Some questions for the writers...

14 replies
I'm thinking of placing an ad in the Warriors For Hire section offering writing services, and I had some questions for those who are experienced in this area.

1) How do you balance your workload? Have you ever had to turn down work because you had too many requests for articles?

2) Is it a good strategy to offer review copies? If so, how many copies?

3) Do I need to have my own website, or can I just accept payments through Paypal?

Thanks for the help! I appreciate any advice you can send my way.
#questions #warriors for hire #writers
  • Profile picture of the author mikeroosa
    The easiest way to balance your workload is to charge more so you make more money and do less. You will drive yourself crazy if you start writing $5.00 articles all day.

    It always help to have your own website with some samples, but not necessary.

    Finally, yes you should offer a couple of review copies or some samples of your work that people can download.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
    Originally Posted by Brian Clark View Post

    I'm thinking of placing an ad in the Warriors For Hire section offering writing services, and I had some questions for those who are experienced in this area.

    1) How do you balance your workload? That's going to vary from person to person. Generally, you will get a feel for what you can conceivably do within a set time period and then schedule accordingly. Have you ever had to turn down work because you had too many requests for articles? Yup. Nothing wrong with that but if you are that busy, it's usually time to increase the rates a bit when you start taking new orders.

    2) Is it a good strategy to offer review copies? If so, how many copies? I say no. I did this when I first started offering writing here and out of a bunch of review copies, I ended up with only 1 paid order and I think it was only 2 that came back with a real review. Mostly what you get is freebie seekers. I see a lot of the same people snapping up those review articles right and left.

    My suggestion is to have samples ready, first of all. You don't have to have a website, but it's a good idea. A free blog at Blogger.com will work just fine to showcase your samples, as well as giving you a place to put your rate info, etc.

    Instead of offering free review articles, I would suggest doing the first 5-10 for a lower rate than usual. If you normally ask $20, offer the first 10 customers an article for only $10, for example.

    3) Do I need to have my own website, or can I just accept payments through Paypal? You do not need a website and can certainly just take payments through PayPal. Don't put a pay now button up, though, or you could get buried with orders before you know it. Work the details out with the prospective customer and then give them your PayPal.

    Thanks for the help! I appreciate any advice you can send my way.
    More advice not covered by your questions...

    Don't undercharge. Figure out what you need to make doing this worth your while. Obviously, you need to be able to determine your own skill level but if you're good, don't work for slave wages. No matter what anyone tells you, there is a lot of marketers who will pay a decent amount for decent work. Hold out for those and it will make the business more enjoyable.

    Take your payment upfront unless you really know the person. Just about everything online is based on upfront payment so why should writing be any different? At the very least, get half for a deposit and make it clear that copyright remains with you until payment is made in full.

    Okay, I'm tired and that's all I got for you at the moment. Feel free to drop me a PM if there's anything I can help you with.
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    • Profile picture of the author ladywriter
      Originally Posted by Tina Golden View Post

      Don't put a pay now button up, though, or you could get buried with orders before you know it.
      This is so important. Being buried is no fun. One way to make sure that doesn't happen is to do as Tina suggest, do a "email me and let's talk" thing. That way you can also weed out topics you don't like.

      To me, review articles are good for testimonials to embolden those first brave folks that order from you. Not fifty samples, just a couple. Just gave a testimonial this morning, matter of fact.

      Oh, and about Paypal--I don't know what else you have going on but personally I have big problems with putting all my eggs in one freezable basket. I'm looking at Google/Amazon/etc.etc.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brian Clark
    Mike and Tina-

    Thanks to both of you for the great advice!
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  • Profile picture of the author KenThompson
    Hey Brian,

    Good advice by Tina and others. I write full time but never advertised
    in that section. I have a site but it's for copywriting, however I write
    lots of different things.

    Decide what your limits are ahead of time, if possible. Be willing to stand
    your ground even if it means turning away work. There is enough work
    on the net, and offline, to replace anything you turn away.

    Also, some will try to take advantage of you in lots of ways. If you do
    this long enough you will encounter it. It's up to you, and we all know in
    the beginning a person may be willing to take it in the shorts a little bit
    to get established. So that's a call you probably will have to make one
    day - and soon!

    But you don't have to let that happen. After it has happened enough times
    you will get tired of it and start doing something about it. Or, you can just
    decide you won't take it in the very beginning.

    Be willing to improve your writing by studying anything you feel will help you
    be a better writer.

    For a site, maybe someone mentioned this, but you can make a small blog
    with samples and some background info. Sometimes people feel better when
    they can see something like a site. It's a lot like a business card, it seems. I
    don't even use mine, anymore, but it's there.

    Good luck,


    Ken
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  • Thanks everyone for the great tips.

    I was always wondering about how writers here managed their work...

    A bit out of topic, but what additional differences would freelance designers need to have in place, other than all the tips already given above?
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  • Profile picture of the author AmandaT
    Well, the main thing is that for a designer I believe a website is pretty much required. With writing you can email samples. With design it is better to have a website to showcase your talents in a more artistic way.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rien
    Originally Posted by Brian Clark View Post

    I'm thinking of placing an ad in the Warriors For Hire section offering writing services, and I had some questions for those who are experienced in this area.

    1) How do you balance your workload? Have you ever had to turn down work because you had too many requests for articles?

    2) Is it a good strategy to offer review copies? If so, how many copies?

    3) Do I need to have my own website, or can I just accept payments through Paypal?

    Thanks for the help! I appreciate any advice you can send my way.
    1) I take a look at my current workload, factor in other obligations
    and figure out a reasonable time frame to complete the project.
    Then I add an extra day or two for cushioning in case an emergency
    comes up.

    Have had to turn down work, but as others have mentioned it was the
    result of low prices.

    2) I offered review copies originally on another forum just to get testimonials.
    As others have already mentioned you may want to be cautious as there are
    A TON of people on this forum that are just looking for freebies. You can easily
    see who they are by checking their posts. I once had someone asking for a
    review article who was basically going to all new ads asking for a freebie.

    Here is a tip that I have used. Find Warriors who have actually posted
    testimonials for writers and approach them for a free article in exchange for
    an honest review. You will be hard pressed to find someone who will turn
    down a free article.

    3) You don't need your own website. I personally started off with a Blogger
    blog, but eventually you will want to get your own site. IMHO, having your
    own site projects a much more professional image to potential clients.

    Hope this helps! Good luck!

    Rien
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  • Profile picture of the author AmandaT
    Starting your own site is fairly cheap too. A domain will cost under $10 and hostgator is only $7 a month and has several coupon codes to get your first month for one cent.
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  • Profile picture of the author meetmanan
    1) How do you balance your workload? Have you ever had to turn down work because you had too many requests for articles?

    Its like you have to be ready after you ask for it and getting more work is up to you. If you are providing best quality, the buyer will not ask again and again for orders, you will be getting them in your account directly which you need to finish or you just tell them its not possible for now as lots work in pending and i do not want your work to wait for more time so better to finish it from other quality writers.

    2) Is it a good strategy to offer review copies? If so, how many copies?

    It is. But if you already get more clients then you can think not to give. Just because after getting reviews copy, they might put more orders which is good for you but if you can not manage to do it then no use of it. you can give it if you have less orders and more time to do research, at least client can get best of all to their payment and needs.

    3) Do I need to have my own website, or can I just accept payments through Paypal?

    PayPal is Best. You can Trust. Its same like ENGLISH as international Language and Paypal is Universal Acceptable.
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  • Profile picture of the author Daryl Lim
    First of all you might not even get to receive that many orders. So until then, chill when things turn sour, Tina's idea is practical - increase your rates.

    As for review articles, my personal opinion is not to offer them openly. You could tell interested parties beforehand that the first article you write for them will be the 'interview'. If its not good enough, give it to them. If it is, they pay and order more.
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  • Profile picture of the author DanielleLynnCopy
    I'm against review copies for the simple reason that you can just as easily create 4-5 samples for people to download. Show different samples so people can get a feel for your style.

    If you're worried about getting testimonials, go with Tina's idea. Offer a limited discount to the first few customers.

    They're much more likely to leave testimonials than freebie seekers, and you'll get paid for your efforts.

    Just remember, you have no reason to sell yourself short. Quality writers are hard to find.

    Savvy business people know that investing in a beautifully written premium article is a better strategy than wasting money finding a good 'bargain' article.

    Inversely, you're better off writing premium articles for 2-3 clients than cheap articles for 50 people who don't respect your time or skills.

    I wish you luck with your ad!
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  • Profile picture of the author BiancaRaven
    Originally Posted by Brian Clark View Post

    I'm thinking of placing an ad in the Warriors For Hire section offering writing services, and I had some questions for those who are experienced in this area.
    I can't say I'm as experienced with working for Warriors as some other writers here, but I'm happy to throw my two cents into the ring.

    The vast majority of my client base are repeat long-term private clients who keep me really busy. However, I've been known to place one or two ads in the Warriors for Hire section when I get quiet.

    1) How do you balance your workload? Have you ever had to turn down work because you had too many requests for articles?
    I keep some very detailed spreadsheets that show me who ordered what (along with email address for quick reference), when they paid, how much they paid, what keywords were ordered, when I promised the jobs would be completed and when I actually sent them out. I review these spreadsheets multiple times throughout each day to make sure all my cherished clients are always being taken care of.

    No, I've never turned down work, regardless of how many months in advance I've been booked up. I simply let my clients know that I'm busy and my turn-around times are a bit longer than normal. They'll either wait or they won't.

    2) Is it a good strategy to offer review copies? If so, how many copies?
    I wrote some samples, put them on Ezine Articles and pasted links to them as my samples. If clients want more specific samples of work - such as press releases, reviews or other types of specific writing - I created a Sample Sheet to send out. All clients get the same set of samples.

    3) Do I need to have my own website, or can I just accept payments through Paypal?
    I don't have a specific "Writer for Hire" website, yet I've been writing consistently on a full-time basis for more than 6 years. I'm sure there are benefits. But I'm busy enough just dealing with referrals from happy clients.

    Thanks for the help! I appreciate any advice you can send my way.
    Always a pleasure. I wish I'd thought to ask for more help and advice when I first began. There would have been less trial and error and far more progress had I thought of this option back then.

    Best of luck with your freelancing endeavors!


    Bianca
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  • Profile picture of the author ShayB
    Originally Posted by Brian Clark View Post

    I'm thinking of placing an ad in the Warriors For Hire section offering writing services, and I had some questions for those who are experienced in this area.
    1) How do you balance your workload?

    I don't take on as many clients as I used to, since I'm transitioning over to a different business model, but I make sure I don't have too many projects lined up.

    Have you ever had to turn down work because you had too many requests for articles?

    Yes, I have. If I get booked more than 2 to 3 weeks in advance, then I have simply referred my clients to others so that they can get their projects done in a reasonable amount of time. I don't do articles too much anymore, but it is quite easy to get behind when you have people ordering 10 or 20 articles a time. Five clients with an order of 20 articles each is 100 articles. (Thank God for Dragon Naturally Speaking.)

    2) Is it a good strategy to offer review copies? If so, how many copies?

    I don't offer review articles, free articles, or anything like that. I never have. I do have sample articles on my website, and I also have some samples that are not on the website that I would be happy to e-mail potential clients if they want to see samples of reports, e-books, press releases, etc.

    3) Do I need to have my own website, or can I just accept payments through Paypal?

    Having your own website in order to showcase your work and also your services is a huge step in being successful as a writer, IMHO. Even if you just have a blog, it shows the potential client that you are writing for a living and not just doing it as a hobby.

    Originally Posted by Brian Clark View Post

    Thanks for the help! I appreciate any advice you can send my way.
    You're welcome! I hope it helps!
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