Ask the cubicle expat: Should I pay for one of those fancypants subscription-based freelance-gig websites?

One of the students in a class I recently taught asked: I have a question about a particular subscription-based website that lists editorial freelance projects. I have not joined (it costs $29.99 a month to do so), but they regularly send me emails about jobs about which I’d receive detailed information and would be able to pursue if I joined. Some sound legitimate (proofreading, editing), some not so legit (work-from-home typing jobs). Should I turn and run in the opposite direction and never look back? Or is this a service that would be worth shelling out $29.99 monthly — especially at a time when I’m trying to make money, not spend it?

I answered: That’s a pretty steep fee. I would want to get a sample or just commit to one month at a time if I was going to sign up for that website. But I’m not a fan of such sites and services, unless you’ve already exhausted all your own personal and professional networks, can’t get a freelance gig through one of the many creative agencies around the world, and scoured all the free freelance job listings you can find on the web (PublishersLunch, Mediabistro, and the like). But I would think any of those methods would pay off, possibly much better than a job site you have to pay for.

Such subscription services are likely culling their listings from free sites anyway, and even if they are all legit listings, you’ll have to compete with freelancers worldwide for gigs you have no personal “in” with. You also may have to bid on projects you know little to nada about, which is a bit like herding cats, shooting fish in a barrel, or any other elusive-animal cliche. In other words, I think there are better ways to spend $360/year. I also think you have to be very wary of any service that finds its way into your inbox unsolicited but promises you fame and fortune in exchange for your hard-earned cash.

That said, FreelanceSuccess is a similar service for non-fiction writers that has been around for years and used to be very reputable; it’s $89/year and has been since its inception. You can get a sample issue from the site to see what sort of listings they provide. I have no affiliation with the site but was impressed with the service when it first began a few years back, initially as an email newsletter. I haven’t checked out their offerings in a few years, just so you know.

Note: Anyone else with suggestions/warnings about such sites and services is welcome to post them in the comments below, none of which should be taken as an endorsement or critique by yours truly.

3 comments November 16th, 2007