Looking for an Agent/Business Partner

10 replies
lately, I've been doing a lot of research on blogging,guest blogging, and the like, and as I think about it, I'm not sure that I have the temperament to be a freelance online writer; the only way it would work is if someone handled the marketing, and I produced the content.

Probably, I should focus on finding someone like that, instead; I have Aspergers, and interacting with others just isn't my cup of tea.

I've spent a huge amount of time learning various online skills, but I'm just too far scattered to make self-marketing work, because I find it hard doing more than one thing at a time.. I can sit down, and make a quality article on any number of topics, and spend long hours doing so, but putting it through the pipeline isn't me; I've tried to the point of burnout.

I need stimulation, life, to write, and it's just too stale, here. I need an audience, if only a small one, as I transition to a large one. I have bills to pay in the mean time, and I just have a hard time shifting between finding regular work, and this.

I should probably come up with a pitch, shouldn't I? I Can come up with one, show it to people in the forum, and have it revised--forgive me my ramblings.

Here's a proto-draft of it--tell me what you think:

Hello. My name is Philip Carpenter, and I am seeking an agent/business partner for myself, as I proceed to market myself as a freelance writer/journalist.

Looking back so far over thirty-seven years, I have come, dare I say, to realize what I am very good at.

To wit, I'm smart, very smart, and good writer, want to be doing this as a career. I love to read, and even more, to share my thoughts, and ideas, with others.

And even better, given that's pretty much all I want to do, I'd really like to get paid for it.

Trouble is, still looking back over my thirty-seven years, I happen to be sufficiently self-aware of a key weakness.

Simply put, I do not like to market myself. Or, I'm simply not good at it.

Or, I'm a little bit crazy--but let's not go there, shall we?

Oh, I do not mind banging out articles, long articles, or editing them, but I do mind the hassle of self-promotion. I don't like it, am not comfortable with it, and I probably never will.

Maybe it's my inflexible Aspergers, maybe it's my in-born stubbornness, maybe...I don't know. I just know that after thirty-seven years of living, I do not seem to be a good freelance journalist, even if I posses more than my share of ability.

My friend, that's where you come in.

Like me you're ambitious, driven, but blessed with ability to ask for things...and make them want to give it to you. I could you. You do the work of finding paying publishers, and I'll write to them the work that pays.

A symbiotic blending of abilities, really; I'm a content provider, but I need a middle man for my talents, as you can see, at noitartst.com; it's basically a clearinghouse for things I've written, but it's also a nice resume, of sorts, for my chops. I have a channel on YouTube, as well--for good measure.

I'll be famous, one day, and per your role, you'll get a cut.

Specifically, you need to be people-savvy, but also, tech-savvy, computer savvy. I have been developing my own skills, already, and will be doing more, but if nothing else, we could just make money via blog traffic: Developing traffic would fall under your domain, whereas content, as ever, is mine.

Exact percentages can be negotiated but keep in mind: You are not simply doing this for profit, but also to help compensate someone over something he has otherwise struggled with. For me, it it is to but make an impact within the greater world.

But be forewarned: I have an odd brand of politics, and will say but odder things. I'm not the most partisan of pundits, but my socio-cultural views do indeed steer right. If you can't handle it, don't say I didn't warn yas.

Sincerely, Philip Brock Carpenter
#agent or business #partner
  • Profile picture of the author Andrew Gould
    It's all about you. You even managed to make the payment about you.

    And whoever you're going to be sending this to doesn't care about you. They don't care about your problems and they don't care about what you want.

    You need to focus on them. On how you can help them solve their problems and get what they want.

    To wit, I'm smart, very smart, and good writer, want to be doing this as a career.
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    Andrew Gould

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    • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
      Philip,

      Study a basic book on copywriting. Trying to persuade is like any other skill... it's best to get some training before starting.

      (Note to "just do it" adherents: OP "just did it" and you see the result.)

      Alex
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  • Profile picture of the author DKCopywriter
    This is the board for copywriters. You're pitching the wrong forum pal!
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  • Profile picture of the author Noitartst
    Fair enough; it's not about my audience, and it should be; I don't have much confidence, let's face it, and I'm trying to figure out how to do something,

    Who's OP?

    And..

    Well, this may be the wrong forum. I'm trying to figure this out, and I'm running through a lot of dead ends, right now; pitching this to copywriters doesn't make sense, but I'm just looking for feeback, as to pitch beforehand.
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    • Profile picture of the author professorrosado
      That's alright friend! You explained your condition and, as is common, the majority don't understand. I am working on a few projects that may be what the doctor ordered for you.

      I wish you all the best. I enjoyed the read and your work should provide me with a welcomed level of enjoyment and, perhaps, a good measure of engagement.

      I will PM you when your solution is ready.

      Cheers!

      PS - OP means Original Post (er) That's YOU!
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      • Profile picture of the author Andrew Gould
        Originally Posted by professorrosado View Post

        You explained your condition and, as is common, the majority don't understand.
        You're right, I don't understand how that changes the principles of good copy.

        Please enlighten me.
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        Andrew Gould

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    • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
      Originally Posted by Noitartst View Post

      Fair enough; it's not about my audience, and it should be; I don't have much confidence, let's face it, and I'm trying to figure out how to do something,

      Who's OP?

      And..

      Well, this may be the wrong forum. I'm trying to figure this out, and I'm running through a lot of dead ends, right now; pitching this to copywriters doesn't make sense, but I'm just looking for feeback, as to pitch beforehand.
      Good for you for trying to do something even if the confidence isn't there.

      You absolutely need to scrap this and make it about your target market, AFTER reading up on basic copy principles.

      And this is going to sound harsh: if you're looking for validation, this may be a tough field for you. Potential clients can smell that like a shark drawn to fresh blood, and the bravado may bring you the wrong types who will try to take advantage.

      This is a real business and plenty of people make real money doing it. But you have to treat it like a business. Invest in its growth. Develop processes and systems to help you serve others. And for ****'s sake, learn about your market. Don't spin your wheels just to put yourself out there, only to find out after the fact that it never had a chance because you didn't do the research.
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      Aspiring copywriters: if you need 1:1 advice from an experienced copy chief, head over to my Phone a Friend page.

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  • The future is tangible as dust on a MUST — unless you wing out on feathers an' butterflutter.
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    Lightin' fuses is for blowin' stuff togethah.

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  • Profile picture of the author dmaster555
    Start by thinking of how someone would benefit working with you.

    and cut the theatrics. No one has time for that crap, be straight forward. Don't be like poster above me.
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    • Profile picture of the author Noitartst
      Originally Posted by angiecolee View Post

      Good for you for trying to do something even if the confidence isn't there.

      You absolutely need to scrap this and make it about your target market, AFTER reading up on basic copy principles.

      And this is going to sound harsh: if you're looking for validation, this may be a tough field for you. Potential clients can smell that like a shark drawn to fresh blood, and the bravado may bring you the wrong types who will try to take advantage.

      This is a real business and plenty of people make real money doing it. But you have to treat it like a business. Invest in its growth. Develop processes and systems to help you serve others. And for ****'s sake, learn about your market. Don't spin your wheels just to put yourself out there, only to find out after the fact that it never had a chance because you didn't do the research.
      Well, that's what I'm working, on.

      Originally Posted by dmaster555 View Post

      Start by thinking of how someone would benefit working with you.

      and cut the theatrics. No one has time for that crap, be straight forward. Don't be like poster above me.
      Heh, heh.
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