Writer-to-Writer Warnings: SpokeMedia

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Welcome to our friendly writer to writer warning site. This site allows writers to warn others about clients who have not paid them for work done. The person that maintains this blog makes no claims to any validity of any of the statements made by others on this site. This is not a site where we pursue any legal action, and we intend no harm against anyone mentioned here. It is simply a place for writers to talk about clients that they have had who did not pay them for their work.

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If you are mentioned on this site, and you think that you have been misrepresented, PLEASE comment to explain to others the situation. This is a place for writers to leave their own experiences about what has happened to them. If you have worked with a writer that is angry with you and has posted your name here, PLEASE defend yourself! We seek to explore all of the options and we want to hear your side of the story!

What If A Scammer Approaches You For Work?

If someone listed on this site, or on others sites approaches you and asks you to do work, how should you answer? The polite way is to say "No, thank you" or simply not to reply to the email. BUT THIS WONT STOP THEM FROM SCAMMING!

The only way to make things like this blog work is to reply to them with the truth. Say, for instance, "I saw your name and email on a blog warning me about scammers. Because of that, I will work for you, but only on a pre-pay basis. You pay me first, and then I will do the work." The only way that we can stop these people is by making them aware that we all know what they are doing. Let them know upfront. Make them go to the trouble of changing their email addresses again and again again. It is one of the only things that we poor, unrepresented writers can do to try to stop it. Stand up for yourself. TELL them that you know they are a scammer.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

SpokeMedia

*this comes from the "scams" board at freelancewriting.com

SpokeMedia, who owns h2daily.com, duidaily.com, vaccinerx.com, timesharesdaily.com, identitytheftdaily.com has not paid for work done.

The writer did almost 600$ worth of work and has not been paid. Spoke Media cannot be contacted and does not reply to emails.

2 comments:

Leah said...: Hi, great blog. It would be very helpful though if you provided information on how writers can protect themselves from this happenning. Ie a simple contract, a partial non refundable fee up front, deadlines re communications etc. A good site to gain this information free is www.copywritersforum.com; August 27, 2007 at 1:09 PM
Blondie Writes - Pamela said...: If you check out articles scammers, ther is one way to protect yourself by using a water mark. My blog has all the information. www.articlescammers.blogspot.com; September 16, 2007 at 2:39 PM

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We are not seeking legal action. Nor do we seek to tarnish anyone's reputation as a freelance writer or a client. We give everyone a right to defend themselves, and we do not intentionally publish false information. We also believe that we are providing a service to writers who are working hard to make their money. All posts made on this site are simply one person's version of events. If you think this site is representing you falsely, please email us and let us know. The bottom line is that the writing world is just like any other world. If you pay your writers and keep up professional attitudes, you will have nothing to worry about. But even neglecting to pay 20$ for a set of articles is not going to be tolerated. Small amounts of money are still amounts of money, and some writers depend on each small amount to make a living. Please pay the writers.

Advice From Contributors

Advice From Creative Blogger at: http://www.blogger.com/profile/05854721996562308787

......how writers can protect themselves from this happening.... ie a simple contract, a partial non refundable fee up front, deadlines re communications etc. A good site to gain this information free is www.copywritersforum.com

My personal recommendation is that in cases like this you give them 2 weeks notice that they pay or you reserve the right to sell the articles on and publish them as you please. Ie, without payment you own the articles not them!

You further advise them that any unauthorized use of the article by them will result in breach of copyright and legal action.

If you want to be polite about it so as to gain more work from them..don't bother! Do you want to work for someone who behaves like this?

I personally do not do any further work until I have rec'd full payment for work already sent. The sooner I am paid, the sooner I get back to work.

If you value yourself and your talent, don't be walked over. There is a ton of work out there and the market is growing.

Check this link for more tips:

http://www.copywritersboard.com/copywriting-discussion/5955-best-w

Writer-to-Writer Warnings