Applying for Freelance Writing Jobs: It’s All About Following Directions
February 2, 2008 by Deb
Filed under Writing Tips
A few days ago Darren Rowse posted some tips for applying for blogging jobs. I was going to put it in my weekend link love list, but after my day today, I decided Darren’s post would be a perfect lead in for today’s topic. Among other things, Darren stressed the importance of following directions. This seems like a simple thing to do, doesn’t it? You would be surprised at how many people either don’t read an ad through or don’t believe the instructions apply to them. I’ve seen it with writing jobs, and I saw it today when helping a friend find someone to create a WordPress theme.
In the ad, I asked that when applying candidates include rates and samples. In many cases I received neither. Also in the ad I let them know that we were on a budget but would entertain reasonable offers. I did this because a receiving a quote was important to us. Did we get quotes? No. Out of 42 responses most said something to the effect of "If you’re still looking for someone to design your WordPress theme call me." What the heck?
Not following directions on a job application or cover letter is the best way to NOT get a gig. If they can’t follow a couple of simple requests, how can these people be expected to handle something a little more in-depth? The thing is, there were probably some great candidates on this list, with good designs. I’ll never know it though, because they didn’t include a quote or samples.
Please. I can’t stress it enough. Follow directions. If the ad says to send in samples or rates, it stands to reason the person on the other end is looking for samples and rates to help him make his decision. You might think your resume speaks for itself, but if you can’t follow directions, I won’t make it past the cover page.
I have a question. I like to follow directions but I don’t know what to do when people ask for rates. Often, they don’t give enough information to warrant an accurate quote. They may say ‘quote 500 words’ but how much research it takes to WRITE those words is what matters. I don’t want to quote a low price if it turns out that it will take a long time. I sometimes mention that I can give them a better quote with more information, but I wonder if that’s the right choice. What do you think?
To make sure I follow all of the directions when I apply for a job, I cut and paste the ad right at the beginning of the e-mail that I’m writing. Then when I’m done writing, I go back up to the top and re-read the directions a final time. Then I delete the directions before I send.
I am afraid that one day I’m going to hit send and forgot to delete, but that hasn’t happened so far.
Trisha,
I think asking for more info is okay. So is a range: “For 500 words, no sources, minimal research, I’d charge $XX. If it’s heavily researched material you need, plus attributed quotes/sources, that would be $XX.”
@ Robin,
I kind of do the same thing, only I paste it to the bottom of the email. That way, if I forget to delete it, it’s ok. Pretty much.
It’s hard to quote rates when there’s no topic mentioned. I usually add a line saying I can can’t quote a rate without knowing the subject matter, and point them to my website where my price range is outlined.
I’m not so sure I agree. Most freelancers have a “per page” or hourly rate, or a round about figure of what they can charge. If the ad is vague one can always write “My rates are between XX and XXX per page/hour, depending on the amount of research and writing involved. If you would like to provide me with more details, I can give you a more accurate quote.”
If you’re going to be a freelance writer, you have to have some sense of what to charge for your time. You can’t always leave it to your client to dictate the rates.
You can’t always leave it to your client to dictate the rates.
Yes, but lowballing yourself is all too easy to do. It’s advised that job seekers leave salary history out of their cover letters–why shouldn’t freelancers follow the same advice?
Hi Rachel,
I’m not saying you have to quote rates in every cover letter. But if the ad specifically talks about budget and specifically requests a rate quote, there’s a good chance the client won’t even consider your application unless you give him the information he requested.
If you’re comfortable with your rates, it’s not lowballing – it’s quoting your client your usual fee. How will you even know if you’re lowballing or what other writers are quoting?
With that said, I don’t thing there’s anything wrong with giving a ballpark figure (”…between $XX and $XXX depending on the research involved…”) or requesting more information in order to give a more accurate quote.
To send a cover letter saying “call me” with few other details and none of the information I requested won’t even get a toe in the door.
When I request specific information I do so for a reason. It helps me narrow down the candidates and not waste anyone’s time. We can go back and forth with the details but if I have a $200 budget and your a $500 writer, we’re wasting each other’s time.
Hope that helps. What do you think? Am I meaner than the average client?
No, I think it makes sense if you have specifics you need. Some ads say “articles pay such-and-such” and that’s it. Not much to do there. I gave a quote for a rather large project recently, and even though I laid it all out, I did say that if it seemed we were a little apart on money I’d be happy to make it work if she otherwise thought I was the best fit. She hasn’t made her choice yet.
I’ve wondered if I should have gone cheaper just to increase my chances of coming in low. However, I know I’ve priced my work fairly and I’m totally comfortable with my rate according to the work required. If someone is doing it for a whole lot lower, so be it. I wouldn’t do that much work for scraps, and I’m proud of putting myself out there so clearly and confidently.
It’s one thing if it’s a rate over a handful of articles. It’s another if its upwards of 55,000 words at once (which it is). She said my proposal answered practically every question she could think of, and would get back soon. So I wait, but I feel OK about how I did it.
Deb,
I think the client has to do their own thing, too–we each have a job to do. But if the situation was reversed? If you had a $500 budget and a writer asked for $200? Well, a smart client might think “oh gee, this person is underpricing themselves, they must not really be worth much” but I think it’s much more common for the client to say “great, we can get this qualified person for half of what we were expecting to pay.” The first rule of negotiation is to ALWAYS let the other person make the first move.
While I agree that sending in just a resume is a terrible idea if the client asked for more, you’re giving up a lot of power if you start talking money first.
Unrelatedly, I sent you a couple e-mails yesterday (from the e-mail address that’s filled into this Wordpress form, if that matters) and just wanted to make sure you’ve got them. I might have been going to spam for whatever reason!
Thanks
One question I have is on the submissions.
Some of my samples are from printed material. I have created .pdf files of the samples. Is it acceptable to provide links to the writing sample page rather than send the .pdf? The samples include not only my writing but the photography that went with them, and I’d hate to fill up someone’s mailbox.
What’s your take on this?
Leo,
Provide the links first. Some spam filters are very touchy, with many rejecting attachments.
I ran into one recently tuned so high that it rejected a typical e-mail I send with a cover, links and resume.
The hiring authority eventually found it, after I resent and called a couple of times. I’m “in the bullpen” (former sportswriters can’t avoid sports references).
I tend to avoid the job postings that are too vague. If the entire ad reads omething like “I need a hundred 500 word articles asap. Send quote.” I think, is this someone I really want to work for? The solid employers seem to be the ones who post details and have a good idea what kind of writer they need. After all if I called a plumber and left a message simply saying “I need someone to do some work on my house, give me a qutoe.” The plumber couldn’t possibly do so without some specifics. I know I’ve probably passed up some decent jobs by being so picky, but I’ve also gotten some good ones by concentrating on the ads that appeal to me most.
I hate the rates question, and I don’t know too many writers who like it. What is so difficult about an editor saying up front “we pay XX to YY, depending on the need or the experience”? If I write and say my rate is ZZ, I’ve wasted time for two people. I usually answer it simply that I discuss rates when I have a better indication of the job duties. I do get responses.
I have some real issues with advertisers who ask for rates or quotes without providing any clues about the rate they have in mind or the scope of the job. If you, the client, have a firm budget, then why don’t you just say what you are paying in the ad or at least give some idea of the range? It would cut down on the responses you get, and it would save freelancers who wouldn’t write for that rate the time and trouble of putting together a response. What good does it do either of us for me to tell you that my rate is $40 per hour when you know you only plan on paying $20 per hour?
I feel like clients who don’t provide adequate information about their rate and the job requirements are angling for the lowest price they can get. When I do answer ads that want a rate or a quote, I normally say something like “My rate depends on the topic, scope of the work, and research involved, but usually averages xx per hour.” And I can’t think of one case where any advertiser wrote back to discuss the job (although I get jobs at my quoted rate all the time when I respond to jobs that are in my quoted pay range). So for me, advertisers who don’t provide adequate information are just cheap bottom feeders and lately I rarely respond to their ads.
Here is an ad from SF Bay Craigslist that makes you wonder about the client. This is the COMPLETE AD.
Publicity for spiritual book/cd tour
Reply to: gigs-558581789@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-01-31, 12:10PM PST
http://www.asherahinternational.com
Please e-mail contact with details.
Thanks.
Rachel and Tish – you make complete sense!
I had a slight issue with people following directions recently, when I put up ads on Craigslist for writers for my blog. I included explicit application instructions in a blog post (which I linked to in the Craigslist ad, along with some more instructions), yet several of the replies I got had questions about how to apply.
I got some good writers out of it, but I’d have figured that more people would have read and then e-mailed, instead of asking questions I’d already answered.
I have a couple of quick questions, and I thought this thread would be the best place to ask them.
1) When a job description asks for writing samples, and you want to submit writing that has previously been published on the internet, is it good etiquette to simply send the links to the published versions? Or should you still send the actual samples with your cover letter?
2) When sending writing samples with a cover letter, should you simply include the samples in the body of an e-mail, or should they be sent as file attachments?
Lesle
Yes, do send links. That’s pretty standard nowadays.
Unless specified not to, I always attached samples.
Hope that helps!
Deb