In my quest for freelance and full-time work both on-site and remote, I look at a lot of Craig’s List ads. I mean, a lot. I have RSS feeds that bring me postings for writing, editing and tech-related opportunities from all over the country. I respond to three to ten posts nearly every day of the week.
I’m discovering that many, many posts with very specific indications of need are actually affiliate or broker scams.
In other words, you respond to an ad stating they have “an urgent need for writers” and it turns out they’re a for-pay service that will send you links to sites you could find on your own with a Google search. Or a “writer / editor” post in the Inland Empire (near where I live) requests that all applicants post their resume at this site, which doesn’t actually have a place to post a resume but does have some Google ads and Amazon affiliate links… and nearly every link on the page that isn’t an ad goes to Monster.com.
I’m sick of this; to the point where I’m very close to abandoning Craig’s List as a viable market to look for work. The only reason I might continue looking is to flag these misleading bastards when I find them — it appeals to my desire for justice and urge to rabble-rouse.
Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. While you’re here, so this isn’t a post purely dedicated to my bitching and whining, you might as well download my creative / new media resume and my retail resume… I encourage you to pass ‘em on, with my gracious thanks.
Possibly related posts:
Jenny was kind enough to recommend some freelance forums — Matt
One of the better ones that was recommended to me is http://www.wahm.com/forum/ I haven’t used it in ages, but from time to time the members post pretty decent freelance writing jobs. I used to have a lady that sent me this stuff all the time, but I’m a bit out of touch beyond WAHM. If I can find the list she sent me before I will be back.
You’re the second person I’ve heard/read mention craigslist scams. And, the other person wasn’t a writer. I guess craigslist has been hijacked. Le sigh. Well, it was cool while it lasted.
You do know about Elance, right? Worth a look, even if their site is, well, way too, I dunno, full of junk. Why can’t people make sites that are nice and straightforward? Anyway. Here’s my fave community of writers–nice little group, and Michy posts paying markets (even if some of them are pretty small…) Anyway, super group of folks at http://www.accentuateservices.com/xmb if you care to have a look. Tell ‘em i sent you (which will do no good for anyone, really.) Even so, I can’t say enough nice about those guys.