I Don't Have to Write For You

Of course, this is read.cash. It's a writing site. But it is not the only one. And even beyond writing sites, there are some social media sites that are kind of like writing sites, but less focused on the writing and more on the interactions and social nature than the words.

Regardless, all of these sites are reliant on one main thing. The content. And of course, the sites do not produce that. The people who put the words down do.

In the case of one such site, it is really about the ads that pop up everytime a page loads on the site. The more pages loaded, the more ads that pop up, and the more money the site makes.

This particular social media writing site pays its members to interact. So, you don't get paid to post something. You get paid when someone clicks into your post and leaves a comment, clicks the like button, or responds to a comment you leave on someone else's post.

It is actually a good system when you think about it, because if all one got paid for was posting something, maybe they wouldn't do the other important part that any social media site needs in order to be relevant.

Interact with other members.

But there is one thing I always stress about any of these sites. They need me more than I need them. Because I am the source of what generates their revenue. And they are not the only tavern in town to wet my whistle, of course.

Because there are other places to ply my wares, I can pick and choose who receives the benefit of my words—and even decide who deserves it and when they deserve it. Or when they don't.

The thing is, I happen to be a principled man. I believe in being as honorable as possible, and I stick to my guns. I have never been one to allow others to necessarily dictate to me how things should go.

And that principle applies to everything in my world. Work, social settings, and the places that I write.

If things are a bit untoward, say you have an unruly moderator, or certain people who have an agenda or a vendetta against you—and maybe the moderator really doesn't like you because you challenge their "authority" or position, or agrees with those who have the vendetta...

You have to stand your ground and send a gentle reminder that they matter less than you do in the grander scheme.

So, you stop. You take a break. You stop producing the content that pays their bills. You stop interacting with the others whose pages, when they load, also pay the bills. You don't stop altogether. Just for a little while. Just long enough. Or, even if you don't stop altogether, you slow way down.

It's not to say, "I'll show you." Because it is more a personal decision than anything. Because I lose too since that means I will be paid less. But I can afford it. And again, I have other places to go and do what I do.

Places that presumably deserve my presence more.

Cow toeing to demands is not my gig. Neither is entertaining people with agendas or a vendetta against me. My gig isn't giving in to an overbearing moderator either who feels a bit too comfortable or smug in their position, who takes their "title" to the nth degree.

The sites we write on are important to us for obvious reasons. We enjoy writing, and when we can make a little extra money doing it? Even better. But to also lose a part of yourself just for the sake of the money? That's not my gig either. To just give in? Nope. Not me. Not gonna do it.

Perhaps the better word is "pause." I can simply step back a little bit and take a pause.

When one is really active usually on some sites, such as I am on theirs, I am sure it will be noticed. Not directly, perhaps. But somewhere in the pause. I am obviously not the only fish in the water nor am I the biggest fish. But I think I am big enough that my pause will set aside some revenue that normally would be forthcoming into their coffers.

And again, it's not an "I'll show you" moment. It's not a punishment. Neither is it intended to be either of those things. It's not for them. It's for me. Because also again, I have other places to go and spend my time.

I do my best to play along and follow the rules. I do my best to not intentionally break any. I think that should be understood and recognized and at least given some credence to. I think even my intent should be understood when something is a "borderline break" of any rule.

The bottom line is that while I am bound by a site's rules, wants and desires. I am not bound to pick them when I choose to play.

Lead image courtesy of Pixabay, user stux. Black Board Traces Of Chalk - Free photo on Pixabay