It pains me that my fellow countrymen are working for pennies. In the internet industry, of course the US Dollar still rules. But I’m afraid that it has been taken to the next level by these people taking advantage of us. Like I said, even if I live in what is called a 3rd world country, I have the choice to work for higher rates.

Have you ever heard of a virtual sweat shop? No? You could be working for one and you wouldn’t know it. If you work for an offshore client and receive a basic salary of $10 per day, you could be an internet slave. Maybe you receive more than that, but your work takes up too much of your time that it’s slowly burning you out. Imagine, small kids sewing buttons on designer blouses. You could end up like that. But instead of buttons, you could be churning up 5000 words for a measly $37.5 per day. I mean, for that kind of work, you could be earning more as a freelance writer in the Philippines. A 500 word article is roughly priced at a minimum of $20, the same amount you’d be earning by writing web content for people who don’t value your talent.

Of course, that is if these so-called writers are really published. I mean, anybody can write, it’s just a matter of how good the outcome is. You may be able to write something about health, but what you come up with would be considered an essay on hair loss. Something that high school students submit to pass their courses. If you don’t have the talent, and you consider yourself a writer, you’re just a crap content provider. Just like those who charge a measly penny per word over the internet. Like I’ve told a lot of people, if you’re in this to earn a few easy bucks, you may as well join a PTC program. Coming up with 5000 words a day is a daunting task, you’re most likely to burn out even before you come up with a list of clients.

I’ve come across a lot of Pinoy writers who don’t actually write the content they turn over to their clients. They have a team of writers. There’s nothing wrong about that. But what’s wrong is paying high school or college undergraduates to write for you. I don’t mean to offend these kids, it’s just that it takes a lot of experience to come up with an SEO friendly article or product description for affiliate sites. It’s alarming that we are so against other people taking advantage of us, but we take advantage of children just to earn some quick cash.

The reason I’m venting is because I have a passion for writing, I don’t care what it’s about. I like twisting words and making everything beautiful, even if they’re not. Also, it’s my bread and butter. And these people who call themselves writers are just people joining the current trend in the industry. I don’t mind that they charge far less, but what I hate is that I end up editing their work.

One advice to those who think they can provide QUALITY CONTENT, you deserve better pay and better opportunities. Leave cheap writing to the Indians.