The Initial Application

The application process began with a request for my full name, address, and phone number. This immediately raised a red flag for me, as I believe that personal information should only be requested after a hiring decision has been made. Nonetheless, I chose to proceed, giving them the benefit of the doubt.

Another step involved selecting topics I felt comfortable writing about, with a long list to choose from. I picked up to ten topics, including pets, entertainment, gaming, gardening, and DIY, which would be relevant later on.

The Grammar Assessment

Next came the grammar test, comprising 40 multiple-choice questions. I was confident I had answered 39 correctly, but one question had two plausible answers, which felt unfair. Luckily, I guessed the preferred answer correctly, scoring a perfect 40 out of 40.

The Writing Sample

Following the test, I was tasked with writing a 250-word article on "The Best Features of the 2020 Buick Regal," without much guidance. Interestingly, cars were not among the topics I had selected. However, with my extensive freelance writing experience since 2001, I felt capable of tackling it.

A major concern was that I’ve learned to avoid writing mockups—samples created for free based on assignments from potential employers. Many companies exploit these mockups to finish projects without compensating the writers. I worried that SteadyContent could easily use my article without payment or recognition.

Still, in need of work, I wrote the article, focusing primarily on safety features, as there was no way to cover all vehicle aspects in just 250 words, especially without specific guidance.

The Instructions

The instructions for the article were minimal. There were two small boxes that updated as I wrote. One tracked how many times I used the phrase "2020 Buick Regal," but didn’t specify how often it should appear. The other box monitored its usage in subheadings, but again, provided no clear instructions.

At the bottom, a checklist awaited my completion to confirm I had followed the article's guidelines. It struck me as odd since I had received no explicit instructions.

The Outcome

After submitting my sample, I was informed I would hear back within three days. I did, but the automated response I received was less than helpful:

"Right now it's not a perfect fit.

Hi Jessica,

We regret to inform you that at this time we have elected not to go forward and work together.

This decision is not made lightly. Since you passed our English skills test, we know you are a good candidate. It's likely the decision was made for other reasons.

Here are the editor's comments:

Sincerely,

SteadyContent Editorial Staff"

The "editor's comments" section was left blank. It felt like a polite way of saying, "Thank you for the free article—we'll take it from here!" I also suspected they could sell my personal information to scammers.

My Personality Dilemma

This outcome was somewhat expected from a content mill. I had anticipated either getting my work stolen or being hired at a low rate for extensive writing efforts. My inquisitive nature made it difficult to accept the vague reasoning behind their decision.

Determined for answers, I turned to Google and Medium to uncover experiences from other writers regarding SteadyContent. To my surprise, I found several accounts that echoed my sentiments. While some writers had progressed further in the application process, their subsequent experiences indicated that acceptance was not necessarily a positive outcome.

Is SteadyContent a Scam?

Returning to the initial question: Is SteadyContent a scam? While I can’t label it definitively as such, some writers I’ve spoken to claimed they were paid for their work once accepted. However, many reported being restricted to only a few articles after getting through the application phase.

Therefore, I would characterize SteadyContent more as a significant time sink than a scam. I suspect they might exploit applicants' mockups and potentially sell their contact details, but I cannot prove this. My conclusions are based on circumstantial evidence and years of witnessing similar patterns in the freelance writing industry.

My Advice

To fellow writers: save your time and avoid applying to SteadyContent.

If you found my experience insightful, consider supporting my work by exploring more articles on freelance writing tips or my classic TV and movie reviews. Sharing this with friends, commenting, or highlighting is greatly appreciated and motivates me to continue blogging about topics that matter, including protecting writers from potential scams.

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