Fed up with DS -- Quitting!!!

[TeenMommy]

I am quitting Demand Studios. They’re an absolute terror. I get unreasonable rewrites from editors and can’t do a damn thing about it because the “help desk” doesn’t get back to writers in time before the article expires. People say that there are only a few rotten editors, but I’m starting to think that the bulk of the editors are rotten.

First, an influx of rewrites to all writers because “About” titles were composed too similarly to “List” titles. The editors recommended that I stick closely to the suggested subheads and I did. All went smoothly for about 3 weeks. Now, I get another influx of rewrites because DS sent a mass email to editors stating that they must send back all articles that have sections that aren’t written specifically to the title.

How in the world am I going to write each section specifically to the titles “Courses on Becoming a Wedding Planner” or “Qualifications Needed to Become a Personal Trainer” without getting a rewrite for writing it in list format? I’m through with DS, their ballistic editors and their, “we’re excited to announce that you’ll have to do double the work for the same amount of money” forum posts. You’re damn right they’re excited; they’re getting more work for less money. Frankly, at this point I’d rather write for AC or get an out of home job that pays $7.5 an hour than type another word for Demand Studios. They’re a shady company who treats their writers like absolute crap. I hope Angela Hoy reveals the truth about DS on her website this week.

[prhilton]

I just started with DS this week and was excited about the opportunity. I see a lot of complaints for them on here, so I kind of know what to expect. I really need the money, so my plan has just been to take it all in stride.

I'm really sorry for your experience. It does sound frustrating and I don't blame you for planning to quit!

Is everyone's experience with DS terrifying? I haven't had a rewrite request yet, but I'm sure that I will. And I'm sure that I will encounter editors who frustrate me. Can anyone offer any kind of encouragement? Is it really not worth it? Has anyone on here had a basically good experience with them?

[WAHbird]

I'm with you on all this.

The new photo search feature put me over the edge today. Pardon my colloquial language, but it just plain sucks. I don't want to have to waste my time wading though pictures of "sexy female cop" Halloween costumes to find pictures for my criminal law articles.

[WAHMBrenda]

I quit a while ago too. They are in over their heads if you ask me. They might have been a great company at one time but anymore they're just a PIA.

[redcat444]

I love DS---I haven't had any real major issue with them.

[Hoping2]

I left a couple of month ago because of similar problems but was planning to start writing a few for them this month again. Just to do that, though, I'm going to have to wade through pages and pages of changes, all of which link to the "we're SO excited to announce" forum posts as described above. It really does seem like they are asking a lot more now than they did, but the pay is the same.

I picked up a few titles, but they are weird and I wonder whether I would be wasting my time in writing them. If there is any room for interpretation whatsoever, that's often used against you.

[ferfer]

My experience has been good so far. I decided to try my hand at fact sheets recently b/c the other categories didn't have any good titles for me. Lo and behold I got one of those nightmare rewrites on the very first one! but the second and third one went through no problem.

Other than the fact that most of the $15 titles I can't do without an extensive amount of research on my part.....I have had a pretty good time writing for DS. I just wish I had more time to write for them but I am too busy with school right now. Perhaps since I don't have the volume of articles with them is part of the reason I haven't had as many problems.

[pgardapee]

Well I am fed up this week. I have 9 rewrites sitting in my box. Evergreen articles should not have any reference to a year and so forth. I understand this. So I right 11 list articles that I was new to writing. The first one came back with requests, which I did because I was new to this type. Now, I know what I am doing with list artilces. SO I THOUGHT

One editor sends back two restaurant articles and wants prices and dishes served at each restaurant. Prices change like the weather and so does the menu at fine dining places. I had listed a speicalty dish at each one and felt comfortable with that being set in stone as always being served dish.

However, the other two went through with no problems with no prices and the editor said that I did great. The other ones are hotels, and one editor wants to know who says the hotel is rate 4 stars and the 5 star. Also wants more about the hotel, when I was told by the next editor not to write about the hotel, but about attractions nearby. GEEZ

Then I have one about things to see in ???. I wrote about things that are popular and I am so sorry but they are free to do. This editor wants to have pay things to do. WTF.

The other ones are about articles, which I had mastered and now feel like I have never written one before.

I have never had this many rewrite requests in an entire month much less 2 days. I understand your frustration, but these editors have to be on the same page. I also cannot get through to help desk.

Sorry for venting, but it felt good.

[FlyingA]

This week has been awful for me too! I have had SO many rewrites and even had an article rejected this week. My latest rewrite is on an article about the benefits of a particular type of research. I got a rewrite request saying that I needed to include the arguments against this type of research and that my article sounded like I was promoting the subject. Well, it's an article about the BENEFITS of it. The title didn't say "Pros and Cons", it said "Benefits." Whew! I'm glad I found this - didn't realize how much pent up frustration I had going!

[shell78]

I hear a lot of people say they never hear back from the Help Desk in time when they appeal rewrites but I've always heard back before the rewrite expired. Overall my experience hasn't been terrible. The pay is consistent. For me rewrites seem to go in waves. I'll go for several days without any and then suddenly I'll get 3 or 4 in one day. I'm broadening my horizons as far as where I'm writing these days so I don't have to rely on DS as much. But I don't hate it.