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New Writer Messes up Client's Home Page - What would you do??

by JeraldineMcCoy
10 replies
Hi,

That's the situation basically.

He didn't mess it up so much but rather he got the style all wrong. This is frustrating for me as something I could do potentially myself but I'm way too busy on a day to day basis to start writing content etc for clients.

The trouble is this is an important client that pays me a reasonable amount monthly for SEO.

So what should I do now. Go and try another writer and hope that come up with the goods or take it on board myself and try to get it done?

Finding a good writer is tough!

What do you think?
#client #home #messes #page #writer
  • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
    Originally Posted by JeraldineMcCoy View Post

    Hi,

    That's the situation basically.

    He didn't mess it up so much but rather he got the style all wrong. This is frustrating for me as something I could do potentially myself but I'm way too busy on a day to day basis to start writing content etc for clients.

    The trouble is this is an important client that pays me a reasonable amount monthly for SEO.

    So what should I do now. Go and try another writer and hope that come up with the goods or take it on board myself and try to get it done?

    Finding a good writer is tough!

    What do you think?
    A good rule of business, "never ask some one to do something, that you yourself are not willing to do."

    If it was my issue. I would give the guy a chance to fix it,
    if he cant or wont, fire him. DO it yourself, while you look for
    a replacement.

    and this time, interview him/ her properly , and look at there past work / portfolio.
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  • Profile picture of the author digichik
    Do it yourself right now, to keep your client happy. Look for a new writer. There are lots of them here on WF, as well as other outsourcing sites. You may want to invest a small amount to buy sample articles from various writers. Save this content for emergencies -- your writer gets sick and can't work, your writer disappears, etc. This way if something happens you buy yourself time to find someone new without having to do the work yourself.

    No Brainer, just do what you need to do to save the client and your $$$.
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  • Profile picture of the author jessiepadgal
    Wowsers, you should fix it yourself while you look for a new writer. Try to find more writers than you need so sticky situations are less likely to befall you.
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    • Profile picture of the author JeraldineMcCoy
      thanks for all your advice!

      but do I take the blame for writing the article? or do I blame it like on a new writer I tried as excuse...I prefer the later but then I guess the client assumes I am doing the work in all cases.

      let me know what you think
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      • Profile picture of the author jessiepadgal
        Originally Posted by JeraldineMcCoy View Post

        thanks for all your advice!

        but do I take the blame for writing the article? or do I blame it like on a new writer I tried as excuse...I prefer the later but then I guess the client assumes I am doing the work in all cases.

        let me know what you think
        Both, in a sense.

        Take responsibility, but explain that your writer was not adequate for the job though they were briefed, and you are remedying the situation and taking necessary action to ensure that it does not happen again.
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        • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
          Originally Posted by articlesforim View Post


          Take responsibility, but explain that your writer was not adequate for the job though they were briefed

          That's called shifting the blame ( even if its true )

          Business owners wont like that, your client wont like that. It will come off sounding like a weak excuse.

          They don't care why its messed up. they only want it fixed, and your the guy they pay to do it. nothing else matters.

          You dont ever have to make excuses, your the one they paid , because, you are the pro. Therefore, you really dont need to say anythgin more then , the new direction for the site isn't working, it needs to be changed.
          im right on top of that.
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          • Profile picture of the author jessiepadgal
            Originally Posted by kenmichaels View Post

            That's called shifting the blame ( even if its true )

            Business owners wont like that, your client wont like that. It will come off sounding like a weak excuse.

            They don't care why its messed up. they only want it fixed, and your the guy they pay to do it. nothing else matters.

            You dont ever have to make excuses, your the one they paid , because, you are the pro. Therefore, you really dont need to say anythgin more then , the new direction for the site isn't working, it needs to be changed.
            im right on top of that.
            Hmm, I agree.

            I thought that mentioning the writer would show that you were not specifically ignorant of their business needs...but, why weren't you overseeing the work?

            So I amend what I have said in that you must not shift the blame.

            Thanks for your thoughts, Ken.
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      • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
        Originally Posted by JeraldineMcCoy View Post


        but do I take the blame

        you are the owner , correct?

        ALL blame, ALL the time sits squarely on YOUR shoulders.

        No if and or Buts ... You Da Man. feast or famine, good or bad.
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      • Profile picture of the author globalpro
        Originally Posted by JeraldineMcCoy View Post

        but do I take the blame
        Like Ken said, the buck stops with you, but maybe looking at it this way helps.

        Any brick and mortar business has an owner, then maybe a manager, who runs things and has the final say/authority. Depending on the size/kind of business, they will have employees that take care of customers (on behalf of the business).

        As a business grows, employees are inevitable.

        People/employees make mistakes, so usually the 'boss' has to straighten things out. A good 'boss' will take the blame and assure customer all will be well, not happen again, etc. Depending on the situation, they may have to can the employee and hire a replacement.

        I think you get what I am saying.

        Approaching your client with this understanding will go a long way. People in business understand the 'employee dilemma'.

        Thanks,

        John
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Hmm.

    Did we SEE the old and new copy?

    How do you define "messed up"?

    Amazing how y'all can recommend fixing something you haven't even seen. Sure you're all not car mechanics? ("Well, it's electrical...or mechanical..." Duh!)

    There's only one answer to this: how well does the new copy convert compared to the old?

    Wouldn't like you guys to be my doctor:

    "Hi Doc."

    "Hi Jason. Well, looks like you'll have to take this prescription...and we'll have to amputate your head..."

    "Uhhh...Doc, you haven't even looked at me yet or asked me any questions. How can you make a diagnosis?"

    "I just wing it."

    ...


    The way I do copywriting is give my clients three rounds of revision. At every step I ask "Is this what you're looking for?" At the beginning, I give them a bit of copy and see what they say before investing further time with that approach. I can always discard it and restart. After all, they've almost always paid 100% up front and we don't want to waste time. So did you have a process problem here, rather than a writing problem? (And this is a question, not a diagnosis.)
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