Bloggers around the globe are making money by submitting articles to thousands of online sites writing about travel, products, services, academic reports, college application essays, business ventures, bust enlargers, new inventions and all the things both imaginable and unimaginable. And one of those who needed extra money to pay for college tuition for the kids is me. I applied as content writer, SEO specialist, academic researcher, essay and travel writer, and other job openings that require writing. As a veteran journalist I got accepted to a few.
But as I started to collect the dollar payments after a few months of pounding the letters on the keyboard to form thoughts, most online companies started making excuses. One of the outfits claimed that my articles did not pass Copyscape. Another changed the rules midway during the game by raising the minimum amount to be claimed to be at least $200 from a lower ceiling. Still another made excuses by telling us that the mode of payment has been revised. That instead of paying us per article only the best three articles --and published on the main page--would be paid. The rest would be published as contribution without pay. Our consolation, according to them, is that we could have thousands of readers.For new writers this could be acceptable. Seeing your name in print online as author could be a reward. But for veterans who have to scrounge for money for tuition, this mode of payment is unacceptable.
After several attempts to collect from scammers I decided that I should stop writing online.But when all hope was lost, Essays.Ph informed me that one of my articles was approved for payment--for about $6. My exhilaration turned to dust when I discovered that my BPI Family Savings Bank ATM card got lost.So, I changed tactics. Instead of going online I did odd writing jobs on per project basis. I did book editing, proofreading,advertorial, ghost writing, speech writing and other writing jobs to add to my salary from my day job.
After about a year I found my ATM card. But it did not work at an ATM machine near my home. So, I reapply for a new card. To my surprise, the assistant bank branch manager informed me that my account has an additional P200 .I realized that EssaysPH was honest in telling me of the several articles I wrote for them only one passed the standard--and they sent it right away to my bank account. So, when I reapplied for a new BPI card I used half of the amount to pay for a new ATM card.
My point here is that, although the amount was small, the thought that there are still honest online organizations-- like Essays.Ph-- that pay their writers is a saving grace. This act of the Makati-based company shows that there are still few honest gentlemen-- and women-- in online organizations. Of course I know the people behind Essays.Ph. The head is himself a veteran journalist who knows the plight of Filipino writers.
So for those who want to earn extra money through online organizations I suggest that you first determine where the headquarters of the outfits. If it is based in Metro Manila it is desirable. But better know the people behind the organization--Are they established in the industry? Are they honest men? Are the people behind the outfit are men of integrity? I would like to assure writers out there that if you are really good EssaysPH would pay for your talents.
No comments:
Post a Comment