Craigslist Question

J

JDimmock

New member
Hey guys (first post-- been lurking a long while though)

I just was wondering if you guys have/had the problem I've been experiencing lately in responding to ads on craigslist:
Out of the 30 or so ads I've responded to in the past couple weeks, I've only gotten about 4 replies, two of which seem to have disappeared after their one message back to me. Followed up and still nothing.

Should I follow up each reply I send after two days of no response?
Is this a common problem with Craigslist?
 
CL is ALMOST entirely bargain hunters,

CL is ALMOST entirely bargain hunters,

people/businesses looking for free interns, or students looking for help. (Some students are actually willing to pay even a very small amount, where many of the businesses want free work as an intern...they might provide lunch). you should know that CL's policies does not allow internships to be listed there, and that all jobs are to have the pay listed. (If you find otherwise, flag those postings and they may get deleted).
I check CL from time to time, and in the last 2 years have gotten like 4 paying jobs, 2 low-end, 1 mid, and 1 at good pay. (Curiously, each job was from people who never met me or saw my work, other than some VERY simple demo clips that were cut from longer shoots but not edited).
I've seldom rec'd responses, but those who did turned out to seem very above-board. I've even rec'd a few apologies because the "employer" had already chosen someone. Except for those few, many people think CL is, with occasional exceptions, basically a wasteland of low/no budget employers who think all equipment costs the same as a handycam and anyone can operate it well. It's rare when someone from CL is willing to pay reasonable or "customary" rates. You stand a better chance of getting work at some of the freelance sites, especially if you have a decent demo reel. (I don't yet, but it's on my "to do" list). Those take time to build up a reputation, and you can spend more time looking for work than actually doing work, but that's one of the "joys" of being a freelancer.
I have a few repeat clients, only 1 of whom was a CL responder, and I still take lower-pay jobs in order to pay bills, but few of them are found on CL.

Last warning: beware of scams. I heard that someone (I think in NYC), agreed to shoot a CL gig, showed up alone with their equipment, only to have it taken from them by the "employers" under threat of physical harm. Simply put, he was set-up to be mugged. If I do pursue a CL job, I request they reply via E-mail with a time, date, phone number, and name I should call, and I'll call them then.
Unfortunately, that tactic doesn't seem to work well, as I get few responses...BUT I think those that do respond are sincerely interesed in hiring me.
good luck.
 
x002657 said:
You stand a better chance of getting work at some of the freelance sites, especially if you have a decent demo reel. (I don't yet, but it's on my "to do" list). Those take time to build up a reputation, and you can spend more time looking for work than actually doing work, but that's one of the "joys" of being a freelancer.
Click to expand...

What freelance sites?

Thanks for the replies!
 
x002657 said:
Last warning: beware of scams. I heard that someone (I think in NYC), agreed to shoot a CL gig, showed up alone with their equipment, only to have it taken from them by the "employers" under threat of physical harm. Simply put, he was set-up to be mugged.
Click to expand...

I always have a switchblade, they come in real handy when you only have one hand free, and a folded tripod with heavy head makes a great club. I say bring it on.

And if you responded to an ad, just think how many others responded. There is always going to be somebody better and cheaper than you available and wanting to work. Don't take it to heart, just keep at it.
 
i guess it depends on the market. i have gotten some decent gigs from CL and made some great contacts and repeat clients. i just edited a PSA for a major company for nationwide broadcast. CL gig.

those are however, diamonds in the rough. there are tons of crappy no pay lame amateur hour gigs too. i just apply for everything then screen the responses. when someone says they are shooting a feature in 3 days and can't afford to pay the crew, i giggle and move on...
 
And in addition to cheezweezl said, anybody that waits till the last minute to respond that they need my services, get charged last minute emergency rates @1.5 times the normal rate. I like to have things booked in advance.
 
I have gotten some decent gigs on CL but they are few and far between. Most never respond (9 out of 10). The one who responds usually just expresses some interest but ends up using another shooter (presumably). I get about 3 or four gigs a year from CL.
One was the worst gig of all time, I could write a book about it (the Brooklyn-ish woman
magazine editor treated me like something on the bottom of her shoe - were it not for the celebrities I got to meet, I would have bolted in the middle of the shoot). Another
was a well paying, prime (to me) gig shooting a behind the scenes video for the music album of a well known artist and his even more well known friends.

I don't respond to the free or insulting pay gigs, which are a waste of time unless you
are in school.
 
Welcome to craigslist. Where you'll get one reply out of every 30 ads you apply for.

I've gotten about 3 gigs from CL and I hope it comes to the point where I don't need to get a 4th one.
 
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