Why are there so many false freelance "experts" on MyLot?

Hi Raven, I know where you are coming from. I have checked out your blog and I'm so glad I found it. You are like a mentor to me now. I have been writing for Triond for a year and it does not seem to be going anywhere much. So I'm going to follow the advice you give on your site to try to increase my income from writing. I agree that some of us work so hard to be paid peanuts. I guess you must understand that some of us do not have a mentor to guide us and thought that these sites would bring in the money they have always dreamed about. As such, if you are so kind to impart your knowledge and skills, it would be very much appreciated. I would love to learn from you about where to sell articles and how to earn residual income from writing. I'm a newbie at this and sometimes feel at a loss when trying to make money online from writing. Will be contacting you soon and hope you will be willing to help.

Some writers are desperate to get a job somewhere and earn a little money. I should know, I've been there, done that... It took me almost two years to get through to the good paying clients. I put in a lot of long hours slaving on low budget projects that is hardly worth my efforts. Why did I put up with all that crap? I consider those years as my investment. I figured out that if I don't start somewhere, I will not get anywhere. Now I am reaping the fruits of my investment. I work about five hours a day but still earn enough money to live comfortable and eat at fine restaurants when I feel like it. I guess we all have to make sacrifices to get somewhere. I don't really blame those writers who work on low paying jobs. Some of them simply do not have a choice...

From what I've been seeing in my short time on MyLot - there seems to be a lot of people on here who don't really understand what a "freelance writer" is. For example, I'll make posts in response to those who are looking for good leads for work outlining my experience and how long I've been in the field (ten years) . . . and they'll reply saying that it's good that I'm doing so well despite just starting. Huh? Then, I'll receive responses saying that Helium is the best writing site ever from other users because they've earned $.86 for their 1,000 word article. Hmmm.... So, that's lead me to believe a lot of people who aren't really "freelance writers" are claiming the title because they really haven't figured out where they fit in the writing world yet. That's just my opinion, though.

It was the Helium marketplace that gave me my first success at getting published on the internet. For that and the several paychecks I have received from them, make them a site well worth starting out on. But perhaps what I value most is the mentors who are available to give my writing a boast. I will admit that those articles are not the best but it gave me a place to start. I also use those articles as handy samples when applying for jobs. The hardest part of freelancing is not researching, it is not writing the article but in looking for those high paying jobs and places to sell your article. Until you get your foot in the door and get some articles under your belt, it can be difficult to find those clients. I think it is very important to have those first steps, those first few confidence building articles you can brag to family and friends about. It is all about putting the time in to build your reputation. To get your name out there, so people will hire you. As with any job, there is a lot of competition. Probably, even more now.

Hi Raven, I remember a few days ago someone on myLot recommended your blog. I have since put it under my favorites to read it. I kind of glanced over it quickly and plan on going back to re-read, and re-read again until it all sinks in. I too am very skeptical about the person I will take information from. I love the way you write and explain everything in an easy to understand format, which I find more honest than most. I would love to do this but like most people, also wonder if I have anything of interest to write about, let alone, writing ability. In the long run, I would rather take advice from someone who has done this for years, than that fry cook at McDonald's, lol! Take care.

Frankly, many people who write on those sites are just not that talented and would probably never get picked up by an actual publisher. There are some that are but they are few and far between. I think there are many people sitting home thinking maybe they can make some easy money by writing. This just isn't the case, real writers are constantly honing their craft and are generally good at what they do. Good enough to reach freelance status and make money at it. I guess people think writing is easy to do and use it instead of going to school to be a better writer or getting an actual job while perfecting their craft. Some people maybe know they aren't good enough to get picked up by these companies so they write on these other sites. I have never really viewed mylot as a writing site. It is a good wasting time site though. So congrats to you and I wish you further writing success.

Hi Raven. I too have checked out and bookmarked your blog. There is some good advice there. I have always just wrote as a hobby but due to changes in my life right now, I really need to take it seriously and go full time so I can support myself and my daughter. Now I am a member of Associated Content and even though I am ready to go full time and professional with my writing, I will still write for Associated Content. I just don't look at AC as a money earner, but I do enjoy getting articles up there. As someone else mentioned, I will post articles up there that are not really good enough for higher paying markets. It makes me feel good and keeps me positive to post something. And when I get that payment every month, even though it is tiny, it again makes me feel good. Those little things keep me positive and keep me going. Maybe once I actually reach the point where I am making a good full time income from other writing, I will discontinue AC but until that time I will continue to throw things up there. Last year I got an email from AC saying that one of my articles was picked to be published in a book. The book was about school uniforms, and is mostly targeted at schools and parents, but it is a legititmate publishing company. SO I didn't get paid anything for it, but they sent me a copy. For a person just starting out being able to look at something you wrote in a book is a great feeling and a great motivator. Everyone needs to start somewhere. I know you state that a person should have many different income sources. Well I think a person should also have many feel good sources, places where the experience, the feedback, and the friendships are worth more than the pittance you get paid. That is what AC is to me, just like MyLot. They are not really places to earn money, but to network, take a break from the seriousness of writing, and improve my writing skills. Sometimes the feedback is worth way more than any payment. I am just getting started so I know my views may change over time but for now I still like AC but my reasons for liking them are not because of the money. I also have a few things at Constant COntent but have had no luck yet. I will keep plugging away at it though. At least in the meantime I am building a portfolio of my writing and improving with every article. I do appreciate your advice and the help you are giving, I just think you should not condemn people for going the easy route to get a feel for writing, get feedback, improve their skills, make friendships, build a portfolio, and do what they can to get into the swing of writing professionally. Like I said earlier, everyone needs to start somewhere and if a person chooses to write for pittance to get the feel of things and build a positive attitude, then I say go for it. It is hard, emotionally, to jump into getting paid big bucks for your writing because rejections are more prominent and can really bring a person down. I guess I just think revenue sharing sites are not bad if you are not counting them as income but instead counting them as learning tools to improve your writing and networking tools to meet new people. As long as you are not spending too much time with those sites and sending in your really good writing then they can be useful.

Why then, are you wasting your time on myLot?

It seems like you actually do that, You say like you have made over thousands of dollars a month, it seems like you have a blog and spreading it to everyone to join.Probably not so interesting to others.

Wanna earn $5,000 fast? Message me and I'll give you my paypal account. Send me $1,000 and I'll quadrupole it in two days. You can't LOSE!!!

I agree with you, I used to write for Associated content, only to find out that I wouldn't get paid because I don't live in the US. I am taking a freelance writer's course and I was trying to make money online to help my family, while I stay at home with my two children. It is amazing how many people told me to go to that site or this site, only to find that it was a big waste of time. Honestly it has gotten to the point where I just can't bring myself to try anymore. I am content to write on here and that's about it. I know that there are sites out there where you can make money but they all want money to invest first, which is something that I don't have. I hope that you have better luck that I have.

Hi, I am a Novish & I beleive U what U ' ve said. U ' ve said it from Ur experience & why U will get pleasure in exploiting someone's ignorance. I respect Ur viewpoint and appreciate Ue copurage to put it here for our knowledgae. BIG THANKS ! =Lahiri,Kolkata,India.

Yes. Just telling the opinion does not make any wrong results. Write in a good way about good things is the matter.

Hello! Well, how do you know people are not getting enough money from sites? Do you ask for proof of income from each one of them? People can get a very good amount of money based on referrals. And yes of course there are sites out there that will tell you whatever you want to hear just so you sign up with them. And people will tell you that you'll get thousands of dollars if you sign up because they need you as they referral, that's just how it works. And as for associated content, I don't think it's bad at all, they're not forcing nobody to write for them, people write if they want to. I write for them and get a few bucks every month, and I'm not a good writer, but still they're willing to pay for things that I wrote, and I wouldn't even buy it myself!

I'm glad you wrote this post. I think the problem lies in not knowing where to look, or perhaps the lack of trustworthy, legitimate sites online that pay for freelance work. I signed up with Associated Content, and have written a few articles, but I cannot put the effort and research into a quality article only to get offered a "fantastic" amount of $3-5.00. I don't know where else to look, and other sites like Helium (and perhaps Constant Content) require you to meet a minimum payout level before "cashing out". I'd love to make my living as a writer, or to make a part-time living as a freelance writer, but I find that difficult to do with the perceived lack of resources available. I suppose it also doesn't help that I haven't decided on a specific area to concentrate my efforts on. If you've got any tips to share, I'm sure many of us would appreciate it. People have mentioned your profile/blog; I will go check that out. Thanks :)

I am new to this site and to online-working, as a whole! For a couple of days ago, I have been browsing the net trying to find at least one reliable/scam-free online job that pays fairly. I solicit pieces of advice from this site and to my surprise, I receive several replies from MYLOTTERS giving me different freelance and data entry sites, and blogs to check out!! I try a freelance site, pass the qualification test (after 3 attempts! LOL) and right now, still in the process of applying for a competitive online job.... Can you recommend a site or a company where I can be rest assured that my time and efforts will be fairly compensated?