As a freelance content provider I bid for contracts in a competitive marketplace, and since I am in the trenches doing so on a daily basis, I have a good view of the landscape. What I have found is disturbing; not just for me, but for the state of the Internet as a whole.
I recognize the fact that the economy is tough and a lot of people are out of work or underemployed and looking for a way, any way, to make some money. Some of them find their way to this field, and there are also a lot of individuals from India, Pakistan, and the Philippines who are bidding on some of the same jobs that I bid on.
Due to the fact that the cost of living is much higher here, coupled with my education and experience and the level of quality I provide, I am awarded a very low percentage of the contracts I bid on, in spite of the fact that I have a 100% customer satisfaction rating.
My point is not to moan or decry globalization (though the second part may be worth doing). I want to contend that there is such a thing as the cheapest price, but there is another factor to consider as well: the best value. Let me provide you with a quick analogy. I bought a mop at the dollar store a couple of week ago. The head came off the first time I used it and I had to throw it away. It was definitely the cheapest mop around…but it didn’t provide the best value. If you bought ten of them they wouldn’t last a week. But if you bought an $8 mop in the first place, it would probably last you a year.
As we say around here, your content is your voice on the Internet. It is your identity, and prospective customers can’t see you and look into your eyes or evaluate your physical location. They may not know where you are located at all. The only measure of trust that they can draw from is the appearance of your site, and the content that you have conveying your message and/or describing your offerings.
If your content sounds like it was written by a non-native, or if it is lacking in creativity, professionalism, and clarity, you will not inspire confidence in your visitors. Yes, it’s true that I’m a content provider so it is in my interest to make this contention. But let me tell you a secret…I’m a lousy salesman because I’m a terrible liar. But, if I believe that what I’m saying is true, I have no problem making a recommendation. And I am genuinely certain that paying a little bit more for really solid content is well worth it.
When I see what people are willing to pay, and what I’m asking, the difference is not all that great, and there is no doubt in my mind that the better value lies in going with impeccable, well written content. 
People wind up with either bad or mediocre content that basically does more harm than good, when they could have paid a fair price to an experienced and seasoned professional and walked away with optimum value for their money.
I have my finger on the pulse of things, and I think that many people are beginning to recognize the fact that the Internet is plagued by horrible writing, and I think they’re coming around. Hopefully, lots and lots of them will find their way right here.
