So I had a real estate title company that made me a ton of money for ten years and relieved me of everything and more in 2007. After dawdling in day trading, staring at my E•Trade account for about a year during the worst possible year for the stock market — 2008 — I got a job in a cube farm doing legal research on Westlaw for zit faced lawyers who were still drooling on their new JDs. I was making as much in 2008 as I made in 1995, when I was fresh out of Hamline University School of Law. And then I got downsized.
I also got unemployment — just in time for summer, which meant that I got to do Daddy Day Care for my kids, Sam and Sarah, while looking for a job. Not a bad gig. Then August came. The kids were on their way back to school — and I was informed by She Who Must Be Obeyed (SWMBO) in no uncertain terms to find a job.
As someone who had been self-employed for almost 15 years and whose recent foray into legitimate employment had turned out to be a colossal failure (except for unemployment benefits — they were sweet), I approached the idea with some trepidation. I had always wanted to be a writer, actually have a B.A. in English Writing from the University of Minnesota, but had always had student loans, outrageous mortgages and a heightened sense of self worth. Well, all those were gone now, so why not?
I began by writing term papers (I know, I know!) for a couple companies. By choosing my topics carefully, I was able to parlay some of my essays into writing samples that I could use to track down "legitimate" writing work. I began to do some web copywriting and eventually came across Demand Media Studios. As someone who was/is just starting out in the business, and compared to everything else I was finding, it seemed like a pretty good gig.
Coming from previous work experience that required a volume of work to be turned around quickly and accurately, as well as mad researching skills, the fit was pretty good. I was surprised to learn while casually reading about their IPO last fall that people hate Demand Media Studios and think the company is some kind of "scam." I understand where many of these people are coming from, yet as someone making a career transition, I have enjoyed the opportunity to create a portfolio while making a livable wage.
I initially started writing legal and business pieces, and having done a good bit of wandering, the occasional travel article. I eventually transitioned into Demand Media Studios travel publishing section and now spend much of my day researching writing about places and topics that I enjoy. I understand that I can, and perhaps should, be earning more per article, but as someone who is still a product of the 20th century, revenue sharing and realistic pay for writers are still somewhat alien concepts. By maintaining a practically non-existent rejection rate and a 25-30% rewrite percentage, I get paid twice a week with little or no hassle.
The Demand Media Studios debate that rages across the web seems pointless to me. Either you don't mind the work and can earn a living, or it's not for you. The one argument that I see overlooked by many freelancers out there who believe they deserve better pay (and they probably do) is the availability of work. I always have 15 articles in my queue, and there are always more waiting when I finish a piece. I occasionally back into higher paid work from other clients, but I know that the Demand Media articles are always there when I need to pay a bill, buy a gift or go on vacation.
That being said, it's been a great starting point, but I want more. I just haven't decided what it is yet. Until I do, I am content. But I do have to decide... what next?
