Comments on: 8 Types of Freelance Writing Pitches or Why You Didn’t Get the Job http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/05/8-types-of-freelance-writing-pitches-or-why-you-didnt-get-the-job/ Mutual Respect Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:25:14 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Shack’s Comings and Goings » Sunday Wash-Up http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/05/8-types-of-freelance-writing-pitches-or-why-you-didnt-get-the-job/comment-page-1/#comment-75110 Shack’s Comings and Goings » Sunday Wash-Up Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:22:31 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=4463#comment-75110 [...] 8 Types of Freelance Writing Pitches or Why You Didn’t Get the Job Deb rolls her eyes to the heavens when judging applications. “Though I’m still accepting applications, I can tell you that it’s going to be a hard decision choosing from the best applicants. However, the decision of who not to hire has so far been an easy one.” [...] [...] 8 Types of Freelance Writing Pitches or Why You Didn’t Get the Job Deb rolls her eyes to the heavens when judging applications. “Though I’m still accepting applications, I can tell you that it’s going to be a hard decision choosing from the best applicants. However, the decision of who not to hire has so far been an easy one.” [...]

]]> By: BobsCousinBob http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/05/8-types-of-freelance-writing-pitches-or-why-you-didnt-get-the-job/comment-page-1/#comment-72017 BobsCousinBob Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:35:23 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=4463#comment-72017 Knowing I would find this article 'interesting', my wife left the page open during our marathon job search. The gap between financial failure and taking final steps of moving into a cardboard box seems moments away, yet I pause to offer my own tiny thumbnail of inspired thought. Not only can I relate in true frustration in devil’s advocate form, I also wish to slap the facial physic of a few of the posters. Or should I say POSERS! Oh Deb, it must have been a very frustrating day for you to strike out with such blunt swords and shake the baby spines of all the 'applicants' wishing to gain profit for writing a BLOG. In any industry there is a very small percentage of qualified humans that stand in line for opportunity that exactly see the overall big picture. If they could, chances are they would not want to waste valuable time and energy to pacify the crappy position in the first place. To criticize their ignorance fails to justify your empathy to why they want to work for you in the first place. As someone who writes emotional dribble and picks scabs while crossing the burning bridge, I can’t simply walk away from your post without hinting at just a wee bit of my own 'writing career' frustration at you who hold the scepter of promised gold. 1. Tit for Tat- High Energy and Excitement for the JOB itself. Where are the HAPPY human resource recruiters? If the blah feeling of filling the position comes across in the ad, just how desperate do you think the person searching has to be? Filling out lengthy applications may not be bothersome for some, yet after a few hundred attempts, belief in searching starts to fade. 2. Scams- for every ONE application, expect a THOUSAND home fix solution attempts to drain more money. I don’t need to increase my size, or find lost relatives, I don’t care if I won the African lottery nor do I want to revisit my high school classmates. You may not be directly responsible for these negativities, yet each of you hold ways to authenticate your honest need of someone REAL and not just collecting possibilities to future monies. 3. Personal integrities- Yes few have them, yet to many ‘writers’ it’s clear that the verbal throw up often found in blogs are never informative, highly exhausting, and almost every one leaves the sour or even bitter taste of self identification and social acceptance. I happen to get turned off by anyone who tells me they “Have a good story, go read it on my blog page.” Is this not the same as, “we are a good company, go read about it on our web page.” Obviously this text is meant to spark interest right? Not to justify every excuse of success or failure? Yes? 4. Respect in response- Bloggers, writers, actors, even the happy gourmet fry cook has inner goals and aspirations in growing. In the attempt to welcome creativity and squeeze the juice from stone, it behooves the company that searches for human help to reply back to the ones who dream loudest. Obviously if the subject applying lacks talent, wit, or use-ability, then doubtful He/She actually grieves for a lost chance. Yet if you can tell the applicant put forth effort, spent more than the lightning speed equivalent to directing you elsewhere, then please give gracious respect and respond back with a sympathetic NO Thanks. Even if the 'thanks' is a complete LIE, the gesture alone gives condolence to the dreamer who launches more than hope when pushing the SEND button. Knowing I would find this article ‘interesting’, my wife left the page open during our marathon job search. The gap between financial failure and taking final steps of moving into a cardboard box seems moments away, yet I pause to offer my own tiny thumbnail of inspired thought. Not only can I relate in true frustration in devil’s advocate form, I also wish to slap the facial physic of a few of the posters. Or should I say POSERS!
Oh Deb, it must have been a very frustrating day for you to strike out with such blunt swords and shake the baby spines of all the ‘applicants’ wishing to gain profit for writing a BLOG. In any industry there is a very small percentage of qualified humans that stand in line for opportunity that exactly see the overall big picture. If they could, chances are they would not want to waste valuable time and energy to pacify the crappy position in the first place. To criticize their ignorance fails to justify your empathy to why they want to work for you in the first place.
As someone who writes emotional dribble and picks scabs while crossing the burning bridge, I can’t simply walk away from your post without hinting at just a wee bit of my own ‘writing career’ frustration at you who hold the scepter of promised gold.
1. Tit for Tat- High Energy and Excitement for the JOB itself. Where are the HAPPY human resource recruiters? If the blah feeling of filling the position comes across in the ad, just how desperate do you think the person searching has to be? Filling out lengthy applications may not be bothersome for some, yet after a few hundred attempts, belief in searching starts to fade.
2. Scams- for every ONE application, expect a THOUSAND home fix solution attempts to drain more money. I don’t need to increase my size, or find lost relatives, I don’t care if I won the African lottery nor do I want to revisit my high school classmates. You may not be directly responsible for these negativities, yet each of you hold ways to authenticate your honest need of someone REAL and not just collecting possibilities to future monies.
3. Personal integrities- Yes few have them, yet to many ‘writers’ it’s clear that the verbal throw up often found in blogs are never informative, highly exhausting, and almost every one leaves the sour or even bitter taste of self identification and social acceptance. I happen to get turned off by anyone who tells me they “Have a good story, go read it on my blog page.” Is this not the same as, “we are a good company, go read about it on our web page.” Obviously this text is meant to spark interest right? Not to justify every excuse of success or failure? Yes?
4. Respect in response- Bloggers, writers, actors, even the happy gourmet fry cook has inner goals and aspirations in growing. In the attempt to welcome creativity and squeeze the juice from stone, it behooves the company that searches for human help to reply back to the ones who dream loudest. Obviously if the subject applying lacks talent, wit, or use-ability, then doubtful He/She actually grieves for a lost chance. Yet if you can tell the applicant put forth effort, spent more than the lightning speed equivalent to directing you elsewhere, then please give gracious respect and respond back with a sympathetic NO Thanks. Even if the ‘thanks’ is a complete LIE, the gesture alone gives condolence to the dreamer who launches more than hope when pushing the SEND button.

]]> By: Jennifer L http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/05/8-types-of-freelance-writing-pitches-or-why-you-didnt-get-the-job/comment-page-1/#comment-70435 Jennifer L Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:12:25 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=4463#comment-70435 I'm astounded that someone would say "Google me to see more of my work" in a job application. If I were hiring, I don't know that I'd take the time and energy to do that, especially if I were having to sort through dozens and dozens of other (read: more complete) applications. Cut and paste the links into the application, you silly person! I’m astounded that someone would say “Google me to see more of my work” in a job application. If I were hiring, I don’t know that I’d take the time and energy to do that, especially if I were having to sort through dozens and dozens of other (read: more complete) applications. Cut and paste the links into the application, you silly person!

]]> By: Dave http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/05/8-types-of-freelance-writing-pitches-or-why-you-didnt-get-the-job/comment-page-1/#comment-70185 Dave Sun, 31 May 2009 08:20:03 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=4463#comment-70185 Great Article Deb. I was doing research for a project and happened on your phrase "...why you didn't get the job". It was truly "office space" great. It reminded me of a few years ago when working as a Materials Mgr. for a manufacturer in central Oklahoma. Each manager was expected to be his own "personnel manager". This wouldn't have been so bad, but the rural area's applicant pool for various jobs was ghastly. To be cliche, it was the proverbial cesspool. You'd pick the best candidate you could find, they would work faithfully for roughly 3 weeks, go on a drinking binge for three days - repeat once, and then get terminated. So be glad that you at least have some candidates that can use a computer, read, use spell check... I wish you all the luck and thank you for the much needed trip down memory lane. Dave Great Article Deb. I was doing research for a project and happened on your phrase “…why you didn’t get the job”. It was truly “office space” great.

It reminded me of a few years ago when working as a Materials Mgr. for a manufacturer in central Oklahoma. Each manager was expected to be his own “personnel manager”. This wouldn’t have been so bad, but the rural area’s applicant pool for various jobs was ghastly. To be cliche, it was the proverbial cesspool. You’d pick the best candidate you could find, they would work faithfully for roughly 3 weeks, go on a drinking binge for three days – repeat once, and then get terminated.
So be glad that you at least have some candidates that can use a computer, read, use spell check…
I wish you all the luck and thank you for the much needed trip down memory lane.

Dave

]]> By: Becky http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/05/8-types-of-freelance-writing-pitches-or-why-you-didnt-get-the-job/comment-page-1/#comment-69871 Becky Thu, 28 May 2009 14:07:18 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=4463#comment-69871 As a complete novice at freelance I found this article very helpful. It's important to understand the project as well as the employer's expectations going into any work environment. I am still too chicken to blog, or perhaps a little web-shy but I am taking baby steps daily starting with posting comments! I may not be hired (too chicken to apply), but you've given me the opportunity to write on the web. Thanks. As a complete novice at freelance I found this article very helpful. It’s important to understand the project as well as the employer’s expectations going into any work environment. I am still too chicken to blog, or perhaps a little web-shy but I am taking baby steps daily starting with posting comments! I may not be hired (too chicken to apply), but you’ve given me the opportunity to write on the web. Thanks.

]]> By: steven http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/05/8-types-of-freelance-writing-pitches-or-why-you-didnt-get-the-job/comment-page-1/#comment-69598 steven Wed, 27 May 2009 02:33:44 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=4463#comment-69598 @Andrea You're wrong word is #8 in bold... I was trying to be ironic. Obviously it should read "Your wrong word is #8 in bold" as she had written "Your hired." It's my attempt at humour and wordplay - too much tongue in my cheek perhaps. @ Lisa I agree with everything you said. A lot of the ads, and I'm not talking about the $1-2 per post ads, lack in details to the extent that it's a shot in the dark. It's the equivalent of one of my students giving me a paper lacking in details - they knew what they meant, they had all the details in their head, it just never made it to the paper. I'm not referring to Spike or Deb's ads, since I never saw them. @Andrea

You’re wrong word is #8 in bold… I was trying to be ironic. Obviously it should read “Your wrong word is #8 in bold” as she had written “Your hired.” It’s my attempt at humour and wordplay – too much tongue in my cheek perhaps.

@ Lisa

I agree with everything you said. A lot of the ads, and I’m not talking about the $1-2 per post ads, lack in details to the extent that it’s a shot in the dark. It’s the equivalent of one of my students giving me a paper lacking in details – they knew what they meant, they had all the details in their head, it just never made it to the paper. I’m not referring to Spike or Deb’s ads, since I never saw them.

]]> By: Edna http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/05/8-types-of-freelance-writing-pitches-or-why-you-didnt-get-the-job/comment-page-1/#comment-69488 Edna Tue, 26 May 2009 18:32:29 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=4463#comment-69488 I think these are all great tips. Whether they're in a positive framework or negative, they're still helpful. When I answer ads online I go out of my way to make sure I follow directions, but perhaps I need to include more information then the potential employer asks for? Usually my reply is short and to the point; if I have experience in a certain area, I mention that and I include a sample and/or links to my blog and a resume if needed. I try to sound excited about the possibility of getting the gig :) even though there may be 100s of people applying. So far, I get many more writing gigs then blogging gigs and I'm not sure why. I think these are all great tips. Whether they’re in a positive framework or negative, they’re still helpful.

When I answer ads online I go out of my way to make sure I follow directions, but perhaps I need to include more information then the potential employer asks for?
Usually my reply is short and to the point; if I have experience in a certain area, I mention that and I include a sample and/or links to my blog and a resume if needed. I try to sound excited about the possibility of getting the gig :) even though there may be 100s of people applying.

So far, I get many more writing gigs then blogging gigs and I’m not sure why.

]]> By: Lisa http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/05/8-types-of-freelance-writing-pitches-or-why-you-didnt-get-the-job/comment-page-1/#comment-69486 Lisa Tue, 26 May 2009 17:51:48 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=4463#comment-69486 I agree with almost everything you've said, but there's one issue that I find hard to manage as an applicant. That's the question: "what are your rates?" Since few ads are very explicit about the product or the process, I really don't know what an appropriate rate is likely to be. "Two blogs per day at 200-300 words" is a great start, but are you saying that I just write and post? Or do you expect research and interviews? Will you be reviewing, editing, and expecting revisions? It could take me anywhere from 1 hour to 4+ hours to achieve the same goal, depending upon those "small details." I hesitate to suggest even an hourly rate, since the reader doesn't know how quickly I work. My $50 per hour may translate to exactly the same actual fee as another person's $20 per hour. But no one is going to know that based on a casual review of a cover note! Lisa I agree with almost everything you’ve said, but there’s one issue that I find hard to manage as an applicant. That’s the question: “what are your rates?” Since few ads are very explicit about the product or the process, I really don’t know what an appropriate rate is likely to be.

“Two blogs per day at 200-300 words” is a great start, but are you saying that I just write and post? Or do you expect research and interviews? Will you be reviewing, editing, and expecting revisions? It could take me anywhere from 1 hour to 4+ hours to achieve the same goal, depending upon those “small details.”

I hesitate to suggest even an hourly rate, since the reader doesn’t know how quickly I work. My $50 per hour may translate to exactly the same actual fee as another person’s $20 per hour. But no one is going to know that based on a casual review of a cover note!

Lisa

]]> By: lornadoone http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/05/8-types-of-freelance-writing-pitches-or-why-you-didnt-get-the-job/comment-page-1/#comment-69484 lornadoone Tue, 26 May 2009 17:33:51 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=4463#comment-69484 We hire freelance writers fairly often these days, and I don't think I will ever understand/accept/stop being judgemental about people who don't proofread their samples, don't send samples at all, or just simply don't follow the directions. I mean, how can you make it any easier than by telling someone EXACTLY what to do?! Thanks for the post here, as it may save me from making a horses' rear out of myself by ranting over at my own blog. For a while, at least. We hire freelance writers fairly often these days, and I don’t think I will ever understand/accept/stop being judgemental about people who don’t proofread their samples, don’t send samples at all, or just simply don’t follow the directions. I mean, how can you make it any easier than by telling someone EXACTLY what to do?!

Thanks for the post here, as it may save me from making a horses’ rear out of myself by ranting over at my own blog. For a while, at least.

]]> By: SpikeTheLobster http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/05/8-types-of-freelance-writing-pitches-or-why-you-didnt-get-the-job/comment-page-1/#comment-69480 SpikeTheLobster Tue, 26 May 2009 15:29:45 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=4463#comment-69480 She corrected it - one of those little typing oversights. ;) Steven: as for the negative aspect, that's true. It's hard to come up with a "what to do to get the job" because every employer is different (as you can see from Deb's and my criteria). It is a lot easier to show how avoiding some simple errors will help a lot, though. I think we both summed it up pretty well. What to do to get the job? Follow instructions! :) She corrected it – one of those little typing oversights. ;)

Steven: as for the negative aspect, that’s true. It’s hard to come up with a “what to do to get the job” because every employer is different (as you can see from Deb’s and my criteria). It is a lot easier to show how avoiding some simple errors will help a lot, though.

I think we both summed it up pretty well. What to do to get the job? Follow instructions! :)

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