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Please provide some information

by laurencewins
5 replies
I am posting in this section because there's not really one section that it fits into nicely.

I receive numerous inquiries about prices and requesting samples of my writing work.

I have samples on my site and blog but the biggest issue I have and perhaps those of you wanting to hire me, or others for that matter, is that you need to provide some information when you make contact.

Recently I have received pms asking me to:

1. Add them to Skype (but no reason given.)
2. Provide a quote but no information about what is required is supplied.
3. Ask me repeatedly to give quotes when I have already said I can't do what they want.
4...and yesterday this classic >> Send me more info, samples and costs (but no information about what they want done.)

So I ask that if anybody wants help with any writing or proofreading or any of my other services, that they actually tell me what they want, in detail, and then I am very happy to provide a quote.
How many words per article or eBook, etc? There's no point in saying something is 50 pages as that could vary from 1000-25000 words and the cost would obviously be very different.

I'm sure I'm not the only writer here who has experienced these scenarios.


Thanks for reading.
#information #proofreader #provide #quotes #writer
  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Laurence,

    How you're handling this problem seems very reasonable to me.

    Every business is smart to weed out "tire kickers" without being offensive and it seems to me you're doing that.

    If someone is genuinely interested in your service I would think that you are letting them know you are approachable.

    It could be that the people who are "hit and run" suspects are really other copywriters that want to see how your business is set up. Or they could be out for a free sample or two that they will then post on their blog.

    As long as you are up front (and it sounds as though you are) about how to submit a request for work I think you're doing what you can.

    Steve
    Signature

    Steve Browne, online business strategies, tips, guidance, and resources
    SteveBrowneDirect

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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      You can handle this without too much fuss. If you are advertising your services on places like this forum you will have a high number of tire kickers and people trying to get something for nothing. Expect that to happen.

      Use a form reply that is short and to the point. You can cover all four points - and more - doing that. You may need to have 3-4 draft letters you can pull up and send in reply without any more thought.

      Tell them you don't do quotes by Skype - give a short bullet point list (3-4 items) of the info YOU need to quote a project - if people bug you repeatedly, block them in your email.

      #4 is the easiest - have one page on your site/blog that detail WHAT you need to know to price a project. Have a page on your blog/site where you give prices for general work. Then just send off a pre-written letter with links to those.

      If you set up your own assembly line these people won't bug you so much. If you try to answer them one by one - they'll drive you nuts.
      Signature
      Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
      ***
      It actually doesn't take much to be considered a 'difficult woman' -
      that's why there are so many of us.
      ...jane goodall
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    Thanks for the feedback, Steve.
    I have plenty of people who contact me with some info to start with and we get chatting and all is well.
    But I am sure there may be some who have no clue about what to do and others who are, as you say, tyre kickers...and nobody needs them anyway.

    I had several very good conversations in Skype from people who said I was very professional so I know I am doing the right thing by people who are genuine.

    I will be keen to see who else responds.
    Signature

    Cheers, Laurence.
    Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    Thanks, Kay. I think I will make some additions to my site. I do have some info there but I think being more precise is a better way. I can link to the info page in my site in my sig so people can see instantly what they need to tell me so I can best help them.

    I knew there would be an easy answer but sometimes when you are too busy working, you can't sit back far enough to see the logic and that's one of the benefits of this forum...You use not only all the brains you have but all the brains you can borrow.
    Signature

    Cheers, Laurence.
    Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    Thanks to Steve and Kay's tips I have now created an info page on my site for people needing my help. Check my signature.
    Signature

    Cheers, Laurence.
    Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

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