I turned down a $20/page job....

Discussion in 'Copywriting' started by vgal, Mar 8, 2008.

  1. #1
    Ok, one of my traits can be viewed as a virtue or a fault. I like to think of it as a virtue.

    Today, I was contacted by someone wanting an *urgent* project done. I was careful to find out exactly what they needed and what their deadline was.

    Turns out, they needed 8 pages AP (or APA?) style... on the effects of war on children. They were willing to pay for the extensive amounts of research and work it would involve it seemed.

    I sensed it was a school or college writing project. I asked.

    Can you say women's intuition? :p

    I didn't feel my composition was up to getting a great grade from an instructor, and I politely suggested they find someone better suited to the subject. someone who could guarantee an "A", and someone who knew AP style.

    Sure, I could have taken payment and did my best. But I don't like to take a chance on a client's happiness.

    What would you have done? (Ok, well I know there are people who would have taken the job, outsourced it to another writer for less... I prefer not to put my name on the line like that.. so other than that)

    Regards,
    Veronica
     
    vgal, Mar 8, 2008 IP
  2. hyperionxl

    hyperionxl Banned

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    #2
    I wouldn't have taken it. The time it takes to write school papers are extensive just due to the formatting. School was boring enough. Don't need to go back to it.
     
    hyperionxl, Mar 9, 2008 IP
  3. J.gia

    J.gia Peon

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    #3
    It was a good one!!! that school was boring enough but with the project i really like the topic i would have definitely given it a shot if it was said as an urgent project. And about the payments i believe in case if i fail to satisfy in any of my client it is full right full to return him back the money. But as advised before never play a shot if some one is hanging in urgency.
     
    J.gia, Mar 9, 2008 IP
  4. internetauthor

    internetauthor Peon

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    #4
    As a teacher, I'd have to say I'd give it a pass and hope everyone else would, too.

    Cheating is cheating no matter how well paid.
     
    internetauthor, Mar 9, 2008 IP
  5. jhmattern

    jhmattern Illustrious Member

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    #5
    The second I found out they were hiring me to be dishonest, I'd have told them to stuff it. $20 per page isn't that much to begin with, but especially not for a heavily-researched paper.
     
    jhmattern, Mar 9, 2008 IP
  6. Seasidewriter

    Seasidewriter Peon

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    #6
    I agree with Internet Author. I could never knowingly help anybody cheat.
     
    Seasidewriter, Mar 9, 2008 IP
  7. Writingcreations

    Writingcreations Peon

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    #7
    I'm a student, mom and writer and I can't imagine asking anyone to write my papers for me. Even as a writer it's still time consuming and frustrating to write my own papers... I wouldn't even want that stress to write someone else's paper. And let one of my kids pull that.... God better be on their side if I ever found out because I surely wouldn't be. ;)
     
    Writingcreations, Mar 9, 2008 IP
  8. bogart

    bogart Notable Member

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    #8
    Work like that starts at $9.95 pg. The research companies can do it on a 24 hour turn-around. But that's all they do so they are fast.

    You are not supposed to turn in the paper but use it as a guide in researching and writing your own paper.
     
    bogart, Mar 9, 2008 IP
  9. lightless

    lightless Notable Member

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    #9
    We all have our codes of ethics, i suppose.

    I've done some strange things, because it felt right to me.
    Sometimes you feel something, and you don't bother considering whether it is the right decision or wrong decision !

    Thankfully my latest "gut feeling decision" paid off in spades.
     
    lightless, Mar 9, 2008 IP
    bogart likes this.
  10. ahuddy

    ahuddy Peon

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    #10
    Job still available? Lol. 8 pages can be done in about 4 hours at work tommorow. That is such an easy topic to write about.
     
    ahuddy, Mar 9, 2008 IP
  11. webgal

    webgal Peon

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    #11
    No way I'd have taken it. And I reported someone on Craig's List for advertising her services as a ghost writer for student papers. What a cop out. It's like winning a race on steroids. What's the point?

    AP stands for Associated Press Style book so I would assume it was for a journalism class of some sort.
     
    webgal, Mar 10, 2008 IP
  12. snarke

    snarke Peon

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    #12
    I couldn't have done it either. While the money would have been nice, my conscience would have never let me get away with it.
     
    snarke, Mar 10, 2008 IP
  13. jhmattern

    jhmattern Illustrious Member

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    #13
    I always get a kick out of how they try to word some of these gigs when advertising for writers - trying to make it sound like a legitimate research report (like a company report or something) when it's just some lazy sap not willing to do their own work, or one of the companies facilitating them.
     
    jhmattern, Mar 10, 2008 IP
  14. internetauthor

    internetauthor Peon

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    #14
    Gold star for you! :D
     
    internetauthor, Mar 11, 2008 IP
  15. vgal

    vgal Active Member

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    #15
    I love everyone's comments here. It was late at night, and by the time I found it was for school I was already thinking it wasn't something I had time to do. I would hope that bogart is right, in that they need something to base it off. Who knows, I am glad I didn't take that on anyways.

    Actually I forgot that I had posted this, that's how tired I was haha.
     
    vgal, Mar 11, 2008 IP
  16. RavenMaven

    RavenMaven Peon

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    #16
    Amen!

    I was a geek and a half in school, and I'm ashamed to admit it, but when I was in school, I worked out not getting beat up by writing papers for the bullies.

    HOWEVER! I've grown up (and out) :-P and I certainly would not have taken it. Forget that it was only $20 for heavy research; it's just hinky as heck, know what I mean?

    Anyway, everyone have a nice day (or evening)
     
    RavenMaven, Mar 11, 2008 IP
  17. devdaslover

    devdaslover Peon

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    #17
    devdaslover, Mar 12, 2008 IP
  18. GundamVSTransformers.Com

    GundamVSTransformers.Com Banned

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    #18
    Thats too low of a fee, I would have said $50 a page at least personally.
     
  19. mstrait

    mstrait Peon

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    #19
    I wouldn't have accepted the assignment either. Someone tried to hire me to write a favorable report about their online school. Turns out the so-called school wasn't legit, and was scamming people out of their money. I'm glad I researched it first instead of jumping at the money.
     
    mstrait, Mar 16, 2008 IP
  20. Jenn Dize

    Jenn Dize Peon

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    #20
    APA is American Psychological Association...after writing dozens of college papers in the format it's safe to say $20 is way too low. Beyond that...it is a dishonest job that I would not have taken. You did the right thing!
     
    Jenn Dize, Mar 22, 2008 IP