There are a lot of copywriters and content writers here on DP. In another thread (and in many threads), the issue of rates was being discussed, as to what professional rates are, whether online clients actually pay them, etc.
My personal experience is that yes, they do pay professional rates (in my case that's $.35-.50/word; some make significantly more than that). It's just a matter of knowing how to network to find those kinds of clients, because they're not the kinds of positions you'll generally find in forums or posted to freelance job sites.
So... let's talk a little bit about networking for writers to get the higher paying jobs. I know we'll all consider different things to be "professional" rates and "high paying". Let's say a minimum of $.20/word. How would you, or do you, get those gigs? Who do you network with? How do you find out about them?
I think that freelance writing and the rates one charges is purely relative. For instance, I've held editor positions at small print publications, written hundreds of articles for well-established company-owned niche blogs, and performed freelance work for several large newspapers.
Yet I have offered my services on DP for less than .02 per word. Why would I do that? Because I am confident enough in my work that I can give another webmaster better content than he could write himself in a fraction of the time with a bit of research and a lot of finesse. It keeps me sharp and has helped me make a few new friends that possess skills that I never will (programming, graphic design, etc.).
I keep these areas completely separate, however. I would never let anyone in the "real world" know that I am selling words for that price, but I don't mind doing it here for a little while. Where I am sacrificing a large amount per word, I am gaining other, more valuable benefits than money.
Other than on DP, I would never accept a job paying .20, .35, or even .50 per word. Those rates are not what a "professional writer" with an adequate portfolio would accept. However, the tone of your post comes off as a bit elitist when you exclude writers by saying, "If you charge professional rates for your writing (and again, we're going to consider that $.20/word and up)."
I'm not making an attempt to cause a stir. I'm just pointing out the fact that there can be varied reasons for someone to charge what they do for their work and that the fee that they ask may not reflect their talent, experience, or past compensation.
I don't think Jen's intention was to sound elitist. Many writers I've talked to charge such pitiful rates because they don't know any better, and I think the group aims to show writers that they can begin to charge what they are worth. I have no doubt that many intelligent and talented writers may take side jobs from time to time where they charge rates well below what they normally do for their services.
However, it's important for emerging writers to realize that pennies per word is not the industry standard.