I just heard of a brand new freelance job site for writers named Grab a Writer. From what I can tell, they have some active clients hiring freelance writers. The site is a lot like Elance, except there is no bidding. People search the writers' profiles until they find the person they want, then hire them through the Grab a Writer system.
I think the part I like best about the site is that the writer gets to set their price, the amount of hours they are willing to work and their turn-around time. This helps insure that you don't get somebody hounding you to do 2000 words for $5.The part I don't like about this site is that they try to sell the writer packages. For example, to extend the turn-around time on a project you must purchase a $10 24-Hr. Extension Package that lasts 1 year. Is this how they make their real money? Time will tell. I'll update when I learn more about this site.
Here is an update on my dealings with Grab a Writer.
I registered there out of curiosity mainly. The site is incomplete and has several glitches. They do not promptly answer emails as its been two weeks since I sent one with no answer.
ReplyDeleteThe site constantly shows 50 - 80 clients online yet no writers have any reviews nor have any I have chatted with received an offer yet. HHHmmmmmmm
I've heard people say that the site is a scam, but I have been offered a job through Grab a Writer. Take a look at my November 27, 2012 blog.
ReplyDeleteHere's the link to the update: http://freelancewritingblogger.blogspot.com/2012/11/grab-writer-does-have-jobs.html
ReplyDeleteI am not sure yet if the site is a scam or not. I signed up about a week ago, but I made a mistake on my profile. I put my per word rate in the rate box, but unfortunately what they were asking for was my rate per HUNDRED words. Therefore, I essentially advertised myself for $.10 for each 500 word article. I am a professional writer, but "gave away" five articles to a client named Eric Hammer for which I earned a total of fifty cents until I realized my huge mistake. I e-mailed him and he admitted that he figured it was a mistake after he received the first article and saw the quality–although that did not stop him from ordering the next four. Then the next day he ordered 65 more articles, seemingly to get THEM for $.10 apiece as well before I figured out I advertised the wrong rate. Obviously I had to refuse that assignment and I fixed my advertised rate. In addition, I asked him to do the right thing and offer me a fair price for my work. He said that he could not afford 2 cents word, which is my rate and extremely reasonable for the quality level I provide. (which kind of made me wonder, because anyone who is in the market for 70 articles must have a little something going on financially. Otherwise where is he posting the articles?) Nevertheless I said, "ok, you cannot afford that rate. What CAN you afford? Obviously when you went to the site you had a rate in mind, which I'm quite certain was more than ten cents an article." He promptly blew me off. I realize it was my mistake, but it was not a very good first impression of THAT client. I wrote to support about it but so far have been ignored. I also wrote to them about a glitch on their site and they ignored that e-mail as well. I guess will just see what happens in the future with the site but I have my doubts because of the glitches and different things I have run into so far.
ReplyDeleteWow, Mellyora! Thanks for sharing your experience! I will take a look at my rate and make sure I didn't make the same mistake!
ReplyDeleteWell, I have some good news at least! The staff got back to me and said that they were going to try to do something for me. I had given up. So I doubt I will get my proper rate, but at least they may be able to get something for me. I realize it wasn't their mistake it was mine but I'm impressed that they are at least trying to help me. Hopefully that is a major sign that it's not a scam.
ReplyDeleteThat's great! Good luck!
ReplyDelete