Demand Studios websites

[wombat]

Anyone know anything about this outfit? I couldn't find a thread about it.
http://www.demandstudios.com/
I thought the 'get paid upfront' part looked promising...

[Uncarved]

they give out assignments. I just finished up one. Generally $10 to $15 an article in batches of 10 or 20. Mine were written for eHow.com.
All in all, I'm happy with them so far.

[wombat]

Thanks! How long were those articles? Does pay depend on length?

[Uncarved]

no pay doesn't depend on length, they will tell you the website they are for and give you directions. Depending on the site, you may have a minimum count. On Ehow there really isn't one that I could see.

[moonslice]

I'm assuming for articles like this you don't really have to do interviews?

[Uncarved]

my assignment I could do with my own knowledge.
I can only comment on the assignment I got.

They will tell you what the assignment is and what it would consist of and you can decide whether or not to do it. Sorry thats all the help I can give.

t

[moonslice]

Thanks tin. I was just trying to get a handle on how it's possible to write that many articles quickly that pay in that range. I'm guessing they aren't that research intensive, so that would make sense.

[Uncarved]

they gave me 1-2 weeks for 10 articles. And no they weren't labour intensive at all. Piece of cake really

[Mayntz]

I'm about to write a similar set for eHow.com; I'm way over the deadline, but there were some initial communication problems that aren't a factor now. From what I gather, Demand Studios also contracts for some other websites, but I don't know which ones.

[wombat]

Hmm, now reading their contract, I'm a little mystified. You get paid after you deliver the material, unless they reject it. Isn't that an odd definition of 'upfront'?

[Mayntz]

I don't think so, it's more of a pay on publication idea in industry terms, but in the online scheme, "upfront" means you actually get paid for the piece instead of using revenue sharing from ads, views, or clicks.

[Uncarved]

Just an update. As soon as I finished the first batch of 10, they sent me a request for 20 more. A definite good group to work with IMHO.

[Mayntz]

Nice, thanks for the update. I'd better get moving on them -- they seem like nice, simple pieces to do, which will be a kind switch from some of my other markets.

[wombat]

but in the online scheme, "upfront" means you actually get paid for the piece instead of using revenue sharing from ads, views, or clicks.

Ah, I see. That makes sense.

[sandymae2000]

Is anyone else having trouble getting emails through to these people? I, too, did a ten-article assignment, but my emails are being returned by the company's firewall.

Anyone have a contact other than the Editorial team email address?

Thanks!
Sandy

[Uncarved]

make sure you aren't replying to an email they send you with attachments. I had the same issue until I wrote a new email to them with their email address. There are also email addresses to the individual person at the bottom of the email.
hope that helps.
tina

[sandymae2000]

Thank you Tina. That worked much better.

Best,
Sandy

[wombat]

OK, so I just heard back from them, and my first assignment is 'write ten articles.' No topics provided. Is that what happened to you guys too?

[Uncarved]

mine said in my current specialty of "general". I wrote on anything.

UPDATE: I just got my third assignment, 20 articles on anything. This was the day after I sent in my invoice by email for the second assignment.

If this keeps up on this pace (which I know it won't but gah wouldn't it be nice) then it will be my biggest money maker per month.

tina

[wombat]

I'm finding it hard to find something to write that isn't already on there - and although some of what's on there is pretty lame, they say not to duplicate (even though some duplicates already exist). Maybe this just isn't for me. Do you have some strategy for thinking of topics that aren't covered? It's taking me so long I'm not sure it's going to be worth what they are paying.

[Uncarved]

I add a new spin on something

"Gardening Safely for children" instead of gardening, gardening with kids, gardening safely, etc... I keep adding a spin til its unique

make sense?

tina

[wombat]

Yeah, I see - in fact I was just trying to think of a different title for something, so I could write an article on the topic with actual content unlike the one they have. (Instead of one with a step that says "do research"! Hello! People are looking for answers, not something that tells them to go look for the answers!)

It's hard when you have to start every title with How To, though. I really might just not be the right person for this.

[Uncarved]

Grins:) I have one called "How to NOT...." I usually can spin any of my articles to be a how to if I think hard enough;)

t

[SouthernFriedJulie]

I just filled out an application for a bit of extra money. Since I have a lot of other work am I going to have to do ten or twenty at a time or can I choose to do less?

[sandymae2000]

Hi!

I think there's an monetary advantage to adding each other as "friends" on the eHow site and viewing and rating each other's articles, similar to AC.

I'm SandyM on eHow. I added Tina and Melissa to my friends list. Shall we all exchange links?

Best,

[DanaPrince]

I worked for them through an agency a few months ago and the minimum word count was 250 words so that the articles would be indexed by the search engines. They seem to optimize them really well too. After some of my articles got accepted I found quite a few of them on page 1 of Google results. So either they have great rankings and great tools to promote or I REALLY am the kick-butt SEO writer I claim to be when I apply to jobs. LOL.

I applied to work directly for them as it was easy work and a small quota at a time would be easier than the quota I had through the agency but I imagine they now have a huge staff of freelancers since everywhere I go I hear other writers talking about them.

[Uncarved]

My assignments range from 10 to 20 at a time. Usually a week deadline, up to two weeks if needed. I've received three assignments in three weeks and look forward to my fourth. Its simple, great indexing on Google, and a nice side job that you don't have to think alot about. Plus the extra pay is nice.
Tina

[Mayntz]

I've been brainstorming some topics to write, but the Overture tool isn't available apparently. Does anyone have a different one to use with similar results?

[zenwriter]

Hi Mayntz,

Do you mean keyword suggestion tools? I sometimes use http://www.digitalpoint.com/tools/suggestion/ or https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal

[wombat]

Well, I just submitted my first ten and almost immediately they asked if I wanted to write another 20. But I seriously don't think I can think of 20 more topics that aren't already covered. And thinking of slightly different titles for all the basic topics that are crappily done and should be rewritten... apparently that's just not one of my talents.

Maybe I'll try posting recipes. As long as I give my apple crisp a slightly different name it'll be a different title, I guess.

[SouthernFriedJulie]

I just had an email from them today asking if I wanted an assignment. It looks like it will be fun. Thanks for the heads up about Demand.

[Cindyh2k]

I also received an email today - am going to give it a spin! Looks promising! My username is CindyH - so, if anyone wants to add me to your friends!!

Cindy

[TrixieBelden]

I just received my first check from them. I finished my second assignment but havent heard back on a third.

[wombat]

Another question: How do you guys list this gig on your resume? Do you include your username? I'm posting my stuff under a screen name, not my real name.

[SouthernFriedJulie]

Another question: How do you guys list this gig on your resume? Do you include your username? I'm posting my stuff under a screen name, not my real name.

I used my real name as my username. I try to do that with anything that can be useful on a resume. Barring that, just provide links to your work that explain you have used a pen name.

[wombat]

My question's even dumber than just that... Exactly what do you call it? My other jobs are 'freelance reporter' and 'freelance columnist.' Writing for eHow is... what?

[Uncarved]

I just got an assignment for another 20, its my fourth or fifth assignment from them. They are now asking for me to submit my titles to them before I begin writing them. I'm wondering now if its me or if others that have turned in this many assignments from them have received the same email?

t

[SouthernFriedJulie]

My question's even dumber than just that... Exactly what do you call it? My other jobs are 'freelance reporter' and 'freelance columnist.' Writing for eHow is... what?

Information Provider?
Advice Articles?
How To Guide Writer?

Maybe one of those would work. I have no idea yet how to classify it on my resume other than Online Published Media.

[jennlindsey]

You could try calling yourself a Content Provider -- that's the term that's cropped up in my blog contracts and a lot of online user agreements/applications as well.

Good info to know about Demand/eHow -- I saw their Craigslist posting and was suspicious, but I'm glad it works for folks.

[CatMuse33]

Jenn,
Was just going to say "content provider" when I scrolled down and saw your post. So I second that title, I guess. LOL

Dawn

[moonslice]

Has anyone written for a similar [?] company, Studio One? http://www.studioone.net/index.htm

I noticed a link to them on a couple of sites that run cat articles.

[wombat]

Yeah, I guess that sounds like a job title... Do you think that someday soon, little kids will say they want to grow up to be Content Providers?

I guess I wouldn't be one of them, though - I did my second set of 20 and I am seriously out of ideas.

[moonslice]

I think you could get by with calling some web content copywriting.

[SouthernFriedJulie]

Well. I missed the deadline. We had a big snowstorm and when the power went out, my files all went POOF. I don't know if they will extend it due to weather. If not, oh well.

[Uncarved]

I'm sure they will. Just write them and let them know.
They have always sent my assignments with the words "if you need more time just let us know".

[jenngreenleaf]

My question's even dumber than just that... Exactly what do you call it? My other jobs are 'freelance reporter' and 'freelance columnist.' Writing for eHow is... what?I use "freelance contributor" as the title for this and other "open content" sites. :)

[wombat]

I just got an assignment for another 20, its my fourth or fifth assignment from them. They are now asking for me to submit my titles to them before I begin writing them. I'm wondering now if its me or if others that have turned in this many assignments from them have received the same email?

t

They just emailed me for a third assignment, and said this about submitting the titles first, but also said "this does not reflect on the quality of your work." Did they add this since you got your email? Like a lot of people asked your question, but directly to them?

Oh darn, it's so tempting, but I really don't think I can think of 20 more.

[tammieofmi]

Hi there - I to received my first assignment for 10 articles. Turned in the first 2 yesterday and today and trying to get the rest done before the christmas rush but I'm concerned about the number they want and the idea machine running low!?!

[moonslice]

Do you get a byline for theses stories?

[wombat]

Do you get a byline for theses stories?

All your articles appear with whatever you choose as your user name. And anyone who clicks on your profile can see a list of all of them.

[KatYares]

They just emailed me for a third assignment, and said this about submitting the titles first, but also said "this does not reflect on the quality of your work." Did they add this since you got your email? Like a lot of people asked your question, but directly to them?

Oh darn, it's so tempting, but I really don't think I can think of 20 more.

The way I come up with titles is to think of everything I do during the day as a possible How-to. I've done mudane things like using a hard drive enclosure, collecting books, setting up a home library, melting ice with salt, etc. For me, every thing is fair game to become a title.

Kat

[wombat]

That is either a brilliant idea, or one that would permanently warp my mind after looking at life like that for a few days...

How to Wait Patiently While The Dogs Sniff Fifty Places Before Peeing
How to Consider A Half Dozen Interesting Ideas for Dinner and Then Cook a Frozen Pizza
How to Spill Coffee on a Pair of Pants Immediately After Taking it Out of the Laundry
How to Yell at the Cat When It Jumps On Your Bladder While You're Lying in Bed in the Morning
How to Spend Fifteen Minutes Writing An Email That Should Take Thirty Seconds

[KatYares]

Well, there you go - the first five titles. :)

Actually there are a couple there I would probably go read.

Kat

[Uncarved]

and yes they do have to ok the titles first now. Its just their standard.
I wrote them and told them I could do batches bigger than 20 and they are thinking of giving me 40 this time around. I'm tickled. I already had 30 more titles ready to go;)

[Sharoni]

I have done 30 for them so far. They have a pay schedule. They said they could pay by paypal but so far I have only gotten a check. My name is Sharoni on there. Anyone interested, look me up!

P.S. They also own associated content

[wombat]

and yes they do have to ok the titles first now. Its just their standard.
I wrote them and told them I could do batches bigger than 20 and they are thinking of giving me 40 this time around. I'm tickled. I already had 30 more titles ready to go;)

Have they ever told you a title is not OK? If so did you know why?

[Uncarved]

Out of all of mine, one was rejected. Peppermint Bark. I changed it to how to make chocolate covered peppermint bark;)

I now have lists of 40 article titles ready to go whenever I get an assignment now that they'll let me do double their normal.

[tammieofmi]

They also own Associated Content? I didn't know that.

I got my first 10 done but only see the first 3 published. Had to have them done by friday and with the holidays coming I was pushing it. Not sure what happens next?

[Cindyh2k]

I finished my first ten and all are published - got an assignment for 20 more! Yay! Now, to come up with 20 titles for inspection!

[KansasWriter]

I just finished my first and its around 320 words. I'd like to leave it as is. Are they fairly strict about the 250 limit or is it more of "at least 250 words"?

KW

[Uncarved]

I believe its AT LEAST 250, I've got a few that I'm going to be uploading that are 13 steps ;)

[wombat]

I got my first 10 done but only see the first 3 published. Had to have them done by friday and with the holidays coming I was pushing it. Not sure what happens next?

They'll get around to it, eventually. Someone probably left for a holiday party in the middle of checking your ten...

As for length or anything else - as far as I can tell they don't have strict rules about anything, aside from not having the same title and having at least five steps (and I've never actually tried breaking the latter, so who knows). It seems like their business model is just to get people who are searching to click on their stuff, and then selling ads based on that. What there actually is to read once you click - how long, how standardized, or for that matter how accurate - kind of doesn't matter as long as the click happened, you know?

[Simple Living]

Everyone seems happy with Demand. Do you think it's a good way for a new freelancer to get clips?

I checked out the sites (a little, since I'm at work). What is the typical pay scale?

[Uncarved]

$10 to $15 an article, they will assign you a group of 10 or 20 to do at a time.

[Simple Living]

$10 to $15 an article, they will assign you a group of 10 or 20 to do at a time.

Since I'm "officially" starting in January, I could get to work and write as many as I can until then. I know they assign the topics, but they are based on our interests (upon acceptance), right?

I couldn't find anywhere where they have religious or Christian writing. That's too bad, I do a lot of that already and could write dozens of articles on that!

What's the typical/average word count? I know they could range from not having a word count, but, on the high end, they could want up to.... what... 500 words? For $10 - $15, I would hope not much more than that.

[TrixieBelden]

I did three assignments from them and then turned down a fourth one for a better job. I dont think I could have come up with anymore anyway, it was becoming a real chore.

[Uncarved]

I'm up to 40 at a time with them (but I hear I'm a special case), My Fifth assignment. I have higher paying gigs, but I can't pass this up for what little time it takes. I average about $30 an hour, so I do this between the other jobs.

And to Simple Living, remember its in a How to format, with steps. Minimum of 250 words, up to whatever you feel you need to get your topic complete.

[Simple Living]

I'm up to 40 at a time with them (but I hear I'm a special case), My Fifth assignment. I have higher paying gigs, but I can't pass this up for what little time it takes. I average about $30 an hour, so I do this between the other jobs.

40? You're a writing machine. You must be awfully good at slanting and reslanting and slanting some more!

And to Simple Living, remember its in a How to format, with steps. Minimum of 250 words, up to whatever you feel you need to get your topic complete.

You've heard of the Stair Master? I'm the Step Master. I'm a natural organizer and am constantly putting things in a How To format with steps. :)

[wombat]

Since I'm "officially" starting in January, I could get to work and write as many as I can until then. I know they assign the topics, but they are based on our interests (upon acceptance), right?


They don't assign topics. It seems to me in fact that what they're really paying you to do is come up with titles, since that's the hardest part, now that there's so much stuff on the site.

I don't know that this is a good way for a new freelancer to get clips. I'm not sure it would really count for much, since the bar for entry is so low. I'll probably add it to my resume if I ever want to do any more web writing, but if I didn't have published clips I wouldn't expect it would mean much. But if you don't have too much trouble coming up with titles, it's easy money.

[KatYares]

P.S. They also own associated content

I thought Associated Content was owned by several former employees of Google. Demand Media did buy the former Write for Cash and its other websites such as Expert Village but I can see no where on their site anything about AC. http://www.demandmedia.com/contactus.asp

Would love to know more about this, tho.

Kat

[TrixieBelden]

Did anyone write the "How To" titles last year? I got 1$ per title and I believe it was for demand studios. I cant quite recall but I remember it was the same folks that did write for cash. Last year titles, this year steps, maybe next year it will be video!

[tammieofmi]

I just got my second assignment - 20 articles to be done ASAP (their words not mine) for $300. I to have to check my titles with them first.

My name at ehow is TMcElligott if you feel like stopping by.

I'll be curious to see where this is all going? I had seen ehow before but did nothing with it. Then when I saw ads for Demand Media I thought what the heck. Anybody writing thru Demand Media to other sites besides ehow?

[Cindyh2k]

Wow! I completed my first set of articles and wasn't expecting payment until next week - on New Year's Eve, I went to the mailbox and there it was!

And, my second set of 20 have been approved! Yay!

Cindy

[KansasWriter]

Regarding the invoice you need to fill out, I have a few things I don't quite understand. Could you guys help? I will ask Demand if need be but I'd rather not bother them again... :)

1. Where it says "invoice #" in the top right side, does that mean your own personal number? In other words, this is my first job, so do I put 1?

2. For the "week/period" do I put the two sets of dates? For example, if I submit this today it will be 01/01/08 - 01/15/08..is that right?

3. For the rate, did you put $15 all the way, or just sum it up with $150 at the end?

4. Finally, did you put the title of your article under description and then for "article" put "1"? That's kind of strange to me.

Thanks a lot!
KW

[KatYares]

KW,

This is how I do it - others may do it differently.

Regarding the invoice you need to fill out, I have a few things I don't quite understand. Could you guys help? I will ask Demand if need be but I'd rather not bother them again... :)

1. Where it says "invoice #" in the top right side, does that mean your own personal number? In other words, this is my first job, so do I put 1?

I use the date submitted as my invoice number, i.e., today 010208

2. For the "week/period" do I put the two sets of dates? For example, if I submit this today it will be 01/01/08 - 01/15/08..is that right?

I list the first date as the date assigned and the last date as the date of submittal. (01/01 - 01/02)

3. For the rate, did you put $15 all the way, or just sum it up with $150 at the end?

I put in the number of articles and rate at the top and allow the invoice to do a sum in the next column.

4. Finally, did you put the title of your article under description and then for "article" put "1"? That's kind of strange to me.

I do list each article title and date posted beneath the top line of the invoice.



Hope this helps.

Kat

[Cindyh2k]

I do it basically the same as Kat.

Cindy

[KansasWriter]

Thanks Kat! Looks good to me.

KW

[Ali B]

I have been writing for them since Oct. and they are great! I got prompt payment on every set of articles. Did anyone else get the $50 Christmas bonus?
My name on the site is AlinaBradford. I know, original, huh?

[Uncarved]

no bonus and no more assignments it seems, ah well was good when it was happening. guess I do suck. bye everyone
t

[miracleshappen]

I stopped by to see if others had worked for them and find out if they were legit.

When they accepted me, I then had a list of assignments to choose from. The titles seem a little lame, but I can choose 10 of them.

How often to they reject articles once you have written them... and how long does it take for them to review articles?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

[CreativeWorks54]

I have been writing for Demand Studios, which supplies my pieces to eHow since March. I am very happy with them. They're legitimate, they pay, they respond to questions. I appreciate their level of quality and professionalism. I started by selecting 10 topics from their lists. Moved up to 20 titles and have been writing my own topics for a few months now. I have only had one article rejected and a few Suggested titles. But I don't mind because that means they expect me to meet a certain standard. They are so great.

[twnkltoz]

I have been writing for them for a bit over a month and enjoy it. I don't like any of their suggested titles when I look, so I suggest my own. Always get paid promptly.

[StacieinAtlanta]

I love Demand Studios. Make certain to join the Yahoo group if you write for them. It is a great resource!

[milipede]

I have learned a lot just this last week about eHow and Demand Studios by joining and following the forum at WAHM.com (work-at-home-mom). They can answer lots of questions about writing for DS and eHow. I signed up for an eHow account and began writing articles! It's fun, pretty easy, and entertaining. eHow doesn't pay upfront for articles, though, if you join on their website (instead of through DS). They pay based on hits or through advertising - don't really know their system.
My page is www.ehow.com/members/lindsayevans.html
Happy writing, everyone!

[acousticgroupie]

I write as an expert (Careers and Work section) for ehow.com. I like the company very much but haven't worked on a pay-per-article basis for them.

[WildScribe]

In case anyone is still wondering... I've worked for eHow in varying capacities for a couple of years. I write for Demand Media (for eHow) through their writing system now, and while sometimes their editors can be infuriatingly dense, it is generally great, steady work. I also earn about a dollar a day in residual income from the articles I uploaded under the name "Wildscribe" before they got their system up and running, which is always nice.

[jenniedee]

I applied this afternoon and was summarily rejected eight hours later. Ouch. Generic rejection, just saying they do not have any assignments for me that fit their needs.

[WildScribe]

Ouch. A tip to get accepted: Join eHow.com and upload how-to articles. Sure, it's writing for free, but you can join their rewards program to get some pocket change back for your effort, you can use your real name as your user name to get exposure, and they are SUPER easy to write.

Link to your user name next time you apply, and they will see that you can write quality articles IN THEIR STYLE.

All you have to do is make sure that the articles you upload are of high quality.

[jenniedee]

WildScribe: Thanks for the suggestion! Since I'm still trying to build up a portfolio, I'll have to look into writing for eHow. I used to write loads of stuff for epinions when it first came out, so I have some idea how much "pocket change" I'm looking at, but hey, it might buy me a coffee and an opportunity for another shot at better pay.

[WildScribe]

Plus they're easy... I can't stress enough how easy it is to write them. If you want a look at the Demand Media style sheet PM me. I don't think it's breaking the rules to share.

[Nefertiti Baker]

I really, really like it. I mean, you can earn up to $1200 a month with them at the 20 article/week level, which is fantastic. Between that and another content writing job I have, I'm doing fine.

As far as thinking up topics is concerned, think of the new knowledge you get every day by looking something silly up on Google. I had a problem with a dictionary file in my word processor program. I fixed it...and I'm making the solution into two different articles. :) I mean, even something silly like "How To Clean a Toilet with Vinegar" would get picked up, no doubt. Think outside the box. There are, no doubt, plenty of things that you know about and could teach someone else.

[notwriting4free]

Is anyone writing the new "About" and "How Does" articles? I've taken a few of these just to see how they go but I'm wondering if the editors are pickier since the style guides for these seem more in depth.

[WildScribe]

I haven't, but I might... Do they pay more than how to?

[Cindyh2k]

I've tried the About articles - still waiting for them to be reviewed, so don't know if the editors will be pickier or not. I'm enjoying writing them, though - sort of a break from the How To's.

The pay is the same.

Cindy

[treehugger]

Nah, I think all the eHow articles pay $15 a pop, regardless of the format.

I wish I could do some more writing for livestrong.com, which is what I was originally hired to do for Demand Studios. Those articles were usually $30 each (some shorter ones were $20) and the topics/formats were much more interesting. eHows are nice for in between other gigs, but it can get kinda boring and/or frustrating to try to cram things into a how to format.

[Cindyh2k]

I just received my first approval for one of the About articles - so, I'm assuming the editors are not pickier as long as you follow the style guidelines.

Cindy

[notwriting4free]

Thanks Cindy. I'm going to work on the ones I picked up over the weekend so I'll keep ya posted. On a similar note, I've not had any of my articles rejected or sent back for rewrites (knock on wood) so I think I can write to the guidelines without much trouble.

[WildScribe]

I actually really enjoy the challenge of turning things into a how to. Can I take this simple concept and turn it into 4-5 distinct steps? Can I explain this in a step format? Can I think of one more way to spin this? The answer is usually yes. :)

[Anastacia]

Very useful thread.

I just signed up today. I've already had an article suggestion approved. Is there a specific required word count? I think I can write this article in about 500 words or so.

Thanks!

[WildScribe]

Based on your question, I have one BIG suggestion for you...

READ THEIR STYLE GUIDELINES!

You don't have to follow them to the letter (heaven knows I don't always), but it will give you an idea of what they want.

[TrixieBelden]

I wish I could do some more writing for livestrong.com, which is what I was originally hired to do for Demand Studios. Those articles were usually $30 each (some shorter ones were $20) and the topics/formats were much more interesting. eHows are nice for in between other gigs, but it can get kinda boring and/or frustrating to try to cram things into a how to format.

You and me both! I hardly bother with Demand anymore with just these how to deals.

[notwriting4free]

The topics I took will probably expire before I get around to writing them because I don't see Demand Studios as any sort of real income. Fun money maybe. I may have written 10 pieces for them in all the time I've had an account for them.

[Ali B]

I just did my first "How Do." I like changing it up a bit. :)

[Skyraven]

Congrats Alina!

[Cindyh2k]

I haven't tried those yet - that's next on my agenda.

I do have a question - I just got approved for 30 articles at a time - does anyone else do that many and how often do you write that many?

If I did 30 a week, that would be around $1800 a month - that would be cool!

Cindy

[WildScribe]

I can only do 10 at a time. I have NOOOO idea why some writers get some stuff and other writers are different. It's annoying, actually.

[Cindyh2k]

I don't know why that is - mine was ten a week until this past week and then it was raised to 30......

Cindy

[Skyraven]

30 articles + $1800 a month. I don't get it. ?

[Cindyh2k]

Sky,

30 articles/week @ $15 per = $450 x 4 weeks = $1800

Cindy

[Skyraven]

duh! Thanks Cindy, never have been good at math! :)P

[joyce]

I just sent in my application today so I'll wait to see if I get accepted. From what I'm reading it looks like it takes about a day to know. I joined Triond several months back and have listed some non-serious stuff, but I'm not really making any money. I didn't really expect to though. I've been reading about Demand from several peoples blogs and it seems like they've had problems with the editors as of late. Is this true? Are you guys still loving this place? I guess I'll just have to wait a little bit to see if they even accept me.

[Eeek]

There was one editorial decision on an article I wrote there, a couple of weeks ago, that I disagreed with. The editor asked for a rewrite for reasons that I thought were valid, and I made all the changes the editor asked for -- and more! -- but then the editor turned around and rejected the article anyway for a different reason -- one that s/he hadn't mentioned in the rewrite request. I thought that was unfair because I didn't have a chance to do anything about it, and had done the rewrite for nothing.

But that's the only problem I've had. I get the feeling they might have hired a batch of new editors a few weeks ago, and those editors were still pretty inexperienced and making mistakes at that time. I think it's much better now.

[joyce]

Thanks, Eeek. I guess I'll just wait now to see if they accept me. I'm wondering now if I should have given them a more formal resume. I basically just listed different writing projects I contributed to. Since I don't have a ton of clips, I hope this was ok. I guess I'll know pretty soon.

[SouthernFriedJulie]

I wrote a while ago about filling out an application. I finished the assignment, then never heard back. Then an email came months after it all, saying I'd been accepted, but I've never been paid for the original articles. I spoke with someone from the company several times, was promised payment, but nothing showed up.

I became frustrated and just decided to do the eHow comp plan.

[joyce]

I wrote a while ago about filling out an application. I finished the assignment, then never heard back. Then an email came months after it all, saying I'd been accepted, but I've never been paid for the original articles. I spoke with someone from the company several times, was promised payment, but nothing showed up.

I became frustrated and just decided to do the eHow comp plan.

Thanks Julie. I don't blame you for being frustrated. I guess I'll just wait and see what happens. That sucks not getting paid for your articles. I guess I'll just keep plugging away at this freelancing thing. I'm pretty new to the whole process so I know I've got tons to learn.:)

[stldenise]

Did it take a while to get cleared by Demand Studios? I applied 2 weeks ago and didn't hear anything from them.

[joyce]

Did it take a while to get cleared by Demand Studios? I applied 2 weeks ago and didn't hear anything from them.

I haven't heard anything yet.

[cornell]

I was going to apply for that site but was put off when I saw 'attach resume here'. I can show little in the sense of writing, only 2 years at a magazine. I left high school with almost nothing and just have a crappy diploma in journalism to show. The rest of my time has been as a tradesman.

[treehugger]

Cornell--I had a hell of a lot less experience than you, and I got hired by Demand. They're very open to promising beginner writers--and if you've got two years experience at a magazine and a journalism degree, you're hardly a "beginner"!

And remember that non-writing experience counts, too. I was initially hired to write for livestrong.com, a health and wellness site, and I'm pretty sure that the reason I got hired was not because of my writing experience (I didn't have a lot at that point) but because I had worked for five years in the natural foods industry. So I had that experience, which was transferable to writing for livestrong.

So I say give it a shot, if you want. They're a good client--regular work, prompt payment, etc.

[joyce]

For those people who haven't heard, it may be worth shooting them an email to find out. There's a problem, sometimes, with their emails getting through.

(I originally applied to DS last November, never got a response, figured it was a rejection and just forgot about it. Then I got an email from them last month, inviting me to come back, or something like that -- even though I had never gotten an acceptance from them in the first place! So something must have been screwed up with the mail for that. Then, after I did start writing stuff for them, I wasn't getting any of the emails I was supposed to -- and found out, eventually, that the phone-company ISPs were blocking DS's mass mailings -- I switched my address with DS to a gmail address -- now everything is working ok.) The moral of the story -- if you haven't heard from them, you might have already been accepted, but the email telling you that got lost in the void.

Thanks Eeek, I'll have to check that out. I too feel they may laugh me out the door from my lack of professional writing experience. I've got a couple of articles of Triond, Ehow and Constant Content and that's about it. I'll have to check and see if I've somehow made it through the first process.

[stldenise]

I reported trouble getting a response to my application with these guys earlier. I sent an email to their customer service, and they got back to me last night saying that they have trouble with "verizon, sbcglobal, at&t, or comcast" emails. My application is in the queue, and they asked if I could give them an alternate email to use. I set up a gmail account for them, so now I'll see what happens!

[stldenise]

One more thing....anybody work for Demand Studios who gets regular work elsewhere? If I can really knock out articles for them in 30 minutes, I think it's worth my effort.

I string for the Post-Dispatch, and they pay $50 an article for the metro section. I usually only do briefs for them, so in theory the pay is good: 2-3 short paragraphs for $50. But I have to attend meetings to get the briefs, then get the story in before the 10pm deadline...my whole evening is sucked up! If I count drive time, I'm spending 3 hours per story. The editor who hired me said the pay is good considering that I could get multiple stories from each meeting, but every time I send in two different stories, the night editor just smooshes them together! ARRRGGGHHH!

[SouthernFriedJulie]

I applied in December of '07, received the assignment within a few days, then heard nothing until July of '08. I'm thinking of writing again to find out why I was never paid according to the agreement.

[WildScribe]

Julie, I think you started when they had their insane changeover. They killed their old system, fired a ton of people, and dropped off the radar for a lot of writers. They might be more than happy to look things up and pay you now that it has settled, but don't necessarily rely on old contacts since many are gone now.

Denise, I write for a few magazines regularly and query others constantly. I also do my eHows like a daily vitamin. An hour or two here and there, and I have a steady income stream that takes almost no thought to back me up when times are slow. There are people making a grand or more every month. I usually get a few hundred from them, which is nothing to laugh at.

[stldenise]

I checked my email this afternoon, and there was a reply from customer service saying that they fixed my email and I was already approved. Now I just have to set up a paypal account!

Do you guys write under your own names, or use a screen name?

[stldenise]

Oh geez. I just took my first look at Demand Studios' list of assignments. Do they have a room of trained monkeys typing this stuff up? Half of it is clearly in the wrong catagory, and quite a few are impossible to do! "How to make your own jet plane!" Are you kidding me?

This is going to be hilarious!

[joyce]

Denise, I write for a few magazines regularly and query others constantly. I also do my eHows like a daily vitamin. An hour or two here and there, and I have a steady income stream that takes almost no thought to back me up when times are slow. There are people making a grand or more every month. I usually get a few hundred from them, which is nothing to laugh at.

Are you talking about eHow? I just signed up with them this past week and have submitted several articles. I can't seem to log onto my earnings page. Maybe you have to have some earning to see the page.:D I've got views so I guess eventually I'll earn something. I know with Triond it seems you only earn dollars or cents. Is eHow on the same line as them? Forgive the stupid questions but I'm a fresh virgin to this freelancing stuff.

[SouthernFriedJulie]

Julie, I think you started when they had their insane changeover. They killed their old system, fired a ton of people, and dropped off the radar for a lot of writers. They might be more than happy to look things up and pay you now that it has settled, but don't necessarily rely on old contacts since many are gone now.



Thank you, this helps a lot. I did hear back today. Then I went into the old emails and found that the person I had been talking to is no longer employed there.

So, I'll write back to the editor I spoke with and let them know I had no idea about the changeover. Thanks again!

[Halahblue]

Just a note, they've finally got a lot of new topics up this week after two months of nothing but basketball robots and vacuum bras. ;)

[treehugger]

Halahblue-- And wasn't that "How to Make A Vacuum Bra" listed in the "relationships" catagory? That always made me laugh (in a very sad way).

I usually suggest my own assignments, too, but now and then I'll cruise through the list if I want something in a different format (I don't think you can suggest topics in anything other than "How to"... or at least I can't) or just ot see what's out there. One of the Demand-generated topics I picked up was "How to Make Lime Juice." How to make lime juice! Uh, squeeze the lime? But, hey, if they want to pay me $15 for that, I'm not complaining.

[stldenise]

I picked up several articles on knife sharpening...looks like my Scout experience is going to come in handy.

Which leads to my screen name...since I don't know if I should be proud of writing for Demand or not, I changed my name to StlScout. I'm a Cub Scout mommy, and put 12 years in as a Girl Scout. I think I can suggest a lot of article ideas based on scout experience - craft how-to and the like.

[stldenise]

So what's better, writing through Demand and getting the $15 up front, or going straight to eHow and letting it drip in? I couldn't find anything on eHow that hinted what kind of money to expect. I know it's tied into clicks, but they could at least say x per click.

[WildScribe]

I get around $30 a month in residual income from eHow, and several hundred from DM. The difference is that I don't actually do any new work for eHow.

[stldenise]

Hmmm, any idea how many eHow articles you have posted?

[stldenise]

Ok, I going to bug everyone one more time....I set up my Demand account. When you log in, and hit the tax id info, what does it display? Mine still says "we need this information for...blah blah blah" at the top with a little warning icon. I entered info, but I'm not sure if it went through. I don't want to wait until tax time to find out it's not right. I asked customer service about it and they said, oh, it should be fine.

Thanks guys!

[WildScribe]

It's fine.

On eHow itself I have 73 articles, some of which haven't generated a penny yet :P Most of my income comes from this one article: HERE (http://www.ehow.com/how_2129113_free-address-labels.html).

Yes, shameless plug. Please feel free to visit. :D

[stldenise]

Wow, so we should all write a bunch of "free stuff" articles and watch the cash roll in! I'm torn between giving my stuff to Demand for up front cash or posting it myself on eHow...

[Skyraven]

Well look at it this way. The stuff you write on Demand will show up on Ehow anyway. Ehow is one of their websites. Go for the upfront cash. It's money you can count on.

[Cindyh2k]

I agree with Heiddi. I am making anywhere from $45 to $100+ per week writing for DS, depending on how much time I get to spend writing articles and how long it takes them to approve them....but, I make something every week.....on the same day.....I like that much better.

I have a few articles on Ehow.....have never earned anything.....

Cindy

[cress8]

I'm interested but don't have a predictable writing time right now. If I can't commit to 10 per week, would they consider me? I might be able to do 5 this week, 15 next, 0 the next, etc. How strict are they with numbers?

[Nefertiti Baker]

Eeeek, lots of things to write about!

Topics - if they okay you for other formats like "About" and "How Does", there are so great topics to write about. I just did a slew on modeling and fashion. It's a good idea to make suggestions with the "How To" articles, because you'll never find anything otherwise. There is also the new "Fact Sheet" format, but you have to be in their top tier to get those.

Editing - oooooh, yeah. I just got one telling me that my "About Male Escorts" is really supposed to be about non-sexual paid social companions, NOT sex workers. Uhhh, yeah. Maybe in England (I'm serious. All of these sorts of escort agencies are in the UK). In NJ and the rest of the US, an escort is a sex worker. Only in very, VERY rare cases does it mean social companion here. I pointed out that if a person was looking for info on escorts, they'd most likely be thinking of the sexual type.

DS is one of my main sources of income (I also work for Mahalo and another site). It's great money if they edit a good amount of your work every week. I'm still loving it!

[stldenise]

I'm just starting with Demand, but it looks like you have the OPTION of selecting up to ten articles. If you only want to do five, then only take five. You select them one at a time, so you could just take them as you have time.

[cress8]

Another question--
Since their agreement gives them the opportunity to use your personal info, how much info did you put in the resume when you applied? A standard business resume would include address, current employer, etc. There are some things I am hesitant about revealing (especially since my current employer does not want their name associated with any of my freelance work). Ugh, maybe I'm just too anxious!

[joyce]

Another question--
Since their agreement gives them the opportunity to use your personal info, how much info did you put in the resume when you applied? A standard business resume would include address, current employer, etc. There are some things I am hesitant about revealing (especially since my current employer does not want their name associated with any of my freelance work). Ugh, maybe I'm just too anxious!

I'd also be curious to see what others listed on their resume. I applied several weeks ago and was rejected, saying they didn't have any subjects for me right now. Personally, I think I messed the resume thing up. I really didn't send in something that was a true professional resume. Of course I also didn't have many examples of my writing to link to except stuff on Triond. I just joined eHow because I saw DS liked this and thought I'd try applying again in the future.

[stldenise]

I didn't have any trouble with my lame resume, I just threw it together. BUT I can say that I string for a big paper (and used to freelance for a local) and I have a journalism degree. I'll let them figure out that the degree is 15 years old from a crappy little school...and that I've only been writing for 4 years. Hmmm, what did I do with the rest of my life? (Geez, there's a whole essay there.)

Anyway, I wouldn't worry about them putting your personal info on the web. When I filled out the application there was a section for what you would put in your bio for sites that have them.

I haven't had anything published yet (I just started this week) so I'm curious as to how it works. I just signed up for eHow and I'm going to alternate writing for each as an experiment. I figure I can always take down the eHow articles and repost them with Demand if I want to later. I'm going to put up some Halloween themed articles and see if they create any cash. If not, I might just stick with Demand.
My first post will probably not even see the light of day - it's more for the 4th of July.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4530091_popsicle-american-flag.html I'll go scrape up some Halloween stuff tomorrow!

[Andreya]

Can people who are not US residents apply on eHow & Demand & get paid upfron too? just curious... Last time I checked on Associated Content non-US residents can get residual income but no upfront payment...

I looked up the application form & my country, Slovenia, is not listed at all - while Serbia or Somalia are..??!! (maybe our living standard is too high?)

not sure if I could pull off the lots-of-short-articles (I usually write a bit too slow & go too much in-depth lol) but I thought I'd give this a try... now not sure if I can even sign up...?

[cress8]

Help please--every time I try to submit my application, it takes my resume off the list, saying "unaccepted mime type." How do I remedy this?

[cress8]

I submitted my application today and got approved. I couldn't find any articles on their list that I wanted to do, so I suggested my own titles. They rejected the first 2 within minutes, so I popped off 4 more, thinking I might get lucky and get 1 accepted. Of course, they accepted all 4, giving me only 7 days to do them. Not sure I can do that within these particular 7 days coming up. Can I get an extension? I didn't see an obvious way to email a specific person.

[Blickensderfer]

What types of articles did you suggest, if I can ask? Or maybe you'd be more comfortable saying what got kicked back? I just got accepted at DS as well, and while I wish I knew how to become a bounty hunter in Canada, I just don't think I'm the girl for most of the articles on their list. But I fried my brain browsing around EHow this afternoon - I typed in a couple dozen questions and found every darn one of 'em. (almost as bad as finding a display name not taken at DS. Sheesh, it's easier to name a webkinz!) How do you guys think of things that haven't already been covered? I mean, there have to be more than half a million questions in the world, right?

[cress8]

Fortunately, I have some specialized areas of expertise, so I think that helps. What got rejected were general titles, including How to Feed a Picky Kid and How To Protect Kids Online. When I specialized, for example with an article about joint attention (an autism issue), I got accepted. So, maybe think of what you know about that others might not, then whittle it down to a finer point.

Keep in mind, I've only gotten the title accepted...not the actual piece yet! I'll keep you posted.

[stldenise]

I'm new to this too, BUT, I wouldn't bother checking out eHow for ideas. Instead, go to the "suggest assignments" area. Type an idea in the box and there's a button for "check duplicates." It’s a much better way to see if your idea has been duplicated. And how to reslant it.

I'm reluctant to give away what I've been writing, but I've had pretty good luck suggesting craft and holiday ideas.

Ideas I've gotten accepted so far (this is my 2nd week) have been: make a coffee filter butterfly, make a cardboard toy box (as in cover a box with contact paper!), make an emergency sunshade for a bike trailer, make a puppy costume without sewing, and how to celebrate Halloween in St. Louis (my hometown).

I couldn't get an acceptance on making camp ice cream, but I read somewhere else that recipes weren't going over too well.

Also: about reslanting. I was checking out a guy's list of articles (one of pros, not the regular members) and he must have gotten 6 or 7 articles out of roof repair.

Remember, these articles are only worth $15, so don't pour your heart and soul into them! They are looking for about 450 words, full of "searchable" words, that can be skimmed by the reader.

Go check out the forum. They just got it up and running since I've been there and there's already some good stuff. We've got a good thread going on where to find public domain photos - they LOVE photos. I've heard that if you want your article limit to go up, submit stuff with photos. It makes you look more professional.

[Blickensderfer]

Thanks, I appreciate it. I'm really not looking to steal ideas! I'm just trying to figure out where to start. I've been doing business writing for years, so idea generation is a new task. (I'm breaking free - thanks to a buyout and a bankruptcy- but I'm still in the wet, floppy wings stage.) I was trolling eHow before I got the acceptance email, just to see what sort of stuff is there. You're right - not a good idea! I submitted some titles last night, pulling from some articles I did years ago for a hospital client and I'm waiting to hear. I found the forum, too. so that helped. This thread is great. I came to AW as soon as I read the DS pitch because I knew you guys would know if it was legit,and I was right!

[black ink]

I just finished this thread! Whew :)

I have a couple of questions. How do I handle the "Work Related Information" portion of DS's application? My degree is in English, I've done some business writing, I keep 2 personal blogs, but I'm not published yet (though I just got a bite on a query!). For DS's application, they want a resume and writing samples. What would you include? Do the samples need to be published pieces?

Also, it sounds like many of you are writing for Ehow through DS. Does DS ask for other kinds of articles, besides the step by step format?

[stldenise]

You only want to work through Demand, they pay up front.

For my sample I wrote a "how to" on making a baby scrapbook. I think they just need to see that you can write in their style. Make up a killer how to on something you know well.

I don't think they're expecting a lot of seasoned pros to be knocking down their doors for 15 bucks a pop. A decent hobbyist who has a grasp of the English language and can write coherently is all they need. I think your resume will be fine if you back it up with solid proof in your sample.

I also included a link to my writer's website, which isn't all that impressive-yet. I've been published, but it's mostly local stuff.

[stldenise]

Hey, look! I just became one of the locals! Yippee!

[Cindyh2k]

Way to go, stldenise!!!

[black ink]

You only want to work through Demand, they pay up front.

For my sample I wrote a "how to" on making a baby scrapbook. I think they just need to see that you can write in their style. Make up a killer how to on something you know well.

I don't think they're expecting a lot of seasoned pros to be knocking down their doors for 15 bucks a pop. A decent hobbyist who has a grasp of the English language and can write coherently is all they need. I think your resume will be fine if you back it up with solid proof in your sample.

I also included a link to my writer's website, which isn't all that impressive-yet. I've been published, but it's mostly local stuff.

Thank you!

[stldenise]

How do you guys get paid by Demand? I know you need the Paypal account...but do you let Paypal deposit into your account, or do you have them cut a check? I still get a little wierd about letting electronic things access my bank account. Or am I being overly paranoid?
If anyone uses the check feature, how long does it take?

[cress8]

I understand the leeriness of electronic access. If it makes you feel any better, I know lots of people who have used paypal extensively for several years, with no problems. I'm going to give it a try.

When you sign up for Paypal, they make some small deposits into your account that you then have to verify to show that it's really your account. I think they take security pretty seriously; they're huge.

[Andreya]

Some people have separate accounts 'just for Paypal', with a debit card only (and no credit card!! so there couldn't be withdrawals 'into red/under zero $') - They can withdraw any large sums quickly to another more 'safe' account... It seems like a smart idea, to have separate accounts, especially if you can get them cheap...

[Andreya]

Just found this in the 'biz' thread! (reposting - hope that's okay...)

If you make money from a ligit business, you need to file taxes. I just signed up with DemandStudios and they said they will send a 1099 after I make $10.


That's strange! After 10$ already! On Associated Content they only send a form after $600... (?) - or so I read on the website a while ago...?

I wonder how international writers handle that then? Any international writers on DS?

I thought you pay the taxes in the country where you live, no?

[jenngreenleaf]

I understand the leeriness of electronic access. If it makes you feel any better, I know lots of people who have used paypal extensively for several years, with no problems. I'm going to give it a try.

When you sign up for Paypal, they make some small deposits into your account that you then have to verify to show that it's really your account. I think they take security pretty seriously; they're huge.
I've been using PayPal since 2000 without any problems, issues, or concerns at all - so I wouldn't worry. :)

[inkkognito]

Okay, am I going crazy? I just signed up and got approved for some suggested topics, but I can't find any guidelines on how many words the articles should be! How many words do they expect?

[stldenise]

They say they want 400, but I think I've gotten a few through with less. When you go to write the article, there's a little orange "style guide" you can click right under the title of the article.

[inkkognito]

The style guide didn't have the word count (unless I somehow overlooked it), but I think the articles I completed so far are all over 400. Now I'm in the process of waiting to see if my first batch gets approved or if I will have to edit them. Fingers are crossed!

[Cassiopeia]

Okay so, I'm really not dumb. BUT, I can't get this site to let me finish applying. I'm on the page to create an account and it keeps telling me I'm entering an invalid account information. What account? I'm trying to set it up. So I've emailed them but wondered if I'm just being clueless because, well you know, I have been up all night last night with a little nap today. :D

Anyone else come across this issue?

[Cassiopeia]

The system just finally let me finish the process. I don't know if it doesn't like gmail or hotmail or if it was the type of password I was trying to use but I'm registered and waiting for the email that lets me activate my account.

Thanks to everyone for sharing information that can give me the opportunity to get started.

It's very much needed.

[Skyraven]

I'm thinking about taking the plunge. Money's really tight right now and I'm a single mom. Grrr.

[Cassiopeia]

Skyraven, I'm a single mom too and I lost my job three months ago without reprimand or warning, they were just going a different direction. Since then, I've applied to over 100 jobs. I get told I'm over qualified and why would I settle for lower pay. I also get told I need my degree.

After reading this forum and having always been more of a journalist than a novelist, I've decided to carve out my own career here. Everyone seems encouraged in this thread and I think while I waiting to learn how to write in the trades that this could help bring in some much needed cash.

[Skyraven]

Sorry to hear about the job loss. But I'm glad to see that you feel supported here. :)
Thanks for that. I have my degree and am working. It's just I need to learn to budget better. But I would like to make money writing. There's no reason why I shouldn't be able to profit off of something I love doing. :)

[inkkognito]

Go for it, Skyraven! I did it because money is tight here too and it looks like a nice little assured income on the side as long as you meet their guidelines. I am still waiting to see if my first articles get approved so I'll know if my style is right or if I'll need to tweak it. If you stick to topics you know, it shouldn't take you long to write the articles. If you can do 10 a week, that's a nice bit of money on the side.

I actually started it because of guilt. I have s 31 year old retired horse that was just diagnosed with a disease that requires daily medication...another expense we didn't need, but I can't stand to have him put down since he's otherwise healthy. My husband is great about things like that and didn't even complain or question. DS will pay for his drugs and some groceries too.

[Skyraven]

:( oh Ink sorry to hear about your horse. I think they're beautiful animals. Makes me sad to hear that he's sick. I think what holds me back is doubt. I doubt that I can write new things about the same topic over and over again. Like once I put those ideas out, I won't be able to make money off of them again. Grrr.

[Cassiopeia]

I do feel supported in this forum and on the rest of AW too. I am really happy though to be so welcomed with you all. Thank you. It's nice to belong.

[SouthernFriedJulie]

How do you guys get paid by Demand? I know you need the Paypal account...but do you let Paypal deposit into your account, or do you have them cut a check? I still get a little wierd about letting electronic things access my bank account. Or am I being overly paranoid?
If anyone uses the check feature, how long does it take?


Paypal will also send you their debit card. You have free and instant access to your paypal account 24/7. I've had mine for since '05 and I love it. You do need to allow paypal to link to your bank account, but after the intitial deposits you can close the bank account and they'll never know. I have a Netspend pay as you go credit card that was purchased just for the paypal account because you can use the card number as a bank account number. I don't use the card, it just sits there acting as the link.

[Cassiopeia]

Any one have an average time frame from the time a person signs up till you get your account activated and have an actual answer to when you will start if at all? Has anyone been turned down by them or does everyone get a chance at this? I mean I know they can reject a piece but has anyone actually been told, "no we aren't interested in you?"

[cress8]

I think I read someone say that they were rejected, but I think you're probably fine if you tweak your resume and send a good clip. I signed up last Monday, was approved within a few hours, and started writing that day. I submitted 2 articles Friday, haven't heard back yet. It took about 3 days to get the Pay Pal account activated because they have to make some deposits in your account for you to confirm with Demand. Anyway, the Pay Pal part did not hold up my ability to write. And by the way, I didn't spend long looking through their titles. I suggested 6 of my own; they accepted 4.

[joyce]

Any one have an average time frame from the time a person signs up till you get your account activated and have an actual answer to when you will start if at all? Has anyone been turned down by them or does everyone get a chance at this? I mean I know they can reject a piece but has anyone actually been told, "no we aren't interested in you?"

I was rejected but I was having problems with the computer and I think my resume sucked. My computer wouldn't let me fill in some of the slots I should have. I wasn't sure what they really needed on the resume, so I think I shot my own self in the foot.

I read it will help if you join eHow, so that's what I've done. I've now written articles for them and hope it will help when I try to sign-up again with Demand. I'm not sure how long they will keep my name on file, if they even do, but I figured I wait a little while before trying again.

I also don't have much of a history of having my articles in print. I've contributed content to several web based outfits and written for a local gardening newsletter but that's about it. I'm new to this freelancing thing and am just trying to break in. Good luck and I hope you get the gig.

[inkkognito]

Sky, if you're worried about not being able to reuse DS articles, think of it as putting out Cliff Notes for topics you can write longer pieces about later. That's what I'm doing with some of mine; some are even about topics that I've been querying for a while. DS has a very specific format for the how-tos, so what you write for a regular market would most likely be organized very differently anyway.

I'm also using topics that I write about for free on one of my websites. The website is a hobby, so this is allowing me to rewrite some of that content for pay and I may link out to eHow from the website too.

[stldenise]

I took me a while to get started because of an email glitch. Their servers didn't like my email provider (AT&T). I sent a note to the customer service to see what was going on, and they explained the email problem and said that I was approved to write as soon as I got a new email account that worked for them. So I signed up at gmail, and everything's peachy.

I will say that their servers have a few hiccups. I've heard of them going down while people were writing, and I've got an article that won't go to editing because it thinks there's a caption with no picture. Ug. I would advise you to write in Word and cut and paste to their system. Or at the very least, keep "saving as draft".

As for people worrying about committing your ideas to Demand for $15 a pop, I wouldn't worry. If you write a how to on dog grooming in the eHow style, it would be very easy to reslant or just rewrite the same article in magazine style. Demand wants very "to the point" and kinda dry writing. Magazines usually need more punch and personality.

And besides, I can't really see myself writing "How to Sharpen Hinckle Knives" for Better Homes and Gardens.

Oh, and a warning about the editors. I've been haunting the board over there, and I've had a couple brushes with the editors on my stuff. Please take into account that the copy editors are most likely people just like us, doing this at home. Some of the editors are very good and very nice, others are a little thick-headed. They're just doing their job as best as they know. I just got a very ridiculous correction from one, and I'm just to to fix it the way they want while gritting my teeth.

[inkkognito]

Any one have an average time frame from the time a person signs up till you get your account activated and have an actual answer to when you will start if at all?
I was shocked as I was actually accepted by the next day! I immediately went into my account and had to fill out some more profile and tax stuff before I could start accepting assignments. I didn't like what I saw, so I sent in suggested topics. They approved (and rejected) some of those within minutes and others within a day. I managed to get 10 suggestions approved and have completed seven...I'm waiting to do the others because I wanted to see if the actual articles get accepted first.

[stldenise]

The articles that they have listed in their assignments are pretty weird. Be prepared to submit your own ideas! I've got note books scattered around the house to jot down ideas as they come to me. I watched tv with my kids and came up with a page of ideas, then thought I'd never have another idea again. And the next day, I got a whole bunch more... I don't know how long I can keep coming up with stuff, but I'm going to milk it while it lasts!

The nice thing is that you only need to write what you want to write. No one is demanding that you write ten or twenty articles every week...

[Flick Montana]

I hope I get accepted there. I sent in a lackluster application because my internet shut off half way through. I never got a confirmation mail so I resubmitted under a new e-mail address. A day later I got a confirmation for both. Now, I'm afraid they won't accept me because I have two apps. We'll see, I guess.

I did redo my resume to show off a couple how to articles instead of my usual pieces.

[stldenise]

I don't think they'll even notice, as long as you don't sign up for two 1099s. They've had a lot of server problems on their end, they'll understand a computer glitch on yours!

[Cassiopeia]

I just went to have a look at their site again and it's down so I won't worry that I haven't heard from them after just 36 hours. :D If this doesn't work out for me, I'll keep trying.

[Skyraven]

ink, thanks for that. That was a huge concern when I read the terms for Demand. But, I think I'll have to suck it up because I could use the cash right now. :)

[Henri Bauholz]

I have written a lot of pieces for demand studios over the course of this year. Right now it's my main source of writing income. It took me a while to get started though. I sent them an application and didn't hear anything for six months. I had completely forgotten about the outfit when an email showed up in my inbox saying I had been accepted. Now I average 6 or 7 pieces a week. It's kind of fun really.
My Blog (yeyeright.wordpress.com)

[Cassiopeia]

Oh I really hope I don't have to wait six months. I finally got it to accept my application Saturday morning I think it was and I noticed that the site was down a bit this weekend.

I'm hoping I hear from them very soon.

[cress8]

Does anyone know how long the review process usally takes after you've submitted your articles? Are they typically accepted as is or do you often have to make changes for the editors?

[stldenise]

I got 9 articles through on my first batch, of those I needed 2 rewrites. They were valid points, like I forgot to mention how to tell when the knife was sharp on a "how to sharpen a knife" piece.
Lately I've been hearing on the forum that the editors are trying to tighten up the standards to better match the style guide. Of the 7 I've written this cycle (I can't really call it a week, deadline seems to be Wed) I've had 2 more requests for rewrites to beef up the opening paragraph. I just started a thread over there on sharing opening paragraphs - I use the name stlScout for Demand.
I believe the editors have 7 days to review your work. You get 3 days to do the rewrite.

It took about two weeks for my first batch of writing to go through the whole write, review, rewrite, payment process. But I figure if I keep writing consistently, I will get a weekly paycheck from them.

Now I'm just trying to get my money out of paypal!

[Flick Montana]

I just got accepted a few minutes ago. Funny thing is they sent my acceptance from my first application to my second e-mail. Maybe they both got combined somehow. Who cares, though? I just hope I can start making a couple pennies for my work.

[Cassiopeia]

I got an email from them through my gmail account saying they have issues with gmail and my comcast provider so I am thinking I should maybe reapply with myhotmail account.

[inkkognito]

Woo hoo! Five of my ten articles (submitted on 10/9) were reviewed today. Four were approved and one was returned for minor changes. Since these were my first submissions, I'm breathing a sigh of relief.

[cress8]

I have one that's said "reviewed" since yesterday, but I've not gotten any email or other notification what they've decided. What happens next?

[inkkognito]

Do the ones that say reviewed show up under your published articles? If so, I think that's it! I didn't get a notification for mine that said reviewed either, just the one that needed changes.

[cress8]

If I check published articles, it's there, but the status there says "under review." My other articles that still say "under review" on the dashboard page are not listed in the published articles yet. Weird. Any idea the best way to find where they published it?

[treehugger]

I usually get an e-mail that starts out "The following Demand Studios assignments have been approved and payment is pending" when my articles get approved, but sometimes there's a lag of a few days.

In your Demand Studios account, they should list a eHow user name. Go to eHow and search for this, and your published articles should come up.

[stldenise]

Check your spam filter. My emails from Demand was going straight to spam at first!

[cress8]

Thanks, Eeek. That makes sense now.

[Skyraven]

My application was accepted and is being processed. we'll see how that goes. :)

[cress8]

Congrats, Sky.

[inkkognito]

Great! I hope you hear back from them soon. So far they've accepted seven of my articles, so I should see my first $$ this week. That includes the one that they sent back for changes, so it looks like I have their format down. I'm really lovin' it because I can write those pieces inbetween my other work. They fit really well with travel agenting as I can do 'em while I'm on hold on the phone.

[Skyraven]

that's a relief ink. I knew that they were simple to do but I'll have to make sure I get the format right. :)

[cress8]

Ugh, did anybody else get the email that as of 10/17, the rates for suggested titles will be variable? Their titles are dreck, so I'm not sure I'll keep it up if they can't pay the full $15 for titles I suggest. That's a low enough rate as it is!

[Cassiopeia]

I've tried creating a new hotmail account for them and everything. I just keeping getting error messages. All I can do is wait for them it would seem.

[inkkognito]

Ugh, did anybody else get the email that as of 10/17, the rates for suggested titles will be variable? Their titles are dreck, so I'm not sure I'll keep it up if they can't pay the full $15 for titles I suggest. That's a low enough rate as it is!
Yep, just got it and I am sooooo bummed! I haven't used any of their suggested titles since I started. I mean, How to Build a Vacuum Bra?! Most are also woefully miscategorized. Anything below $15 wouldn't be worth my while. At 20 mins. an article, that's $45 an hour. I'm better off focusing on my magazine work for anything lower than that.

[Skyraven]

whoa! I need to check out the titles. Thanks for letting me know.

[Cassiopeia]

It's still money though. I would be happy to get 10 an article if I could get my account activated.

Money is money.

[Henri Bauholz]

The change is a definite bummer, but not a great surprise. When I first saw the e-mail I expected worst news. I actually write more posted titles than I do by suggesting my own. Lately, I had been good at getting my own titles approved. Today, I did four posted titles that were pretty easy, but yesterday I had one that was a stumper.

Does anyone know if this group Demand Studios is affiliated with Associated Content. Even if they aren't, it looks like they are moving in that direction with their pricing. AC use to pay around $15 for an article, but now the average pay is much less.

I guess tomorrow I will go fill up my spaces on DS with suggested titles ( I usually suggest travel titles) ,might as well get in while the rates are still good.

My Blog (http://yeyeright.wordpress.com)

Best of luck to everyone,

Henri

[stldenise]

I think AC is a competitor.

[inkkognito]

Soren (DS staff) wrote on the DS forum that he thinks offers for most of the suggested-title articles will be around $5.00. That's quite a drop!
Quite a drop is putting it mildly. Try sub-minimum wage! I guess my first batch of articles for DS will sadly also be my last.

[stldenise]

Wildscribe, you said in an earlier post that you used to put work up on eHow directly. I was wondering if you ever did any "promoting" on your work? You know, the whole social networking thing with the friends?

I put one article up on eHow directly just to see how it works. I can't find it any search engine, even if I type the whole freakin' name. If I can't find it, no one else will find it either! The only way I know it's even there is to look up my name and go from there.

Since Demand has dropped their price on suggested titles, I thought it would an interesting experiment to put some stuff on eHow, just to see if it works. I'm dabbling at this anyhow - it's more of an activity to do between queries. I figure if I can find something that brings in a few bucks a month, it's working harder for me that a flat $5 article. I'm not going to give them any of those!

[Flick Montana]

The DS articles I have seen go for $10 to $15 each. Most are only 300 words though. I can do that in literally minutes unless I have to research. It could be worse.

[wombat]

I put one article up on eHow directly just to see how it works. I can't find it any search engine, even if I type the whole freakin' name. If I can't find it, no one else will find it either!

How soon did you try this? The search engines don't find stuff immediately. When I've checked my titles I've found them on the first page of results. It seems like the one thing they do know how to do is get stuff high up on the search engine results.

I have never found a suggested title that made any sense, either. You guys who have written them, do you have a trick? Do they post them at a particular time and you snap up all the reasonable ones?

[Skyraven]

I'm having trouble searching through the pages of the find articles section if there's more than one page. It takes me to some page with skateboarding or something. What can I do? I want to look through the titles before suggesting one right away. Any tips? thanks.

[Nefertiti Baker]

I'm looking for something else. That site plays around too much. Be careful if you post on the forums, because I think that they're not putting my articles in the editing queue out of retaliation. However, site cheerleaders are seeing their article levels go up.

I'm also not liking the fact that a lot of those people sound like Publish America board posters. It's creeping me out.

[stldenise]

Nefertiti, I think you're feeling paranoid. Demand is going through some rough times with server problems and I think they have some new editors. I don't think they're targeting you. The "cheerleaders" are probably just posting happy crap because their levels went up, not the other way around.
I had a few articles take a while to get through, but most have made it on time. It took about two weeks to get my first articles through, and about three weeks from when I signed on to get my first paycheck.
I'm not thrilled about the changes either, but I'm game enough to try a few more of their weird titles. I take it as a challenge.
Somebody on the DS forum said they approached the titles with humor. Maybe we can try that - pick up a strange topic and write something funny about it, chock full of SEO words. They might like it just the same...
Also, I was on the their forum looking for advice on writing opening paragraphs (I'm StlScout over there) and a nice guy wrote back about his articles on fungus or something. THOSE might be the type of titles their hoping to avoid.

[stldenise]

Skyraven: it's really not that hard to suggest titles, they have been pretty easy on me with accepting them. I'd say 80% of the titles I suggested went through ok. Type something into the title box, then hit "check duplicates." If there's nothing exactly like yours, you've got a good shot.
I'm going to keep suggesting titles next week to see how it works. They said you can see what the offer is before deciding to write it. If all my ideas are only worth $5, then I might just post them directly to ehow for fun. I'd rather take the gamble that they attract their own audience.
Anybody try AC? Maybe we can give that a whirl.

Also: to Eeek - I checked my first eHow article, and its searchable now. I guess I wasn't giving it enough time to be listed. Anybody try the stuff with picking up friends and reading each other's stuff? I'm not sure I want to put toooo much effort into this, but if anyone on THIS board wants to post to eHow, we can all be friends and look at each other's stuff. Who knows, might be fun.

[inkkognito]

I found the link to my eHow articles today. Apparently I have an account, but I have no idea how to get into it! The link is: http://www.ehow.com/members/DS_BarbNe15534-articles.html

[treehugger]

If you're writing for eHow via Demand Studios, I don't think you actually have access to your eHow account.

[VeggieChick]

My biggest complain about DS is how slow the editing process is. I recently had my limit raised to 30 articles but it certainly won't do me much good if it takes several weeks for them to review those articles. On the other hand, I never suggest titles. I did for a while, when the options were really limited, but I think there are lots of interesting and easy topics to write about right now, so it shouldn't be difficult for everybody to find something. I'm not sure if everybody has access to all formats, but the About titles are really fun to write about and the format is a lot easier, so you may want to consider trying some of those (especially if you're having a hard time finding a HowTo you want to write about).

[Cassiopeia]

I've been communicating with them back and forth as I can't seem to get anywhere with creating a different account so they approved me and emailed me the link to log in for the first time and it doesn't work either.

Lots and lots of fun.

[joyce]

I never tried to submit to demand after my first try went all bonkers with the computer. I figured I'd write some stuff for eHow though. I'll friend anyone so you can get more hits on your articles. If anyone wants to friend me my eHow name is "JStarr". So if you see a weirdo show up on your friend list....it's me.:D

[treehugger]

I'm trying to look at this whole sliding scale for suggested titles things as a blessing in disguise. I spent way too much of my very limited time writing eHows, because they were easy money, but then as a result I didn't really pursue other markets as much as I would have liked... because I was too busy writing my boring and easy eHows. So maybe this is the kick in the pants I need to find some higher paying and more interesting work.

[Cassiopeia]

I think that's the right attitude to have treehugger. I'm not letting what ever they do or don't do at Demandstudios get in the way of my freelancing career.

[TheAntar]

ehow and demandstudios won't let me sign up living in canada? thats utter bunk. :(

[Flick Montana]

Probably has something to do with payment and tax forms, not your accent ;)

[Cassiopeia]

don't feel bad, they tried manually activating my account and it still doesn't work!

[cress8]

I submitted a title I'm not in love with today, just to see what they'll offer for it if they accept it. If I don't like the price, I'll just let it go unclaimed. I'll let you guys know what I find out.

[stldenise]

eHow update: My "How to Make a Popsicle American Flag" (http://www.ehow.com/how_4530091_popsicle-american-flag.html) has gotten 64 hits! Whooo-hoo! Too bad I wrote something that makes more sense for July. I'm going to try to post a few Halloween things tomorrow and see if they hit the search engines in time. Then Thanksgiving crafts... I've also got a DS article due Monday, one of my last guaranteed $15 titles.

I used StlScout as a name for eHow. Yes, I'm a little embarrassed, and I didn't want any future editors turning up my web writing should I ever make the big time. But get this - I used StlScout for both ehow and DS. And if you look for me, both will turn up. But I can't "friend" myself. Interesting. I wonder if I can post a picture on DS and have it show up on eHow... I've got this wonderful avatar pic I made for my website - it's a real live decent photo of myself from a studio shot with my baby. I photoshopped the crap out of it so I look pretty darn good. You know, for a 30-something mom. Maybe I'll put it here...I've been hanging out enough, you may as well see a face, rather than that silly dog. Which I chose, by the way, because my first dog was a Malamute. Ok, information overload...

[cress8]

So do you get paid anything if you post directly on eHow?

[stldenise]

Ug, I thought my avatar was better than that, maybe I'll go back to the dog! Is Glamour Shots still in business?

Cress, you can get money from eHow, but it's based on page views and I think something with friends and goofy crap like that. They won't say what it takes, but Wildscribe posted in this thread that she found a hot topic that pays her. It sounds like a hit or miss kinda thing. That's why I'm just playing with it, to see if I can hit on something popular.

I'm still trying to break in on magazines, and I have to wait until April before my first feature is in print. I'm hoping that once I've got that really nice clip in hand, I can lure some more magazine work my way.

[stldenise]

I found the link to my eHow articles today. Apparently I have an account, but I have no idea how to get into it! The link is: http://www.ehow.com/members/DS_BarbNe15534-articles.html

Ink: if this is your DS generated account, you can't get into it. They locked down the freelancers accounts so we'll just look like novices with no friends. I'm not sure why this is, but it may have something to do with the fact that we're paid upfront. I guess they want to keep the freelancers from socializing with the "members."

[cress8]

I got offered $5.00 for the last 3 titles I submitted. I don't think so....

[Cassiopeia]

Well from the sounds of it, I should be glad that I can't seem to get into the system. They've tried giving me links directly and all sorts of stuff. I don't think I'm going to miss them.

[WildScribe]

Wildscribe, you said in an earlier post that you used to put work up on eHow directly. I was wondering if you ever did any "promoting" on your work? You know, the whole social networking thing with the friends?

I put one article up on eHow directly just to see how it works. I can't find it any search engine, even if I type the whole freakin' name. If I can't find it, no one else will find it either! The only way I know it's even there is to look up my name and go from there.

Since Demand has dropped their price on suggested titles, I thought it would an interesting experiment to put some stuff on eHow, just to see if it works. I'm dabbling at this anyhow - it's more of an activity to do between queries. I figure if I can find something that brings in a few bucks a month, it's working harder for me that a flat $5 article. I'm not going to give them any of those!

I don't tend to drive people to my profile there, but if I do want ratings, I send them to my profile rather than a specific article. I'm Wildscribe there as well. :)

[WildScribe]

By the way... I am SO irritated with the pay drop. It isn't surprising, but it sure sucks. :(

[jasperd]

I recently applied and was never emailed an approval. I did log in and the dashboard page said I can write up to 10 articles but that my W9 and profile needs to be completed. So does that mean I'm approved or do I have to wait for the approval email?

Nevermind....I just got the email. I went to suggested titles and there are several suggestions that each pay $15.00. Is there a catch?

[cress8]

jasperd--the catch is that if you use their bizarro titles, you get 15; if you suggest something of your own that actually makes sense, you get 5.

[stldenise]

Hope you have a degree in robotics or you're a This Old House junkie. Most of the titles in there right now look like they were entered by 15 year olds... Listen, if I could build a robot hand or my own car, I sure as hell wouldn't be trying to pick up freelance writing for $15 a pop.

[jasperd]

I looked in the thread as well and can't find it anywhere. Does anybody know?

[stldenise]

They're looking for about 400 words. There are two style guides, I think word count is in the one about writing for DS, not the "how to" style guide.

[Flick Montana]

I was wrong about getting accepted by them. Apparently that was a confirmation from another site. Do they send you an e-mail if you DON'T get accepted? I've been waiting forever!

EDIT: The site I am a part of allows you to send in your article for a requested piece. The problem is that the buyer gets lots of articles and doesn't have to buy yours. I have submitted several and been pushed aside by writers who have sold more. Thus, since I cannot undercut their price I cannot seem to get an article purchased. The problem I have is that I just wasted my time on an article that isn't marketable anywhere else. Lame-o.

[joyce]

I was wrong about getting accepted by them. Apparently that was a confirmation from another site. Do they send you an e-mail if you DON'T get accepted? I've been waiting forever!

EDIT: The site I am a part of allows you to send in your article for a requested piece. The problem is that the buyer gets lots of articles and doesn't have to buy yours. I have submitted several and been pushed aside by writers who have sold more. Thus, since I cannot undercut their price I cannot seem to get an article purchased. The problem I have is that I just wasted my time on an article that isn't marketable anywhere else. Lame-o.

Constant Content?

[Flick Montana]

Aye, haven't gotten an article accepted yet. I even wrote a 3000 word piece for one request that didn't get taken.

Any advice?

EDIT: Almost at 50 posts! Can't wait to have an avatar.

[joyce]

Aye, haven't gotten an article accepted yet. I even wrote a 3000 word piece for one request that didn't get taken.

Any advice?

EDIT: Almost at 50 posts! Can't wait to have an avatar.

Sorry, I haven't got any advice about getting accepted from them. I belong to that site too and haven't had any of my articles picked up by anyone. I know there are some people here who write for them and seem to be doing pretty well. Perhaps someone will read this and give you some pointers. Best of luck.

[stldenise]

Flick - if you want an avatar, just go to the top where it says "user CP". You can pick one out or upload one.

[Flick Montana]

I heard you can't have a custom one until you hit 50 posts.

I spoke to someone from CC that had 3 articles rejected and so their account was suspended. They aren't allowed to come back. I understand maintaining a level of quality, but that just seems harsh. I felt bad for the guy. Odd thing is, I've had 5 rejections. Granted it was because they were all .docx, which isn't an accepted format, but 5 is 5.

Anyways, I'm still trolling the web looking for more writing. Hopefully, DS will respond sometime.

[Henri Bauholz]

With Demand Studios a long lengthy article is definitely something they don't want. I just one sent back for edits because it was too long and too wordy. (over 500 words I think) Writing the How to's is a lot like writing blogs. Make it short and simple. Now they accept articles ( these are called How do's and About's), so if that is your style you might try one of those.

My Blog (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/yeyeright.wordpress.com)

Anyway, I am kind of grateful for the change in policy, for now that might force me to concentrate on other writing projects.

Cheers,

Henri

[inkkognito]

Anyone still doing anything over at Demand Studios? I've actually found a few $15 topics to claim, and I've been tossing off some $5 suggestions on topics that I can write really, really fast. Being a news stringer for a few years taught me to write decent stuff at a blinding rate of speed when I have to. I can only do it on topics that I know very well so I'll eventually tap my brain, but in the meantime it's something I can do inbetween other tasks for a very meager income trickle.

[Cassiopeia]

They still have been unable to resolve my log in issues so I've given up.