What’s on the iPod: Beautiful Day by U2
One article done! Amen. It was the smallest of the four, but one that had the most limitations. Two vendors, two parts. Ugh. That ties my hands, but hopefully I was able to keep it somewhat vendor neutral (not sure how that’s possible!).
I sent out a note to another client with ideas for upcoming newsletters, and I interviewed a source for one of the remaining articles. Now I’m in full-on writing mode — I want to frame in article number two and then get the first interview sorted. Also, I want to research a bit more on the subject to see if I’m getting all the input I can for it.
One thing I’ve been noticing lately is just how many writers are demonstrating with disturbing frequency their inability to follow directions. I received a forum notice where someone posted a job notice. The directions were simple: to be considered, send an email to the poster. While I have plenty of issue with applying for jobs instead of actively seeking out new clients, I will say that the problem with the ad wasn’t the content or the request: it was with the responses.
The poster was clear on what he wanted: emailed responses. Yet there were dozens of writers piling onto that thread, giving their names, background info, and email addresses. Hate to break it to you, kids. He’s not calling.
Let’s do a little exercise. Here’s the ad, which for our purposes is appearing on a forum thread:
Writing professional with overflow work looking for a writer with experience in the sales and marketing industry. Must have at least three articles published on the topic or a related topic (convince me!), and must show some familiarity with the topic area and jargon. You don’t have to be a master; you simply have to understand the needs of the industry. To be considered, please send your CV and two writing samples (related, if possible) to Email AT mydomain DOT com.
If you’re responding, what are you going to do?
Send your CV. Try not to listen to those writers who think resumes are so yesterday — I’ve had to send mine out three times this year, and I use mine to capture business while at trade events. What’s “so yesterday” is the traditional resume format. I prefer a list of published work, a list of where I’ve been (traditional jobs, and only short blurbs), and a list of client projects I’ve worked on. Forget the job you had in high school and those college internships (unless they were mighty impressive or you’re fresh out of college). My resume is a PowerPoint presentation, but I’d recommend against that for these blind ads (they won’t open the attachment if they don’t know you). Instead, direct them to your website or paste your CV in the body of the email.
Send two writing samples. Which ones? If it’s a job in the marketing and sales industry (it is), you’re going to send clips that are most relevant to that industry. For instance, that article you did on how to deliver good customer service or that piece on top ten reasons people buy. What you’re not going to do: send three or more samples. Why? Because the ad asked for two. If they need to see more, they’ll ask. If you send more, you’re also sending the message that you can’t follow simple instructions. You’re also not going to send fiction pieces. If you don’t have nonfiction samples, make them up. A blog post, an editorial, another client project….all are acceptable to this particular job poster.
Send it to the email listed. Don’t answer the ad right there in the forum. Three reasons for that — 1) it’s not what the poster asked for, 2) the poster may never return to see the responses, and 3) it makes you look like you’re begging for work. I conduct my negotiations without an audience. So should you.
What are some of the more heinous missteps you’ve seen?
I host authors on one of my blogs. When I have slots open, I post on loops and I ask that they email me off-list (which is the norm) with their media kit and whatever other information I need for that particular slot (clearly listed in my call).
I can't tell you how often I get, "oh, I don't know how to do a media kit. You can scroll through my website/blog/facebook page for what you need."
No, I can't. I don't have time. I am hosting you, not charging you for advertising. Give me the information in the way I ask for it, or I'm not hosting you.
These are the same people who whine about not getting any publicity for their releases.
Devon, I had that once with a job I'd posted asking for help with a project. The instructions were clear — send me your resume/portfolio and two samples. What I got in every case but one was examples of why people don't get hired. One note said, "What do you need? Call me." That's it. Another was "I'm sure you know my work…." Another sent a sample (one) and no resume. Another sent the resume but no samples.
One person followed directions to the letter. She was hired, and she was fantastic to work with.
The flip side is when you use a service like HARO or ProfNet to find experts. In your query you spell out exactly what type of sources you need. Then you set a deadline.
Yet people in non-related industries almost always reply (well, their publicists reply), stretching and spinning to try to sound even slightly relevant to the topic:"Your article is on helping college freshmen adjust to life on campus? My client, author of '100 Reasons I Don't Belong in Your Article,' once WENT to college! He can offer first person insights about adjusting to campus life!" Yeah, circa 1983.
Oh right – they replied a full week after my stated deadline, too.
Getting those bad matches remind me why it's so important to 1) only reply to job listings you know you're a good fit for, and 2) follow the directions as closely as possible. (I'm sure I've inadvertently overlooked a step or two over the years, but I try.)
Paula, I hear you. It's a great lesson for us writers, for sure.
Unrelated question: When you get multiple responses to a query, do you respond to everyone? I respond only to those whose expert fits. When I get twenty responses, I don't have time to answer them all, especially the ones that don't work.
I have seen instructions that request links vs attachments. How many attachments do you figure they get buried with? 🙂
Just my 2 cents (and recognize I don't go looking for experts because my ghostwriting brings them to me), I'd consider if it's a source you might want to use in the future-the old don't burn your bridges syndrome. They may just have a lousy publicist.
What format do you use for your CV? Have you tried the resume that likedin produces? The classic resume is so yesterday, but it's hard to know what people are looking for.
Cathy, I've not had troubles with that, actually. I've gone back to sources weeks, even months after they've gotten in touch and have worked well with them. I think it's pretty typical with the online searches to not have time to respond to everyone, but I keep names of those who are interesting.
Wade, I'll send it over to you. It's pretty simple, really. I like to use Arial because it's cleaner to read, and I keep the "fancy" formatting to a minimum. Plus I'd say it's just heinous to use Tables in a resume. Having edited and rewritten a ton of resumes, I've found those to give me the biggest headaches. Sometimes they're unreadable, which isn't good!
I have a credit list/resume on my website – if they want it in the body of an email I do that; if they ask for an attachment I do that… it's not rocket science… or maybe it is.
It amazes me too, Lori, Devon, Paula… just amazes me.
About replying to source queries – if there aren't tons of them I do try to reply. Sometimes I'll just reply with a vague, "Thank you for responding. I'll be in touch within a week if my editor and I feel your company is a good fit for the story."
Knowing how frustrating it can be to have no reply, I do make an effort to respond. If I had 50 replies I'd probably only answer the most viable candidates – and the ones who aren't even close. I want them to know they are NOT a fit.