Comments on: Where Are All the Good Writers?

By: James Chartrand

James Chartrand — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:59:22 +0000

@ Ed – The problem you mention isn’t new. Since man figured out he could trade labor for what he wanted, there have always been joe-jobbers and those with skills. People can tell the difference by the results and the writer’s reputation.

And I disagree – freelance writing is a profession, and all professions (even garage mechanic) require some type of innate ability. (But I’m not one to promote arTEESTic attitude, so there you go! lol)

By: Ed

Ed — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:20:40 +0000

James, here is the crux of the quality problem in freelance writing: it’s too easy. Everyone with a hairdresser or higher-education degree are pitching the same editors for the same jobs. Writing once was self-limiting; you needed to be able to read and write, qualities that often were not shared by 99 percent of the populace. Then, you needed to know the right person, someone not easily reached by hitting the “send” button. Lastly, you had to be able to deliver, rather than rely on heavily-edited published clips. (As we all know, good editors can make the worst writing sing.)

Freelance writing is not a profession. Otherwise, we would have professional requirements, like plumbers, car mechanics and doctors. Instead, writing (like journalism) is a craft – that requires part artistic ability. Too often, the artistic ability is overemphasized (after all, who isn’t an artist in some way?) and the sheer grind of business acumen is overlooked.

By: How to Turn Off Potential Clients With Just One Glance : Business Tips for Writers

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:00:21 +0000

[...] almost thought about taking the other writer. But he doesn’t. He clicks through to see what type of businessperson you are – and [...]

By: Dani Choi

Dani Choi — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:15:40 +0000

You’re right on the mark there. Thanks for this.

By: --Deb

--Deb — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 23:46:51 +0000

Because, yes, it’s not about what a client can do for you (money in the bank), it’s what you can do for THEM that matters. Or, at least, that’s what THEY are going to care about, so it behooves you to care about it too, so that you can GET that money in the bank…

By: Julie Trevelyan

Julie Trevelyan — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 20:34:21 +0000

One area I’m working on is pitches. Sometimes I put a lot of effort into them, in thinking about good hooks (heck, just about a topic!), crafting the pitch itself, and then I either never hear back or just get a “thanks but no thanks.” Refining…

Also working on building up my portfolio, getting clips, and trying to look super-sharp and ready to go.

All your points are well-made. I have one client I absolutely adore, since they are very professional, fun, reasonable, pay damn well, and I love what I write for them. I’ve been writing for them for two and a half years now, and I do my damnedest to stay writing with excellent quality. It must be working, because they still hire me very regularly!

I also make a point of gently checking in now and then when I haven’t heard from them in a while, just to see if they have anything available. Keep the wheel squeaking and all that.

By: Steven

Steven — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:48:57 +0000

While your friend is having a hard time finding good writers, I’m having a hard time finding my first paid freelance gig. Hook me up if you would be so kind.

By: Michelle Kafka

Michelle Kafka — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:00:05 +0000

Excellent points James. I need to work on stopping reading, (blogs, websites, books,)so much and concentrate on writing more.

Upon my readings lol, I found a post that would complement your post here and help freelancers to pinpoint their pros and cons, (attitudes,) of being a freelancer.

It’s “13 Breeds of Freelancer And How To Up Your Game,” by Jack Knight
http://freelanceswitch.com/clients/the-13-breeds-of-freelancer-and-how-to-up-your-game/

I think I am some of “The AWOL Freelancer,” “The I-Did-It-My Way Freelancer,” “The Constant-Excuses Freelancer,” and “The No-Business-Skills Freelancer.”

By: Rachael

Rachael — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:41:16 +0000

Hi James – a very astute post as usual. I think that some freelance writers forget that they’re running a business first and foremost and want to play the artiste. An event producer employed me to write some conference speeches for her client recently. She’s worked with lots of writers but was disappointed that many of them submitted sloppy work, were too precious about their words (i.e. didn’t like it when the client wanted to make changes), and didn’t try hard enough to really understand the brief and what the client wanted. In other words, they just weren’t professional enough to do the job properly.

In my own case, I believe my customer service and writing is very professional and I always hit deadlines. However, behind the scenes is a different story – I work from home and find it far too easy to find ‘house’ stuff to do instead of working. I need to set myself a proper schedule so that I work at specific times and fit house, exercise, etc around that – at the moment it’s just a jumble which I’m sure affects my productivity.

By: Writer Dad

Writer Dad — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 07:03:34 +0000

Not to be cheesy, but I actually have the opposite problem. I tend to take to long because I want everything to be perfect. I end up overwriting something when the client simply won’t care. I don’t know why I care because it isn’t like my name is on the byline, but then again, something inside me starts to flicker when I know I’m not doing my best. That flicker is never okay.