What’s on the iPod: Peachtree Battle by Butch Walker
It’s Monday already? I’m expecting a good start to the week. I have a good bit of work already done on an article assignment, I’ve been ramping up marketing and it’s starting to pay off. Also, I hope to see a large client project finish up this week.
Plus I’ve been doing my own version of NaNoWriMo — I write a poem a day. That’s going quite well.
I’m seeing a disturbing trend these days. If I’d seen it just once I’d have overlooked it as a writer who strayed out of his/her depths. However, I’ve seen enough cases of it to think a really stupid business decision is becoming a trend.
I’m talking about writers who pretend they know about a specialty area when they don’t. Or worse, they take on the work and don’t bother to get fully engaged in it. It’s the the “take it and fake it” attitude, and it’s a reputation killer.
Can we just say it together — if you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s going to show. If a client says “Have you ever done X or Y?” be honest. Seriously. That doesn’t mean you’ll lose the gig. It just means you haven’t lied yourself into a corner, especially if you’re admitting to your lack of experience in an open Internet forum (Why do people think they’re invisible?).
In my specialty writing area, I’ve seen freelance writers lie outright about having experience. When it’s a truly technical area like mine, you’re going to sink. Fast. Think ten-ton-lead-weight-around-your-neck kind of fast. Even writers who admit they don’t understand it will sink if they don’t invest the effort needed into doing the job right. I saw that happen when I handed off two assignments to two freelance writers who wanted to try their hand at it. Both failed. Both admitted up front they were new to it, so I was prepared for them to come up short. It happens.
But I’ve seen the other side, too. I worked with a writer who didn’t have experience, and she excelled. Why? Because she put the work into learning what the hell she was writing about.
But those other writers — even being upfront about their lack of expertise, many will drop the ball and end up pissing off the client. Here’s the thing — it doesn’t have to be that way. If you take on a job, know what it is you’re really taking on. It’s not just the project, but also the research needed to get you up to speed on the field in which you’ll be working.
So the lesson in all this? You can take on work you’re unfamiliar with, but it’s on you to A) be honest with the client about your skills, and B) do the homework necessary to at least understand the client’s focus.
Here’s my process for reaching into a new-to-me area:
‘Fess up. No, you won’t automatically lose the gig if you do it right. I’ve told clients things like “I’ve not written anything on credit union management yet, but here are some related areas in my background that could translate.” If you don’t have that, show the client what topics/approaches you’d use. Whatever you do, don’t ever lie and say “Sure, I can do that” especially if you’re not sure you can. Murphy’s Law is just waiting to prove you wrong.
Learn it. If you accept a project that’s outside your knowledge set, get busy. It’s on you –not your client — to get up to speed on what their industry/focus area is about. If I get hired to write about credit union management, my first order of business is to read at least two solid articles on the topic, familiarize myself with key terms and buzz words, and talk with the client, asking key questions on what they want, what they think is important for others to know, and what they want me to focus on most.
Get curious. If you don’t turn on your own curiosity, you’re not going to be interested for very long. You can learn anything (almost) just by looking for answers to your own questions. What do you want to know about this person’s company/profession/industry/product? What stories would you want to read about it? Pretend you’re the audience. In a sense, you are.
Ask questions. Lots and lots of questions. Ask basic questions and if you don’t understand the answer, try repeating it back. One question I used a lot when I was learning this specialty was “I’m new to this industry — can you educate me a little?” People, including clients, love talking about what they do. They have a willing audience and they’re able to look smart. Just make your questions are smart ones (doing your research first is usually a great idea).
Get feedback. I tell every new client that my first delivery is a draft anyway, but nowhere is that more important to stress than in a new focus area. I practically beg for feedback. I communicate. I make sure the client’s thoughts are on paper and on tape (sometimes it helps to hear the tone and the exact wording). I go over those recordings and make doubly sure I get it. If I don’t, I ask again. And I keep getting feedback along the way to make sure I’m doing what they want.
Writers, have you ever taken on work you weren’t familiar with?
Did you tell the truth or did you fake it?
Was there ever a time you faked it and it worked?
Do you know anyone who’s done this?
Often take work I know nothing about… and I always say so and request links etc. to fill in my gaps. Seems to work out okay since I'm not writing tech stuff or instructions on how to do surgery or something way out of my ken.
As long as it works for you, Anne. Has it ever backfired?
Timely post Lori. I was furious last week to see a freelancer I previously had great respect for promoting a post encouraging freelancers to lie to get gigs. There is no excuse for it.
If you aren't sure how to do something, say so. If you don't know the subject matter, say so (and don't expect to be paid more later for extra research time due to ignorance about the subject matter — research better be accounted for in your initial quote). And if you aren't a good fit for the gig, don't take it! Don't waste your time, and a client's budget, when you should be looking for gigs you're actually qualified to take on. Clients don't turn to freelancers so they can do half of our job for us. Our job is to take some of their load off their shoulders.
That's not to say you have to be a subject matter expert for every gig. Not all gigs require it (though ones that do tend to pay significantly more). But if the topic isn't your specialty, research darn well better be. It's not a client's job to provide that research material either, unless it's research into their own company or access to staff for interviews. General niche or industry knowledge is your responsibility to figure out. If the client is willing to provide more, that's simply a bonus. But it should never be expected.
You know, it never ceases to amaze me that freelance writers jump into gigs without really understanding what a client expects from them. If that isn't 100% clear and you aren't 100% prepared to take on the subject matter or properly research it, then you didn't ask enough (or the right) questions. And that's nothing short of irresponsible.
But really, when I see other freelancers telling new writers to just lie their way into a gig to get past their ignorance and learn only after lying, it makes me want to scream (or worse).
I've seen similar, Jenn. It's kind of astounding. I get the "fake it 'til you make it' notion, but that should apply only to your confidence, not your actual skills.
You're right — you don't have to be an expert in every subject. I think it's okay to say "No, I haven't done that, but I've done this related stuff." I think you'd get more respect that way.
I hear you on the jumping in without taking into account everything you need to do and understand. If you take it on and it's over your head, either get busy learning what you don't know or tell them right now and let them find someone who does know.
This is too funny considering the email exchange we just had, Lori. I swear I hadn't read this first!
For everyone not part of our conversation, the nutshell version was I told Lori I'd replied to a job listing seeking writers with a certain specialty. I don't have professional experience in that area, but they're hiring people to write consumer-facing blog posts, so I told them about my personal experiences with their industry, then tried to sell them on the notion that a writer from outside their industry might be well suited to write the kinds of posts they're looking for. To me, clear and easily understood also means free of industry buzzwords and jargon.
It's a long shot, but at least I didn't lie.
Right, I've got viral labyrinthitis, which is like all the bad bits of being really drunk – room spinning, constant dizziness, being sick – without any of the good bits, so excuse any speeling mistooks 😉
I actually love researching, and I've become somewhat of an exert in a couple of industries that I had no prior knowledge of, because clients have given me the gig even though I've admitted I didn't habe the experience. They liked my 'writing style' and we clicked so they were happy to take the chance – and both projects were a huge success! I would never lie to a potential client, I would hate to massively fail and have to admit I'd lied. I'd rather be honest and miss out on the job.
This has taken me 20 minutes to write, so iI think it's nap time . . . on another note, this is why I'm glad I have a financial backup, I'm on bed rest for two weeks and can't see me being able to get much, if any, work done. Luckily I don't have any urgent deadlines, and I've been honest with my clients and told them I'm laid up, luckily they're all very understanding!
Paula, I like that you tried! I think you're able to translate what you know quite well.
See Emily, that's what I mean. If they're willing to try and you're willing to put the work into it, why not? I wouldn't lie to a client, either. That's just setting yourself up for a huge fall.
I'm lucky to learn quickly, but I also let clients know where I'm starting. One reason I love writing is that I get to learn on the job.
Me too, Devon. 🙂 As long as we're honest and put our best damn foot into it, why not?