Would You Join This Kind of Group?

Tweet

Recently I started a discussion which was an inquiry about oDesk. If you don't know, they are online middlemen for those who write, have computer expertise, or interested in a virtual assistant position. It's free to join and the testing process is rigorous but not mandatory. If you like, they will send new jobs to your email on a daily basis and you can bid on them. My experience with them was that many of the clients I interviewed with and eventually accepted the job changed their needs by increasing the word count but not the pay. A few even asked for writing samples of about 200 words or less. One had the nerve to ask for two samples. I know there is a writers union but since online writers submit under different circumstances (i.e. rarely is a query letter sent to get jobs), what about an online union? This could entail a max. word count for samples, a minimum amount to be paid for those who have previous professional (paid) experience and most important a kill fee be paid to writer. Sometimes print writers don't take web content writers seriously but I don't think this is going away anytime soon, especially with so many print versions of periodicals going out of business. I think this is a good idea to command respect from those wanting quality writing but want to pay pennies.