Part 3 of 3 - Writers Speak Up About AllVoices.com and Similar "Pay Per Click" Services By Angela Hoy

source: http://www.writersweekly.com/the_latest_from_angelahoycom/005637_10072009.html

October 07, 2009

Part 3 of 3 - Writers Speak Up About AllVoices.com and Similar "Pay Per Click" Services By Angela Hoy

Two weeks ago, we pondered if AllVoices.com, which runs lots of ads for writers, is just another pay-per-click meat market.

Last week, the CEO and founder of AllVoices.com refused to reveal how much her contributors are (or aren't) making.

This week, we're going to wrap this up by letting readers weigh in on these types of services...including one who is a previous AllVoices.com contributor. We'll start with that one.

Angela,

I didn't earn a single cent from Allvoices.

My rating was very high so just imagine why I quit.

- Name not published

ANGELA CHIMES IN:

In a subsequent email, the individual above said he felt like AllVoices.com contributors were treated like beggars.

~~~~~

Hi Angela --

Thanks for staying on the case of these online sweatshops. I have referred folks on my LinkedIn Editors & Writers group back to your previous study of pay at these places.

Carol Tice
http://www.caroltice.com
http://twitter.com/TiceWrites

~~~~~

Nothing, as a writer, makes me madder than some company telling me they are a startup. If you want to run a business, go get proper financing and don't ask me, as a writer, to be a part of your lack of financing problem. I am here to earn a fee, not bet on the future of your company.

Laura

~~~~~

Dear Angela,

I have received your emails for some time. But after reading your article on AllVoices, I now realize you are an elitest (sic) and a bully. If I am wrong, please disclose all personal financial information related to your work.

Also, if you are going to criticize bad writing, please fix this unreadable email format.

And Please take me off your email list. My enthusiasm for your work has vanished.

Terry

ANGELA RESPONDS:

Hi Terry,

We pay contributors $40 on acceptance for success stories to 300 words and $60 on acceptance for features to 600 words. We usually cut checks same-day when an author submits their article to us. Our pay rates and processes are not a mystery.

AllVoices not only pays what probably amounts to less than minimum wage...but if you never get to the $100 threshold for a check, you get zilch from them. I'm not even sure if that's legal.

If you want to promote sweatshops like AllVoices, that's your choice.

We're very happy to remove you from our list.

Good luck to you,

Angela

~~~~~

ANY LAWYERS ON THE LIST CARE TO WEIGH IN ON THE PAY-PER-CLICK PRACTICE OF NEVER PAYING CONTRIBUTORS WHO NEVER HIT THEIR SET DOLLAR THRESHOLD?

Dear Angela,

I just received my weekly newsletter and have two questions:

1) isn't it theft of services to receive an article for which an amount is due and then fail to pay, and

2) after cataloguing a certain number of complaints, doesn't the US government get involved?

After all, theft of service is illegal. Since it's being perpetuated though an information dissemination device [computer], I would imagine that this falls under the purview of the FCC.

I would love to do it myself, but I have both the flu and a bad memory caused by brain damage. Would you either include the answer and get back to me or publish it in a future newsletter?

Name not published on request.

~~~~~

Angela -

Thanks for your continued support of writers everywhere. The proliferation of content mills is detrimental to all writers, since their non-existent rates continue to devalue the work of the rest of us. Educating other writers and exposing AllVoices, examiner.com, Demand Studios and other such "publishers" for what the really are - content mills - is a key in fighting back. And, as usual, you're on the front line!

I'm on the battlefield, too, as a member of the Certified Professional Writers Association (founded via LinkedIn, where we still reside), which is currently discussing additional ways to expose this frightening new business model which earns money by exploiting new or inexperienced writers. I thought you'd like to know you're not alone in the fight. We've launched a battle cry of our own.

Thanks,
Paula Hendrickson

~~~~~

IF YOU WRITE FOR AllVoices.com, PLEASE CONTACT ME. Your anonymity will be protected. Email: angela-at-writersweekly.com

We are going to profile Demand Studios next.

NOTE: We are no longer seeking comments from Demand Studios contributors. We received a LOT and then learned someone had posted my call for stories to the Demand Studios forum and we were inundated.

source: http://www.writersweekly.com/the_latest_from_angelahoycom/005637_10072009.html

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