Just over a year ago, I wrote about my initial experience using bidding site Get A Freelancer. At that time I spent about $13 to land a project worth around $750 and considered that fair enough. GAF got a bad press from many of my readers. With the exception of a few who had been lucky like me, most comments were similar to this one from James Chartrand:
GAF was bad back then. It’s still bad now. I think all writers should stay away from the place, because it’s a definite arena where 98% of the buyers don’t give a crap about quality work.
One Year On
So, a year later, am I still using GAF? Am I heck! By the end of last year, as recession started to bite, it seemed to me that potential clients used that as an excuse to offer projects that paid even less (if that’s even possible), while asking writers for even more. It just wasn’t worth it for me. I believe that writers should be paid fairly for their writing skills. Although I haven’t deleted my account, I’ve stopped subscribing to email updates and don’t plan to use the site again.
Who Should Use GAF?
I’m not writing Get A Freelancer off altogether. If you want to get paid to write and have absolutely no experience, sites like that can sometimes offer a way into the writing business. Just be careful not to take on so much work that you don’t have time to take advantage of better opportunities. Or spend the time writing articles for article marketing or your own blog – you might find that’s even more useful in the long run.
Article by Sharon Hurley Hall
Sharon Hurley Hall has been mentoring writers here at Get Paid To Write Online since 2005 to help them improve and build sustainable and successful writing careers. Check me out on sharonhh.com. Feel free to connect with me online on Google+.
Sharon has written 659 awesome articles for us at Get Paid to Write Online
Twitter: @SHurleyHall | Facebook | Google+ | Blog → Writing Portfolio
If people want to practice their writing skills then get a blog so that people aren’t wasting money on the work of a poor freelancer..
Melody´s last blog post..Logo Design Process for Trudy Thomas
Twitter: GeorgeAngus
April 20, 2009 at 09:37
Hi Sharon.
My only experience with them was less than good. I’m afraid that it tainted me for bidding sites forever.
I’ve had great success with Textbroker and I think it’s a good starting point for folks who want to write.
Just thought I’d throw that option out there.
Cheers
George
Tumblemoose´s last blog post..Vanity Plate E-Book
Twitter: shurleyhall
April 23, 2009 at 13:41
Thanks for that suggestion, George. Care to write a review of Textbroker for Get Paid To Write Online?
@Melody – agreed; getting a blog is a good way to get writing practice without getting shafted, but if you need the money, then a freelance marketplace can be a good starting point.
I had been trying my fate with GAF but never succeeded
I am a US Blogger´s last blog post..Review: QuickOffice iPhone App
Twitter: GeorgeAngus
April 25, 2009 at 08:44
Hi Sharon,
I’d love to write a review for Textbroker.
I’ll try and put something together this weekend!
Cheers
George
Tumblemoose´s last blog post..Use flash fiction to move your writing forward
When I want to make a living writing 500+ word articles for $1.00 a piece, I’ll give GetAFreelancer a try. Unfortunately, writing at those rates doesn’t pay the bills here in the U.S.
I can say without a doubt that I’d never recommended GetAFreelancer to anyone, not even a budding writer. It’s a quick way to become jaded about the entire freelance writing business. Feeling undervalued for your hard work is never good motivation.
I lost a lot of money on GetAFreelancer.com. Lower $#,###.00
Twitter: shurleyhall
May 1, 2009 at 09:14
I think the key with GAF is to be choosy. Every writer has an earnings target which satisfies pride and the need to survive. If you only bid for projects above that figure, then you will be OK. I no longer want to sift through the large amount of dross on the site – there are better ways to use that time.
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