1. The pay is super low (I’m a level 4), but when you consider that I spend no time looking for the job or communicating with the client, it is roughly equivalent to making at least twice the pay rate on a comparable job.

2. Although the subjects sometimes require research, the clients seem to want rather superficial work. I can usually scan a wikipedia article and write a 500 word article in less than a half hour. Again, it’s not a great rate of pay, but those $6 articles add up if I spend a day writing them, it’s enough money to pay for a trip to the grocery store or a textbook for med school.

I’ve never had a complaint from textbroker or the clients, and my pay varies from $100 to $800 a month. I prefer other sources of writing income, but textbroker is always waiting in the wings when I need an extra buck.

After pontificating on how you should make sure to proofread and edit your work, I noticed all sorts of typos and grammatical faux pas in my comment. That’s what I get for typing in a hurry.

Perhaps you can learn a lesson from me: Your daily mantra should be “review thy work before clicking the SUBMIT button!”

I knew I could count on you for a great response!

Writing for Textbroker has not been easy. All the direct orders that I receive are complex topics (financial, investment, current events, and nutritional). The clients expect well researched articles with lots of statistical data that support the theme. These types of articles, my friends, are not something that you can write between 30 and 60 minutes. I have to dig deep and wide for reliable and credible sources, synthesize the information, and write in an easy-to-understand, friendly article.

I’ve also had to work hard at establishing a professional relationship with the clients. I’ve asked my clients for the sites where I might be able to view my articles – some have provided links, others have simply ignored the request. However, those who have ignored the request have come back with very specific instructions detailing the style guidelines and target audience.

This is all to say that if you write well, clients will find you. But you have to first write quality Open Orders. If the article is well written, the client may decide to keep you on retainer for future articles.This is where you have to leverage all your writing skills and business acumen. When you write for direct orders, you must keep the communication open with the client. This is the true sense of being a freelance writer – you’re ultimately working for a “live” person who has very specific needs and demands.

My advice is to make every article count, ensure that it’s the best piece that you can put forth, and ruthlessly edit and proofread your work. Some clients are serious about their Web sites and expect nothing less than premium work. The only downside is that you lose your byline and rights. But, you are sharpening those writing skills and you can also use the articles as samples in your portfolio for those assignments that will give you the byline.

In conclusion, Textbroker has been responsive to any concerns or problems I’ve had, including a recent shutdown of servers last Friday. They’ve been paying out what I’ve earned on the account, so this lends some legitimacy to the company and I actually get someone to reply to my emails.

Remember, just because it’s an online content provider doesn’t mean you can write quick and dirty. Your work and integrity is the only thing you have to trade on, so you need to keep it up to snuff.

Sheesh, that was long-winded but it need to be said.