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To article writers: your first impression counts!

by peteJ
19 replies
Recently, I put an add up on a freelancer site looking for article writers. The response I got was astounding! I got a bunch of interested candidates, the majority of which applied in fragmented english, and these are people claiming to be completely fluent in English!

The lesson here folks: your first impression counts! I can guarantee you I'm not hiring any of those people; if they can't write a paragraph about themselves how could I expect them to write an entire article?

Similarly if you aren't fluent in English don't lie. It's going to show in your work and your going to have a very unhappy client.

So for all you article writers out there, take sometime and compose that first contact message. Don't just throw it up there and hope for the best. Your competeing against tons of other writers, many of which will work for cheaper than you. Do something right away and show your client that you can handle their job, and can write in a sophisticated manner. If you spend a few extra minutes on your first impression I can guarantee the client will spend the extra time considering your application.
#article #counts #impression #writers
  • Profile picture of the author Mac Wheeler
    As I tell the writers I mentor, if the words you write about yourself don't sparkle, you may as well go apply at the local McDonald's right now.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mac Wheeler
      Originally Posted by Nio93 View Post

      If your writing doesn't sparkle, just pay someone to make sparkly articles
      You have entirely missed the point of this whole thread.
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    • Profile picture of the author TheArticlePros
      [DELETED]
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      • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
        Originally Posted by JaRyCu View Post

        This is why I'm still scared of you to this day, Mrs. Terra-izer.


        -- j
        Fear is good! Hahahaha!

        Now, I never said that you couldn't attempt to make a second or even third impression that will outshine the first. But alas, first impressions seem to impress (or not) first.

        Terra
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Originally Posted by Nio93 View Post

      If your writing doesn't sparkle, just pay someone to make sparkly articles
      Are you suggesting that less than par writers outsource their writing to other people so that they themselves can land a freelance position?

      Sounds like a good way to go broke to me!

      Terra
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  • Profile picture of the author john-7665
    This is similar to going to a off line job interview. Many people don't care about the first impression that they make and this is why they are loosing points. I also believe that in the case that you have mentioned many of them aren't fluent in English and they just hope that a Google translate will solve their problem.
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  • Profile picture of the author WebEminence
    I don't mind people showing their true colors in their proposal letter. I agree it's ridiculous but at least it allows us to weed them out and not pay for shoddy work. I've had article writers who I'm sure have someone else write their cover letter so that they look good. Then when you get the written materials, you can tell someone else wrote it...not cool!
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    • Profile picture of the author cashp0wer
      I so agree with you on this. When I was looking for writers I got more emails from people that could not even write a complete sentence.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kevin Marshall
      I usually cut the foreigners some slack, but I find it really sad when I come across Americans who can't write!

      While I would expect people from outside English-speaking countries to have broken English, I would expect US writers to be almost flawless in their English. I'm not talking the common spelling errors and grammar issues. I'm talking about friends on Facebook who can't even write a complete sentence, or they don't use capitalization in their status updates.

      There are people (who don't know their true worth) who will write for $0.01 per word who have great writing skills, so why would I hire anyone else?

      I agree that your first impression really counts!
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      • Profile picture of the author AnniePot
        Exactly. I've been involved in more than one argument here on the Warrior Forum where people have been asking how they can get writing work, or complaining that they cannot seem to find any. I've pointed out the shoddiness of their post and they've often responded that they had written in haste; their work is different.

        Maybe it is, but I (and probably most people,) judge on first impressions.
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        • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
          I agree with the others.

          One thing that you can never ever change is a first impression.

          That not only goes for writers and their skills, but for every area in life. It's nothing to take lightly.

          Terra
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  • Profile picture of the author talfighel
    People will tell you how great they are in writing but when it comes to their material, you can smell that they are not that great. I have had a few of them in the past.
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  • Profile picture of the author Black Monolith
    Good grammar is a must but if an article writer gives me an already formatted test, with great free to use images and a bunch of sources linked every now and then, then I'm going to want more artcles from that guy.

    The first look of an article to a reader is so important, the content comes second.
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  • Profile picture of the author isalmanbaig
    Totally agree with you! if your first impression is not good then your client will never trust your words. First impression is everything like an off-line job most of peoples don't care about the first interview impression but actually that matters! Thanks for this Awesome tip to a newbie like me Appreciated!
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  • Profile picture of the author O0o0O
    You're right. Article buyers are becoming more knowledgeable and particular about their content, primarily because their website conversion rates depend on it so much. The language you use is a reflection on the image you want to portray for your business.
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    • Profile picture of the author mirza786
      If you are facing this problem, then it will always be better to send personal invitation to the perfect contractors which are excellent in English.
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  • Profile picture of the author Joseph Robinson
    Banned
    I disagree and think you're dumb.

    ...am I doing it right?
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  • Profile picture of the author WeavingThoughts
    The problem is that most people fall back on writing when they have no other skill to sell and when they feel that data entry pays too little or is below their dignity. They don't realize that one must know at least basic English to write
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