FWJ Idol: Your Top 13
June 20, 2008 by Deb
Filed under Freelance Writing
No, you didn’t read wrong, We really did choose 13 candidates for our Freelance Writing Jobs blogger search. That’s because one candidate stood out among the rest, even though she didn’t have the numbers. Jodee and I both felt she earned a place among the top contestants.
No one has a niche?
Just a note before we reveal our Top 13. We were disappointed in many of the candidates as they didn’t follow specific instructions.One didn’t submit a link to his work, others didn’t mention a specific freelance writing niche they wish to cover on a regular basis.
Where are all the men?
One other thing disappointing me is how only a few men threw their hats into the ring. I think having a guy write for FWJ would give a different perspective and add a little balance to the whole "mommy blogger" thing.
The Top 13
This will be the only time you see our candidates’ names until the end of the contest when our new blogger is revealed. Either today or tomorrow we will email all 13 with a number. From here on in, when they post their entries they will have to use said number. Any candidate found giving out his or her number, or taking any action to garner more votes will be disqualified. We want to once again stress, this isn’t a "vote for me because I’m so popular" type contest.
In addition to being able to being able to write awesome blog posts, our candidates will be evaluated on their ability to stimulate conversation and interact with the FWJ community.Each candidate’s submission will have’s its own standalone post so we can see how well he or she rocks the comment section..
I’ll stop talking now to give you the FWJ Idol Top 13:
- Chris – Voted number one. We like Chris though we felt her pitch was a little on the longish side. She has good experience and we look forward to seeing how well she interacts with the community.
- Cherie – We like how Cherie gets the whole blogging/web writing thing but her pitch didn’t reach out and grab us.
- Misti – Experienced freelancer with an already established writing newsletter and community – but will she be able to say different things here than with her own stuff?
- Erika - Popular among freelance writers and well qualified. We’re interested in seeing how the voting works if she’s anonymous.
- James Chartrand – Didn’t pitch a niche or include a link which disappointed us. Good writer with a good following. But will he stimulate the FWJ community or make them uncomfortable?
- Terreece – Nice experience. Nice pitch. We’re interested in seeing how well she stimulates the community and encourages discussion.
- Nevada – Good pitch, good experience. She had us until I got to the bottom and found no specific niche.
- Christie - She didn’t get the highest amount of votes but we feel she made a good pitch.
- Becky -Long pitch but we like her passion and experience.She gets extra points for pitching a niche – business.
- Carly – Even though she didn’t get top votes, I chose Carly as my favorite candidate. She gave a good pitch, had a great niche (rates) and she’s been with this community since way back in the day. Jodee gave her points for being "genuine and down to earth."
- . Victoria - To be honest, Victoria didn’t dazzle us, but the people spoke and we listen to the people. It’ll be interesting to see how readers respond to her work when she’s anonymous.
- . Mary – Another who got the votes but didn’t grab us. We would have liked to know how Mary can benefit FWJ. It’ll be interesting to see how she stimulates the community.
13. Our "wildcard" candidate: There was one candidate who stood out among the rest but didn’t get the votes. Jodee and I both wanted to see her as part of this contest as she gave a good pitch, an awesome niche (resources) and knows the community. Your wildcard candidate is:Renee
Feel free to discuss the candidates and yell at Jodee and I regarding our choices., Please don’t say anything that can sway the vote – and do keep it respectable.
We will now assign the Top 13 their numbers. On Monday we’re going to post the first topic which they will have until Friday to complete and email to freelancewritinggigs@gmail.com – with their numbers in the subject line. As each candidate’s topic comes in we will give it its own post so we can see how well they interact with the FWJ community.
Good luck everyone!!!
Please support FWJ
I want to thank everyone who applied and offer congratulations to those who made the list.
Yay! Congrats everyone!
So glad to be one of the 13 contestants. This is a step out of the lurker-no-poster corner for me and I’m looking forward to the challenge.
Would have been glad to be one of the missing men who followed the rules, but from the very first post of this competition I couldn’t figure out how the hell you entered!
Deb and Jodee, your thoughts are truly a great compliment. Thank you so much for giving me an opportunity to continue in the contest. I hope all of the contestants are able to really engage the FWJ community, and I’m looking forward to some great posts!
A big congratulations. This wasn’t an easy decision at all.
@Joseph, I’m sorry we weren’t clear – I wish you would have posted a comment asking so we could get you in the running. In a few months I may hire another writer. If this works out well, maybe another contest?
Congrats to everyone and good luck.
I was disappointed by the lack if niches too and it was one of the things I bore in mind when I was voting.
Deb and Jodee,
Thanks for choosing me as the wild card candidate!! I was kicking myself after I submitted my credentials because I felt like I hadn’t given a good enough pitch. I won’t let you guys down. How exciting! Good luck to everyone else!
I am honoured to be chosen for the competition. In regards to the lack of specific ‘pitches’, I did not choose a specific area to cover because the freelance writing industry is vast and varied. It would be hard to concentrate on one specifc area for the duration of my blog if I were chosen as a permanent blogger because there is so much information to share.
I look forward to discovering my first blog topic and hope I can provide your readers with some valuable information.
I think this is a very clever and fun idea. I really appreciate that you are making it about quality and not popularity.
I look forward to reading more fun, helpful, insightful, and thought-provoking posts.
Best of luck to all the contenders!
I’m excited to be a part, also! And thanks for the feedback on our pitches. I think it helps, as I’m always curious to know what someone thinks about what I’ve sent them.
Congrats to all of the finalists. I really look forward to seeing what everyone submits. And Renee, good job on making such a great impression on Deb and Jodee. Well done!
Thanks to those who voted for me and helped advance me to this next level.
I’m excited to be a part of this group since we seem to have such diverse voices and talents, and will each offer something unique to the FWJ community. It will be interesting to see how things play out as we now progress anonymously throughout the process.
Lastly, I want to wish the best of luck to all of my fellow contestants. Now … let’s get blogging!
Congrats to all and may the best person for the job win. Meanwhile please still catch up on the latest jazz interviews and CD reviews by reading my blog. (hehehehehe). Happy Weekend all!!!
Though there are many fine contestants (I thought about it, but maybe next time), “making people feel uncomfortable” can be good, as long as it’s not done in a spiteful way. Can lead to thoughtful back and forth (or nitpicking).
@Phil – I never mind controversy as I feel it’s great for discussion. Not everyone likes to be away from the warm and fuzzy vibe though. In fact, I’m looking forward to seeing how our candidate handles the community.
A big thank you to all who voted for me! I look forward to being a part of the FWJ community, and I hope my upcoming posts will be helpful to writers in some way.
As a regular reader of FWJ, it’s an honor to be a part of the top 13, and I look forward to getting to know each and everyone of you better.
Deb, I have a question, please:
You said we would be evaluated on our ability to interact with the FWJ community, but since we’ll be given numbers instead of having our names revealed, how do we reply to comments left on our posts without revealing our name, which would clue everyone in on who the post belongs to. Should we reply to comments by entering our contestant number in the name field and leaving the website field blank?
Many thanks an appreciation go to the people who voted for me. I’m glad to be among the 13 selected. Congrats to all of the 13, and extra congratulations to Chris! And everyone who entered should give themselves a pat on the back for putting themselves out there. It’s rare that query letters become public domain. I’m looking forward to the next round and to the anonymity.
I’m glad to see Carly was chosen despite the lack of votes
I also enjoyed her pitch and “down to earth” feel.
Huh. Okay, my links were there. I guess your blog didn’t accept the coding. Small Fuel, Copyblogger, Men with Pens and About us were all linked.
Also, niche was mentioned. Didn’t realize you wanted the niche within the niche… tsk tsk, wasn’t specified!
Anyways. No matter. Carry on and good luck everyone!
I am not sure why you would say James Chartrand might make the FWJ community uncomfortable. His posts on Copyblogger are always very interesting, and I linked to one in my blog and he was kind enough to come visit it and leave a comment. I was really surprised! He sure didn’t have to visit a tiny blog like mine, but he did just to be supportive, at least that’s how I took it. Seems to me like he would be a great asset, especially if you want to add a man to your lineup.
@James – I’m so sorry your links didn’t show up – and herewith retract my statement about being disappointed. I’ll blame it on the blog.
@all who were upset by my remarks about james making the community uncomfortable – you must know I’m James’ biggest fan – Jodee will telling you I was really pulling for him to be in this contest from the very beginning. James will tell you I encouraged him to enter. I’m not going to play favorites, but I do admire his writing and his ability to stimulate thought-provoking conversation. I wish I had his guts. So James and everyone, I apologize if my words didn’t paint a flattering picture.
Perhaps uncomfortable was a poor choice of words? James will admit he likes to stir the pot and mostly I was referring to that.
Thanks Erika! My fingers are poised and ready once the topic is posted. Congrats and good luck to all in the coming weeks.
Aw, now I’m all blushing and stuff. Stop that.
@ Ansley – When I know that someone is talking about me, I like to go respond. Small blog, big blog… it’s all the same to me because behind a blog are real people. You took the time to comment about me, so I can certainly afford the time to go talk to you a wee bit too, hm?
Now. If all those small blogs had a “Subscribe to Comments” feature, I’d be back more often lol
(and yes. Pot-stirring is good for the soul. Makes for marvelous meals.)
I would have put my hat into the ring and been your “guy” but my specialty is contracting, not freelancing.
All the best to all 13 candidates. It will be enjoyable to read through everyone’s posts.
Congratulations to all the winners.
I´m really looking forward to the next round! Very cool way to choose a blogger and I think the contestants so far are all very interesting.
Since I missed all the fun and only saw your competition now my vote is definitely going for James. I know his style, love his humor and feel he would be a great addition to this blog since he has an intricate ability to create reactions.
Nothing against the other participants, I just don’t know them. Good luck to all nonetheless.
BTW, is the winner going to sing for us too?
Monika – that’s why the competitors will all be anonymous from this point on – so we can vote based on their posts and not our prior knowledge of them.
@ Fiona: I understand although the Idol doesn’t use numbers I can see where you are coming from with this.
We are governed by favoritism I guess and rather vote for our (talented) friends than those we don’t know but could very likely be a perfect match.
Actually come to think about it this is a very smart move from you guys and only fair.
Good luck to all involved.
@ Monika: We want to find the person who is the best fit for FWJ and since the community is going to participate in finding that person, this means that the participants’ work will speak for itself.