DMS Creates an Unemployment Dilemna

DMS, also known as Demand Media, has been the center of much scrutiny in recent months. DMS is an online content mill that pays writers for original, informational articles on a freelance basis. For years, writers have spent countless hours on their computers to produce content for publication on sites such as Livestrong.com, eHow.com, TypeF.com and DailyPuppy.com, just to name a few. Writers are given a list of titles to choose from and stringent guidelines to follow in order to conform to DMS ideals and quality. The problems started when writers saw an increase in article rejection rates and the time it took to get articles approved for publishing by some untrained copy editors. The quality of copy editors was on a severe decline as many writers encountered individuals who were rude, condescending and refused to accept DMS own guidelines; often resulting in impossible rewrite requests and a decline in quality. DMS writers soon found their published works full of factual, grammatical and spelling errors that the copy editors inserted, creating a major problem for writers whose names are forever attached to each piece.To add insult to injury, DMS would commonly support the copy editor mistakes, leaving many writers frustrated and questioning the validity of this online content mill.

Earlier this year, writers started noticing title availability dropping, sporadically. DMS assured its writers this was just a seasonal occurrence that would happen throughout the year and there was no cause for concern. Many writers plugged away at their computers, taking this news as gospel. Since some writers relied upon DMS for their main means of income, what would happen next was especially detrimental. In September 2011, titles were being snagged as quickly as possible yet very few new titles were being added to the availability list. Eventually, in October, titles were gone completely and writers were left scratching their heads and begging for title return. DMS promised titles would return, but not in the amount writers were accustomed to. They stated the drop was necessary to eliminate duplicate titles and ensure original works. Again, writers took this as gospel and patiently waited for the promised time frames set forth by DMS which was 3 to 7 days. The time passed with three or four titles trickling in and being snatched up quickly every day. Drops of 100 to 200 were made at varying times, being gone within five minutes by hungry writers needing work. DMS then announced its "First Look" program which allowed writers with an above average score to snag titles before the others. Many were left out of this program because of the untrained copy editor fiasco in recent months that unfairly pushed them into the average categories.

Writers are now starving for titles even more so than the past couple months. Titles seem to only being offered to writers who are approved for special projects, leaving thousands looking for work elsewhere. One woman wrote a heartbreaking post in DMS forum stating she was deathly ill and homeless, only being able to rely on DMS because of the frequency of doctor visits, caring for three children and paying out of pocket for medical expenses. In fact, DMS was one of the highest paying content mills available, bringing many writers out of hard times. The problem is that DMS has lied to their writers and cause tremendous trauma to many who had no choice but to rely on this work. These writers cannot file unemployment because they entered into a binding contract, stating they are not employees of DMS and are merely providing a freelance service, causing them to be ineligible for employee benefits should anything happen. Well, something did happen and now writers are feeling there is no recourse.

DMS has vehemently denied the claims that they lied to their writers or that they have systematically laid-off many of their freelancers. Writers say, "That's a crock!" Many wonder how DMS executives can sleep at night with many now facing starvation and homelessness, while only a select few who worked for DMS as a secondary income continue to thrive. Any successful CEO will tell you, honesty is the most important factor when trying to gain clientele and qualified contributors such as these writers. With the dishonesty issued forth by DMS in official news reports, I foresee many writers, copy editors and publications pulling their services from DMS, eventually. Call it Karma, but what goes around does, in fact, come around and before long, these entities will grow tired of these outrageous lies and puppetry.