What Are Content Farms (and Should You Write for Them)?
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If you’re a new or aspiring freelance content writer, you may be tempted to sign up to write for a content farm. At first glance, it seems like an easy way to gain experience and start making an income. However, content farms may not be the right choice for everyone. It’s important to be well-informed of the pros and cons before signing up to write for one.
In this post, we cover everything you need to know about content farms, including their key characteristics and an overview of the most popular platforms. Keep reading to get started.
What Is a Content Farm?
Content farms, also known as content mills, are websites that produce and sell a high volume of content to clients looking to attract search engine traffic. They typically prioritize quantity over quality, since the goal of the content is to generate as many page views as possible. Because of this emphasis on speed and volume, the standard of the content can vary significantly from project to project.
Writers typically aren’t incentivized to spend valuable time researching or verifying information. Consequently, the high risk of inaccuracies and errors is higher.
Most content mills employ several freelancers from all over the world who write on a wide range of topics. For some content farms, client companies submit a project brief, including the topic, word count, and keywords, and writers bid to ghostwrite on their behalf. Alternatively, writers can submit an article on spec for the client company to review.
Other content farms post available jobs on a platform that all their writers can access. Writers can claim jobs on a first-come first-served basis. These jobs are usually categorized by topic and experience level. Writers may have to complete several rounds of revisions on an article before it is accepted, and payment is released. Payment is typically calculated per word or per project and handled by a third party, such as PayPal or Wise.
Content Farm Examples
To write for a content farm, you generally need to complete an online application, submit a writing sample, and pass a grammar test. It can take several weeks (or months) for an application to be approved. Once it is, you’re given access to the content farm’s platform and can start applying for jobs. Each content mill has its own method of quality control and rating writers. These ratings typically determine the jobs you can access, and your pay.
Some of the most popular content farms are:
- Textbroker: Founded in 2005, Textbroker employs freelance writers from all over the world. After you submit a writing sample, you receive a quality rating, that determines the jobs you can access.
- Verblio: Verblio offers a variety of writing jobs (written on spec) ranging from a few hundred words to a few thousand. New writers start with short-form content but can build up long-form content by selling their work and receiving high ratings from clients.
- The Content Panel: Unlike most content farms, you’re not competing with other writers for jobs with the Content Panel. This platform uses an AI-based system to match writers with jobs. Writers are given access to a platform to claim jobs, and jobs are offered based on experience level. Over time, as you submit work and receive positive ratings, you can access more (and better-paying) jobs.
- Constant Content: With Constant Content, you write an article on any topic you’d like and put it up for sale on the site marketplace. There’s no limit to the number of articles you can write (although a team member reviews each one before being listed). You set the price for each piece.
- WriterAccess: WriterAccess is another well-known content farm, with a slightly more intensive application process. Writers are expected to provide their LinkedIn profile for review and submit a resume. If accepted, you can access jobs by choosing one from the open gig list or applying directly to work with a client through a casting call.
Pros and Cons of Writing for a Content Farm
Like any freelance writing client, there are pros and cons to writing for a content farm:
The Pros of Writing for a Content Farm
While writing for a content farm may not be beneficial in the long term, there are some pros to this line of work. For example, content farms allow you to:
- Gain experience as a new writer. Writing for a content mill allows you to gain confidence as a writer and build a portfolio of published work. This can help you find better-paying jobs down the line.
- Earn a (modest) income. Although the rates can be low, content mills allow you to start getting paid to write. And, over time, you can improve your writing speed and efficiency, potentially leading to better pay.
- Write about a variety of topics. One of the benefits of writing for content farms is you can get experience writing about many different topics (e.g., finance, technology, real estate, current events, and more). This could help you decide on your future freelance writing niche.
- Choose your schedule. Work with most content farms is flexible; it allows you to set your availability and work around your other commitments.
The Cons of Writing for a Content Farm
While writing for a content farm does have some advantages, there are quite a few drawbacks as well. Some of the cons of writing for content mills are:
- Relatively low pay. The rates for content farms tend to be much lower than other freelance writing clients. This can be discouraging and isn’t sustainable for most writers long term.
- Limited growth opportunities. There’s very little career growth associated with content farms. However, some will invite their highest-rated writers to write directly for their top clients.
- Inconsistent work. Depending on the content farm, the amount of work can fluctuate.
- Risk of burnout. The pressure to quickly produce a high volume of content can lead to a poor work-life balance and diminish your passion for writing.
4 Alternatives to Content Farms
If writing for a content farm doesn’t appeal to you, it’s not the only way to gain experience as a new writer. These options can offer better pay, more fulfilling work, and opportunities for career growth. Below are some alternatives to working for content farms:
1. Online Freelance Marketplaces
Online freelance marketplaces, such as Fiverr and Upwork, help writers connect to individuals and companies looking for quality content. They give you more freedom to set your rates and promote yourself as a writer. And, unlike content farms, potential clients can reach out to you directly and you can negotiate your contract and rate.
2. Content Agencies
Content marketing agencies are different from content farms in that they prioritize relationships with clients and high-quality work from their writers. There’s no pressure to quickly churn out content, allowing the focus to be on research and understanding the long-term content strategy. The pay also tends to be much higher than content farms. However, most require their writers to have some experience in the industry.
3. Blogging
Blogging, either guest posting or writing your own blog, can be a great way to make money as a new writer. It helps to have an in-demand writing niche (e.g., medical or legal writing) to appeal to new clients and position yourself as an authority. Check out our article on ways to make money blogging.
4. Direct Client Work
Building relationships with businesses and offering your writing services directly can lead to more rewarding and higher-paying work. Reach out to companies on platforms like LinkedIn or go directly to their websites to find a contact and submit your freelance writing resume.
Becoming A Freelance Writer
Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be a freelance writer, including the types of clients you can work with and where to find them? Then check out our comprehensive Becoming A Freelance Writer course! Brush up on your writing skills, and start down a rewarding new career path. Claim your two free lessons and get started today.
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