Freelance Writers, Webmasters: Why some are Hateful
Freelance Writing February 25th, 2008Over the past few months, I have noticed more and more freelance writers and webmasters taking shots at one another. Generally speaking, I notice this in two places.
First off, I usually get a couple of emails per week from fellow freelance writers or webmasters who do not like me for one reason or the next. Some of the mail is downright funny, but other times, there are accusations and threats that are out of this world. Obviously, there is no place for this in the freelance writing world; or any other industry for that matter. From all of these emails, I have come to the conclusion that most of these people are simply jealous.
Moving on, if you check out forums such as Digital Point, you will notice the same thing. There are a lot of members who do nothing more than lurk around the forums waiting to shoot down other people, as well as their ideas and dreams. Once again, it is only a small group of people who act like this, but all in all, it can be annoying to say the least. It is people like this who scare away those who have legitimate questions and concerns.
Personally, I feel that the best way to deal with people like this is to simply ignore them. When I get an email stating that my freelance writing income is nothing special, there is no point in writing back. Simply put, I run my career the way that I best see fit, and use this blog as a way to help others.
It always amazes me that some people feel better by tearing others down. If you are being targeted by these jealous types, make sure that you do not get down on yourself. Instead, laugh it off and move on. You are not going to better your career by dealing with people like this!
February 25th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Personally, I think this problem exist in every profession. You try to succeed, and other people try to stop you because they are either jealous or simply just want to be a pain.
You are right, ignoring them is the best option!
February 26th, 2008 at 7:05 am
I call it the cyber bully effect and those people are just losers who get off at putting others down. They are not worth my energy and neither should they be yours.
You have better fish to fry Chris.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Chris
I believe your blog is great. Fantastic infact. I have no idea why people would wish to write emails criticising you. If you think freelance writing is bad, you should try medicine - catty behaviour rules!
I find mainstream journalists are often rather critical of me. Well, I suspect its because I am the one who got fed up with them and went off and set up our own website. I find a lot of journalists are simply quite judgmental. Part of the business I suspect.
Anyway, I love your blog - I read it a lot. Its a brilliant resource.
Dr Rita Pal
http://www.nhsexposed.com
http://www.nhsexposedblog.blogspot.com
February 26th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Chris
I know what you are talking about, especially at Digital Point and such sites. I’ve had my share of experiences!
I think it just shows the insecurity of those people. Most of the ones who constantly complain and criticize are not really successful on the internet. They don’t want to do the work involved. Criticizing others give them the sense of security they need to convince themselves that they are somehow better.
But really…lets talk more about the writing business
Nadin
February 28th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Hey, if these mooks were making $5-7K a month, they’d appreciate the work that you obviously put into it, and they’d never take the time away from their work to write anything but an appreciation or an encouragement. As easy as it is for these skells to type their garbage, it’s just as easy to send them down the delete chute.