Two reasons why poker’s online media sucks:

1. Media won’t work for free or low-wages.
2. Media whines about 12 -16 hour workdays.

Sunday morning I tweeted:

Poker-Industry, You’re only as good as your connections, enjoy it while it lasts.  Con’t oops! Forgot to add “working / marketing for free or very little money.

I received private text messages from those who agreed.  Pauly tweeted “So… true.”  Twelve hours later, and coincidentally, someone called one of my media friends an arrogant elitist prick.   Apparently, my friend declined to promote a contest give-away on Twitter.

BREAKING NEWS:  Elitists are those who decline to work or market your product for free.

My friend’s situation reminded me of a time when some tweeters assumed I was Tweet Offended™ because I didn’t respond.  Apparently, they didn’t read “mother” on my bio.   I guess I’m an elitist because I’m not ignoring my kids to market you or your product.   For free.

Those who run their own websites have a full-time job.  Security, SEO, content, servers, hosting, advertising, 500 emails a day, social media, marketing, embeds, corrections, links, manage other writers, editing, respond to comments, software updates, learning new features, back-ups, photos, copyright rules, blogger laws, and… shameful self-promotion.

I’ve always said media should work in shifts, as 12-16 hours are too long.  Most Americans work 16 hours in two days and with benefits.  Either the benefit of health insurance or the freedom that comes with self-employment.  If you’re required to stay on site, I’m not sure that’s really contract labor.  Media shows up early, leaves late, and then goes home to write more content.  The writers are run ragged.  Exhaustion doesn’t mix with a professional image.  Exhaustion is good for the nitty-gritty bottom line.  If science shows supporting evidence that lack of sleep causes irritability, then why would anyone want to over-work their online marketers?  The Internet isn’t a marketing brochure. The Internet is permanent.

True, a few friends have good media gigs; however, they’re one-percenters.   Generally, better pay is either a short-term gig or the path to an unexpected termination.

UPDATE: According to the IRS:

The general rule is that an individual is an independent contractor if the payer has the right to control or direct only the result of the work and not what will be done and how it will be done.

Michele: writer, culture, policy, politics, tech + mom blog - writing on culture, policy, politics, tech, apps, video games, parenting, photos, sports and sometimes a what is...

I’m turning in my 2011 WSOP media badge and returning to the game. I’m aware this isn’t big news to anyone but writing this sets it in stone for me. I’m excited and a little scared but this feels right in my heart. Leaving WSOP Media Row causes an internal emotional conflict for me. I’m sad I won’t be sitting next to BJ Nemeth debating photos and discussing our plans for a WSOP talent show. I will miss Benjo’s jokes and even the fights over the last surge protector but I can’t wait to get back to the felt.  On the contrary, it’s a relief.

When I think about my style of writing over the past few years…Dr. Pauly’s face comes to mind. Perhaps my read is off but his eyes always seemed to be saying… “Michele, you have so much more potential as a writer.” If there is any truth in that assumption, it isn’t going to happen on Media Row.

As I’ve said many times, the only reason I wrote about poker in the first place was because Sarah Bilney and Barney Boatman suggested I write as an opportunity to find a sponsor. A few months later the UIGEA passed and poker sponsorships became more difficult to win than WSOP bracelets.

I’m not sure I ever wanted to report poker but since I’ll try anything, I accepted when Michalski handed me a 2007 WSOP media badge. Since I still had a bankroll from 2006, it allowed me to play and write decently that year. Yet, the more I wrote, the less I played. The less I played, the less I wrote. Eventually, I became a crappy writer without a bankroll.

Unless I have a meaningful conversation with someone, I probably won’t remember their name. Likewise, unless I develop a connection, my writing offers very little. That’s not an insecurity, it’s just how I’m wired. My previous superficial posts are evidence alone that I’m incapable of creating any non-existent depth in the industry. For those who don’t know me well… my stupid joke posts were hinting to the absurdity of the topic. It was always up to the reader to find the meaning. And knowing that someone out there doesn’t understand what that means is one of many reasons why I can’t do this anymore. Correction… I don’t want to do it anymore. And that is what this is all about. What I want. I’d rather play the topic than write about the topic. Even if I play 2 – 4 limit.

Assuming I don’t tweet all my thoughts away, I’ll still be writing. My soul would be lost without my electronic white canvas. Maybe I’ll write another screenplay or finally get to that book idea. But any poker writing will be from a player’s point of view. So, today…I’m turning in my WSOP credentials and taking a seat at the table. I might lose what little money I have but I’m going to play satellites like it’s 2005 and hope I cash like it’s 2006.

One last thing, thank you to those who remained my friend no matter what choices or mistakes I made. Including days I embarrassed the hell out of myself. Your genuine support is greatly appreciated and noticed.

WSOP Day 3

Michele: writer, culture, policy, politics, tech + mom blog - writing on culture, policy, politics, tech, apps, video games, parenting, photos, sports and sometimes a what is...