In just a week and a half, we start Writers Worth Month 2016! For one month, this blog space will be dedicated to helping writers at all career stages realize their value and learn to charge what they’re worth. Make sure to subscribe to the blog email list so you don’t miss a single day of advice and stories from some of today’s top freelancers!
price tag with copy space
It’s been a nice week so far. The workload has been light, and the outstanding projects are starting to wrap up. I’m working on one project at the moment and starting on a second one today.
I was talking with a résumé client recently, and we were discussing how sometimes hiring managers interpret job listings quite literally. For example, if you were applying to be a head chef and you’d led a kitchen staff six times in the last three years, some hiring managers would say it wasn’t a long enough stretch. Instead of looking at your experience and the fact that you were trusted six times to get the job done, they want X number of months/years actually doing the job.
The same thing happens with our clients sometimes. Freelance writers who have pretty damn good backgrounds are expected yet again to prove themselves. And while that may be needed in cases where the writer hasn’t really handled a particular topic, it shouldn’t be required in all cases.
Case in point — I’ve been writing about insurance and risk management for over 16 years. Yet I still get clients who request I send samples. Seriously.
While I get that clients want to be sure they’re hiring a pro, I don’t understand the lack of vetting. My website has a good number of samples, and I’ve done my best to include all topics I’ve covered.
So how do we get to a point in our careers where samples and links aren’t necessary? Here are a few things to do:
Refer them to the website. It’s the first thing I say when someone asks. “Oh, have you looked at my samples page? If not, give it a read. If you need something more specific than what’s there, please ask.” It’s there to serve as your online portfolio.
Include testimonials on your site. I’ll admit I’ve yet to get this onto my new site (just updated a few months back). My old site had client quotes on every page — little reminders that someone trusted me and loved the outcome.
Beef up your LinkedIn profile. Definitely make those testimonials part of your LinkedIn profile. I’ve had clients contact me via LinkedIn because of what’s on that page. Make that sucker shine, and treat it like another online brochure. It is.
Create a new client kit. I have a zipped folder that contains samples, my CV, and a sales letter. I’ve not sent it to more than a few potential clients, but it’s a great way to get more info to your prospects, especially if you’ve promised a follow-up note after an in-person meeting. I limit samples to two or three — any more is overwhelming and smacks of desperation.
Put an interactive portfolio on your website. This is on my to-do list for my new site update. I have a PowerPoint presentation that I intend to get up on my site. It’s a great way for prospects to see your work before they get in touch (or instead of you sending a bunch of clips — see my first point).
Explain transferable skills. Without getting preachy, explain to the client what skills you have now that translate to their particular needs. For example, your client asked for a white paper. You can say “I’ve written numerous case studies and a few advertorial-style articles that require the same kind of focus.”
Refuse the free writing sample. They want to see how you handle writing about mercury levels in water, and they’ve asked for 500 words. Your response should be something like “Not a problem. I charge $50 for specific samples and writing tests. By what date would you like it?”
Writers, how do you get away from playing the sample game?
Have you lost a client because you wouldn’t provide a sample?
Post Views:80
8 responses to “Getting Beyond the Writing Sample Question”
I recently had a prospect reach out via email & ask for a sample. I replied that I'm unable to provide free custom samples, and linked him to my portfolio & testimonials. We got on the phone later that week to talk about the project, and during the call he actually apologized for asking for the sample, and said that after he read my reply he realized he shouldn't have asked for free work! Some people are trying to take advantage of you when they ask, but many just don't think about it & don't realize what they're asking.
Keri, I think that's true. There are many times the clients just don't read your website. And sometimes they don't understand how to work with freelancers. Your response is exactly how we should be handling it. Not blaming or getting huffy, but a simple explanation followed by a phone call to continue the conversation.
Great article, Lori. I think for new freelancers it's tempting to agree to do a free sample. This is especially true when you're not confident enough about the clips you do have and the request for the sample sounds like "I'm not confident you have the chops to do the job."
I have written a client sample this year even though. I have almost two decades of writing experience, with some of the work in the public domain with my name on it. But, I was persuaded by the way she framed her request: 1. She stated very clearly why needed a sample. She short-listed me and someone else for the gig and I think we were neck to neck and she couldn't decide.So it was a test run on the actual job. 2.It was not a freebie. She offered the same rates as for the job. 3. She wanted us to be able to assess if we could easily work with her briefs. Turned out that her briefs are more thorough than most.
As a matter of interest, I initially lost out on the gig, but when a need arose again in the company, she hired me.
Damaria, that in itself is what I would consider an acceptable reason to provide a sample. She paid you — that's all I'd need to hear. And I get why she asked. It was a great way for her to vet writers' abilities.
I love the idea of putting the samples, CV, etc… all in a zipped file. I have all o those things, as well as a list of where I've been published all in separate files.
But I especially love the idea of telling someone who wants a sample that it's a $50 fee.
Not doing free samples is vital. Certain companies "audition" writers with free samples — giving them different topics — collect them all, tell everyone they weren't hired, change the web name, and have all their content for free. No, thanks. I'll give a discount for a personalized sample, but not free.
I've also had trouble with other writers copying samples on my website, changing the company name, and trying to sell them as their own.
I have sample packets, geared to the different things I do.
Devon, I've had that happen once upon a time, too. It's heinous behavior and proof that there will always be someone who will game the system.
Writers have actually done that? How awful! I guess you can take heart knowing eventually they have to pony up the talent, which clearly isn't there if they're stealing. That Karma Bus is going to hurt like hell.
8 responses to “Getting Beyond the Writing Sample Question”
Great tips here, Lori!
I recently had a prospect reach out via email & ask for a sample. I replied that I'm unable to provide free custom samples, and linked him to my portfolio & testimonials. We got on the phone later that week to talk about the project, and during the call he actually apologized for asking for the sample, and said that after he read my reply he realized he shouldn't have asked for free work! Some people are trying to take advantage of you when they ask, but many just don't think about it & don't realize what they're asking.
Keri, I think that's true. There are many times the clients just don't read your website. And sometimes they don't understand how to work with freelancers. Your response is exactly how we should be handling it. Not blaming or getting huffy, but a simple explanation followed by a phone call to continue the conversation.
Thanks for the excellent example!
Great article, Lori. I think for new freelancers it's tempting to agree to do a free sample. This is especially true when you're not confident enough about the clips you do have and the request for the sample sounds like "I'm not confident you have the chops to do the job."
I have written a client sample this year even though. I have almost two decades of writing experience, with some of the work in the public domain with my name on it. But, I was persuaded by the way she framed her request:
1. She stated very clearly why needed a sample. She short-listed me and someone else for the gig and I think we were neck to neck and she couldn't decide.So it was a test run on the actual job.
2.It was not a freebie. She offered the same rates as for the job.
3. She wanted us to be able to assess if we could easily work with her briefs. Turned out that her briefs are more thorough than most.
As a matter of interest, I initially lost out on the gig, but when a need arose again in the company, she hired me.
Damaria, that in itself is what I would consider an acceptable reason to provide a sample. She paid you — that's all I'd need to hear. And I get why she asked. It was a great way for her to vet writers' abilities.
Clearly, you have mad skills. 🙂
I love the idea of putting the samples, CV, etc… all in a zipped file. I have all o those things, as well as a list of where I've been published all in separate files.
But I especially love the idea of telling someone who wants a sample that it's a $50 fee.
I thought you'd like that one, Paula. 😉
Not doing free samples is vital. Certain companies "audition" writers with free samples — giving them different topics — collect them all, tell everyone they weren't hired, change the web name, and have all their content for free. No, thanks. I'll give a discount for a personalized sample, but not free.
I've also had trouble with other writers copying samples on my website, changing the company name, and trying to sell them as their own.
I have sample packets, geared to the different things I do.
Devon, I've had that happen once upon a time, too. It's heinous behavior and proof that there will always be someone who will game the system.
Writers have actually done that? How awful! I guess you can take heart knowing eventually they have to pony up the talent, which clearly isn't there if they're stealing. That Karma Bus is going to hurt like hell.