Comments on: The Writing Bloc Hiring New Writers http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/07/the-writing-bloc-hiring-new-writers/ Mutual Respect Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:17:51 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Scribette http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/07/the-writing-bloc-hiring-new-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-30938 Scribette Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:09:28 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=956#comment-30938 Vanessa - nice to hear your question! :-) I think one of the most basic items to have when you contact a prospective client is to have a compelling cover letter (covering writing experience and other relevant experience for the job)... with links to some of your best writing - followed by a resume. All of these items should be in the body of an email ... with no attachments (unless they ask for them). Vanessa – nice to hear your question! :-)

I think one of the most basic items to have when you contact a prospective client is to have a compelling cover letter (covering writing experience and other relevant experience for the job)… with links to some of your best writing – followed by a resume.

All of these items should be in the body of an email … with no attachments (unless they ask for them).

]]> By: Melissa http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/07/the-writing-bloc-hiring-new-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-30937 Melissa Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:08:24 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=956#comment-30937 So let me get this straight: some potential clients pay rates that may be less than the going rate and their gigs might be more appealing to someone just starting out and not to a seasoned freelancer. Many of the high paying gigs come through networking, recommendations, and other sources. So why do people who feel they should be commanding a higher rate than what's offered waste their time commenting about gigs that may be more suitable for a newbie? Wouldn't their time and energy be better spent seeking out those high paying gigs that aren't posted openly on the Internet and cultivating their network of potential clients? I mean, if you have the time and energy to go back and forth about low paying rates, you're probably not writing those elusive high paying gigs, right? I would think that, for those who have been doing this for a while and have the ability to charge well for their services, their time would be better spent attending a networking event or a conference where they could promote their services. But instead, this convo goes on ad nauseum, which makes me think that those who feel they can charge a great rate don't have actually have enough work to keep them busy. Which is why they come here to pooh pooh those who are excited about a particular gig. And while I understand people's reasoning for suggesting that comments get turned off, I think that would be a shame. One of the newest posts on this site for a gig has a nice convo going on where the potential client is being very encouraging and helpful. That would be a shame to miss out on just because of the Bitter Bettys who simply must have their say no matter how polite (yet firm!) Deb and Jodee are. No offense. Ya know? So let me get this straight: some potential clients pay rates that may be less than the going rate and their gigs might be more appealing to someone just starting out and not to a seasoned freelancer. Many of the high paying gigs come through networking, recommendations, and other sources. So why do people who feel they should be commanding a higher rate than what’s offered waste their time commenting about gigs that may be more suitable for a newbie? Wouldn’t their time and energy be better spent seeking out those high paying gigs that aren’t posted openly on the Internet and cultivating their network of potential clients?

I mean, if you have the time and energy to go back and forth about low paying rates, you’re probably not writing those elusive high paying gigs, right? I would think that, for those who have been doing this for a while and have the ability to charge well for their services, their time would be better spent attending a networking event or a conference where they could promote their services. But instead, this convo goes on ad nauseum, which makes me think that those who feel they can charge a great rate don’t have actually have enough work to keep them busy. Which is why they come here to pooh pooh those who are excited about a particular gig.

And while I understand people’s reasoning for suggesting that comments get turned off, I think that would be a shame. One of the newest posts on this site for a gig has a nice convo going on where the potential client is being very encouraging and helpful. That would be a shame to miss out on just because of the Bitter Bettys who simply must have their say no matter how polite (yet firm!) Deb and Jodee are. No offense. Ya know?

]]> By: Alicia http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/07/the-writing-bloc-hiring-new-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-30927 Alicia Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:43:37 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=956#comment-30927 Nickel, it never hurts to ask--besides, from what I gather, some articles may actually fetch higher pay rates depending on the client, so you may make $8.00 with one client and perhaps $15-25 an article with another--in the end, it all pans out, esp if you are simply seeking to build your portfolio... In an aside: how does one upload a icon/profile photo... Nickel, it never hurts to ask–besides, from what I gather, some articles may actually fetch higher pay rates depending on the client, so you may make $8.00 with one client and perhaps $15-25 an article with another–in the end, it all pans out, esp if you are simply seeking to build your portfolio…

In an aside: how does one upload a icon/profile photo…

]]> By: Alicia http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/07/the-writing-bloc-hiring-new-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-30926 Alicia Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:40:29 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=956#comment-30926 Tish, I did notice that, but I figure there must be method to their madness. I am taking a wait and see approach. Tish, I did notice that, but I figure there must be method to their madness. I am taking a wait and see approach.

]]> By: Nickel http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/07/the-writing-bloc-hiring-new-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-30910 Nickel Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:02:31 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=956#comment-30910 I've received an email from Writing Bloc, I had to give a sample writing but nothing more then 150-250 words. The only problem I'm having is what should I request in pay for a job that has posted what most start out around $8. Should I request $10 and see what they are willing to pay? Starting out is tough and I don't want to ruin my chances of gaining experience regardless of the pay. Thanks, Nic I’ve received an email from Writing Bloc, I had to give a sample writing but nothing more then 150-250 words. The only problem I’m having is what should I request in pay for a job that has posted what most start out around $8. Should I request $10 and see what they are willing to pay? Starting out is tough and I don’t want to ruin my chances of gaining experience regardless of the pay.

Thanks, Nic

]]> By: Vanessa http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/07/the-writing-bloc-hiring-new-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-30894 Vanessa Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:08:53 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=956#comment-30894 Therese, Phil and Scribette - please would you send me some tips about how to market my own freelance writing (this is a serious request!) email: vc@morethanoxfordstreet.com Thanks Therese, Phil and Scribette – please would you send me some tips about how to market my own freelance writing (this is a serious request!) email: vc@morethanoxfordstreet.com

Thanks

]]> By: Leigh http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/07/the-writing-bloc-hiring-new-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-30874 Leigh Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:04:12 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=956#comment-30874 I don't want to debate rates here, but I wanted to mention that I received a very well-written, courteous reply from WritingBloc after I sent in my application. I don’t want to debate rates here, but I wanted to mention that I received a very well-written, courteous reply from WritingBloc after I sent in my application.

]]> By: Lisa http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/07/the-writing-bloc-hiring-new-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-30868 Lisa Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:39:55 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=956#comment-30868 I applied. I'm building a business, so this will help my portfolio. Thanks to Deb and Jodee for all you do. I applied. I’m building a business, so this will help my portfolio. Thanks to Deb and Jodee for all you do.

]]> By: Alicia http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/07/the-writing-bloc-hiring-new-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-30821 Alicia Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:40:53 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=956#comment-30821 I actually got accepted -- I will keep any and all interested parties you posted on how it works, but it actually seems like a fun set up! I actually got accepted — I will keep any and all interested parties you posted on how it works, but it actually seems like a fun set up!

]]> By: Corbin http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/07/the-writing-bloc-hiring-new-writers/comment-page-1/#comment-30807 Corbin Tue, 08 Jul 2008 04:24:14 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=956#comment-30807 The website clearly states that the prices range and as a new writer in this field, it all seems fair. I have applied and was given a nice, fast, and prompt response after the initial application. I am hoping that I am accepted and given the chance to work with these people. I also would like to thank the creators of this site for being so helpful. The website clearly states that the prices range and as a new writer in this field, it all seems fair. I have applied and was given a nice, fast, and prompt response after the initial application. I am hoping that I am accepted and given the chance to work with these people. I also would like to thank the creators of this site for being so helpful.

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