Question regarding a custom writing service start up

3 replies
Hey there!

I've been a long time warriorforum user and stalker (10+ years), but this is my first post! :rolleyes:

I've been heavily involved in online marketing for some time now, having built and sold over 50 successful websites and blogs. I've also written many articles and infoproducts for myself and a few clients, mostly on elance and freelancer.

I'm currently starting a new custom writing service with a few fellow IMs, where clients would purchase custom articles and content for their websites and blogs. I have a question before launching the website:

As an article and content buyer, would you rather buy from:

A) A website with an e-commerce feel to it, with shopping cart and buy now button integration: You would select your custom work option and purchase right away. We then get to work and send you the good stuff by email. (A colder approach)

B) A website with a detailed contact form where you would put in your work demands and submit. We would then review your order and submit an invoice by email before starting the work. The goods would be sent my email. (A longer but more personal approach)

C) A website with a client portal. You would register and login, then in the client area, you can browse product and price options, choose and send payment. We would deliver the goods by email and/or directly in the client area.

I feel like there are advantages to all 3 options, and I've seen all 3 around the web for similar services providers. From my own experience, I've always stayed clear from writing or ghostwriting services that offer their services on an e-commerce type website: they feel too much like stores: it's custom work I'm buying, not a t-shirt. But on the other hand, they seem to convert better, since a client doesn't need to send in his work details, wait for a response and then pay (like option B).

So how about it?

Thank you very much for your input!
#article marketing advice #buy articles #buy content #custom #ghostwriter #question #service #start #website content writing #writing
  • Profile picture of the author Paul Short
    Personally, I like option C, where I have my own little area I log in to, choose the options, pay and when the work is ready, I'd get an email notification to drop by and download my stuff. I'd also want a quick and easy way to get in contact with someone if I have any questions or custom requests, so a live chat type of thing would be nice.

    But that's just me.

    Paul
    Signature
    I write stuff for marketers and my current clients keep me comfortably
    busy. But if you make me the right offer, I'll write stuff for you too.
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  • Profile picture of the author Joseph Robinson
    Banned
    I'm currently using option B to run my own writing service. It has worked well for me so far (although I'm only running it here and not through a website. Didn't want to design and tweak one for a service that will only run a few months).
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  • Profile picture of the author TheArticlePros
    I'm using option B also. My service isn't even the main thing on the site...my mentor and I merged my actual article writing service last year with a plugin we came out with so that we could combine the brands.

    My contact form isn't really detailed either...it has a radio button list with the different sizes of articles, a text field so that the client can input his/her keywords on one line a piece, and a second text field so that they can provide specific directions. There are a couple of check boxes where they have to agree to give me 5 bajillion dollars plus any lottery winnings they may accrue in their lifetime, and then a submit button.

    After I get the email, I'll read it through and see if they had any questions and then invoice them. I normally send a personal reply thanking them for their business as well (before the invoice).

    -- j
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    Posting About Life & Video Games:
    http://www.jarycu.com

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