Many times we writers try to think of ways to “monetize” our writing, and that’s reasonable. ”The laborer is worthy of his hire,” as a sacred text says. I don’t say I won’t write for free—I have done so, and in fact, nobody pays me to write my blog entries!
However, I heard about Examiner.com in 2008, and thought, “Hey, this would be cool! I’d have this platform for readers, and that platform will be promoted, and not only that, they will pay me something for my readers.” So, I signed up and was an Examiner for the Atlanta area.
The amount of money being paid was not much, but hey, it was something. Every time an article of my own was read, they credited my account with a few cents.
But over time, my life got very busy and it got to the point where I just didn’t have the time to do it for the small amount of money that was being credited to me. So, in mid-August of 2009 I resigned as an Examiner and “cashed out.” Rather, I should say that I TRIED to cash out. Despite repeated communications back and forth between Examiner.com and myself, despite repeated assurances that I would be paid “soon,” I have yet to receive a dime.
My last email from Examiner.com was sent on February 16, after I wrote them on February 15. They assured me that I would be paid on or about February 20, “with the rest of the Examiners.” Well, folks, it is now February 25, and the payment from Examiner.com has yet to show up in my PayPal account.
They’re deadbeats. They don’t pay. They don’t care. I’ve been communicating with them since August, and have been pushed aside, delayed, and lied to. One email said, “I’ll get it taken care of. Once I deactivate your page you will be paid out in full on Oct. 20th. Let me know if you do not.” I was not, and I let them know. It did no good.
Folks, if you are considering writing for Examiner.com, I advise you to examine your considerations carefully. I don’t mind sometimes writing for free, but I despise writing for someone who promises to pay and who reneges on payment. It’s dishonest, it’s wrong, and it’s unprofessional.
It’s your choice, obviously, but I’d say it’s a bad idea to willingly work for someone who does not pay their workers as agreed.
#1 by Stephen Pohl on February 25th, 2010
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Interesting Tony. I considered writing for the Examiner some months ago, but when I saw the detailed resume requirments they asked for to even be considered for slot with a pig in a poke financial return I decided not to even bother. Good choice it turns out, after reading your post today. And you wrote some really good pieces for them.
#2 by Tony Burton on February 25th, 2010
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Thanks, Stephen. I like to think that I wrote some good stuff, and I got a fair amount of readership. But it was really disappointing for them to fail to carry their part of the bargain.
#3 by Nicole Langan on February 26th, 2010
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Dear Tony,
Did you ever receive a payment from Examiner before you closed your account?
Thanks,
Nicole
#4 by Tony Burton on February 26th, 2010
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No, Nicole, I never did. The pay rate is pretty low per view, so it takes a while to build up enough to merit payment.
#5 by Tammy on February 27th, 2010
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Just want to mention that although I’m on the fence about whether it’s worth it to write for Examiner, I have had no problem getting paid. I don’t make a lot of money, but enough to get over their minimum payment balance, and they are always prompt.
Also, I got paid for my referrals.
The problem with examiner, IMHO, is they have too many writers, and unless you happen to get lucky, and get a topic that is very controversial or has lots of news (say, politics or celebrities), you just won’t get many hits.
Also, they have far too many examiners for each topic, since they have 100+ cities and each city can have an examiner on any given topic.
But, they do pay when people make enough. I know many examiners and those who make money have all be paid on time.
#6 by Tony Burton on February 27th, 2010
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Tammy,
Thanks for dropping by. I’m really glad you were paid. Problem is, I wasn’t, and it seems like they are totally unconcerned with making it right. I have multiple emails where they say I will be paid on this date or on another date, and the payments never get made. I think Examiner is a great concept, but they need to get their act together. I have been in the position of paying writers to write for me, and I have always paid them–and on time. It’s unprofessional not to do so.
#7 by Nicole Langan on March 5th, 2010
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Tammy – did you ever receive $1 per story as a part of their Local Incentive program?
#8 by Sheryl on April 26th, 2010
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Right about now (April 26th, 2010) over 300 Examiners have NOT been paid for the articles they wrote in March.
Many of us fear never seeing that money.
#9 by Tony Burton on April 26th, 2010
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Sheryl,
That’s really sad, and infuriating. I advise you (and all the others you may know) to take steps similar to the ones I did: contact Angela Hoy at http://www.writersweekly.com and let her know of your problem with Examiner.com. She will probably ask for copies of your email communications with Examiner, but she will definitely pour the heat on them and publicize the results.
Best of luck.
Tony