Fun With Portfolio Builders
January 23, 2008 by Deborah Ng
Filed under Entertainment
Back in the day when having our work published meant something, we carried our clips with pride. Even some of the lower paying newspapers and magazines still offered some form of prestige. Lately it seems as if the words "new magazine" go hand in hand with "no pay." See, back in the day a hopeful editor sought backing before taking on an endeavor. It would never occur to him to staff his magazine with free labor.
So why has this become a trend?
Start-Up Magazine Seeks Writers and Editors
Reply to: writeformylameassmagazine@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-01-20, 11:38PM ESTStart-up magazine seeks students and/or individuals who are seeking to build their writing portfolio. We are looking for writers and editors who are talented, passionate and dedicated. The magazine is a lifestyle magazine whose target audience is between the ages of 20 and 35 years old. The departments include health and fitness, fashion and shopping, beauty, relationships, interviews, and entertainment.
Due to the fact that this is a new magazine, there is no pay. However, as stated earlier, this is the perfect opportunity to build your portfolio with published work. As the magazine grows, so too will the opportunities for pay. This is also an excellent opportunity to assist in the development of a magazine publication from the ground up.
If interested in writing for us, please copy and paste your resume, cover letter and writing sample in the body of the email for consideration. Indicate the position for which you are applying in the subject line.
Sincerely,
Phaedra Hairston
Founder/ Editor-in-Chief
- Compensation: credit
- Telecommuting is ok.
I can understand taking a pay cut to appear in print but the above ad offers no prestige. Writing credit isn’t compensation. Starting up a magazine for no money isn’t a benefit, it’s slave labor. Plus, this magazine doesn’t have a slant. It’s no different that about a zillion other failed publications meaning it’s not going to get very far. Folks, if you’re starting up a magazine, don’t do so unless you’re sure you can pay the people who will make it all happen. If you can’t afford to pay your writers do it yourself. This isn’t a resume builder. It’s not a credit or portfolio builder and it’s not an excellent opportunity. It’s ass.
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you.
Aaron Wakling
I’m always amazed at the number of “portfolio builders” listed on Craig’s List. Yes, I get it that you’re a start-up and have no money…but let’s not pretend that your name means anything to my future clients.
Thanks for posting this CG. I wrote her and here’s the response I got:
You are absolutely right about the fact that writers should get paid for their work and I appreciate your thoughts and opinions. However, people participate in unpaid internships daily so the concept of not getting payment for work is not one that I invented. This obviously is not the job for you so you do not have to apply. No one is forcing you, nor even asking you, to work with us. Have a wonderful day and I wish you the best in your professional endeavors!
Sincerely,
Phaedra Hairston
My comment to this would be the ad did NOT say it was an internship, nor was it posted under VOLUNTEER WORK.
Amen, brother! I’m glad there is someone on our side. When I first got into writing I thought you had to “pay your dues” with this kind of crap before you got paying jobs. If I didn’t get lucky I might have still been doing these “exposure” jobs.