Are you a blogger interested in politics? Do you have low self-esteem, a desire to be micromanaged, and at the same time be provided with almost no set goals or metrics to determine if you’re meeting expectations? Well then, “one of America’s most prominent news organizations” wants you to come blog for them. For $50 a week.
Exactly what that week entails, mind you, they (at best) don’t know or (more likely) won’t say, since there’s no definition of how many posts or words they expect you to put in or what kind of editorial guidance will or will not be exercised.
Normally I don’t ascribe more complicated motives to something when stupidity and/or incompetence will explain something, but in this case this seems to be a complete lack of respect or understanding of what’s involved in blogging. I think a lot of people in media understand that blogging is very different than traditional journalism and that doesn’t make it worse OR better, but this sure seems like a group of people who think we’re just hack chumps desperate to give it away. How else do you explain the arrogance of this line: “Most bloggers toil away for free, but 50 bucks buys your lunch for a week and the major network affiliation gives you exposure.”
Wow, thanks. Is that part of your negotiating tactic with TV news anchors? Oh, you get to BE ON TV, isn’t that payment enough?
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
Well I used to say something in my profile about not quite being a “tinker, tailor, soldier, or spy” but Tom stole that for our about us page, so I guess I’ll have to find another way to express that I am a man of many interests.
Hmm, guess I just did.
My tastes run the gamut from sophomoric to Shakespeare and in my “professional” life I’ve sold things, served beer, written software, and carried heavy objects… sometimes at the same place. It’s that range of loves and activities that makes it so easy for me to love DC – we’ve got it all.
