$85 Outrage: The Media Exploits Itself, Too

I usually don't discuss my business here except to point to various pieces I've done. But the email I received this morning steamed me up so much, I just need to tip myself over and pour it out.

It came from Sweatshop Operator Jaime Fowler, an editor for something called SheKnows.Com, which was, according to Sweatshop Operator Jaime Fowler's email signature, "voted the No. 1 Women's Website In the World." Now we know this is either a fictional or manipulated poll because SheKnows.Com and VegasHappensHere.Com have about the same significance to Google:


Knowing the data for my site and seeing this from Google Page Rank, I'm thinking this boast on SheKnows.Com's site...


...might be a little dishonest. Y'know?

So, anyhow, Sweatshop Operator Jaime Fowler sends this note:

Hi Steve,

I recently contacted the City of Las Vegas looking for a freelance writer to work with me on the new SheKnows CityGuide. [PUBLICIST NAME REDACTED, BUT IT WAS ACTUALLY SOMEONE FROM THE LVCVA, NOT THE CITY] forwarded me your information so I wanted to touch base with you and see if you would be interested in working with me.

The CityGuide is a themed guide of the Top 10 “places” in each city. For a CityGuide assignment, you would include 10 places in your area, addresses and descriptions of each place. Each description should be around 100-125 word. A photos is also required. You would also need to include a brief introduction of your city. The rate is $85 per guide. We will be doing a lot of guides in the next few months so there is an opportunity for this to be an ongoing project.

Here is an example of a great description:

[OVERWRITTEN, BANAL EXAMPLE REDACTED]

Let me know if this is something you would be interested in doing. I look forward to working with you! Have a great day!

Now, I don't know how many of you have seen this YouTube video, but it's not just hilarious but the role of the robot editor for this performance will be played by Sweatshop Operator Jaime Fowler:

I re-read Sweatshop Operator Jaime Fowler's note several times to make sure I got it. She wants at least 1,000 words, plus 10 photos, plus an introduction all for the bargain basement price of... 8,500 pennies! And, psst, there's more where that came from!

I wrote Sweatshop Operator Jaime Fowler back:

While I appreciate that [VERY NICE PUBLICIST NAME REDACTED AGAIN] thought of me, pay of $85 for 1,000 words is offensive. Please contact an amateur. I'm sure there's some incompetent, desperate fool out there who would do it, but damned if I'm going to help someone so exploitative find him/her.

The trouble is, there actually are writers -- and not terrible ones, either -- so desperate that they'll do this. And I probably should've bit my tongue. But I just found it so outrageous I wanted to make sure everyone in Vegas and the rest of the freelance journalism world knew about Sweatshop Operator Jaime Fowler and this ridiculous racket of a website that believes journalists and their experience are worth significantly less than minimum wage. If you actually have ever heard of that site and/or read it, this is your warning that the information is probably going to be worth about as much as they paid for it.