Writing for Seed

I recently found a web site for writers and photographers called seed.com. Although the site is still in beta, and there are some questions about the submission approval process, it looks like it could be another way to get your writing and photography skills noticed. The site is affiliated with AOL, so your work would be featured on the AOL network of web sites. There is a long publishing program agreement that you must read before joining the site, but it's good to have all the publishing rights explained up front. The concept is simple, you select an assignment, submit your work, and get paid. Unfortunately, I've read a few other blogs that say it isn't as simple as it sounds. Since the seed site is still in beta, they are still trying to work out some of the details of the approval process. Some have commented that there are long delays, in getting a response, after making a submission. I suspect that there are many unemployed writers out there, hoping to generate some income, that are swamping the site with submissions.

Seed.com isn't the only site on the web that takes submissions from free-lance writers. Another one is Associated Content. This site also takes audio submissions. One of the comments I've heard is that these "content collection" sites are mainly for amateur writers and the work submitted is often below professional standards. I can see how a professional writer would feel that way. No one likes to have inexperienced people getting an opportunity to devalue their craft. It's a lot like the boss who asks you to do something you have no experience with, hoping to save the company a little money. I'm not sure if that is what is happening at seed and Associated, but I wouldn't be surprised if free-lance contributors get only pennies for their efforts. I'm still undecided about joining one of these submission sites. At first they sound great, but as I looked closer, it didn't sound as good. I think you would have to work non-stop, submitting clever, well-written, entertaining articles daily, to make this pay off.