Craigslist Curmudgeon

The Curmudgeon Recommends: "7 Heinous Freelancing Practices You Should Stop Immediately"

by Craigslist Curmudgeon on March 11th, 2008

The Craigslist Curmudgeon isn’t in the practice of recommending reads. I do like to be fair and balanced however, and not in a Bill O’Reilly sort of way. I mean really fair and balanced. I generally complain about employer assery and client lamery but there are times freelancers can do with a dose of the truth as well. Kristen King’s post at her InkThinker blog outlining “7 Heinous Freelance Practices You Should Stop Immediately” is something every freelancer would do well to read, and not just because I’m mentioned there. Read the piece in detail but pay particular attention to points 4 and 5.

Sending emails to employers is ass on so many levels. The Curmudgeon disapproves of the penny per word crew as much as the next guy, but he also knows times may get better and that same low payer may be in a position to pay $1 per word the next time. Will he remember your name?

Another bit of heinery coming to The Curmudgeon’s attention is the practice of flagging Craigslist ads to eliminate the competition. To me nothing says “lack of confidence” more than a writer looking to do away with the competition through unsavory practices rather than through skill. If you’re a good writer you don’t have to stoop to flaggery. If you’re a bad writer you won’t get hired anyway.

The Craigslist Curmudgeon exists to expose the assery that is Craigslist, the people who live to exploit and take advantage. Sometimes writers can do with a courtesy reminder as well.

Hmm….This recommending blog posts things is fun. Expect more of it.

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