Paid to write for WSFF?
I am thinking of ways to increase the content of WSFF, bringing insightful articles and useful 'how to's' to our members. I have in the past been approached by members who have stated that they would like to write for the site; some have, many others have never submitted an article for consideration.
So, I wondered if people would be more motivated by being given cash - anyone interested?
On a side note; if you have any articles to submit for consideration, you can now do it from the 'create content' menu option on your left navigation menu (members only).
Let me know your thoughts below!
If anyone has to me payed to write for WSFF then they have no right writing for WSFF, they should be more than willing to express their opinions in the form of an Op/Ed article. As for myself I have submitted at least one or two articles and plan to submit more, given I can find the time to do so.
Enraged DELTA
I can see Delta's point of view, people on here, as part of this movement should be willing to get involved...
However, cold hard cash is a great motivator, I think it's a good idea. Outsiders and hacks will then want to get a piece of the pie.
Though personally I'd love to see a big nike tick on the front page. That'd get the cash rolling in.
Delta, here's an idea, how about getting paid, then donating all the cash money back to the WSFF fund?
Kia, how much we talking here?
I believe I can submit around 5 articles a month, mostly editorial pieces, about anti-terrorism laws and the culture of fear. Though I do like hunmour, and of course the Gonzo style.
I hope you don't mind that.
D'anjou
I can see both points of view, but don't really like the idea, unless you have a "resident" journalist, maybe? (I volunteer - just pay my expenses).
I think D'anjou has a better one - affinity, advertising or sponsorships might be an option. Of those, advertising might be best, as WSFF would keep more control and have less association with the cynical corporate world. Unless anyone can think of a really freedom-loving, altruistic corporation that wouldn't compromise what we stand for? I can't. Tricky!
Steffers, whereabouts are you from?
I like the idea of a resident journo, I would volunteer for it. The only reason why I ask where you're from is that we could have a few resident journos, US, Britain, Europe etc. Or each with their own speciality.
Or, if you are from Britian, we could team up, hunt down the story together.. It would be easier to get access to places where there are two of us, I have a beard and some people frown upon that. There have been times when I've been locked in a room for hours, to "Verify my identity", even though I have my credentials right there.
It's a thought, and I like the idea of just expenses.
I was being patronising regarding the Nike tick on the front of the page, to be honest, I can't think of anything worse than advertising on this site, but hey, thats my own personal opinion.
D'anjou
I think this is a great idea... lots of really good suggestions. I think some real organization is needed in order to pull it off.
i like the resident journalist idea alot, and great to think that we could have one in a few different countries!
Just to throw it out, what if there were spacific topics related to the region that the person was in. I know that even though we are all standing up for the same issues, they do have varing degrees depending on location.
i would be willing to assist any way i can.
Kia, though it stinks to have to include advertising, you could be fairly picky on who you let in.
Let me know how i can help. Not great with the brainstorming, but handy if i'm assigned a task. :)
…you should know by now that I am not entirely incompetent.
I do not recall ever specifically mentioning that I thought you to be entirely incompetent. For the record I think you to be incredibly resourceful and able to cope with issues quite well, except for this one.
…the site needs to change for its own survival.
Instead of shelling out money from ads on the site to people to write things perhaps that money should go directly to supporting WSFF and it's members should feel strongly enough about this cause to write articles without monetary compensation? Seems like the best way to turn, WSFF gets a trickle of money and it's members do something.
Any further questions/rants relating to the site, i'd be grateful if you could address them to me or John privately.
There are two sides to this paying people to post their opinions on issues business and I will not have my personal feelings on the matter censored because they just so happen to conflict with yours. Requesting that further questioning and ranting for or against the idea takes away from the communal forum that WSFF is supposed to be - it removes my ability to freely express myself so respectfully I am not going to privately message you or John so that my opinions, which seemed to have sparked a lot of good conversation on the matter, can be censored from the view of our community.
Delta
It's like a mean game of "the one with the cookie wins my love", that you play with your dog...
Delta- I do see your point. Paid to do something that you should feel compelled to do anyways? Lame. Either your posting to express yourself and your views on freedom, plus other interesting facts across the various forms of media, OR, you don't. Either way, monetary values shouldn't be a fact in the matter.
Kia- I understand your dilemma also. The site is on a slow churn in the right direction, you're just looking for a faster type of transportation. People seem to enjoy having money, and according to the way of the world, if one is going to perform a service, then they probably feel that they need to get some form of income for it. I, for one, am against this idea, but for rapid change there needs to be some form of motivation; a morale boosting peep rally, if you will.
Adds to the site would definitely give WSFF a different look... not one that I'd be looking forward too, but, it is what it is.
In my opinion, I think you should try to have a heart-to-heart with the regulars. Just set up a time to talk with everyone in the chat section, and let everyone know what roles you need filled to get this movement "on the ball".
Secondly, I say you should try to hold some sort of prize giveaways before shelling out cash. Same beast- different mask, I know, but at least you could see if that would work first. Something like whoever can... I don't know... find the best article will win Delta's first born, or something. You get it, right?
All-in-all, I'm here to help, even though it sometimes feels like it's easier to spot a blue moon than see me around the site.
Hope I helped.
PS - Delta, I wasn't serious about you trading your first born for a great topic... unless you were.
enraged? really delta? you cannot honestly tell me you think we're overly snowed under with useful content, plus you should know by now that I am not entirely incompetent.
For various reasons we need to pick up the amount of content, and user activity on the site, and while paying people for content is not ideal, it will aid both the writer and the site; we will link the payment directly into the popularity of the author and the content they have written and use some form of 'profit sharing' system which will also bring money in for WSFF which we can then use to expand.
Currently, the site is being 100% bankrolled by John and I, and we really need to become self-supporting in the very least, we tried to survive on donations and we had one - which kept the site going for about two weeks. We also need to expand, and become the primary source of off-the-grid information, articles and community.
Sorry that this has offended you delta, but the site needs to change for its own survival.
Any further questions/rants relating to the site, i'd be grateful if you could address them to me or John privately.
Kia