The blog Making a Living Writing recently posted an article on “Middle-Man Agency Platforms.” None of the sites listed are ones I’m familiar with, but they could be an interesting way for writers to expand their markets.

Their model is similar to Upwork, and they’re different from the rather pejoratively named “content mills” (a few of which are actually good). A “content mill” is a business which you contract with. It sells your work to the customer and takes a cut. Usually your name won’t appear on your writing.

With an agency, you’re dealing directly with the customer, and the agency gets a commission when you’re paid. Usually it handles the payment. You have more opportunities when the customer is really your customer, but also more risks. You may be able to set your own price, and you have a decent chance of seeing your name appear on the article.

When dealing with any site you aren’t familiar with, you have to assess the risks and benefits. If it gets you regular, well-paying work, that’s great. If it’s slow about paying you, that’s not so good. If it sells your work without paying you, or if it misuses your financial information, that’s serious trouble. Check the agency’s reputation before submitting any work to it. Be very careful before giving anyone your Social Security number or bank account information.

Be especially wary of customers that ask you to do an end run around the agency’s terms. It may look like a chance for get more money, but the customer has just told you it’s willing to break contracts which it has entered. Think about what how it’s likely to treat you.

I don’t have much experience in this area. Direct clients are better if you can get them; you get to keep the whole payment. A reputable “content mill” may not pay a fortune, but at least it’s reliable.