Comments on: Job Ad Feedback: Deb Takes Out an Ad http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/03/job-ad-feedback-deb-takes-out-an-ad/ The Internet's #1 Freelance Writing Community Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:42:16 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jeanne http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/03/job-ad-feedback-deb-takes-out-an-ad/comment-page-2/#comment-117655 Jeanne Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:53:17 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/job-ad-feedback-deb-takes-out-an-ad/#comment-117655 Oh - I avoid responding to ads that do not post a rate or range, but instead want me to state my range. Most of the time these ads fail to give me enough information to bid accurately. What is the topic? How many words do you want? What's the turnaround time? Am I required to do any design work or submit photos with an article? How about keyword searches? My rate goes up with each item, but if employers won't even post the industry they're in on the ad - I feel I don't have enough to bid. Nor will I take the chance, since I am choosy about the industries I work for. Oh – I avoid responding to ads that do not post a rate or range, but instead want me to state my range. Most of the time these ads fail to give me enough information to bid accurately. What is the topic? How many words do you want? What’s the turnaround time? Am I required to do any design work or submit photos with an article? How about keyword searches? My rate goes up with each item, but if employers won’t even post the industry they’re in on the ad – I feel I don’t have enough to bid. Nor will I take the chance, since I am choosy about the industries I work for.

]]> By: Jeanne http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/03/job-ad-feedback-deb-takes-out-an-ad/comment-page-2/#comment-117654 Jeanne Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:50:30 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/job-ad-feedback-deb-takes-out-an-ad/#comment-117654 A few comments, Deb. I post ads on Guru and other sites looking for subcontractors on various projects (I run a small marketing agency as well as provide freelance writing services.) My experiences are similar to yours, but with a few additional points: 1) People who can't follow directions - my last advertisement asked for 3 pieces of information. Some people didn't include it. 2) Rates WAY over the range I put in the ad. My range was generous. I had some bids for triple that amount. 3) Stalkers. I call anyone who sends me multiple emails DEMANDING a response to their bid a stalker. You wouldn't believe the messages I got. Some were downright hostile. I left the bidding open for the full time and did not respond to ANYONE until the bidding was closed. Yet people posted a bid and began sending me daily emails demanding a response. Note - stalking the employer is not recommended. There's a line between assertiveness and rudeness, and many people vying for the bid crossed it. For a simple web design project, I received 45 bids. The winning bidder submitted a warm, friendly proposal that exactly matched my criteria. Her communication skills were top notch, and her rate was exactly on my range. I hired her and have been so pleased with the results. Yes, there were people who submitted cheaper bids; but since some didn't even follow simple directions in their response, there was no way I was going to trust them. Good luck to all on bidding for jobs. It's competitive, but you CAN stand out from the crowd. A few comments, Deb. I post ads on Guru and other sites looking for subcontractors on various projects (I run a small marketing agency as well as provide freelance writing services.) My experiences are similar to yours, but with a few additional points:

1) People who can’t follow directions – my last advertisement asked for 3 pieces of information. Some people didn’t include it.

2) Rates WAY over the range I put in the ad. My range was generous. I had some bids for triple that amount.

3) Stalkers. I call anyone who sends me multiple emails DEMANDING a response to their bid a stalker. You wouldn’t believe the messages I got. Some were downright hostile. I left the bidding open for the full time and did not respond to ANYONE until the bidding was closed. Yet people posted a bid and began sending me daily emails demanding a response. Note – stalking the employer is not recommended. There’s a line between assertiveness and rudeness, and many people vying for the bid crossed it.

For a simple web design project, I received 45 bids. The winning bidder submitted a warm, friendly proposal that exactly matched my criteria. Her communication skills were top notch, and her rate was exactly on my range. I hired her and have been so pleased with the results. Yes, there were people who submitted cheaper bids; but since some didn’t even follow simple directions in their response, there was no way I was going to trust them.

Good luck to all on bidding for jobs. It’s competitive, but you CAN stand out from the crowd.

]]> By: Back to Basics Part 3: 11 Things NOT to Do When Applying for a Freelance Writing Job | Freelance Writing Jobs http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/03/job-ad-feedback-deb-takes-out-an-ad/comment-page-2/#comment-49437 Back to Basics Part 3: 11 Things NOT to Do When Applying for a Freelance Writing Job | Freelance Writing Jobs Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:29:52 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/job-ad-feedback-deb-takes-out-an-ad/#comment-49437 [...] directions. If the client asks you to list three references and you only list one, you didn’t follow directions. If the client asks you to provide a rate quote and you didn’t provide a quote at all, you [...] [...] directions. If the client asks you to list three references and you only list one, you didn’t follow directions. If the client asks you to provide a rate quote and you didn’t provide a quote at all, you [...]

]]> By: Applying for Blogging Jobs - Do You Need A Resume? : Network Blogging Tips http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/03/job-ad-feedback-deb-takes-out-an-ad/comment-page-2/#comment-49012 Applying for Blogging Jobs - Do You Need A Resume? : Network Blogging Tips Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:20:49 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/job-ad-feedback-deb-takes-out-an-ad/#comment-49012 [...] ask for. I read the ad, follow directions, and tell them what they want to know. Plenty of people DO NOT follow basic directions when applying for writing jobs. If you do follow directions, you’re already one step ahead of [...] [...] ask for. I read the ad, follow directions, and tell them what they want to know. Plenty of people DO NOT follow basic directions when applying for writing jobs. If you do follow directions, you’re already one step ahead of [...]

]]> By: pallavi khera http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/03/job-ad-feedback-deb-takes-out-an-ad/comment-page-2/#comment-20440 pallavi khera Fri, 28 Mar 2008 02:43:11 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/job-ad-feedback-deb-takes-out-an-ad/#comment-20440 hey deb..i am pallavi and a freelance writer..I got one job from your leads ,but that person didnt pay me and still i am working for my payments..thats ok what i want to say isi am regular to ur site and i like your discussion topics.I wish i can get some health related leads in coming future.thanx .keep going .its great and fun to b here always. hey deb..i am pallavi and a freelance writer..I got one job from your leads ,but that person didnt pay me and still i am working for my payments..thats ok what i want to say isi am regular to ur site and i like your discussion topics.I wish i can get some health related leads in coming future.thanx .keep going .its great and fun to b here always.

]]> By: Typos Don’t Really Matter | Real Words http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/03/job-ad-feedback-deb-takes-out-an-ad/comment-page-2/#comment-20319 Typos Don’t Really Matter | Real Words Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:52:24 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/job-ad-feedback-deb-takes-out-an-ad/#comment-20319 [...] world is that people are going to judge you based on your typos. You aren’t going to get the freelance job you want if you fail to proofread your cover letter for typos. You are probably going to lose some [...] [...] world is that people are going to judge you based on your typos. You aren’t going to get the freelance job you want if you fail to proofread your cover letter for typos. You are probably going to lose some [...]

]]> By: Christy http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/03/job-ad-feedback-deb-takes-out-an-ad/comment-page-2/#comment-19581 Christy Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:08:18 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/job-ad-feedback-deb-takes-out-an-ad/#comment-19581 Hey Deb, Amazing information! I'm learning a lot. I wanted to ask your opinion on including writing samples that have been published through Blogburst. Although the blog posts (articles) are being published on popular online news sites, there is no compensation for it. I'm not sure what these writing samples are actually worth. Thanks! Hey Deb,

Amazing information! I’m learning a lot.

I wanted to ask your opinion on including writing samples that have been published through Blogburst. Although the blog posts (articles) are being published on popular online news sites, there is no compensation for it.

I’m not sure what these writing samples are actually worth.

Thanks!

]]> By: What a Writer is Reading on the Web, 3/16/08 | Real Words http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/03/job-ad-feedback-deb-takes-out-an-ad/comment-page-2/#comment-19533 What a Writer is Reading on the Web, 3/16/08 | Real Words Sun, 16 Mar 2008 15:11:00 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/job-ad-feedback-deb-takes-out-an-ad/#comment-19533 [...] Job Ad Feeback @ Freelance Writing Jobs [...] [...] Job Ad Feeback @ Freelance Writing Jobs [...]

]]> By: Scribette http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/03/job-ad-feedback-deb-takes-out-an-ad/comment-page-2/#comment-19474 Scribette Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:49:19 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/job-ad-feedback-deb-takes-out-an-ad/#comment-19474 Gibreel Google - having hired people, opening up attachments does take quite a bit of time. It is true that magazine clips are usually PDF files though - perhaps you can both copy and paste the article - plus include an attachment with an explanation? However, I guess I am guilty of not following instructions too - as I do not provide quotes initially. Gibreel Google – having hired people, opening up attachments does take quite a bit of time.

It is true that magazine clips are usually PDF files though – perhaps you can both copy and paste the article – plus include an attachment with an explanation?

However, I guess I am guilty of not following instructions too – as I do not provide quotes initially.

]]> By: Scribette http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/03/job-ad-feedback-deb-takes-out-an-ad/comment-page-2/#comment-19473 Scribette Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:41:25 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/job-ad-feedback-deb-takes-out-an-ad/#comment-19473 I still think employers should state what their rates are - magazines do state their rates - why not employers? No offence Deb! :-) I still think employers should state what their rates are – magazines do state their rates – why not employers?

No offence Deb! :-)

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