I was scammed of $500 by my first 'oyibo' client ~Uyo based savy writer cries out

I was scammed of $500 by my first 'oyibo' client.

When I started as a content writer, I also looked to getting the "big" deals. Fortunately, I was getting clients, but I wanted to move on to the next level. There were times when I would get N1000, in some cases, N1500, for 1000 words. Oh...those days🤦‍♀️

Funny enough... I didn't find any fault in it since the jobs kept coming in and I could do "one or two" things for myself. Besides, I love to research and write. So, it was no big deal.

Moving on, I realised that I was cheating myself. I meeeeeaannnn.... such amount for 1000 words that's fully optimized to meet SEO rules.

I gave myself a wake up call. Higher was calling me. During that period, I came across a job post one of these Facebook groups. I went through the group and I saw some excellent stuff, so I didn't think it was scam. Besides, the group had about a million members. So, were was the scam?

I met all the requirements and decided to shoot my shot. I sent my portfolio and a cover letter. I got a response - a positive one. I had been hired.

The excitement I felt was outta this world. I was just about to work with an 'oyibo' for the first time. She was going to pay $500 for 1,500 words (a product review - piano). Prior to that time, I did a lot of research and realised that foreigners pay better than some of our 'brethrens' here. That amount was enough for me. It was going to be my breakthrough ticket to getting more foreign clients.

She sent the content brief and I had 12 hours to turn in the work. She asked for an invoice. At that time, I didn't have an account I could use to receive payment in any currency other than naira. So, I quickly reached out to a friend and he sent me his PayPal ID and account number. I prepared the invoice and sent to the client. She responded that she would be making payment soon.

I decided see any need to delay the work any further. I had to 'over-impress' this my first 'oyibo' client. I had the experience, so, writing 1,500 words was no big deal. I could finsih that in about 3 hours. But, I had to take more time on this one.

After about 6 hours, I decided to turn in the work. On logging in to Facebook, I realised that she had blocked me. I was lost, totally confused. I went to the Facebook group I got her contact from and saw a lot of people insulting her.

From what I gathered, she sends briefs to writers, gets the articles and blocks them afterwards. Apparently, she had to block me even if I didn't send the article yet, because her evil acts had being brought to limelight. 

 

Kai! My 'omo' was 'omoed'. I had mixed feelings of anger and sadness. I didn't know whether to be happy that I at least didn't send the article yet. But, how about the hours wasted? How about the plans I was already making for the money? How about my bragging rights as a content writer that was going to earn in dollars?

I kept wallowing in self-pity and sadness for over a week. But, I had to move on. I shared the story with some friends and they advised me to let go that bigger deals were coming. 

Today, I literally drown in the bigger deals😄

Truly, growth is a PROCESS.

I couldn't bring myself to share this story when it happened. In fact, I didn't think I should. But, seeing how far I have come, I thought to share it so you could connect the dots yourself. 

You can pick your lessons.