The Death of an Internet Writer

Content Warehousing Sites

Jan 10, 2009 KC Morgan

It's pretty safe to say that without content, there would be no search engines. There would be no Internet. So why are content warehousing sites killing Internet writers?

Think freelance writing online is the answer to comfortable self employment? Thanks to a hot new Internet trend, those days could be long gone. Internet content is slowly pushing print media out of the limelight, and now Internet content is slowly pushing writers out of the picture, too. Why are content warehousing sites killing off Internet writers?

The importance of search engines and keyword-driven content makes Internet writers very, very important. Every Web site needs great content to get traffic, and writers who know how to write with SEO in mind can become a hot commodity. Or at least…they were. Now, content warehousing sites are changing everything about freelance online writing. Could this be the death of Internet writers?

Content Warehousing Sites

What are content warehousing sites? Because keyword-rich content is so necessary and so popular on the Internet, many Web sites have learned that content itself is a commodity. Where once Web sites sought out actual writers to create their unique content, now these sites can turn to online content warehouses instead.

Here’s how it works: a Web site dedicates itself to collecting content from persons all over the Web. The site sounds a cattle call, often placing ads, which tell all and sundry that they, too, can become Internet writers with ease. The content warehousing site pays the writer in question a very small amount for each article - a few dollars for each. Next, the content warehousing site advertises their services to other Web sites, offering great, keyword-rich content at bargain prices. The content warehouse sells these articles for more than what the writer of the content was paid. The Web site buying the content never has to contact, hire or deal with a writer. The content warehousing site creates a simple online registration that anyone can complete, sits back and collects content from freelance Internet writers who are simply desperate to receive any sort of paycheck for their words.

The writer of the content becomes much less important as a whole, and the content warehousing site starts to clean up financially. In some cases, the writer’s name isn’t even displayed once the content is purchased by another site. For the thrill of a few dollars and seeing their words online at least once, Internet writers contribute to their own demise…and undersell the service they’re offering.

The Death of Internet Writers

It isn’t the content warehousing sites that have cheapened the value of Internet content - it’s the writers themselves. The valuable service they supply has now become a marketing tactic for Web sites which want to make money without actually doing any writing (or hiring any writers of their own). If they could, these content sites would eliminate writers completely.

If Internet writers are willing to sell their services for less, they’ll be paid less…and in turn, all writers will be financially affected.

The copyright of the article The Death of an Internet Writer in Self-Employment is owned by KC Morgan. Permission to republish The Death of an Internet Writer in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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Jan 14, 2009 9:02 PM

Guest :

Yes, there are many writers that are willing to work for a few dollars per article. However, websites will always need new content. There are tons of "article spinning" templates that claim to provide many different versions of the same article. But, those types of articles are crappy. Now, if one's only intention is to sell a crappy affiliate product, then those types of articles will probably fit the bill.

There are still webmasters that need and require quality content. As a result, good writers will always be in demand. Many of the writers that write for content warehousing sites are mediocre at best.

Personally, I do not see the death of the Internet Writer because there are different levels of Writers and different levels of websites. There is something to appease everyone. Webmasters know which levels they are marketing towards.

Until technology comes up with a better way to "spin" articles, writers will continue to work..... and yes, unfortunately, some for pennies.

Aug 3, 2009 11:24 AM

Rosemary Drisdelle :

As in all commodities, with internet content you get what you pay for. A writer who works for pennies has to put out a lot of content fast if they want to make any money - and it's mostly garbage. Websites that want well researched, well written content that makes them look professional won't settle for this warehoused drivel, and good writers won't bother producing quality content for that kind of money.

Oct 1, 2009 1:43 PM

Guest :

The reason article mills exist is due to the high demand for cheap writing from the US.

Non-US writers are all viewed in the same light i.e. we couldn't possibly be as good as US writers. I consider myself to be a good writer but US sources won't pay a fair price because I don't live in the US.

Just because I am forced to research and write very quickly does not mean I produce inferior work it means I have a strong will to survive and succeed.

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