The problem with writers

Aug 12, 2008

On an average 4-5 writers contact me through my copywriting website for content writing and online copywriting work. Most of them send badly-written queries, but some of them do write well and I often ask for samples and most of the time they send the samples promptly. The problem with almost all the writers is that they want guaranteed work without putting anything at stake. This casts doubts in their sincerity and commitment.

For instance, recently I sent an email to 15 writers regarding a new assignment. Since I’m now seriously considering hiring writers and focusing more on marketing and promotion, I’m considering creating a reliable team. So for the new assignment I asked them to submit a sample so that I could decide whom to give the project. It’s been 4 days, and none of them has even sent a reply-email, forget about sending a sample. These are the very same writers who are constantly asking for work and desiring good pay. How can I assure them good pay and a steady flow of work if they don’t respond when there is real need?

Their main problem is that they want to eat the fruits but do not want to sow the trees, as I’ve been doing for the past 10 years, first as a programmer, then as a web designer and then finally as a content writer. If you want to work as a freelancer work doesn’t just fall onto your lap; you have to strive for it, you have to remain committed to your work, and sometimes you need to work hard, really hard, without expecting a return. Then gradually you start getting assignments that can sustain you.

I don’t know what to do with these 15 writers now. Should I remove their contacts from the database and start preparing a new list of writers? I think I’ll send them another email. I’m not worried about the current assignment; I’ll put in some extra hours and complete it. For many months I’ve been planning to outsource more and more writing assignments and focus on getting more work. I also need to concentrate more on my singing, on blogging, and on some literary writing.

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5 Responses to “The problem with writers”

Paras Gandhi
September 13th, 2008 at 12:54 am
I do copywrititng for my clients and two to three Ad/Catalogue design firms.

Do send me the need for samples as I would like to be on your team.

I am an enterprising person and will not charge you for any content you o not accept. it has been my policy in Software Web site and Copywriting as well.

You can compare my quality once you get samples and later we can decide how to move ahead.

Paras
Doug Jenner
February 5th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Sigh.
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