Concerning Internet Startups

A lot of the gigs you are likely to come across while freelancing involve internet startups. These are businesses (typically websites) that people create and happen to have a need for a writer that they cannot fill. While I have nothing against internet startups (indeed, I had a lot of fun working for one), there are risks involved in working for a startup that you should know before you sign on.

Keep your backups handy. Like all startup businesses, internet startups are subject to unforseen/unplanned for difficulties. A large percentage of businesses (around 80%, give or take) fail within their first year. Why? Most simply don't plan for every contingency or don't think far enough ahead. They don't sell well enough or they don't produce enough, their loans get called in and they're out of the game.

When you sign on to work for a startup, you are essentially becoming part of that business. If it fails, so do you. This happened to me about a year and a half ago. I signed on to write World of Warcraft news articles for the now-defunct Azeroth World News (azerothwn.com). It seemed to be going well for a couple months, but then my editor mentioned budget problems. My workload would need to be reduced, but I could still get paid for a couple articles a month. The next month, they were gone. Funding for the project dried up, and that was that.

The lesson here is that if you sign on to work with a startup (and most will say they are startups; if they don't mention it, ask whoever you're working for how long they've been around. Think of it as a job interview question) you run the risk of them closing down. That is why, once again, I heartily encourage you to keep your day job. Even if it runs you a little ragged, give it some time. If six months go by and your startup gig sees improvement, then maybe you can think about ditching your day job. Don't rest on your laurels just because you got a new gig; it may not last.

The other warning I give concerning startups is with payment. Many of the people running the business have never run one before and are unfamiliar with payroll procedures. Don't expect your paycheck to arrive at the same time each month. As with businesses with their heads up their asses, startups also have a bit of trouble with how much to pay freelancers. Many of them are poorly-funded (or not funded at all) and as such, cannot afford to pay you a lot. Unless you REALLY need the work at the rate they're offering, you have a friend at the company or you need a resume builder, you may want to pass on a low-paying startup job. While it may be mutually beneficial and it *could* turn into something better down the line (that's a favorite of startups. beware anyone who says this), it doesn't mean it will.

Don't get me wrong: startups need employees, they need writers. Just be careful is all. Make sure the startup can afford to pay a decent wage and that they've got a sound idea. A lot of startups fail because they are simply bad ideas. That's the hard and honest truth. You shouldn't have to suffer because of someone else's lack of planning or foresight.