I. Introduction
As a freelance writer, it is important to have access to a variety of reputable and reliable platforms that can help you find work and grow your career. In this review, we will be examining one such platform: Academia-Research.com.
Founded in 2004, Academia-Research.com is a popular online platform that connects writers with clients in need of high-quality written content. The platform has been operating in Kenya since 2009 and has proven to be one of the most reliable and trusted sources of work for a large portion of Kenyan freelancers. In fact, Academia-Research.com is one of the largest employers of Kenyan freelancers, offering a wide range of writing projects in various industries, including academic writing, business writing, and creative writing.
In this review, we will provide a detailed overview of the services offered by Academia-Research.com and offer our honest assessment of the platform. Our target audience for this review is Kenyan freelance writers who are interested in using online platforms to find writing work. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a beginner just starting out, we hope that this review will provide valuable insights and information that will help you decide if Academia-Research.com is the right platform for you.
In summary, our thesis statement for this review is that Academia-Research.com is a reliable and convenient platform for freelance writers, but it may not be the best choice for everyone due to its low payment rates and lack of support. We will be discussing these and other issues in more detail throughout the review.
II. Company Overview
Academia-Research.com is an online platform that connects writers with clients in need of high-quality written content. The website offers a wide range of academic writing services, including essays, dissertations, research papers, and more. It also offers non-academic writing services such as business writing, content writing, and copywriting.
Academia-Research has a large pool of writers from all over the world, including Kenya. It also has a team of support and quality assurance professionals who review and edit the work of writers to ensure that it meets the high standards of the clients.
The target audience for Academia-Research.com is primarily Kenyan freelance Academic writers who are looking for reliable sources of work. The website has a number of competitors in the online freelance writing market, including Upwork, Freelancer, Uvocorp, Essaypro, Essayshark, Studypool, and Studybay. It differentiates itself from these competitors by offering a more specialized focus on academic writing, a better differentiated mechanism for order distribution and a higher level of quality assurance. In terms of pricing, Academia-Research offers competitive rates for its services. It also offers a variety of payment options, including MPesa and Wise Transfer that offer convenience to Kenyan based writers.
Overall, Academia-Research.com is an important player in the Kenyan online freelance writing industry, and is well-suited for those who are looking for a steady stream of work and the support of a professional team.
III. Website User Interface
The Academia-Research.com website has a clean, simple and straightforward design, which makes it easy to use and navigate. All of the important information and tools are clearly labelled and easy to find, which saves time and reduces frustration. The website is responsive and works well on both desktop and mobile devices, which is convenient when I am on the go.
Academia-Research.com offers a range of useful tools and features that help me to manage my workload and communicate with clients. The messaging system is particularly useful, as it allows writers to send and receive messages directly through the website. Writers can easily communicate with support and clients on issues to do with orders. The formatting templates provided within each order is useful feature, as it helps writers quickly and efficiently format and structure papers in the required format, which is a key requirement in academic writing.
One potential area for improvement for Academia-Research.com is the current system for communication with writer management, including the human resources and payments departments. Currently, writers are only able to communicate with support regarding issues with orders on the platform, but must contact writer management through email for other matters. It would be beneficial to have a centralized system within the platform that allows writers to manage all communication in one place. Despite this, the overall experience using the website is positive, as it is functional and reliable with few major issues. Additionally, it is relatively easy for first-time users to understand and get started on the platform with minimal challenges.
IV. Types of Jobs and Mechanism of Work Distribution
Academia-Research has a wide variety of writing jobs available, including both technical and non-technical subjects. The company divides writing projects into subject areas such as business and management, health sciences and nursing, education, history, mathematics, and computer science. Writers are assigned specific subjects on their profiles and can only access and work on orders from those subject areas. However, writers can add subjects to their profiles by demonstrating their proficiency in those areas.
The website operates on a take account system, which means that orders are made available and writers can compete to complete them- the fastest wins. This process is competitive, but it is generally fair and allows all writers a chance to secure work. However, there is an advantage to being at the higher levels of the platform, as preferential treatment is offered to writers at the highest levels. There are six levels on Academia-Research.com, and orders are distributed on a top-down approach, with writers at the highest level (First Class) seeing new orders first. If orders are not taken by writers at the highest level, they trickle down until they reach the lowest level. As such, there is an advantage to being at the top of the platform in terms of accessing new orders.
There are also some orders that require writers to submit bids in order to be considered, which is typically the case for high-value or specialized orders. Once an order is “taken” or a bid is accepted, the writer is responsible for completing the work and delivering it to the client by the set deadline.
V. Freelancer Profiles/ Account Types
A. Account Levels
Academia-Research.com divides its writers into six distinct levels, based on their proficiency in a particular subject area. The levels are: General, Advanced, Senior Advanced, Premium, Top Premium, and First Class, in that order. New accounts start out at the General level, while the highest rated and most accomplished writers are at the First Class level. The levels are assigned within specific subject clusters, so each subject is ranked independently from General to First Class.
1. General: Writers at the General level are just starting out on academia-research.com and are still learning the ropes of the platform. They can take on one order at a time and are eligible for small variety of assignments within their subject area.
2. Advanced: Writers at the Advanced level have proven their skills and dedication on the platform, and as a result, are eligible to take on three orders at a time. They may also have access to a wider range of assignments compared to General level writers.
3. Senior Advanced: Writers at the Senior Advanced level have gained a reputation for consistently producing high quality work and have the skills and experience to take on more complex assignments. They can take on four orders at a time and may have priority in seeing new orders as they become available.
4. Premium: Writers at the Premium level have proven themselves to be among the best on the platform, and as a result, are eligible to take on seven orders at a time. They may also have access to a wider range of assignments and potentially higher paying orders.
5. Top Premium: Writers at the Top Premium level are the top performers on academia-research.com and are eligible to take on 10 orders at a time. They may also have priority in seeing new orders as they become available and may have access to a wider range of assignments and potentially higher paying orders.
6. First Class: Writers at the First Class level are the elite of academia-research.com and are eligible to take on a maximum of 12 orders at a time. They have the highest level of access to new orders and a wide range of assignments, and have access to higher paying orders.
In summary, writers at higher levels have a number of privileges that are not available to those at lower levels. For example, writers at the First Class level have access to more orders and have the ability to take on more orders at a time compared to those at lower levels. They also have the opportunity to choose from a wider range of orders and may be more likely to find higher paying assignments. Writers at the highest levels (Top Premium and First Class) often have a higher earning potential. This is because orders are distributed on a top-down approach, with writers at the highest level seeing new orders first. If orders are not taken by writers at the highest level, they trickle down until they reach the lowest level.
Writers at the lower levels of the platform may have to work harder and be more patient in order to secure work, as they are not given the same level of access to new orders as those at the top. However, with hard work and dedication, it is possible to grow an account and reach the highest level, which offers more consistent workflow and higher earning potential.
B. Ranking System
The levels are assigned within subject clusters, meaning that each subject is ranked independently from General to First Class. For example, an individual with a history subject can be ranked from General to First Class on that subject. Essentially, a writer is competing for positions with other writers in the same subject. Ranking is dependent on account statistics, which are calculated based on a number of metrics including, but not limited to, the number of orders completed in the subject, customer feedback rating (the most important metric), customer return request rate (the percentage of customers who come back and request the writer for help with future orders in the same subject), and reassignment rate. The Academia algorithm ranks writers based solely on these metrics, so a writer’s ability to perform better than other writers in the same subject determines how high they can go. The system recalculates writer performance regularly, so writers must maintain stellar statistics in order to remain at the same level or move up the ladder. Poor statistics are swiftly punished by being moved to a lower level or even being terminated.
C. Account Establishment and Growth
In order to become a writer on academia-research.com, individuals must first create an account and take a subject-specific test to demonstrate their proficiency in a particular area of writing. The subject one qualifies for relies on their educational background and certification. For example, a writer with an engineering background and certification can take the engineering test and qualify for the engineering subject.
Once successful, the writer must complete five trial orders to prove that they deserve to be at the company. These orders are carefully reviewed by the quality assurance department (QAD) to ensure that they meet the high standards of the website. Failure to successfully navigate the first trial, will lead to account termination. After successfully completing the first trial, writers are free to request additional subjects that they believe they are proficient in. If the request is approved, the writer will be required to complete a trial for that particular subject. If the second or subsequent trial is not successfully completed, the subject will not be approved. However, failure in one subject does not affect already-approved subjects. A writer can try another subject that they have not already trialed and failed in. This trial process helps to ensure that all writers on the platform are knowledgeable and skilled in the areas that they are working in.
At Academia-Research.com, each subject is essentially a separate and distinct account, meaning that statistics on one subject do not affect another. This makes Academia-Research.com a unique platform that allows for both vertical and horizontal growth. Vertical growth refers to a writer’s ability to grow from one level to another within a specific subject, which increases their chances of securing more work and accessing potentially higher paying jobs as they move up the levels within the subject (due to the top-down approach to order distribution). Horizontal growth, on the other hand, refers to the ability of a writer to add new subjects to their profile and expand their expertise. This can be done by taking additional subject-specific tests and completing trial orders. Adding more subjects means that a writer has access to a wider range of orders, and thus contributes to better workflow.
The process of advancing from one level to another can be challenging, but it is worth the effort. Maintaining a high level on Academia-Research.com requires consistent high performance and customer satisfaction. If a writer’s performance or customer satisfaction rate drops, they may be demoted to a lower level. However, it is possible to regain a higher level by improving performance and customer satisfaction.
Overall, the account types and levels on Academia-Research.com provide opportunities for growth and advancement within the platform. The ranking system is based on objective metrics that are calculated by an algorithm, ensuring that the system is fair and allows writers to advance based on their abilities and efforts. The ability to add new subjects to one’s profile and grow within those subjects provides opportunities for both vertical and horizontal growth, and writers at the highest levels have access to more opportunities and higher earning potential. Maintaining a high level requires consistent high performance and customer satisfaction.
VI. Quality of Jobs/ Clients and Workflow
A. Quality of Jobs/ Clients
At Academia-Research, the quality of jobs is generally high. When clients request a job, they must provide detailed instructions and fully pay for the task before it is made available to writers. This helps to reduce the risk of payment issues arising after a writer has completed the work. Writers can be confident that they will be paid for their services as long as the quality of their work meets the required standards. The company sets the rates at which it is willing to pay writers for their work, which is lower than the rates paid by the clients. The difference in rates is how the company makes its profit. Writers are not able to negotiate with clients or communicate with them directly before accepting an order. Any issues related to pay are handled by the company. In cases where there may be missing instructions or attachments writers can contact support or the client to request the necessary information.
B. Workflow
Workflow at Academia-Research is generally good and there is a sufficient amount of work to support the large writer workforce. However, the amount of work available can vary depending on the subject area. Non-technical subjects such as business and management and health sciences tend to have better workflow compared to technical subjects like mathematics and engineering. In addition, the top-down approach used to distribute orders within subjects means that writers at the highest levels in a subject are more likely to have a consistent flow of work compared to those at the lower levels or with less in-demand subjects. This can be especially problematic during the off-peak seasons, when workflow tends to be slower. To ensure a good workflow, writers are encouraged to have a wide range of subjects and work to achieve high levels within those subjects.
VII. Support and Writer Management
A. Availability of Resources and Guides
The Academia Research website offers a variety of resources and guides for freelancers, including a news bulletin board, writing guides, a forum, and a blog with tips and updates. These resources provide valuable information that can help writers stay current on industry standards and trends, as well as updates from the company. Overall, the resources and guides available on the website are helpful and useful for writers.
B. support and Customer (Writer) Service
The support and customer service provided by Academia-Research.com is generally satisfactory. The website has a dedicated support team that is available to answer questions and resolve issues via live chat, the dedicated order message board or email. The support team, is usually responsive and helpful, on issues to do orders. However, some writers have reported that communication with the writer management team, including the HR and payments departments, can be somewhat limited, with communication primarily being conducted through email. It would be helpful if there was a centralized system within the platform that facilitated communication with these departments.
C. Support Management and Engagement with Writers
Support is actively involved in the day-to-day running of the website and is generally friendly, approachable and helpful in their interactions with writers. They are available to address issues between writers and clients, and they seem to approach these issues fairly and objectively. In terms of policies, Academia-Research.com has a lenient stance on refunds and disputes, and they generally try to resolve these issues in a way that is fair to both parties. However, there have been a few instances where the website has been slow to address disputes or provide refunds, which can be frustrating for writers.
D. Writer Reviews and Evaluations
The website largely uses client feedback, request rates, and overall satisfaction to evaluate and rank writers, with the algorithm working automatically to determine rankings based on the metrics. The quality assurance department only becomes involved in cases of client complaints or disputes about the quality of work. Overall, the review and evaluation system is fair and effective, and it helps to ensure the quality of work on the platform.
VIII. Compensation and Payment
A. Compensation (CPP) and Earning Potential
At Academia-Research.com, writers are paid based on a rate per page (CPP) system, which means that the more pages a writer completes, the more they will earn. The CPP rate varies depending on the subject area, urgency, and complexity of the order. For example, orders in technical subjects or with shorter deadlines tend to have higher CPP rates. On average, accounts at the lower levels receive orders paying around $3.5 per page while those in the higher levels average over $5 per page. It is important to note that the CPP rates are set by the company and are not negotiable by the writers.
The earning potential for writers on the platform is dependent on several factors, including the amount of work available, the writer’s ability to work efficiently and the pay rates of the orders that the writer is able to access. In general, writers with higher levels or a wider range of subjects will have more opportunities for work and may be able to earn more. It is also possible for writers with accounts at higher levels to work with teams of other writers, which can increase the overall earning potential for the accounts. However, it is important to keep in mind that the earning potential on the platform can vary significantly depending on the writer’s level, subject expertise and the amount of work available.
B. Fees and Payment Policies
At Academia-Research.com, writers are not charged any fees for their work. This means that writers can expect to receive the full amount that they have earned for their efforts. The company does impose fines for certain issues such as quality problems, lateness, and failure to deliver work, as outlined in their policies. Clients also have the option to leave tips for writers as a bonus. While the company does not charge writers for payment processing, payment companies may impose their own fees based on their business terms. Writers at Academia-Research.com are paid every two weeks, with payment releases on the 5th-10th and 20th-25th of each month.
C. Payment Methods
Academia offers several payment methods for writers to receive their earnings, including MPesa, bank transfer, and WebMoney. MPesa is a popular option for Kenyan writers and offers convenient and competitive exchange rates when converting to local currency. Bank transfer is also available for writers who prefer to receive their payments directly to their bank accounts. WebMoney is another option for writers to receive their payments online. All of these payment methods are secure and reliable, although there may be additional fees or charges incurred when using certain methods.
D. Payment Security and Protection Policies
Academia-Research.com has policies in place to protect writers’ earnings and resolve any disputes that may arise. The company has a dispute resolution process in place to address any issues with orders, including disputes over payment or quality of work. Overall, the payment security and protection policies at Academia-Research.com seem to be effective in ensuring the safety and security of writers’ earnings on the platform.
IX. Reputation and Standing in the Market
Academia-Research.com has a good reputation in the market as a reliable platform for academic freelance writers, especially in Kenya. It is one of the more well-known websites in the industry and has a significant market share. Writers have generally been satisfied with their experiences on the platform, with most reviews being positive.
In terms of writer satisfaction ratings, the website has a high rating with most writers expressing satisfaction with the pay rates, support, and overall experience on the platform. However, there are some writers who have had negative experiences, such as difficulty with communication or issues with payment. These negative reviews are in the minority, however, and do not significantly impact the website’s reputation.
Overall, Academia-Research.com is a popular and well-respected platform in the market. It has a strong market share and a good reputation among both clients and writers.
X. Experiences of Freelancers Who Have Used Academia
A. Oliver’s Experience
Oliver has been working with Academia-Research.com for over 8 years, and he has seen a lot of changes at the company during that time. Some of these changes have been positive, such as the of new rating system that is fair and free of manipulation. However, Oliver has also noticed a decline in pay rates over the years, which has been a source of frustration for him. Despite this, he remains grateful for the job security and trust that he has experienced at the company. He appreciates that, unlike other companies that go on regular mass firings, he has been able to find a reliable partner in Academia-Research.com.
As a writer at one of the higher levels at the company, Oliver enjoys a significantly better experience compared to those at lower levels. He has a consistently high workload and higher pay rates, which has allowed him to hire and work with other writers to offer work to more than just himself. Overall, Oliver is comfortable and grateful for what the company has been able to offer him over the years.
B. Sarah’s Experience
On the other hand, Sarah is a newer writer at Academia-Research.com and has been struggling to find consistent workflow. When she first joined the platform, she was excited to get started and earn some extra income as a freelancer. However, she quickly found that the workflow was not as steady as she had hoped. She cites slow response from the quality assurance department when she submitted completed orders for approval, to making the process longer than is should have been. Sarah had almost given up on the platform a few times, but persisted in the hope of a better future, eventually completing.
Despite completing the trial phase and being approved as a writer, Sarah has struggled to find consistent work on the platform mostly because of lack of available work in his subject areas as major contributing factors to her struggles. She joined the company with the hope of finding steady and reliable work, after dealing with unreliable and underpaying employers in the past. However, she has found it difficult to find consistent work and is still struggling to establish herself on the platform. Despite these challenges, Sarah remains determined to make a success of her time at Academia-Research.com. She thus continues to apply for orders and hopes that her experience will improve in the future.
XI. Pros and Cons
Overall, Academia-Research.com has a number of pros and cons for freelancers.
A. Pros
1. Good workflow: As previously discussed, the website has a good workflow, especially for writers in non-technical subjects such as business and health sciences. Additionally, the website’s rating system, which is based on client feedback, request rate, and overall satisfaction, helps to ensure that writers at higher levels have a consistent workload.
2. Take system: The take system at Academia-Research.com allows writers to choose the orders that they want to work on, which gives them a certain level of control over their workload, time and income. This can be particularly beneficial for writers who have busy schedules or prefer to work on certain types of orders.
3. Job security: Academia-Research.com has a long-standing reputation in the Kenyan freelance writing industry and has a track record of providing job security to its writers. This can be particularly appealing to writers who are looking for a reliable source of income.
4. Rating/ Ranking system: The rating system at Academia-Research.com is fair and free of manipulation, which helps to ensure that writers are ranked based on their performance and not on any other factors.
5. Opportunities for growth: The company has levels and a well defined path to career progression. Furthermore, with a rating system that is fair and free of manipulation, writers at Academia-Research.com have the opportunity to progress through the levels and access higher paying orders. This can be a great way for writers to build their careers and increase their earning potential.
5. Consistent and reliable pay: Academia-Research.com has a long standing history in the Kenyan Academic writing industry, and they have a reputation for being reliable and consistent in their payments. Writers can expect to receive their earnings on a regular basis, and they are not required to worry about late or missing payments.
7. Wide range of subjects: The website offers a wide range of subject areas, which means that writers with a variety of skills and expertise can find work on the platform. This can be especially helpful for writers who have a diverse range of interests or who are looking to work with teams of writers.
8. Good support and customer service: From the writer’s perspective, Academia-Research.com has good support and customer service. The website’s staff is responsive and helpful, and they are willing to address any issues or concerns that writers may have.
9. Flexibility: The website is flexible and able to accommodate different types of freelancers, including part-time, full-time, and remote workers. This can be especially helpful for writers who have other commitments or who are looking for a more flexible work schedule.
B. Cons
1. Decline in pay rates: Some writers have reported a decline in pay rates over the years, which can be frustrating for those who rely on the platform as a primary source of income.
2. Limited availability of work: Some freelancers have reported challenges in finding consistent work on the platform, particularly those who specialize in niche or technical subjects, and those at the lower levels.
3. Slow trial process: The quality assurance process can be slow and complex, which can be frustrating for writers who are trying to complete orders and move on to new assignments. This makes the journey to grow an account longer than it should be.
4. Struggle for new writers: As mentioned, new writers at Academia-Research.com can struggle to find consistent workflow. This can be especially true for writers who are working in subject areas with less demand or who are still in the trial phase.
5. Poor writer management support: Writer management support that includes human Resource, QAD and Payments department are slow and at times harsh when responding to writers’ issue through email.
6. Forced to take or leave: The website’s take or leave system means that writers cannot negotiate prices or haggle over low paying jobs. This can lead to exploitation, especially when workflow is slow.
7. Long trial period: The trial period can be long and challenging, with a slow response rate from the quality assurance department and a high workload. This can make it difficult for new writers to get started on the platform.
XII. Conclusion
In conclusion, Academia-Research.com is a well-established platform that has a long history of working with Kenyan writers. The company has a reputation for offering job security and building trust with its writers, and it has played a significant role in introducing many writers to the world of freelancing. While there are certainly some drawbacks to using the platform, such as the lack of support from staff and the inability to negotiate prices, there are also many positive aspects. These include a fair rating system, good opportunities for growth, and a take system that allows writers to choose the jobs they want. Overall, Academia-Research.com is a solid choice for Kenyan writers who are looking for reliable work and the opportunity to build their careers.
OWC Recommendations
Here are some recommendations for writers considering working with Academia-Research.com:
1. Before joining Academia-Research.com, it is important for writers to think about their long-term goals and career aspirations. While the platform offers job security and opportunities for growth, the pay rates may not be suitable for those looking to collaborate with other writers or build a team. In particular, writers at lower levels may find it difficult to sustain a successful freelance writing business due to the low compensation per page (CPP) offered on the platform. It is important for writers to carefully weigh the pros and cons of using Academia-Research.com and consider if it aligns with their career goals and financial needs before committing to the platform.
2. Be prepared to take on lower-paying jobs when necessary in order to maintain a consistent workflow. This is especially true for those at lower levels. It is important to understand that not every job will be highly paid and to be prepared to take on less lucrative work when needed.
3. If you have the opportunity and resources, consider joining Academia-Research.com at a higher level. Starting at a higher level can provide a number of benefits, including better pay rates and a more consistent workload. Higher levels often have more privileges and opportunities for growth, which can be especially beneficial for those looking to build a long-term career as a freelance writer. It is important to note that joining at a higher level may require a larger initial investment, but the potential benefits may ultimately outweigh the costs.
4. It is important to carefully read and understand the policies and terms and conditions of working with Academia-Research.com before committing to the platform. This will help you to know what is expected of you as a freelancer, and will ensure that you are aware of any potential risks or limitations. By understanding the company’s policies and terms and conditions, you can make an informed decision about whether or not the platform is a good fit for your needs and goals. Additionally, knowing the policies and terms and conditions can help you to avoid any misunderstandings or conflicts that may arise during your time with the company.
5. Be mindful of the time and effort that may be required to grow and maintain your account level, as the benefits may not always outweigh the costs. If you are considering a new or lower level account, be prepared to be patient and work hard in order to grow your account. Keep in mind that the process of increasing your account level may be time-consuming and may require a significant amount of effort on your part. It is important to carefully weigh the potential benefits of a higher account level against the time and resources that you will need to invest in order to achieve it.
6. It is important to keep an open mind and be prepared to adapt to changes on the platform, as Academia-Research.com is constantly evolving and improving its services. In the past, the company has implemented significant changes that have affected the way accounts operate and even the terms of service. In order to ensure success on the platform, it is important to stay updated on any changes and be ready to adapt quickly. This will help you to avoid any negative impacts on your work and ensure that you are able to continue providing high quality services to your clients.
7. To achieve success on Academia-Research.com, it is important to focus on making your customers happy. This means delivering high quality work, as well as maintaining good communication with them. Building strong relationships with your customers can help you retain their business and receive positive ratings, which are important factors in the algorithm that determines your rank as a writer on the platform. Pay attention to customer feedback and work to increase your customer return rate, as these are key metrics that contribute to your success on the platform.
8. Research and compare other freelance platforms before committing to Academia-Research.com. While the website has a long-standing reputation and history in the Kenyan market, it is still important to explore other options and consider which platform will be the best fit for your needs and goals.
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