investing days, months and years developing yourself. Many of you need to get off Nairaland and go learn some basic writing.

NUMBER TWO: BE SMART! For the love of God acquire and apply wisdom. It’s easy to see that many of you are simpletons and neophytes that’s why you keep getting scammed from every corner. It’s so easy it’s like taking candy from a baby. Now here is something to help you: NEVER release or submit a work without getting at least 50% of your fee. It is willful naïveté on your part to think that a client (who most times is faceless) will hold up their end of the bargain on a job, especially when you have never worked with said faceless client.

I have only done two(2) jobs in my life where I was paid in full after submitting the work. The first is the lowest I have ever been paid for a job. It was 5000 Naira for a one page speech. That’s right, one page. It was barely 500 words. And the money was practically ready before I delivered it. It took barely 30minutes to write.

The second was a piece I did for an online American magazine. It was less than 1000 words and I was paid 25k for it. Of course I had to wait because their method of operation(payment wise) wouldn’t work with my SOP. A piece of advice:

Barring a client whose integrity you have tested on previous jobs, don’t place 100% trust in any online contractor. What most of them even call writing offers on Nairaland are practically hopeless. When you are done with any job, withhold it and send bits of the finished work(ebook, article etc) enough to guarantee its authenticity but not enough for the client to piece a substantial part of the work from. For example, if you write an ebook for a client, send a few pages(no more than 2) from a middle chapter in the book. Make it random. For an article, send only one paragraph. Yes, I said one paragraph. No jokes.

Many of you are so eager to grab a “job” and show your “skill” that you inadvertently display your lack of tact and experience. Be wise. Show some common sense. Some jobs here are not even worth the time or energy. You would find it a more valuable use of your time learning how to rope calves than writing some silly article for some shady contractor.

I have never taken a job from Nairaland because a great deal of what passes for “writing jobs” on this forum is nonsensical. Really. Add to that: a host of thieving and forked tongued clients and contractors. I get my jobs mostly from referrals and from Twitter. In my opinion, if you really want to make a living from writing, Nairaland is not your Eldorado. I am not saying you can’t get good jobs here, but don’t spend all your time chasing after every post that says: “Writers Needed” or “Opportunity for Writers”. You can’t even do a decent data plan from what they pay. This brings me to my third and final point.

NUMBER THREE: VALUE! In the business of writing, it is VERY important for you to know what you are worth. I can’t stress this enough. The only way to command good pay for your job is to know your value. And you can’t talk about value if you write like an inebriated youth. I am appalled at what Nairaland writers accept as “Standard Pay”. 1naira or 2naira per word. Really? Seriously? In this day and age? It is ridiculous and demeaning. I once saw someone advertise a job here and the pay was even in kobo. I was shocked! Wait, can you even buy anything on the streets today for 1naira You writers need to wake up! WAKE UP!! You are the reason why clients and contractors keep playing you around and acting like small gods on this forum. If only you know what some folks outside Nairaland are willing to offer for quality work, you will never waste time here again.

On another post offering a job, I observed a “writer” advertising his skills. Apparently, he could write short stories between 1000 and 2000 words for 500naira! Unbelievable! This is why I said initially that many of you have no idea what the business of writing is about. Do you know what it takes to write a quality short story or piece for 2000 words? Except your writing is poor or you intend to plagiarize, you will never accept such miserable offers. Some of these clients are your fellow writers. They take jobs worth 300k and above and rush to Nairaland to outsource it for 1naira per word. They may end up paying you 30k or 50k(if you are fortunate) for the job and waltz away with a cool 250k for doing nothing! If you are smart and wise(point number two)you will know how to hook them and bill them.

If you are reading this and still charge clients for jobs at 1naira, 2naira you need to reevaluate what you are doing. Like I said earlier, the lowest I have ever been paid for a job is 5k(and I don’t even accept that kind of job anymore). Please understand me, I am not saying you shouldn’t start from somewhere. There will always be the days of little beginnings. You can’t make it to the top in a single leap. But in writing, even your little beginning should have a firm footing beneath you.

Go back and work on your craft. You want to command good pay? Pay the price of painstaking study. I don’t mean go back to school. Read books from exceptional writers. Both online and offline. When you watch movies, cartoons or listen to music, be on the look out for words, expressions or ideologies that you are unfamiliar with. Read newspapers. Watch documentaries. Write what you see and hear until it becomes second nature.

I once submitted a piece for an online platform that I will not name. The editor in charge of our section sent me a mail and said: “your piece was incredibly well written”. When it was time for the editing proper, the process was fast and fluid. Why? I had done my home work. The piece in question was over a thousand words and it took less than two hours to write.

With deep thanks to God, I have never grovelled for a job. When I make a pitch, I let my samples do my talking for me(when you have done your home work, your confidence soars like an eagle). It’s useless to tell a potential client that you are a writer. I can write articles, stories. So? It doesn’t amount to the proverbial hill of beans. And this is something you should learn: every client knows great writing when they see one. Even when they try to act cool, they know when they have quality in their hands. When a job is worth 50k and the client wants to pay 10k, I explain politely why I can’t take the job and go my merry way. I don’t sweat it. I have gone months on end without taking any job. That’s because my previous jobs always pay well enough that I can go another seven months without bothering.

Once again, you need to wake up. Sharpen your skills and launch out into the deep. Stop playing games here. You will end up writing 10 articles of a thousand words each and get nothing but a classic WhatsApp block for your troubles. Acquire knowledge, work smart, be polite and graceful yet subtle as a serpent. That’s right, the advice in the Bible is still very much valid. And of course, understand the value of your time and craft.

Lothlorien.

Nice write up, your third point is my main issue. Paltry offers everywhere.

Speaking about clients paying as low as N1 per word, it's so discouraging and disheartening.

For a writer to come up with an original content with his/her racked brain is not worth the price rate being bargained for. The price rate even poison and exacerbates the writer's mind when writing such that he/she produces low grade contents for their clients.

I know if a client was to boost the offer with incentives or increase the payments, I know how far a writer would go to impress their clients.

Talking about writers/hirers who look for other writers to write for them or join their team of writers, OP is right about them. They get paid in high rate yet they pay their fellow writers amount that is not enough to buy 'pure water'.

They think that coming up with a sentence that is striking is as easy as writing ABC. It takes sweat and overcoming the writer's block.

Who's in for the 'Writer's Bible'?

Jhaytee4all:
Speaking about clients paying as low as N1 per word, it's so discouraging and disheartening.

For a writer to come up with an original content with his/her racked brain is not worth the price rate being bargained for. The price rate even poison and exacerbates the writer's mind when writing such that he/she produces low grade contents for their clients.

I know if a client was to boost the offer with incentives or increase the payments, I know how far a writer would go to impress their clients.

Talking about writers/hirers who look for other writers to write for them or join their team of writers, OP is right about them. They get paid in high rate yet they pay their fellow writers amount that is not enough to buy 'pure water'.

They think that coming up with a sentence that is striking is as easy as writing ABC. It takes sweat and overcoming the writer's block.

Who's in for the 'Writer's Bible'?

What most writers accept here as pay I consider it MISERABLE! It is disgusting. And you are right. You don't go all the way with a job when the pay isn't even encouraging. But I have also noticed that most writers here are the enablers of their problems. How can you write for 1naira and 2naira per word?

Some writers here want to go into fiction. When they finally secure a traditional publisher who is interested in their manuscript, they will be too afraid to even negotiate a book deal or selling the movie rights of their works. They will get their royalties and everything else skimmed away right in front of their eyes.

And it starts here.

In all honesty, Nairaland is about the worst place to pick up a writing job -with exceptions.

And many of these 'clients' float around like they're doing you a favor, hence, should be worshipped.

How the hell would someone, anyone write a 5000 words essay for you at 1 naira per word and you'd have the audacity to complain, worse still, won't pay him a dime because the N1 per word article isn't good enough.

ibnzubair:
In all honesty, Nairaland is about the worst place to pick up a writing job -with exceptions.

And many of these 'clients' float around like they're doing you a favor, hence, should be worshipped.

How the hell would someone, anyone write a 5000 words essay for you at 1 naira per word and you'd have the audacity to complain, worse still, won't pay him a dime because the N1 per word article isn't good enough.

Now that is just sad. And you are right. As far as writing jobs go, Nairaland is a snake pit. You would have to be smart to navigate it. From my observations, it is worrisome that majority of the writers here keep falling for the same old tricks. And some seem too lazy to do anything about it.

Accepting to write a piece of 5000 words for 1naira per word is poor. And then the same "contractor" still avoids paying up after delivery.

It's slave work. 5000 words should fetch you nothing less than 10k in the real word. And depending on what you are writing, it can fetch you as much as 25-30k.

Until Nairaland writers open their eyes and wake up from their "cryostasis", their " Uhuru" is not in sight yet.

Lothlorien:


Now that is just sad. And you are right. As far as writing jobs go, Nairaland is a snake pit. You would have to be smart to navigate it. From my observations, it is worrisome that majority of the writers here keep falling for the same old tricks. And some seem too lazy to do anything about it.

Accepting to write a piece of 5000 words for 1naira per word is poor. And then the same "contractor" still avoids paying up after delivery.

It's slave work. 5000 words should fetch you nothing less than 10k in the real word. And depending on what you are writing, it can fetch you as much as 25-30k.

Until Nairaland writers open their eyes and wake up from their "cryostasis", their " Uhuru" is not in sight yet.

Then again, there's poverty in the land... And poverty does not breed patience

ibnzubair:


Then again, there's poverty in the land... And poverty does not breed patience

An unfortunate reality.

I have decided to stop engaging all these paltry jobs with one naira or two. I have had enough, anyone who cannot pay something reasonable should bounce! Thank God I don't rely on this alone as I have a day job.

Hello OP, you have made some very salient points in this post.

However, most writers here including my humble self find it hard getting other jobs. The freelance sites hardly accept new writers and then we have to fall back to the N1 per word people here.

Any pointers on how to get good paying jobs would be greatly appreciated.

Lothlorien:


Go back and work on your craft. You want to command good pay? Pay the price of painstaking study. I don’t mean go back to school. Read books from exceptional writers. Both online and offline. When you watch movies, cartoons or listen to music, be on the look out for words, expressions or ideologies that you are unfamiliar with. Read newspapers. Watch documentaries. Write what you see and hear until it becomes second nature.


Lothlorien.

Thanks a lot for your write up.

Can you please outline practicable steps on how a beginner can improve his writing, Like recommend Books, Authors, Writing exercises, basically anything that will help one improve..

I'd really appreciate any help I get. Thanks

Skinnienigga:
Hello OP, you have made some very salient points in this post.

However, most writers here including my humble self find it hard getting other jobs. The freelance sites hardly accept new writers and then we have to fall back to the N1 per word people here.

Any pointers on how to get good paying jobs would be greatly appreciated.

Hello,

Thanks for your comment. Like I pointed out in the post, the first key(and a very important key at that) to getting good jobs is your writing. With the exception of fiction writers (who may be marvellously skilled but still struggle to obtain publishing deals and opportunities, often owing to the saturation of the publishing industry or plain ill fortune), many writers both within and outside Nairaland, still struggle with maintaining good standards in their writing.

I can tell you from experience that it is not about the job, it is about you. How well do you write? Are you sure you have invested enough into your art. I often like to say : Until the foundations of another's soul have been shaken by your words, you are still swimming in shallow waters. So work on your writing. It attracts clients like ants to a cube of sugar.

Also, spend time on twitter. Advertise yourself there. Tag relevant handles who can help you retweet. A single job from that platform(from the right client) can go a long way.

In addition, DON'T stop posting on your social media platforms. Some writers don't put out their "work" yet say they are writers. You can't be worried that people are getting your work for free. Can't you write another one? Post articles and think pieces on your time lines. Share short stories and whatever you love to write. It often looks like you wasting your time, but are not.

Create a page and do a Facebook marketing Ad. They are pretty cheap. You can get a package for 1,500. When you have enough followers. Stay consistent with your post. And keep advertising too.

I hope this helps.

Gmasterp:



Thanks a lot for your write up.

Can you please outline practicable steps on how a beginner can improve his writing, Like recommend Books, Authors, Writing exercises, basically anything that will help one improve..

I'd really appreciate any help I get. Thanks

A certain writer(I think it was Howard Nemerov, not really sure though) once remarked:
"There are three rules for writing, unfortunately, no one knows what they are"

Even the most successful writers in our world today will tell you that there are no hard and fast rules to writing. Apart from proper use of grammar, punctuation and structure, real writing has no predetermined set of rules. Especially if you are into literary writing.

Other forms of writing like: articles, reviews, reports, academic works of course have formal rules that guide their presentation. Presentation and not IDEA. Writing is idea on paper or screen. Thoughts in ink.

As for what can help improve your writing, I believe I made a reference to it in the initial post. To add that:

For a beginner, don't be in a hurry to write. Spend more time reading. Read fiction and nonfiction. Mix them up. Literary and Genre fiction(speculative, mystery or crime fiction). Read the works of the Russian masters. Read the British works and early American literature. Read the African authors, both old and young. Read about murders and art thieves. Read about dynasties and tragedies. A few examples of the aforementioned types include: "Anthills of The Savannah" by Chinua Achebe, "Crime And Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky, "The Spy Who Came In From The Cold" by John Le Càrre, all the Tolkien books and the essays and nonfiction works of C.S Lewis, "A History of British Monarchs" (can't remember the author now), etc. Basically the list would be monumental if I were to continue and I am quite certain we do not have the time to exhaust them.

Read newspapers, blogs and journals. Follow people on social media who express their thoughts and ideologies in a clear and admirable way. Engage them. Take note of their use of words and expressions.

When you watch movies, listen. Don't just watch to be entertained. I learned the word "piece de resistos" while watching a cartoon. The movies ARE WRITTEN by professional writers before they are acted out. Repeat the lines of the actors. Note them. Look up words and phrases you don't understand. Use them in your writing.

Lastly, writing is a marathon, it's not a sprint. Don't be in a hurry to show how "good you are". Be humble. Learn, learn and learn. I always tell myself: " you are not there yet, you can still get better". Start small. My first story was about 150words. Yes! But today, I can write 3000words in a heartbeat.

Hope this helps.

Lothlorien:


A certain writer(I think it was Howard Nemerov, not really sure though) once remarked:
"There are three rules for writing, unfortunately, no one knows what they are"

Even the most successful writers in our world today will tell you that there are no hard and fast rules to writing. Apart from proper use of grammar, punctuation and structure, real writing has no predetermined set of rules. Especially if you are into literary writing.

Other forms of writing like: articles, reviews, reports, academic works of course have formal rules that guide their presentation. Presentation and not IDEA. Writing is idea on paper or screen. Thoughts in ink.

As for what can help improve your writing, I believe I made a reference to it in the initial post. To add that:

For a beginner, don't be in a hurry to write. Spend more time reading. Read fiction and nonfiction. Mix them up. Literary and Genre fiction(speculative, mystery or crime fiction). Read the works of the Russian masters. Read the British works and early American literature. Read the African authors, both old and young. Read about murders and art thieves. Read about dynasties and tragedies. A few examples of the aforementioned types include: "Anthills of The Savannah" by Chinua Achebe, "Crime And Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky, "The Spy Who Came In From The Cold" by John Le Càrre, all the Tolkien books and the essays and nonfiction works of C.S Lewis, "A History of British Monarchs" (can't remember the author now), etc. Basically the list would be monumental if I were to continue and I am quite certain we do not have the time to exhaust them.

Read newspapers, blogs and journals. Follow people on social media who express their thoughts and ideologies in a clear and admirable way. Engage them. Take note of their use of words and expressions.

When you watch movies, listen. Don't just watch to be entertained. I learned the word "piece de resistos" while watching a cartoon. The movies ARE WRITTEN by professional writers before they are acted out. Repeat the lines of the actors. Note them. Look up words and phrases you don't understand. Use them in your writing.

Lastly, writing is a marathon, it's not a sprint. Don't be in a hurry to show how "good you are". Be humble. Learn, learn and learn. I always tell myself: " you are not there yet, you can still get better". Start small. My first story was about 150words. Yes! But today, I can write 3000words in a heartbeat.

Hope this helps.

Thanks and I appreciate the help.


I'll work more on implementing these tips..

I love the way you write, OP. It speaks of your skillfulness.
I can relate to what you've said. A lot of people come here to get cheap labour They collect good sums for works but come here looking to pay hungry freelancers peanuts.

That was how one saw my story and contacted me. He told me he'd like me to work with him. He said he can supply me with jobs. However, he said the highest he could pay was 1500, and that's what he even pays his best writers. I had to tell him there and then that I wasn't going to do any work less than two naira per word.

I haven't gotten jobs lately but I'm looking to go into self-publishing. I've read a lot about the industry and I think it's high time I got my feet wet.

Thanks for this writeup.

Gmasterp:


Thanks and I appreciate the help.

I'll work more on implementing these tips..

You are welcome.

pabon:
I love the way you write, OP. It speaks of your skillfulness.
I can relate to what you've said. A lot of people come here to get cheap labour They collect good sums for works but come here looking to pay hungry freelancers peanuts.

That was how one saw my story and contacted me. He told me he'd like me to work with him. He said he can supply me with jobs. However, he said the highest he could pay was 1500, and that's what he even pays his best writers. I had to tell him there and then that I wasn't going to do any work less than two naira per word.

I haven't gotten jobs lately but I'm looking to go into self-publishing. I've read a lot about the industry and I think it's high time I got my feet wet.

Thanks for this writeup.

Thank you for the compliment.

I love writing and I am passionate about writers getting a good ROI for their work.

Vultures and Charlatans posing as clients or contractors should be resisted inch by inch, no quarters given. This is serious business, and for some writers, this is their life.

As for your intent to venture into self publishing, that's great. It can be quite demanding, but is there anything of value that isn't?

I wish you Godspeed and continuous wisdom in your pursuits.

Lothlorien:


Hello,

Thanks for your comment. Like I pointed out in the post, the first key(and a very important key at that) to getting good jobs is your writing. With the exception of fiction writers (who may be marvellously skilled but still struggle to obtain publishing deals and opportunities, often owing to the saturation of the publishing industry or plain ill fortune), many writers both within and outside Nairaland, still struggle with maintaining good standards in their writing.

I can tell you from experience that it is not about the job, it is about you. How well do you write? Are you sure you have invested enough into your art. I often like to say : Until the foundations of another's soul have been shaken by your words, you are still swimming in shallow waters. So work on your writing. It attracts clients like ants to a cube of sugar.

Also, spend time on twitter. Advertise yourself there. Tag relevant handles who can help you retweet. A single job from that platform(from the right client) can go a long way.

In addition, DON'T stop posting on your social media platforms. Some writers don't put out their "work" yet say they are writers. You can't be worried that people are getting your work for free. Can't you write another one? Post articles and think pieces on your time lines. Share short stories and whatever you love to write. It often looks like you wasting your time, but are not.

Create a page and do a Facebook marketing Ad. They are pretty cheap. You can get a package for 1,500. When you have enough followers. Stay consistent with your post. And keep advertising too.

I hope this helps.

It does.

Thanks a lot.

90% of the writers here cannot write. For some people, writing is all about rewording a sentence. I've hired lots of people here and I've had many fallouts because I didn't pay them. I don't pay people who do thrash jobs. Most times when I outsource jobs, I end up doing a large chunck of the writing.

If you must pose as a writer then be very good at it. I don't do bulk orders cos its tiring and when I get such gigs I outsource. The first time i got a gig of 50 web pages for a cleaning company. I outsourced it to a writer here and it landed me a disabled acct on fiverr.

My recently disabled acct was caused by a writer I relied on. He was so good that I stopped reading his works. Alas, he plagiarized an order and the client took it up till my acct was deactivated.

If you're so good at writing and you feel underpaid why not go directly to freelance sites. Create an acct like everyone else and get the orders directly. Get writing gigs with a Nigerian profile. It takes a lot of tweaking and convincing to get hired as a Nigerian writer.

A lot of writers here can barely craft a sentence. Most people outsource for 1/2n cos they'll rewrite the content when the writer is done. All they need is the research.

Lolo24:
90% of the writers here cannot write. For some people, writing is all about rewording a sentence. I've hired lots of people here and I've had many fallouts because I didn't pay them. I don't pay people who do thrash jobs. Most times when I outsource jobs, I end up doing a large chunck of the writing.

If you must pose as a writer then be very good at it. I don't do bulk orders cos its tiring and when I get such gigs I outsource. The first time i got a gig of 50 web pages for a cleaning company. I outsourced it to a writer here and it landed me a disabled acct on fiverr.

My recently disabled acct was caused by a writer I relied on. He was so good that I stopped reading his works. Alas, he plagiarized an order and the client took it up till my acct was deactivated.

If you're so good at writing and you feel underpaid why not go directly to freelance sites. Create an acct like everyone else and get the orders directly. Get writing gigs with a Nigerian profile. It takes a lot of tweaking and convincing to get hired as a Nigerian writer.

A lot of writers here can barely craft a sentence. Most people outsource for 1/2n cos they'll rewrite the content when the writer is done. All they need is the research.

I have reiterated in the post that the problem is not necessarily getting writing gigs. The problem is skill. 80% of the problems writers face here deal with sloppiness and lack of imagination. You have to know HOW to write before you can call yourself a writer.

It's quite unfortunate that the haplessness of certain "writers" here got your account deactivated. That can be quite nerve racking.

However, we can't obviate the fact that a lot of contractors and outsourcing agents here have proven to be two timing fellows too.

We can't throw out the baby with the bath water. There are talented and forthright writers here who are ready to do the right thing. If contractors need just the research, then they should state that they are in need of a Researcher or do the research themselves.

Some writers here are certainly lacking in skill, some in moral fibre and ethical conduct but there are others who have a good supply of skill and ethics. Some of them rely on their writing to eke out a living. They deserve a chance.

Your suggestion is spot on: if you are a really talented writer, you should go to freelance sites and get your jobs directly. I can't speak for others, but for me, this has never been a problem. But then again, there are other ways to secure gigs. You just have to stay true and be consistent.

Cheers.

Great engagement thus far.

1. There is no Industry in this world where you do not get to see a host of pay grades. From high to low. The fact that you may not be willing to write for 2 naira per word does not mean that those that do so are stupid or dumb as your scribble up there signifies. So people should accept whatever pay they feel their ability is worth.

2. I started out writing on Nairaland for 1 naira per word. Today, I command more than 5x that on other platforms. But I do not despise my humble beginnings. So, if you are a young writer or just starting out, no matter how good you think you are, don't be quick to disregard "low paying" jobs. Especially when you are short of options. Because it helps you hone your skill, while making more money on the side.

3. Dear OP, the fact that you've been cheated or not being able to command high paying jobs on NL does not mean that there aren't any high paying jobs here. I for one hire writers on a freelance basis and not on a full time basis. I do not expect them to write for me all day and week. They are free to write for me while they study or work. I don't think I should pay them millions and I don't think they are cheated in anyway either. So, whatever income they earn I like to think that they consider it an 'extra income'.

I have hired great writers on NL, my writing journey began here 4 years ago. I have come a long way, and I'm sure many others too would. I still freelance, it's never been my primary job.

The issue is, because writing appears easy, most people think they can do it, big misconception.

However, good writers must be voracious readers, that part I very much agree with.

Regardless, the majority of your screed, I find incoherent and utterly unnecessary.

Lothlorien:
Great engagement thus far.

thanks for this piece. I just began writing, I wish to contact you privately to help me straighten out a few..

joey150:
1. There is no Industry in this world where you do not get to see a host of pay grades. From high to low. The fact that you may not be willing to write for 2 naira per word does not mean that those that do so are stupid or dumb as your scribble up there signifies. So people should accept whatever pay they feel their ability is worth.

2. I started out writing on Nairaland for 1 naira per word. Today, I command more than 5x that on other platforms. But I do not despise my humble beginnings. So, if you are a young writer or just starting out, no matter how good you think you are, don't be quick to disregard "low paying" jobs. Especially when you are short of options. Because it helps you hone your skill, while making more money on the side.

3. Dear OP, the fact that you've been cheated or not being able to command high paying jobs on NL does not mean that there aren't any high paying jobs here. I for one hire writers on a freelance basis and not on a full time basis. I do not expect them to write for me all day and week. They are free to write for me while they study or work. I don't think I should pay them millions and I don't think they are cheated in anyway either. So, whatever income they earn I like to think that they consider it an 'extra income'.

I have hired great writers on NL, my writing journey began here 4 years ago. I have come a long way, and I'm sure many others too would. I still freelance, it's never been my primary job.

The issue is, because writing appears easy, most people think they can do it, big misconception.

However, good writers must be voracious readers, that part I very much agree with.

Regardless, the majority of your screed, I find incoherent and utterly unnecessary.

Distinguished,

Thank you for your response.

While it is clear that you have made generalizations and missed the import of my “scribbles” with your caustic remark, it is nevertheless your opinion. You are welcome to share more of it.
However, you should note:

At no point did I try to discourage young writers from “little beginnings”. I made a specific point regarding this in the post. While you may think the writing gigs are nothing but side jobs for your writers, a number depend on them to survive. And these are talented writers crushed under the jackboot of exploitative pay.

While you are quite right that standards of pay exist in different organizations around the globe, what contractors and agents offer to writers here is not reasonable. It is miserable and I stand by it.

Paying 1 or 2naira per word is “not standard” and should not be. It is hapless. Let's even look at it from an economic stand point. Can one sincerely justify the rate of 1or 2naira per word in this present economic clime compared to 4 or 5 years ago? These are socioeconomic realities any "standard" organization/employer considers. Even if it is a seemingly "side gig".

In addition, it is obvious you feel aggrieved as an outsourcing agent yourself by my post. I can’t help you there. It is my opinion and like yours, I am well entitled to it.

I do not think my “scribbles” are incoherent and unnecessary. Only a mind addled by delusions of grandeur and an unrealistic view of the world would expect everyone to agree with it.

You may not agree with my opinions, ideologies or sentiments and vice versa, but it would be unsportsmanlike(intellectually or academically)for me to dismiss your position as trite, empty and incoherent.

Also, I would like to state clearly(as you concluded in your rebuttal) that I am not “a young writer struggling to get big jobs on Nairaland”. I naturally expected someone to jump to this conclusion because of my post. And someone did.

I made my post based on my observations here and from experience. I use this forum primarily because of a specific section that is not even remotely connected to writing.

I have been at this business for quite a number of years now. A lot longer than 4 years if I might add. I am not here to cry because I feel cheated. I don’t take jobs here. And that’s it. As a matter of fact, I have NEVER been conned, cheated or deceived on a writing project. If I feel a job isn’t worth the trouble, I don’t take it. I don’t sweat it. I have turned down a job of 250k and I say this with all sense of modesty. Unfortunately I have no way to confirm that to you here and I don't have to. I am not a green hand and certainly not struggling.

While taking on small to medium sized projects can help a writer grow, I believe a huge chunk of that growth is done outside a job. And some of the “jobs” here will not lead to growth. They are simply a system of exploitation that ultimately sap writers of what strength they possess.

Writing DOES appear easy. That is why many people think they can do it. A big mistake. It is actually one of the most difficult things to do.

And it is because many people think writing is easy(and by extension isn't worth much or nothing) that is why many writers are exploited, demeaned and equally cheated out of their hard earned pay.

Cheers.

prince985:
thanks for this piece. I just began writing, I wish to contact you privately to help me straighten out a few..

Feel free

Lothlorien:



Distinguished,

Thank you for your response.

While it is clear that you have made generalizations and missed the import of my “scribbles” with your caustic remark, it is nevertheless your opinion. You are welcome to share more of it.
However, you should note:

At no point did I try to discourage young writers from “little beginnings”. I made a specific point regarding this in the post. While you may think the writing gigs are nothing but side jobs for your writers, a number depend on them to survive. And these are talented writers crushed under the jackboot of exploitative pay.

While you are quite right that standards of pay exist in different organizations around the globe, what contractors and agents offer to writers here is not reasonable. It is miserable and I stand by it.

Paying 1 or 2naira per word is “not standard” and should not be. It is hapless. Let's even look at it from an economic stand point. Can one sincerely justify the rate of 1or 2naira per word in this present economic clime compared to 4 or 5 years ago? These are socioeconomic realities any "standard" organization/employer considers. Even if it is a seemingly "side gig".

In addition, it is obvious you feel aggrieved as an outsourcing agent yourself by my post. I can’t help you there. It is my opinion and like yours, I am well entitled to it.

I do not think my “scribbles” are incoherent and unnecessary. Only a mind addled by delusions of grandeur and an unrealistic view of the world would expect everyone to agree with it.

You may not agree with my opinions, ideologies or sentiments and vice versa, but it would be unsportsmanlike(intellectually or academically)for me to dismiss your position as trite, empty and incoherent.

Also, I would like to state clearly(as you concluded in your rebuttal) that I am not “a young writer struggling to get big jobs on Nairaland”. I naturally expected someone to jump to this conclusion because of my post. And someone did.

I made my post based on my observations here and from experience. I use this forum primarily because of a specific section that is not even remotely connected to writing.

I have been at this business for quite a number of years now. A lot longer than 4 years if I might add. I am not here to cry because I feel cheated. I don’t take jobs here. And that’s it. As a matter of fact, I have NEVER been conned, cheated or deceived on a writing project. If I feel a job isn’t worth the trouble, I don’t take it. I don’t sweat it. I have turned down a job of 250k and I say this with all sense of modesty. Unfortunately I have no way to confirm that to you here and I don't have to. I am not a green hand and certainly not struggling.

While taking on small to medium sized projects can help a writer grow, I believe a huge chunk of that growth is done outside a job. And some of the “jobs” here will not lead to growth. They are simply a system of exploitation that ultimately sap writers of what strength they possess.

Writing DOES appear easy. That is why many people think they can do it. A big mistake. It is actually one of the most difficult things to do.

And it is because many people think writing is easy(and by extension isn't worth much or nothing) that is why many writers are exploited, demeaned and equally cheated out of their hard earned pay.

Cheers.

Hello again,

Nowhere have I posited that I exploit my writers. In fact, first thing I ask them for is their price, I try to match it or surpass it, and where not possible, I politely tell the writer I cannot afford them.

Again, I have written at a fairly consistent level for 4 years. In terms of experience, that area is where I am not lacking. So, I am not the novice you think I am.

Also, I wrote up to 10000 words a day at my peak of starting out as a young and hungry writer. I could earn roughly 10-15k on a good day, if I gave it the regular 8 hours most people work for. I don't see many 'regular' jobs paying 10k daily. This is even at a paltry 1 naira per word.

I've had it big, I've had it small. I sincerely do not see where your hunch is with what you perceive as low paying jobs.

10k words at 2 naira per word is easily 20k daily, and this is you not having to go out and fight for transport and constantly haggle with others on the road. (Again, this is just putting it into perspective) nowhere have I made any price a benchmark. 2naira per word seems like the prevalent price here.

Market forces determine price. If there are too much writers or people who can claim to write, of course prices will plummet and vice versa (something I think is exactly what's happening).

Nobody is exploiting anybody, wether at 1 naira per word or 200 naira per word. It's an agreement between the outsourcer and the writer.

From what I can deduce, you're the one with the delusions here. In a country where the minimum working monthly wage is less than $100, I don't see how anybody is being robbed if they can possibly make a quarter of the working monthly minimum wage in a day. Where you are screaming blue murder, a hard-working writer sowmhere is earning a steady income in their 'spare time'.

I can allude to the fact of a lack of quality writers. In this day and age, it's not hard to see why. I personally feel that any writer that feels exploited, cheated or swindled always has the right to stop writing for the said 'oppressor'.

Again, I'm not an outsorcing agent as you are quick to conclude. Sometimes I'm busy and cannot fulfill my writing obligations, and so it's only fair that I pay a good writer a very fair share to write on my behalf.

Writing is a skill, and more writing only betters the writer. It dosent sap them of skill nor flair. If anything, it makes them better at what they do. The price they charge or are willing to accept is solely at their discretion.

Nobody needs a superhero or patron saint to set the prices in a free market.

Have a wonderful evening.

joey150:


Hello again,

Nowhere have I posited that I exploit my writers. In fact, first thing I ask them for is their price, I try to match it or surpass it, and where not possible, I politely tell the writer I cannot afford them.

Again, I have written at a fairly consistent level for 4 years. In terms of experience, that area is where I am not lacking. So, I am not the novice you think I am.

Also, I wrote up to 10000 words a day at my peak of starting out as a young and hungry writer. I could earn roughly 10-15k on a good day, if I gave it the regular 8 hours most people work for. I don't see many 'regular' jobs paying 10k daily. This is even at a paltry 1 naira per word.

I've had it big, I've had it small. I sincerely do not see where your hunch is with what you perceive as low paying jobs.

10k words at 2 naira per word is easily 20k daily, and this is you not having to go out and fight for transport and constantly haggle with others on the road. (Again, this is just putting it into perspective) nowhere have I made any price a benchmark. 2naira per word seems like the prevalent price here.

Market forces determine price. If there are too much writers or people who can claim to write, of course prices will plummet and vice versa (something I think is exactly what's happening).

Nobody is exploiting anybody, wether at 1 naira per word or 200 naira per word. It's an agreement between the outsourcer and the writer.

From what I can deduce, you're the one with the delusions here. In a country where the minimum working monthly wage is less than $100, I don't see how anybody is being robbed if they can possibly make a quarter of the working monthly minimum wage in a day. Where you are screaming blue murder, a hard-working writer sowmhere is earning a steady income in their 'spare time'.

I can allude to the fact of a lack of quality writers. In this day and age, it's not hard to see why. I personally feel that any writer that feels exploited, cheated or swindled always has the right to stop writing for the said 'oppressor'.

Again, I'm not an outsorcing agent as you are quick to conclude. Sometimes I'm busy and cannot fulfill my writing obligations, and so it's only fair that I pay a good writer a very fair share to write on my behalf.

Writing is a skill, and more writing only betters the writer. It dosent sap them of skill nor flair. If anything, it makes them better at what they do. The price they charge or are willing to accept is solely at their discretion.

Nobody needs a superhero or patron saint to set the prices in a free market.

Have a wonderful evening.

Okay.

joey150:


Hello again,

Nowhere have I posited that I exploit my writers. In fact, first thing I ask them for is their price, I try to match it or surpass it, and where not possible, I politely tell the writer I cannot afford them.

Again, I have written at a fairly consistent level for 4 years. In terms of experience, that area is where I am not lacking. So, I am not the novice you think I am.

Also, I wrote up to 10000 words a day at my peak of starting out as a young and hungry writer. I could earn roughly 10-15k on a good day, if I gave it the regular 8 hours most people work for. I don't see many 'regular' jobs paying 10k daily. This is even at a paltry 1 naira per word.

I've had it big, I've had it small. I sincerely do not see where your hunch is with what you perceive as low paying jobs.

10k words at 2 naira per word is easily 20k daily, and this is you not having to go out and fight for transport and constantly haggle with others on the road. (Again, this is just putting it into perspective) nowhere have I made any price a benchmark. 2naira per word seems like the prevalent price here.

Market forces determine price. If there are too much writers or people who can claim to write, of course prices will plummet and vice versa (something I think is exactly what's happening).

Nobody is exploiting anybody, wether at 1 naira per word or 200 naira per word. It's an agreement between the outsourcer and the writer.

From what I can deduce, you're the one with the delusions here. In a country where the minimum working monthly wage is less than $100, I don't see how anybody is being robbed if they can possibly make a quarter of the working monthly minimum wage in a day. Where you are screaming blue murder, a hard-working writer sowmhere is earning a steady income in their 'spare time'.

I can allude to the fact of a lack of quality writers. In this day and age, it's not hard to see why. I personally feel that any writer that feels exploited, cheated or swindled always has the right to stop writing for the said 'oppressor'.

Again, I'm not an outsorcing agent as you are quick to conclude. Sometimes I'm busy and cannot fulfill my writing obligations, and so it's only fair that I pay a good writer a very fair share to write on my behalf.

Writing is a skill, and more writing only betters the writer. It dosent sap them of skill nor flair. If anything, it makes them better at what they do. The price they charge or are willing to accept is solely at their discretion.

Nobody needs a superhero or patron saint to set the prices in a free market.

Have a wonderful evening.

Boy, you're a wordsmith!

Lothlorien:



Distinguished,

Thank you for your response.

While it is clear that you have made generalizations and missed the import of my “scribbles” with your caustic remark, it is nevertheless your opinion. You are welcome to share more of it.
However, you should note:

At no point did I try to discourage young writers from “little beginnings”. I made a specific point regarding this in the post. While you may think the writing gigs are nothing but side jobs for your writers, a number depend on them to survive. And these are talented writers crushed under the jackboot of exploitative pay.

While you are quite right that standards of pay exist in different organizations around the globe, what contractors and agents offer to writers here is not reasonable. It is miserable and I stand by it.

Paying 1 or 2naira per word is “not standard” and should not be. It is hapless. Let's even look at it from an economic stand point. Can one sincerely justify the rate of 1or 2naira per word in this present economic clime compared to 4 or 5 years ago? These are socioeconomic realities any "standard" organization/employer considers. Even if it is a seemingly "side gig".

In addition, it is obvious you feel aggrieved as an outsourcing agent yourself by my post. I can’t help you there. It is my opinion and like yours, I am well entitled to it.

I do not think my “scribbles” are incoherent and unnecessary. Only a mind addled by delusions of grandeur and an unrealistic view of the world would expect everyone to agree with it.

You may not agree with my opinions, ideologies or sentiments and vice versa, but it would be unsportsmanlike(intellectually or academically)for me to dismiss your position as trite, empty and incoherent.

Also, I would like to state clearly(as you concluded in your rebuttal) that I am not “a young writer struggling to get big jobs on Nairaland”. I naturally expected someone to jump to this conclusion because of my post. And someone did.

I made my post based on my observations here and from experience. I use this forum primarily because of a specific section that is not even remotely connected to writing.

I have been at this business for quite a number of years now. A lot longer than 4 years if I might add. I am not here to cry because I feel cheated. I don’t take jobs here. And that’s it. As a matter of fact, I have NEVER been conned, cheated or deceived on a writing project. If I feel a job isn’t worth the trouble, I don’t take it. I don’t sweat it. I have turned down a job of 250k and I say this with all sense of modesty. Unfortunately I have no way to confirm that to you here and I don't have to. I am not a green hand and certainly not struggling.

While taking on small to medium sized projects can help a writer grow, I believe a huge chunk of that growth is done outside a job. And some of the “jobs” here will not lead to growth. They are simply a system of exploitation that ultimately sap writers of what strength they possess.

Writing DOES appear easy. That is why many people think they can do it. A big mistake. It is actually one of the most difficult things to do.

And it is because many people think writing is easy(and by extension isn't worth much or nothing) that is why many writers are exploited, demeaned and equally cheated out of their hard earned pay.

Cheers.

Writing is not easy AT ALL. It is draining!

Prudee:

Writing is not easy AT ALL. It is draining!

VERY draining!

Lothlorien:


Feel free

i messaged you

I can relate. I always felt we were being exploited here but the depths, I couldn't tell. Well, until two or three months ago.

A Nairalander contacted me privately for a gig. I submitted outstanding samples and after it all, he said he would only pay at the rate of N1/W. After some petty haggling, he decided to increase the rate to N1.3/W. Unimpressed, I refused to accept the gig.

Later in the day, he was applying for a gig that required answers to some tricky questions and he reached to me. He sent me screenshots of the instructions and the questions. According to him, he was getting me a job. Of course I knew he was being patronizing but I saw the pay along with the instructions. It was a whopping N7/W when converted from dollars.

Motivated by the belief that I'd be earning at least N4/W, I answered these questions exceptionally and, as expected, he secured the job. Would you believe he offered me just N1.5/W? I couldn't believe it! I mentioned it and he replied that I didn't have a right to refer to the actual rate, citing the time and efforts he dedicated to conversing with the client. Needless to say, I was devastated and things went awry.

Having realized the worth of my craft, I've tried to pitch my tent higher but it's been remarkably futile. I haven't secured any gig with a payment rate of N2/W and it's honestly depressing. I have had plans of making a foray into the world myself but have failed to make any significant move.

The primary reason is that I'm still in school, currently maintains a CGP of 3.8; a distinctive result given that I school in a polytechnic and am striving to attain something even better. I fear that I might be unable to keep up with my educational standards if I become a fulltime content writer. So, like a bird unsure of its wings, I look on, afraid to take the leap; perhaps because I prefer the crumbs I receive to nothing at all.

Kindly tell, Lothlorien, what may I do?