I've been writing in the academic field for 17 years. I love it! There's pros and cons, but the pros outweigh the bad. One thing I've learned is when you find good clients and/or a good company to work with, give them your best and be on time. That's how I've maintained my freelance jobs. :)

I see you've received several replies on this already (most concurring), but I will add my two cents. You learned a valuable lesson but if this person took the product without paying, they do not own the product. You do. You have the right to do with your project as you see fit, including publishing the paper. Either way (post or not), I'd never start without 50% up front and the balance before delivery. If the client wants to see your work first, and they have paid the 50%, let them see half the work. :) Freelancers like us rely on being paid for the work we do. At least this way, you won't lose as much if they don't pay for the second half. I'm sure this is nothing you don't already know.

That's how I feel, too. I also find that in everyday conversations, I have unique insight sometimes because of all I've learned through the research. So, not only are we making a living, but we're helping others and expanding our minds. A win-win for all! ;)

The legit academic writing companies, though few and far between, take the time to review applicant samples and verify resumes. Yes, that means the services cost more, but as we all know, if an offer or price is too good to be true, it probably is. Sadly, Smiley73, your comment is partially correct. Those companies that take on under-educated writers and pay a few dollars per page are even less likely to care about their clients. Companies that value those who work with/for them are more likely to care about the outcomes for their clients. This includes setting limits on free revisions. As a freelancers, I don't mind revision requests within reason. I'm only human and make mistakes like everyone else. I'd be lying to say I never forget something or err in my writing. However, I refuse to work with any company that offers unlimited free revisions and I personally only offer 2 free revisions (within reason). I also refuse to work with any company that will not pay its writers until the customer is satisfied. As most here can verify, many clients simply cannot be satisfied. If we worked under those terms, we'd all go broke! Having said this, I love this industry but I do see negatives in how freelancers are treated by companies that care more about the bottom line than those who do their work for them and those who bring them business (the customer). After all, if a company's writers are happy, it will show in how the interact with clients and, in turn, will yield satisfied clients. Just my 2 cents and we all have our own stories and experiences--good and bad. :)

@FreelanceWriter explained it best. I'll add: unless an assignment specifically calls for combining past assignments to complete a current/final assignment, always assume you many NOT reuse your past work. I know it sucks, but it is plagiarism and not worth the risk. :)

It's been a while since anyone asked, so I'd like to know if anyone has recently tried and what are your views now? Have the programs improved? Recommendations? I'm a fast typist but my brain is even faster. ;) Side note: I used to see commercials for Dragon a lot but haven't in quite some time, which tells me its popularity may have waned. ??

I agree with Smiley73 (ref: essayscam.org/forum/es/buyessayonline-warning-cheated-5992/#msg77788): Hence the unlimited revision offer.

A legit company with professional English-speaking writers would never offer unlimited free revisions. As writers, we are human and mistakes like everyone else, but for the most part clients can tell when the issue is human error or actually poor quality.

Personally, these are the ones I find most ridiculous. I no longer work with any company or client with these terms, but these are some I learned the hard way in my earlier years. ;) Of course, these are not new to those who've been writing for a while or even hanging out in this forum. Just sharing my pet peeves.

- Those that require unlimited free revisions and the writer will not be paid until the customer is happy. We all want happy customers (happy = return customers) but let's be honest... some (not all, just some) will never be satisfied.

- Unfair penalties for slight deadline delays. Some will cut a large % from the writer's pay even if the deadline is only a few minutes late. I pride myself on meeting deadlines, but we're all human and an occasional delay shouldn't result in a major deduction. Some do not pay at all if the deadline is missed even by minutes. Of course, if a writer is constantly late, that's a different matter, but you get what I'm saying. :)

Positive nod sent to you. ;)

I see this one is for returning customers. Is there one for new customers?

I've experienced a few "liars" who used multiple email addresses to get a first time discount but in the end, they have to live with the lie. I accepted the order and pay, albeit at a lower cost to the customer. Still, it was more than the zero I probably would have received if I had called them out. ;)

@Smiley73 is right: "Don't just go making claims like the one you made if you are not willing to explain yourself."

I'm a freelancer, and I also refer clients to others when I'm overbooked or get a request I can't handle, so when I see reviews or feedback on potential alliances, I want honest info.

Same here. I may work 24-hours straight, but then I can rest and pick back up when I'm ready. Being able to set my own schedule is one of the things I love about freelancing, other than it being the perfect setting for introverts, like me.. ;)

A good rule of thumb when vetting freelance writers, Smiley73. Sadly, a degree from the most prestigious university means nothing when it comes to writing qualities. As I'm sure most of us have seen, holding a Masters or PhD means nothing in the grand scope of excellent writing. When I worked "a real job" (mocking some of my naysayers), I came across upper level execs whose writing skills were elementary at best. Sure, some snub us freelancers--especially academic writers--but the fact remains the same: some people just can't write!

While I have general terms, like most freelancers, I make it a practice to make what is and is not included in a order clear with my clients. A reiteration, I find, is helpful. And most clients don't read all the TOS or FAQ, so this reiteration protects us both... for the most part. ;)

@ProfessorVerb your reply reminds me of a couple of times I've had an early morning issue to address pre-coffee. On occasion, a client will need something changed in a hurry (but they're all in a hurry, right), and I feel like a bumbling idiot while answering questions before my brain has been caffeinated!

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.

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!

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. :)

@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!

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.

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?

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. ;)

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

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.

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. :)

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.

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. :)

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.

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!

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!

@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. ;)

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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. ;)

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.

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.