It's official...

BBailey182 · #1 01-23-2002, 09:00 PM

Any financial gain from writing epinions is about gone.

No, I'm not an editor or anything -- just like to write up reviews of books after I'm done with them. (Since I concentrate on sports books, and there aren't many book reviews on that area out there, it's something of a public service.) The last time around, I'd say 20 to 25 people (mostly members) read each review.

My income share was about four cents for each review. Ouch.

I know the old way was bringing epinions to the poor house, but this has gotten pretty bad.

I've already given up movie reviews. In order to get a very helpful rating, one has to write a very, very long review that probably would warrant $50 in a professional publication ... and I'm not going get anything close to that. (A mere 6-to-8 paragraph review, telling the reader if the movie is worthwhile, usually doesn't stand out enough any more to get a very helpful.)

I'll keep writing the book reviews, mostly because they go with my web site. But this sure isn't as much fun as it used to be. Anyone have similar thoughts?

Thanks.

Cynon · #2 01-23-2002, 10:39 PM

Yup your right you can't make money with epinions or at least not much. It doesn't really bug me though, I knew that I had no chance of making money from epinions before I heard about all these changes, because I live outside of the U.S (100$ is a lot to raise) and because I'm not a heavy writer. But that's ok because I write for fun, not for money, and I always get a great felling when I see someone has read one of my reviews.

What does bug me is that epinions still heavily advertises the fact you can make big bucks on there site with all the ads, when at the same time epinion’s reps have publicly stated that epinions is not a place to make money. I think they should either raise their monthly IS or stop with all the "Know about something, then why don't you write about it and make money" ads and start being more honest with the public (especially towards new writers).

Anyways I think most people here have felt your frustration towards the payment changes at epinions, but unfortunately nothing positive can really happen with IS until epinions has a more generous attitude towards its writers and if they suddenly receive a huge cash influx.

Rob

kurt_messick · #3 01-24-2002, 02:00 PM

I think Epinions is trying to get people used to making no money so that, if there ever is a great cash influx, they'll keep it to themselves.

Cynon · #4 01-24-2002, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kurt_messick
I think Epinions is trying to get people used to making no money so that, if there ever is a great cash influx, they'll keep it to themselves.

You are probably right kurt, I know if I was running a business I'd do that if I knew I could pull it off. I'm just not sure they will have the number of writers needed to maintain the site if they do elliminate all the money, but who knows people have done stranger things for no money I guess. I know I'll be writting either way so I guess there's still some fools out there willing to work for free hehe.

Rob

poseidon · #5 01-25-2002, 01:22 AM

Figuring that they've lost most of the original gang who wrote for them and put in so much effort, it isn't surprising.

Jeff
who doesn't write for Epinions anymore

kurt_messick · #6 01-25-2002, 09:35 AM

People are writing for pearlsoup.com for free. They keep growing and growing. Of course, they've only been in operation for a few months (since Nov. 1) and have already begun experiencing 'veteran' people dropping off.

JamesBond_007 · #7 01-27-2002, 04:58 PM

Yeah, it's pretty rediculous how little we get paid. I know some people that used to make $5-10.00 per month and now make barely $1.00. It's pretty sad. They should get off income share all together and just do base eroyalties. One penny for EVERY page view. It's the only fair way to compensate us.

You're right when you say a good movie review could get $50.00 if not more from a real publication.

One penny per page view couldn't possibly be too expensive for a site that has massive advertising. Perhaps they should promote the site more, there's virtually no advertising. They should also reinstate the content partner program and bonuses for referring members.

Just my thoughts. We need a revolution to see these changes though. Something on the scale of the EBD revolt.

007

nicholmere · #8 01-27-2002, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JamesBond_007
Yeah, it's pretty rediculous how little we get paid. I know some people that used to make $5-10.00 per month and now make barely $1.00. It's pretty sad. They should get off income share all together and just do base eroyalties. One penny for EVERY page view. It's the only fair way to compensate us.

You're right when you say a good movie review could get $50.00 if not more from a real publication.

One penny per page view couldn't possibly be too expensive for a site that has massive advertising. Perhaps they should promote the site more, there's virtually no advertising. They should also reinstate the content partner program and bonuses for referring members.

Just my thoughts. We need a revolution to see these changes though. Something on the scale of the EBD revolt.

007

Epinions has made it clear that they are no longer a site where the writers can expect substantial, if any, financial compensation for their work. Members who wish to continue to write for Epinions should do it for the pleasure of writing quality product reviews.

JamesBond_007 · #9 01-27-2002, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Epinions has made it clear that they are no longer a site where the writers can expect substantial, if any, financial compensation for their work. Members who wish to continue to write for Epinions should do it for the pleasure of writing quality product reviews. [/b]

I understand that. It's unfortunate though that we make mere pennies, if that, while the corporate executives of the company make many thousands.

Hmm...kind of brings to mind sweat shops, child labor, and the like. But I guess we should "continue to write...for the pleasure of writing" just as Mexican, Chinese, and thousands of others should work for the pleasure of working?

I'm just trying to make a point - not an argument. I understand your point of view, however, I disagree.

007

nicholmere · #10 01-27-2002, 11:06 PM

I've jumbled your quotes a bit just cause I wanted to get to the last part first.

Quote:

Originally posted by JamesBond_007

I understand your point of view, however, I disagree.

Disagree with which part? That "Epinions has made it clear that they are no longer a site where the writers can expect substantial, if any, financial compensation for their work " or that " Members who wish to continue to write for Epinions should do it for the pleasure of writing quality product reviews.

If it is the first part then I can provide the quote (I think it's in one of the three recent chat transcripts) from Epinions where they have stated that Epinions is no longer a site for writers to make money. If it is the second part you disagree with then what should be the goal of a member who wishes to continue to write for Epinions (given that the first part of my statement is true)? With the money gone there are many members trying to decide why they should stay.

Quote:

Originally posted by JamesBond_007
I understand that. It's unfortunate though that we make mere pennies, if that, while the corporate executives of the company make many thousands.

Based on first hand experience I agree that the writers are making pennies. What information do you have on the salaries of the staff of Epinions. Last I heard they were still a business that was losing money. Check out Nirav's post in this thread. I certainly expect the Epinions staff to make more than the writers, after all they are employees working, I assume, full time if not longer hours.

Quote:

Originally posted by JamesBond_007
Hmm...kind of brings to mind sweat shops, child labor, and the like. But I guess we should "continue to write...for the pleasure of writing" just as Mexican, Chinese, and thousands of others should work for the pleasure of working?

Writing a good review can be difficult at times, but I wouldn't compare it to working in a sweat shop or child labour. Also, of course, with Epinions a member is free to write or not, to stay or to leave, ... etc. There may well be places who are willing and able to pay for reviews, but unfortunately Epinions just doesn't seem to be one of them right now.

You're not alone in your wishes that Epinions paid more (anything!), many others frequently express the same view in this forum, but I think for Epinions to succeed as a business then the members who want Epinions to succeed need to work with Epinions to find a viable solution. Unfortunately paying out more to the writers is unlikely to generate more income for Epinions, and, I assume, more income is what Epinions needs right now in order to succeed.