For the past 2 years, ActNow has been running the Cash for Comments program where young people are paid to write opinion pieces. With payment equivalent to industry rates, writers have their pieces published on the website and syndicated in popular press. So what does it mean to have your words printed AND be paid for it?
How does Cash for Comments work?
Twice a year ActNow recruits young people from around Australia to write opinion pieces for the ActNow website. This not only ensures a continuous flow of engaging and topical articles for the site but also provides young people with opportunities to gain writing experience, have their voices heard, and earn some cash for their hard work.
Each Cash for Comments intake runs for six months and includes offline and online training and support. The program begins with a face-to-face workshop to develop skills in pitching, research and writing for a web-based audience. Guest speakers, including senior editorial staff at Allen & Unwin, provide further inspiration and advice.
Following the workshop, Cash for Comments writers are required to pitch story ideas by email on a weekly basis, with one article commissioned by ActNow staff every week. Online support is provided throughout the program — ActNow staff and interns edit articles and provide detailed feedback.
What’s in it for young people?
According to former participant Zoe, the training and support provided has been a big confidence booster. “I’ve had such a valuable experience with ActNow over the last six months. I feel a bit more confident about writing, just through having had the experience of pitching every week and writing my articles… One thing which really surprises me is that I’m even interested in politics now — perhaps because I no longer see the whole thing as one silly futile mass (…well sometimes I still do). But increasingly I see politics as something that ordinary people can participate in.”
Once articles are finalised they are published on the site (where other members can add comments) and are featured on the ActNow homepage. And, importantly, writers are then paid for their work. Being paid means young people feel highly valued, not only for their time and effort but also for their views on issues affecting their community.
Current participant Chanelle commented that, “as well as the ability to be paid to write my opinions they have given me the opportunity to be taken seriously as a writer and a chance to build a portfolio of published pieces…They are a great network for any young person who has something to say." Another participant said, “I’ve learnt a lot about writing opinion pieces and strengthened my argument skills. It was hard work but seeing my pieces online and receiving comments was really rewarding.”
What’s in it for ActNow and our audience?
In 2008 alone, 48 opinion pieces on topics important to young Australians will be generated by the Cash for Comments program. This includes articles on the
global financial crisis, the
US election,
the Beijing Olympics,
human trafficking and
climate change. Numerous articles have also been syndicated in other media including street press such as
Drum Media, magazines like
Dolly and on
ABC radio, where one participant had the opportunity to read her article on air.
Syndication not only means ActNow can reach a larger audience but that young people’s opinions are also being heard by the wider community. Former participant Sheree says this enables young people to have a more positive view of the world and their role in it: “ I feel encouraged by seeing a community of young people form around the desire to take action, and more optimistic about things I can do that will make a difference. As an ActNow writer, I've learnt a lot about issues as diverse as Indian call centres and climate change, and it's also given me a lot of confidence and constructive experience.”
