Why is it that we writers often find ourselves at the bottom of the corporate food chain? It’s almost as if the world collectively decided that writing is some kind of frivolous hobby. It’s like stamp collecting, but without the hope of ever striking gold with a rare find falling into our hands. No, writing has somehow been relegated to the status of an underappreciated, undercompensated afterthought. Yet, it’s also heralded as one of the most crucial skills in any business today, twisted and ironic as that is.
Seriously, clear and proper communication is vital for any human being not looking to spend their days grunting like a caveman. Now, who are the gatekeepers of this all-important skill? That’s us writers. We are the unsung heroes of the business world, wielding our keyboards like broadswords in an ongoing battle against confusion, ambiguity, and the dreaded typographical errors. Yet, despite our noble efforts, we often find ourselves scraping by, receiving pennies on the dollar for what we’re worth. If this were any other profession, there would be riots in the streets. I’m surprised we haven’t seen more sternly worded open letters on the subject.
So, why do writers have so much trouble finding steady work these days? It’s not like people suddenly lost the ability to read — or did they? No, the truth is that people need writers as much as ever, especially those elusive ghostwriters who toil away in the shadows, making their clients sound far more eloquent than they ever could on their own. But while there are clients out there who truly value a writer’s skills and compensate them fairly, they are often outnumbered by those who think writing is something you can churn out like fast food. In today’s world, content must be cheap, quick, and ultimately unsatisfying, long as it generates revenue.
Writing might come easy to those of us who have honed the craft, but for many, it’s a real hassle. What might take me half an hour to draft could easily take someone else hours filled with frustration, self-doubt, and more caffeinated beverages than any human should consume. But writing is a skill, just like any other. Sure, some folks might have a bit more natural talent for it, but it’s the practice, the sheer devotion to the craft, that turns a decent writer into a great one. Honestly, if it were as easy as some people think, everyone would be doing it.
I’ll admit, there’s a certain thrill in knowing that something I wrote connected with someone, or better yet, convinced them to open their wallet. There’s a peculiar satisfaction in knowing that my words have a tangible impact, whether it’s getting someone to buy a product or simply making them think a little bit smarter. But make no mistake, writing takes a ton of both time and effort. While I’m fortunate enough to have been encouraged in my writing endeavors from a young, not everyone has that luxury. Some people need a good kick in the pants to get started.
For me, writing has become as natural as breathing. It’s a reflex, and perhaps, even a compulsion. As I’ve met more and more writers, I’ve noticed this writing reflex is a common affliction. We’re all a bit mad, it turns out. We write because we must, because the words build up inside us until they must come out. It’s a habit so deeply ingrained that without it, we’d probably be curled up in a corner somewhere, muttering about dangling participles and Oxford commas.
Still, there’s hope for us scribes yet. It seems that some businesses are finally catching on to the fact that they need more than just “marketing experts” who know how to game the system. Even the chatbots which might churn out decent sounding copy aren’t going to cut it in an ever more cynical and distrustful online world. Yes, they need actual writers who know how to connect with people. Imagine that! As the search engines get smarter, the need for well-crafted, human-centered content is more important than ever. So, guess what? That’s where we come in and save the day!
The ever-growing demands of content marketing means that there’s a growing need for skilled writers, especially those of us who don’t have fancy degrees but do have a knack for saying things that people actually want to read. We’re ready and willing to crowd-source, to collaborate, and to create. But, come on, for the love of all that is good and holy, we’d just like to be paid fairly for our work.
So, here’s the deal, fellow writers: stop selling yourselves short. Don’t churn out 1,000-word articles for the price of a cup of coffee. That kind of content, when done well, can be worth its weight in gold. You must value it properly, especially when you consider the long-term value your work brings to clients. Good writing isn’t just about filling space; it’s about creating something that engages audiences and gets shared to many others. Slowly but surely, more of the world is waking up to that fact.
It turns out that sometimes, the best content comes from writers who aren’t steeped in the industry they’re writing about. We bring fresh perspectives, new ideas, and a bit of that writerly magic that those too close to the subject might miss. So, if we’re paid fairly, who knows what kind of brilliance we might be inspired to whip up on demand. After all, we’re going to be writing anyway; others might as well benefit from it.
Writing isn’t easy. It’s hard work, dedication, and practice. Above all, it’s fueled by passion—the kind that keeps us up at night, scribbling down ideas or typing away furiously while the rest of the world sleeps. We writers constantly expand our knowledge, infusing everything we create with all that we’ve learned, all in the hopes that it will make a difference to someone, somewhere.
So, here’s the challenge: let’s set the market straight. Let’s prove to people that our skills are worth far more than they’re currently valued. We don’t just sit around all day typing away for fun, although it’s fun. We do it because we love to create, and yes, we’d like to make a fair living from it. We’re ready and willing to work, and we’re more than capable of delivering something amazing. Just give us the chance.
~ Amelia Desertsong
