Is It Time to Move on From Content Mills?

Inevitably, you will come across people on freelance writing forums and websites like Reddit asking how they can become writers. Most people recommend content mills like Textbroker and Constant Content as the best way to break into the business and get some experience.

But what happens after that?

Content mills are beneficial for writers in that they bring writers and clients together. The writer receives the assignment, turns it in, and gets paid in a specific time frame. Content mills welcome beginners who are willing to accept payment far below what the work is worth.

If you are a new writer, one of the first things you will learn is that content mills have a lot of problems. Sure, you can gain some experience writing with them, but you are not likely to make a lot of money. Content mills take a huge cut, which is especially detrimental when writing work is already undervalued.

I’m not going to say that content mills are evil, but they aren’t going to help you move up in the writing world.

There is so much fear involved in being on your own, but it also comes with hope. When you find your own clients, you make the rules. You set a price for your work, and you communicate directly with a clients. You do the work you want to do, and you prove yourself each time you face a challenge.

Content mills are not great for writers. We can do better.