DotNet magazine columnist Gary Marshall has hit out at websites that “exploit” unpaid content contributors in exchange for exposure.

Comparing this growing trend to venues that charge wannabe bands to play in front of their friends, he says sites offering writers “an ideal chance to showcase your talent” are a complete waste of time.

“These are not training positions, where you’re swapping your labour for skills you’ll be able to use in the future,” says Marshall. “These are not charity efforts where you forfeit your fee to help the greater good. And these are not profile builders, where you offer your expertise in order to put your name in front of movers and shakers.

“These are positions where you’re expected to contribute in exchange for absolutely nothing: publication in lieu of wages.

“Writing for a pale imitation of a mainstream magazine where nobody appears to understand how to design, edit or write will not advance your career. The result of your effort will carry no more weight than an Amazon review, a Flickr comment or a Facebook update. It’s not exposure, it’s exploitation.”

(Source: DotNet Magazine)

This article appears in issue 256 of Media Digest.

No related posts.