Would You Use a Job Auction Site to Find Work?

I’m puzzled. A large group of writers frown down on job auction sites, and I’m not quite sure why. It’s probably another symptom of the Great Divide, the canyon that separates writers who prioritize work and writers who prioritize art.

• Some say that job auction sites are for small-time writers.
• Some feel the auction sites only offer cheap work and low rates.
• Some believe that auction sites are a rip-off, charging writers money with no guarantee of gigs.
• Some feel that auction sites don’t cater to the very people that keep them alive: the service providers.
• Some believe that auction sites are beneath them and that using them shows they can’t get work elsewhere.

I disagree with all those statements. Does it matter where you get work as long as you’re working and earning a fair rate? Who says that auction sites equal low-quality providers? There are just as many poor writers applying to ads on Craiglist or cold-calling webmasters.

And what’s wrong with paying someone to centralize clients with jobs on a board open for bidding? With all the promotion of outsourcing going on, does it not make sense to pay someone to save you time? Why would these boards not take a fee for their troubles?

I do know that some providers don’t use job auction sites because of fear. They fear their writer peers will look down on them. They fear their peers will see their rates and laugh or gasp in shock. They fear being labeled. They fear ridicule.

They fear the Great Divide.

It’s clear that there are some terrible job auction sites out there. It’s true that the better ones still have issues or irritations. There’s no argument there.

But what is it about job auction sites that sets writers’ teeth on edge or makes them look down their noses? What is it about writers that make some hide their identity on job auction sites to be able to freely bid for work?

I counseled someone to do just that, recently. He had mentioned having trouble finding work and wanted my advice before he decided to give up on being a writer. I was surprised – the writer is a brilliant one already and with more potential in store.

But competition is stiff and it can be extremely difficult to get a steady full-time income going. Harry and I put in a good deal of effort and time to have the successful six-figure business we have now. Had we been alone trying to achieve the same, we probably would have each given up.

“Get a membership on an auction site,” I suggested. “Nothing big or fancy, but get something.” I mentioned the costs and the risks involved. I also mentioned that I knew there was work and potential.

Then I added another bit of advice. “Create a profile just for the boards,” I suggested. The writer had an active, growing blog. “Keep it to yourself. Don’t let your peers know about the profile.”

Here I was, encouraging the perception that having a profile on a job auction site is a shameful thing. And yet, I believe differently. I think there is nothing at all wrong with job auction sites and I agree with their use. I know many writers who have successful businesses and earn good income from them.

So what is it? What am I missing? Why do some writers not condone job auction sites? Why are they not more encouraging of their peers’ effort to land steady work? Why is there a Great Divide, and why do I believe one thing but say another?

Let me ask this: Would you use a job auction site shamelessly and proudly? And if not, why?

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