Sane or Insane?
I think I’ve hit upon the key indicator that helps new freelancer writers determine if the advertisement they’re reading is from a “real” employer or a slimeball. It’s the Sanity Factor.
Saw an ad on Craig’s List yesterday that made me realize that we had the answer to this age-old mystery all along. We just needed to explore it a bit. This “ad”, for lack of a better term, was actually a response from said “employer”, who had posted an ad asking for (you guessed it) free help in exchange for future profits. Oh, if I had a nickel for every time a man’s said that to me! Anyway, this response was to a writer who was apparently fluffed up about the original posting enough to tell the employer to stop wasting everyone’s time with crap ads and to post only if he’s willing to pay what the writer is worth. I know – strong words – but don’t you admire this guy just a little for having the kahonas to do it?
It was the response that exposed the “employer” for what he was. First off, it was apparent the alleged employer was a potty mouth. He seemed to prefer using words that started with the sixth letter of the alphabet. His response was anything but happy. In fact, I’d label it a surly little diatribe. In it, he told writers to “get a life” to get off his “f”-ing case, and to stop whining because he was willing to give the successful writer one-third of his profits in the business. (Yet since nothing split three ways is easy to figure out, this didn’t seem like a huge bargain) He finished the tantrum with a curt apology for using the “f word” (which made me giggle to see him suddenly censoring himself so late in the game) and added “but I doubt any of you are offended by it, anyway.” What have we learned, children? An apology with a “but” attached is not a real apology. So, I’m left to think this alleged employer really didn’t mean it. But he wrote it as though he wanted us “losers” who needed to get “real jobs” to believe it.
So, class. Can anyone spot the glaring reason why we know this is not a real employer? Hands? Yes, you’ve guessed it. A real employer would not respond to any criticism in such a profound way. In fact, a real employer would take the high road. Why, you’d be lucky to hear from the real employer no matter what. If you set the real employer’s car on fire, you might hear from him, but only through HR.
See, the real employer uses a tactic known as Sanity. A real employer understands that the plan set forth will not be acceptable to all, and that his efforts are best spent on those who are willing to accept the plan as written, or those who offer sound alternatives. Those who gripe and grumble are those who may find themselves uninvited to staff meetings. The real employer does not respond to dissension with anything more than a recitation of company policy.
So you see, class, those reading Craig’s List yesterday were witnessing an epiphany-type moment. It’s when the readers realized that the Sanity Factor didn’t apply to the alleged employer; therefore, they knew without question that the job posting was a load of crap. And I’m sure as many were hitting the “Spam” button, they were reminiscing about all the alleged employers before them, and by golly, they may have been thanking the alleged employer in question for making it much easier to spot the loser ads.
Good blog, Lori!
Personally, most of the jobs I see listed on Craig’s List are lacking in some way, particularly the pay aspect. I get annoyed by those “we can’t pay you much, but…” ads that tell you right away that this person does not value our profession.
As far as Mr. Potty Mouth goes, he should show some restraint. Actually, I am glad he exposed himself for what he really is. Kudos to the CL poster for calling him on it!
Well, I suppose it’s no secret that I admire anyone who calls out bogus buyers/clients. My blog wouldn’t exist if I didn’t! LOL I’d love to see a link to the entire exchange, just for the entertainment value alone. Oh yeah, and it seems there’s always a “but” when you’re dealing with a less than on-the-up client. Dead giveaway.