Assuming you first brush up on your grammar and style, you could then start with local students. You may have more success in your local or regional area to start. Once you build your skills and establish a client pool, branch out. If you don't have excellent samples and experience, getting in with a reputable company will be hard. Of course, low-cost, low-paying essay services are a dime a dozen, but if you are serious and want to build your writing career, I'd steer away from them.

If you are using the article as part of your research (for your own essay/article), then yes, you can. If you are planning to use that essay as your own, absolutely not. Regardless of when the article was posted and by whom is was or wasn't seen, using someone else's work as your own is plagiarism.

I was using the 10 pages as an example not a personal/professional rule. In fact, I agree with you. Not only is a waste of time in the back and forth for a few dollars at a time, it even more stressful as a 10-pager typically has a nearing deadline and waiting on replies, payments, replies, payments only makes timelines tighter.

However, as @FreelanceWriter said, for a new customer, then maybe the first 2-3 pages to show them what I can do is fine. However, in general, you are right, splitting a small order isn't practical.

It's best to steer clear of essay "advice" from someone who can't accurately write a few correct sentences in a post.

Exactly. Certainly not as a referenced source, but it can be an excellent place to get other information that you can then research. Often times, information on wiki pages is cited with peer reviewed articles and books. It's a good starting point for finding what you are really looking for.

I am concerned with your statement. Was the "loads of information" excessive. In my experience, sometimes the most well-intended attempts to help the writer by sending a lot of information can have the opposite effect, especially when communication is strictly via email. The best way to avoid this is to be sure that you've included everything you want the writer to have or know when you first place your order. As a general rule, anything a client sends me after the fact is not a part of the original order, unless we have discussed it and I have either requested it or agreed to accept it. When a client sends a gazillion emails with files and/or links, it only confuses the process. I am not saying that is what happened in your case, but it's certainly something to consider.

As for your concern over "intention to plagiarize," @WriteReview said it best... "either you plagiarize or you don't." ;)

Amen! My brain wouldn't allow me to read past the first few lines of original post. Horrid, horrid writing. Certainly, if the poster has been writing since 2001, I'd like to know for whom so I can be sure to never refer a client there! Wow! I remain dumbfounded and the number of "seasoned" writers who can't put together a simple sentence.

Also, is it just me or does the text message jargon bother anyone else? If you are a professional writer, I cannot see why in the world you'd ever post like a teen in a rush.

Or maybe that is just the way u like 2 do it (<--- dripping sarcasm there).

Yes, true, but one should first note your initial comment about "writers who can barely string 7 words together in a coherent manner." I am constantly amazed and the number of posts asking for good companies to work with, how to get more clients, etc. from users who cannot write a simple, short grammatically correct post. Instead of focusing on where to get work, they should FIRST focus on being the type of quality writer a legitimate company would contract and/or that clients would be proud to refer.

A general note and advice for non-native English speakers: There is no valid reason why anyone who is serious about being an academic writer cannot improve their skills. There's too many free resources online to improve one's skills, so lack of access to learning tools is no excuse. Google can be your friend. Use it. Improve. Then (and only then) seek quality services and clients. :)

I only provide the percentage of work the client pays upfront. There is no way I will complete and entire order, even if I only send the percentage paid, until the order is paid in full. I don't have time to complete work that is not paid. I'm sure other full-time writers will agree. I happily work with clients to split payments, but the work is also performed in stages according to those payments.

For example, 15% of a 10 page paper would be about 1.5 pages. That is all I will do until the next payment is made and so on.


Also @Braiden992's policy for working with unknown or "advertised" writers is a good one. Using any service you aren't familiar with whether freelance or through a company is a risk and minimizing the risk is the goal, or it should be.

Exactly. From the freelancer perspective, even when I've had clients do a chargeback (only twice in about 20 years), I've been able to discuss the issues and resolve them. Most often, discussing what sparked the issue is the best route to take. However, it sounds like the company you dealt with may not be reasonable and not adding fuel to the fire may be the best action. I know that sucks because it feels like you are letting them bully you into not doing anything, but your academic and professional reputation is what is most important. And, @FreelanceWriter is spot on:

And who went to whom to engage in the use of academic services? Did the company track you down? I don't think so. ;)

Be more careful selecting a writing service and you'll be less like to get "murdered."

Sadly, most don't want to put forth the work it takes to get business. Sounds like you have a strong work ethic and that has paid off with long-term repeat customers.

In response to the earlier posts and in agreement with @WriteReview:Many potential academic clients will be more open to in person or messenger conversations versus somewhere they may be "noticed." However, if you get a good foot in the door with academic writing, there is potential to do other work down the road (i.e. writing for businesses, etc.). It's a matter of how badly you want to succeed and how much you are willing to work for it.

As opposed to the other Harvard University?

MBA degree? As opposed to an MBA certificate? I'm dying laughing. It would take all day and night to list everything wrong in the post, but it's clearly intended to drum up business, but good grief, you could at least make it literate!

That does seem to be the truth in many cases. When looking for a "good" essay service, the first thing to look for is the professionalism of its customer service. If in a chat, how is their written English. If via phone, are you speaking someone who is clearly a native English speaker? If not, proceed at your own risk. If all seems go so far, start with a trial to see the writing quality. While there are ways to "test" a company's customer service and how well it treats clients, there's no real way to know how they treat their writers or staff, sadly. Overall, though, unless a company is truly offering different services, there's no practical reason for a company to have multiple websites apart from, as @WriteReview said, to make more money--whatever the cost to the clients and writers.

I do both. Instead of putting my eggs in one basket, as they say. Granted that there are period shifts where I am doing more work with the company or doing more work independently, but overall the mix has worked well for me. If one side of the spectrum is slow, it can generally be carried by the other.

Uhm. Are you for real? If your post is any indication of the type of work you produce for them, a potential client should pass on your services and the company that hired you. Just saying! Perhaps, conduct a Google search for "free online writing courses."


I am in complete agreement. It has been my understanding that part of the purpose of this forum is to inform writers and customers on the pros and cons of writing services and providers as well as problem customers. It should be an open two-way street. Of course, there has to be moderation in recommendations or the forum would be rampant with spam and scams! I do see companies being mentioned from time to time, so it must be allowed within reason.

Even if they did report it, it would be unlikely it would do any good -- even if their complaint was valid. Legit reporting centers are aware these companies exist and that they dupe customers and have under-educated writers working for next to nothing. They don't care. In all honesty, why should they? After all, a little research (which @ai983 or any serious writer should be capable of) will reveal the companies to watch out for. Still, @writereview is correct: try to find another company if you can, but first, brush up on your grammar.

Collecting money aside as it's a common issue with many third world companies, being fined is a major problem. It seems that some of these companies will note virtually any and all reasons they can think of to fine writers. Perhaps that is why their rates are among the lowest--they know they won't be paying out much to their writers. ;) After all, you can afford to charge $10-19/page if you know you're only paying your writers $1-3/page and then you'll fine them 10-25% (if not more) for "errors" or "issues". A crappy business model, but quite common, I'm afraid.

This was asked several years ago, but I wanted to add my thought for those newer readers.

We can "assume" that mill papers are written by college students, but no one has a way of knowing for sure.

A few years ago, I conducted research on paper mills and found that many papers are cut/paste from wiki sites and some are articles or blog posts pasted into a document.

So, potential clients will want to be very careful of purchasing from a paper database. If you find that a purchased paper is in fact copy/paste, you likely have little recourse.

The companies reselling these documents are fully aware that not all papers are "real" papers. They don't care as long as the sale is made. Once they have your $, you're on your own.

Bottom line: approach any reselling service with caution. It's always best to use custom writing services or a freelance writer. If money is the issue (as I know it is for many), request a sample that you can then check for originality.

No sample? Write it yourself. Yes, that's opposite the reason you went searching for a paper in the first place, I'm sure, but it all depends on whether you want to risk using "stolen" material whether you're citing it or not. ;)

I've been in that boat more times than I can count. Clients should be able to have some type of background on their writers whether the writer is independent or working with a company. That said, clients cannot reply on the company providing valid information on the writer's experience. When a client asks me about my experience, I am honest. If my experience is not the same as their project (a project that may be a challenge), I make it clear and explain my confidence level and what I can/cannot do. That gives us the opportunity to discuss the challenges first and put together a mutually agreeable plan of action (i.e. start with a few pages to see if I can meet the challenge). I also make sure the client understands that the few pages are not refundable. Ideally, I prefer 1-2 pages as it's less of a loss for the client if the work is more than I want to engage or he/she doesn't like my samples. 9.9 times out of 10, though, I simply decline projects I feel are too challenging. That's saying a lot, because I love a challenge. ;)

With a company, however, I have work with some in the past that has asked me to provide a brief background statement for inquiring clients. I've been happy to do it. Whether they gave the client my statement, I don't know. I assume they did... after all, why even ask? They could give a statement of their choosing and I would be none the wiser -- nor would the client.

Basically, true. In my experience, a senior writer might get his/her pick of the projects they want/won't want, but if the pay doesn't increase with the work volume there's no real benefit.

This is spot on. Turnitin is the best checker, but of course, it can only be used at the time the paper is turned in (unless you pay for a subscription outside of work/school). Still, checkers are notorious for flagging common phrases and even worse for claiming a paper is plagiarized because it contains the same headers as other papers (which is often the case as students are doing the same assignment with the same questions and/or requirements). Using a program like Grammarly is okay for double-checking your writing style, but for an actual plagiarism check, it is quite unreliable. Nothing can take the place of simply citing properly, keeping direct quotes to a minimum, and double-checking your work and then checking again. We're all human and when we've been immersed in a project, it's easy to overlook the same mistake several times. During the writing process, our brain becomes conditioned to what we are thinking and not necessarily what we write. As such, if you meant to write "I will go" and, instead, wrote "I will got", your brain may be seeing "got" as "go". Worse, spellcheckers most likely won't catch "got" either because it's a valid word.

Also, time generally won't allow for busy freelancers, but if you can have someone else (a new set of eyes) proof for you, that's a plus!

My advice mirrors that of most who have replied here: get your money before the client gets the paper. If you're working for a company who is slow in paying or gives excuse after excuse why pay is delayed, go elsewhere. Depending on where the company is located, you may have options. In the US, for instance, you can file claims with the BBB and other agencies. Outside the US, your options are slim to none. A good rule for all freelancers is nothing less than 50% upfront and the balance to be paid before delivery. Otherwise, every job will be a hit and miss on getting paid.

That is actually a good idea and one that if more used it would cut down on the risks. Still, the risks will always be there. I believe that most of us to require payment upfront and even when we provide the best services possible, we get burned from time to time. I've had clients do chargebacks and disputes after graduating, assuming they would no longer need my services. However, many do not realize that simply because you waited until graduation does not mean there are no future repercussions. Just because one obtains their degree does not mean they can't have it stripped. Ironically, I learned that when researching a project on academic integrity for a client. ;p

@writers2beware

Exactly. If we can't tell the pros and cons of the services used, what's the point of this service? Certainly, we don't want reps trying to push their services on us or anyone, but letting someone know what services you've used successfully should be acceptable. However, it is important to note (or reiterate as someone already pointed out) that each person's experience may be different from another's. Using academic services is not unlike other services where what pleases one person may disappoint someone else, but the overall (majority) opinion should count for something. Just my two cents and maybe not worth a penny, but just saying. ;)

Wonderfully said! Those who are freelance academic writers--like myself--know that the majority of students entering college have NO clue how to research or write college-level papers. It's sad that many students leave high school without this very important skill. We help bridge that gap by providing services and assistance while they also learn from us. I have found that students who use academic writing services as entering freshmen and juniors are better equipped to manage their more intense courses as they advance into a higher university setting. I am proud to help students!

Exactly! They can certainly order 250 words to start and see how they like the work, but 250 sample/free words, no way. Sadly, this is a question I get asked a lot. "Do you have a sample you can provide?" Not to mention those that want to pay a small amount now and the remainder on delivery. Some will even go as far as to say they will pay the balance on delivery if they like the work. Of course, 99.9% of the time, they are going to say they don't like it. Uhm, no! Want it all? Pay it all upfront!

You can most assuredly ask that your project NOT be assigned to a specific writer. Simply let the company know that you do not want to work with _____. A legit company will honor your request and put you with the best writer for your given project. If the company gives you a hard time with your request, choose another company. ;) However, that is unlikely. Happy clients are what keep writing companies in business.

Some writers prefer to do their own research when possible. I find that when a client sends a lot of sources, it compounds my work because I have to sort through what they sent to be sure it fits with all the project requirements. It's easier for me to research and access my databases. However, not everyone has access to multiple databases and would appreciate the sources and client involvement. I suppose it is an individual preference, and my preference is not to receive files other than project instructions. :)

And, Nancy, glad to hear you have had good results with your assignments. When we do our best and make our clients happy, it helps us all (i.e. positive word-of-mouth exposure for our work). I haven't worked with you, but I do thank you for choosing a freelancer and/or writing services company to help you. :)

That was actually a vocabulary lesson, but yeah. ;) I've used that saying quite a bit and found the explanation interesting. LOL.


There are several freelance writers in this group who help with resumes/CVs, myself included. I saw some profiles a while back (in this forum) and outsourced some extra work with one of them... Academic Eve, I believe. I don't have that link in front of me, but you can find it in the search box, I'm sure.

If they have Live Chat, I also recommend discussing the project and asking questions via chat, as well. You can often tell some about the company by the language of its chat reps (look for language that hints possible ESL). Of course, we're all prone to err so a typo here and there shouldn't be a turn off. Still, you can tell a great deal by chatting for at least -10 minutes. And if they seem hesitant to answer your questions, that is a red flag. If you have a lot of questions, they may direct you to their website to review FAQ or their terms, but overall, they should be willing to engage and provide valuable information in a language that illustrates the quality of those with whom the company works. In my experience, if a company hires poor service reps, they can't expect potential clients to assume anything less than that their writers are likely poor as well. <--- Not a given rule, just my experience. :)

I've used Grammarly 1-2 times in the past and found it to be highly unreliable. Of course, if you are an academic writer, you don't want to use Turnitin (the most reliable) because it records absolutely everything in real time.

Over the past few years, there have been several articles covering Grammarly's reliability with the company responding that negative issues are often related to comma usage (or lack of usage) can generate false results. Well, that's bull. A legitimate detection program (like Turnitin) will find copied text whether the writer added or removed punctuation. So, if you are using Grammarly, you are putting your work at risk of being flagged for plagiarized content when Grammarly said it's not and vice versa. Not to mention you license your work to them for free.

One such issue was covered by The Economist, albeit 5 years ago, where the journalist noted:

On the bright side, Grammarly's plagiarism detector did detect the source I had copied and pasted from-my own book.

In a second paragraph from the same book, Grammarly flagged five issues: two "errors" that were not errors, two instances of beginning a sentence with a conjunction (perhaps too informal), and one word-choice suggestion, since I used the word "new" several times in a paragraph about Turkish language reform under Atatürk: new words, new script, new rules, etc. Here, at least, we can see where Grammarly is coming from.

In a third paragraph, Grammarly found just one problem. However, not only was the sentence in question (again) perfectly grammatical, but the guidance was disastrous.

It seems that it's grammar check is even more unreliable than it's plagiarism detection capabilities, which are horrid at best.

The full article noted above can be viewed here: economist.com/blogs/johnson/2012/08/grammar-software

For reviews on various detection programs and links to those sites: thewritelife/automatic-editing-tools/

The best detection tool for me is simple: write 100% custom text and cite correctly, reread and reread again to be sure citations are correct and sources are listed on the the bib/ref page.

Point taken... a good point, at that! ;)

In response to domain names for taking your freelance career to the next level, I like the personal approach. The example "JohnSmithWriting.com" gives off a personal feel... like this person is more likely to give individualized attention. For a company, of course, the premise is different. Still, I personally dislike grandiose domain names. I'd rather know "John Smith" is taking care of my projects than wonder who on God's green earth is working on my project at "TheBestLittleEssayHouseintheWorld.com". It's a matter of making the customer feel comfortable and that even though he/she may be 1 of 100 clients, they always feel they are number one!


Exactly. No matter the method of moving to the next level, it's up to the freelancer and how hard he/she is willing to work to succeed. ;)

I am a firm believer in social media for marketing. I know a lot of us don't like the hassles of keeping up with so many different platforms, but there are awesome tools to help (HootSuite for one). You can add up to 3 social networks on their free plan and schedule posts, etc. Of course, you can now schedule directly with Facebook so you may want to save the 3 freebie for a blog or other platform. In my experience, Facebook ads have been good for bringing more likes but not so much with bringing actual orders, and by this I mean actually clicking on the "buy" button or web link and ordering. @Smiley73, I'd love your input/recommendation on that. ;) Then again, I've never spent large sums on ads, so that is a factor, I'm sure. Twitter is a fave and when linked to your Facebook kills two birds with one stone. Instagram has become a major platform for college-age users so that's a market we don't want to overlook. Some are using SnapChat, but that's just not my cup of tea or that a few (and I mean like 1 time a month or less) snaps to my family or friends.

Which SM does everyone else use and what do you think are the pros/cons? Recommendations/tips?

This is one of the main reasons, but it's also due to the rise of competition, albeit a lower quality competition in many cases. Like the newest gadget, some students want to try the new and lower priced options, but in the end, they'll be back for real quality. In the meantime, as I said on an different and entirely unrelated post, don't put all your eggs in one basket. This is especially true if you can do more than just write excellent papers. If you are a great writer with other skills (SPSS, Stata, graphics, etc.), you have more options for finding work.

@joneswill Most writers who work with companies also take on private clients as long as doing so doesn't breach any agreement with the respective company/companies. As the saying goes, it's never good to put all your eggs in one basket.

@ProfessorVerb, I'm dying over here!

It's been over a decade, but I did a brief stint with UVO. They're legit but pay on the lower end on most orders (though slightly higher than some). The revision requests are too excessive IMO. Personally, I won't work for a company (or customer for that matter) that doesn't limit revision requests. Not to mention, waiting to get paid. But if you're looking for an avenue for a little extra income and experience, I'd give them a try. Worse case, you don't like it and then you just stop taking orders. :)

Sorry you had such a negative experience. In agreement with ProfessorVerb, payment must come before the work begins. Writers get burned, too. In the future, you could opt to split the order into stages. Perhaps, pay for half and then pay the second half when the first is complete--or whatever works for you. Personally, unless the project is very large, I won't split more than half. It's just too time-consuming to go back and forth. Of course, this opens the door for requests for changes to the first part before the second is even complete so this could be a two-edged sword if the terms aren't made clear upfront!

I've worked with companies where customers would request me as their preferred writer. Sometimes the projects come through and sometimes they don't. When they don't, I can only assume the customer changed his/her mind, though I know there is the possibility that the company simply assigned to another writer who offered a lower price. Such is the nature of business, I suppose. In private work, I typically price lower for repeat clients (i.e. reward customer loyalty).

As far a pricing for different levels of quality, I'm not a fan. Personally, I work hard to ensure all projects are the best possible quality at all times. The only time my writing would be a different "level" would be if the customer has requested "ESL" or asks me to "dumb it down". Still, sometimes "dumbing it down" takes more time than simply writing in my usual style. Nevertheless, if that's what the customer wants, that's what I work hard to provide. We all know that reputable companies-those with top professional academic writers-are going to cost more. You can and should expect the best quality from them as well-regardless of what "level" writing is selected. Unless there's something overly complex about the work (i.e. data, etc.) or it's a rush job, I would question any excessive cost or fee for a "better" quality. And if you aren't sure about the company or writer, ask to start with a couple of pages to see the quality before you invest in the full project, if your schedule will allow the extra time.