Bidding For Writing Projects and Globalization
Word reached me this morning of another site set up to accept bids from writers, editors, translators and the like – bids for work. It’s called BidFreelancers.com and it’s based in India. The English is, well, Indian. As near as I can tell, although freelance writers, editors and translators are part of the plan, the emphasis is on programmers. But they do have a selection of jobs that, at least in theory, would interest readers of this blog.
I say in theory because the budgets posted by employers are low by U.S. standards. Since it’s a bidding site, the pay will only go lower. Of course, if you live in India or Romania, the pay is probably quite decent.
Those of you who follow this blog know I’m opposed to bidding on writing projects, particularly when the bid amounts are posted. But that begs the whole question of global markets.
When I try to think about globalization, the optimist in me sees a world where everyone receives a true living wage. Of course, if that is to happen, it’s far in the future. It’s the transition that impacts us now, and it’s not always pretty. Most of us won’t be too badly hurt because most of us are native English speakers, which seems to be what the world wants.
I don’t have any solutions; I’m not even sure I’m asking the right questions. There are huge issues, ranging from pay to the environment with everything in between. The ancient Chinese blessing and curse, may you be born in interesting times certainly applies to all of us.
Write well and often,
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Tags: bid, editors, freelance-writing, globalization, pay, writersRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Business of Freelance Writing, Musings From A Freelance Writer
1 opinion for Bidding For Writing Projects and Globalization
Bhaswati
Dec 31, 2006 at 3:38 am
Good writers, irrespective of their nationalities, will not look to bidding sites to get work. I am not aware of the site you mentioned, but places like GetAFreelancer, too, offer ridiculous amounts like $1 per article. That’s not “decent” even in India! I believe the world is becoming more and more receptive to good writing, without caring about the writer’s native language. English isn’t my first language, but that hasn’t been a deterrent as far as my freelance writing career is concerned.
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