4 years of loyalty brought me pay cuts and trauma - Freelance Writer Valnet Inc. Employee Review

1.0
Aug 10, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

It's remote work, which is good.

Cons

Valnet is the most toxic company of all time. Seriously. I started at Valnet in 2018 and stayed until 2021. I stayed through the 2020 pandemic, even though they hit the writers' team with massive pay cuts at a time when we REALLY needed financial stability. I contributed articles to ScreenRant, CBR, TheTalko, TheThings, and TheQuiz over the years. I was pushed by my editors to submit a large quota on a consistent basis, even though the pay was outrageously low. I believe I went through four or five major pay cuts during my time at Valnet. The people running this company are greedy and callous. I left Valnet to start writing articles at bigger-name companies such as Glam, The-Sun, Distractify, and Women dot com. I quickly learned that every other company pays their writers a livable wage, but Valnet does not. After getting engaged to my fiance recently, I decided to reapply to a couple of Valnet sites in order to pull in some extra freelance money on the side to cover wedding expenses. What a mistake! Despite my extensive portfolio of previously published work at all Valnet brands, I was told to submit two lengthy UNPAID writing tests for ScreenRant and TheTravel. And quickly after, I was rejected by both. Keep in mind, when I started at Valnet back in 2018, I was a much weaker writer with zero experience. Since leaving, I've been published by news outlets that are far more prestigious than any Valnet site. My writing skills, vocabulary, and talent have blossomed in this industry. The fact that I was hired in 2018 with zero experience, but rejected in 2023 after building stronger writing skills speaks volumes. I believe they subjected me to both unpaid writing tests with no intention of rehiring me out of retaliation because I chose to leave them in 2021. Beware of this toxic company. Know your worth and realize you can do better! If anything, use Valnet as a place to build your portfolio so you can start applying to better companies that will actually value you.

Explore other reviews about Valnet Inc.

5.0
Mar 24, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Working in person in NYC, regular NYC-based junket and red carpet opportunities, travel opportunities a la SXSW, creative freedom, encouraged creative pitches, viewed and treated as a leader, rewarded for hard work, transparent communication from direct bosses and corporate bosses, corporate values me and my team. That's a bullet point list, but to be more clear: I love working here. Love love LOVE. I've seen the ugly side of this industry and I am honored and privileged to be flolicking in the sunshine and rainbows that exists within Valnet. I stand on gratitude every day.

Cons

Salary is fair however it will need to be boosted by year's end - working lengthy weeks and NYC living expenses are piling up. I'm confident that my raise request will be met when the time comes as I regularly exceed expectations in my role, but I want it to be emphasized that the need for a higher salary comes down to living expenses (rent, food) as well as a desire to upgrade my wardrobe for work-based events (new suits). Additional income will be reinvested into my career, which is a benefit for all parties.

1
2.0
Mar 13, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Can't think of any. Glad to be out of there.

Cons

I worked for a company that was acquired by Valnet/subsidiary. For 3 months after the acquisition we heard crickets from their leadership - no "we're glad to have you on board", no "we're looking forward to building great things together" - the usual bull you'd expect. 3 months in the CEO calls an all-hands and introduces the guy who's going to be "running" the business. More accurate would be "the guy who will be the CEO's puppet". This person has the business skills of a potato and zero experience or knowledge of how businesses like this succeed. Since he's been running the show *everything* is a priority, everything is a crisis - he fails to realize that when everything is a priority then nothing is. Result? Revenue has fallen off a cliff and leadership asks for whatever garbage it thinks will make it look good to the CEO (and it's all garbage, all window-dressing - there's no value being built). Talented (seriously talented) people were either fired or walked, content quality is in the crapper, and morale is about as low as you can imagine. Glad I got out when I did.

2
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