Demand Studios websites

[HeatherOhio]

Thanks for the help. I bet it's the IE. I can't even click on the Applications troubleshooting page. I click and nothing happens. Darnit.

[Angie]

Yep, that does sound like an IE problem. I didn't even think of that because I use Firefox so exclusively that IE never even pops into my head, lol. DS is very Firefox-friendly and you'll want to switch anyway if you do get accepted because their publishing tools will work a lot better with it.

Good luck!

-Ang

[HeatherOhio]

Is Firefox safer than IE?

[HeatherOhio]

Success At Last!!! My application went through!

I can't believe how frustrating this was! I switched to Firefox, just for the application, then it wouldn't go through because my Resume and clip was in Word. Had to switch to text. If gigs weren't so hard to come by right now, I would have given up.

They must have lost lots of good writers because of these glitches.

Thanks for all the help!!!

[joyce]

Originally Posted by HeatherOhio

Is Firefox safer than IE?

I believe it is. I just know that since I switched last year I've had very little problems everywhere on the web. I grew to hate IE. Best of luck with your application.

[WriterKM]

I have been thinking about starting at Demand Studios (I had actually joined some time ago and forgotten about it) and I was wondering if you folks ever have to research your articles. I saw some I am interested in, but I don't know a lot of information on them off the top of my head. Does anyone bother with topics you need to research, or does the extra time make it not worth the effort? How long do your articles need to be?

Also, how often do they pay? I would like to get some extra cash by month's end. I was wondering if I start doing articles next week, will that be enough time.

[blueobsidian]

Originally Posted by WriterKM

Does anyone bother with topics you need to research, or does the extra time make it not worth the effort?

I try to choose topics that I have at least a base knowledge base for, so I don't have to do much research. If I can't find useful info in 5 minutes, it won't be worth my time. I do a quick search before claiming a title to get a sense of the resources available. Many article types do require that you provide references (the editors also fact check, so this helps them), so knowing you can find online info helps.

Personally, I try not to claim any topics that will take me more than 30 minutes to write. That way, even with a rewrite request I know that I will be making an appropriate hourly wage. For me, I left a job paying $14 an hour plus some benefits, so I try to make sure that my hourly rate stays at least $17. With good topics, I've written as many as 4 "How To" articles in an hour.

How long do your articles need to be?

Article length depends on the template. You won't be just writing an article straight through, but breaking it into sections depending on the format required. For example, if you have a How To article you will write an overview, at least 3 actionable steps, a list of items needed, tips and warnings. Fact sheets are the shortest (between 150 and 200 words), while the other formats tend to be more like 400 words (although you should always check the style guide to make sure).

Also, how often do they pay? I would like to get some extra cash by month's end. I was wondering if I start doing articles next week, will that be enough time.

They pay weekly. Anything that is approved by Wednesday night will be paid for on that Friday.

[WriterKM]

Thanks, blueobsidian. I think I am going to need to investigate this further. How long do you have to do an article when you claim it?

[Angie]

Hi, WriterKM -

You have a week after claiming an article to submit it. Once it's submitted, it usually takes two or three days (though it can be a little more or less) for it to be reviewed by the editors and either approved or sent back to you for rewrite.

Hope that helps.

[WriterKM]

Originally Posted by Angie

Hi, WriterKM -

You have a week after claiming an article to submit it. Once it's submitted, it usually takes two or three days (though it can be a little more or less) for it to be reviewed by the editors and either approved or sent back to you for rewrite.

Hope that helps.

It does I am reading their style guide this weekend and will start submitting articles next week.

[downtherabbithole]

Originally Posted by WriterKM

I have been thinking about starting at Demand Studios (I had actually joined some time ago and forgotten about it) and I was wondering if you folks ever have to research your articles. I saw some I am interested in, but I don't know a lot of information on them off the top of my head. Does anyone bother with topics you need to research, or does the extra time make it not worth the effort? How long do your articles need to be?

Also, how often do they pay? I would like to get some extra cash by month's end. I was wondering if I start doing articles next week, will that be enough time.

I'm doing it right now and making a good chunk of money working for about 1.5/2 hours per day. Like some other people said, if it takes more than 5-10 minutes to research an article, it may not be worth it.

[CoffeeBound]

I took the plunge and started writing for DS last week. So far, it's been a good experience. The pay is decent, especially as I get in my writing "groove" there. As long as I stick with topics and article formats I am familiar with and don't get swallowed by excess research, DS is worth it. I would have signed up earlier, but all the bad reviews of DS shied me away at first.

I signed up under an alias name because I didn't know how zany the article topics would get. Now I'm wishing I had used my real name.

A quick question: Does anyone know whether it's better to do a tortuous rewrite or to delete the article instead? I did a hellish rewrite only to have the article rejected. I'd rather not go through that experience again, but I don't want to get fired from DS either.

[blueobsidian]

Originally Posted by CoffeeBound

I signed up under an alias name because I didn't know how zany the article topics would get. Now I'm wishing I had used my real name.

If you go to the "Edit Account" section, you can change your display name, community name and other information.

A quick question: Does anyone know whether it's better to do a tortuous rewrite or to delete the article instead? I did a hellish rewrite only to have the article rejected. I'd rather not go through that experience again, but I don't want to get fired from DS either.

How tortuous? If you question the CE's opinion, you need to use the contact form to let the editorial team know. They can help clarify a point or tell the CE that they are wrong.

I've only deleted a couple rewrites. One I definitely should have sent up the line to have checked out, but I was so annoyed by it that I just deleted it. I just knew that my rewrite would have been rejected. I believe that a rejection is worse than deleting a rewrite, in the eyes of the leads.

That said, do NOT worry about being fired. Seriously. They do let people go every once in a while but it isn't common. I've seen other work from the last two people that were on the DS forums throwing tantrums about being let go and they were not good writers. As long as you focus on doing the best work you can and follow the style guidelines, you will be fine.

[CoffeeBound]

Kim, thanks for the name editing information. As for the rewrite, I was basically asked to start from scratch. It was for a Fact sheet and I could see the CE's side of it, so I rewrote it. Then it got rejected for not being specific enough to the topic, which I disagree with.

On a good note, all of my How-To articles have been accepted. LOL, I'll stick with what's working for me.

[ravenlea]

Does anyone know where to find free pictures for articles? I had one sent back today for a rewrite because they want a picture. SInce I don't have one and they don't say they reimburse for pictures, I want to find a free one to post. Any suggestions?

[joyce]

Originally Posted by ravenlea

Does anyone know where to find free pictures for articles? I had one sent back today for a rewrite because they want a picture. SInce I don't have one and they don't say they reimburse for pictures, I want to find a free one to post. Any suggestions?

Try Flickr.

[stldenise]

I find most of mine at flickr.com. It's a photo sharing site, so only grab photos with a Creative Commons license.

To find, type this: www.flickr.com/search/advanced

This will take you to advanced search, where you can scroll down and click that you want "creative commons" and "commercial use".

Also, when you pick out a photo to download you'll see thing in the upper right corner that says who the uploader is...if this is not a full name, then click the name. This will take you to the person's photostream. Now look for the profile (listed under the photographer's flickr user name) and click. This should give the photographer's real name, if they're willing to share it. I prefer to list a photographer by their real name in the credits, it looks a little wierd when I credit a photo to "fluffy tomato gal" or something stupid.

[Angie]

Originally Posted by ravenlea

Does anyone know where to find free pictures for articles? I had one sent back today for a rewrite because they want a picture. SInce I don't have one and they don't say they reimburse for pictures, I want to find a free one to post. Any suggestions?

They gave you a rewrite for a photo? I thought photos were optional.

[inkkognito]

Try freedigitalphotos.net, sxc.hu, Wikimedia Commons and Microsoft Office clipart/photos.

Was it mandatory or just a suggestion? I've had rewrites where it was actually just a suggestion from the CE rather than a requirement (although I usually end up making a change based on that they say, even if it's optional, because sometimes they have good ideas).

[joyce]

Originally Posted by inkkognito

Try freedigitalphotos.net, sxc.hu, Wikimedia Commons and Microsoft Office clipart/photos.

Was it mandatory or just a suggestion? I've had rewrites where it was actually just a suggestion from the CE rather than a requirement (although I usually end up making a change based on that they say, even if it's optional, because sometimes they have good ideas).

I've started adding them to all my articles the past couple of months. I didn't get rewrites but I did notice on several of my articles a couple months back that the CE made a comment that I should have at least had a picture of something on my article. I know it says they are optional but I thought I might get a lower rating when judged by the powers that be now that we are supposed to be rated.

[ravenlea]

thanks denise - I'll head over there now and look around

ink - I'm thinking it is mandatory, becuase it is the only reason they sent the article back. No comment on anything else, just "This needs a photo"

I also got another back today (I swear they are out to get me this morning!) that just says "This needs references" The problem is, the knowledge comes all from me and 6 years experience of breeding dogs and dealing with puppies. I didn't go to any sites. Can I get away with saying that or do I have to search for something that I can put down as a reference even if I didn't use it?

[inkkognito]

Originally Posted by ravenlea

I also got another back today (I swear they are out to get me this morning!) that just says "This needs references" The problem is, the knowledge comes all from me and 6 years experience of breeding dogs and dealing with puppies. I didn't go to any sites. Can I get away with saying that or do I have to search for something that I can put down as a reference even if I didn't use it?

I remember reading somewhere that we can use our own expertise. I do that sometimes for counseling topics and make a note in the Comments. So far i haven't had one bounced, although I usually do try to find one other reference too.

[joyce]

Originally Posted by inkkognito

I remember reading somewhere that we can use our own expertise. I do that sometimes for counseling topics and make a note in the Comments. So far i haven't had one bounced, although I usually do try to find one other reference too.

I try to add at least one reference regardless of my expertise. I also make a statement about my experience in the notes to editor section.

[inkkognito]

Woo hoo! I just found out that I won second place in the Revenue Share contest. That means I get a Kindle 2. The irony is, when I did a ton of Rev Shares, I wasn't actually trying to win the contest. I was going for the additional bonus $$ that were offered during that period. That contest was a great idea...I hope DS does something like that again in the future.

[ravenlea]

congrats Barb! How great! I didn't even bother to try. Glad to here someone won something

I sent back the article that they wanted references on letting them know my expertise and that I looked for references (which I did) but found nothing that wasn't a forum. I couldn't find any professional advice on the web - at least not on that specific topic. I guess they couldn't find anything either becuase they accepted it as is.

Has anyone else noticed there are a lot of $5 articles and hardly any for $15? Maybe it's just in what I look for.