Freelance Writer for Hire: Really?

Here we go again. If you’re a freelance writer, you’ll recognize this.

A while back, these emails were circulating within the freelance writing community.

Antonio Michael (brwdev@gmail.com)

Hello,

I am Antonio Michael, an academic consultant., I have a speech distorting condition called Apraxia. I got your contact details online and I need your service. Can you write an article on a specific topic for an upcoming workshop? The article is to be given as a handbook to the attendees of the workshop. I have a title for the article and have drafted an outline to guide you. Please get back to me for more
information.
Anthonio

Antonio Michael, Consultant

You may remember our hapless friend. At one point in his email barrage, he couldn’t remember if his name was Antonio Michael or Michael Antonio or, in one case, Michael Anthonio. Doesn’t really matter since the dude was fictional, but I did wonder if the apraxia he claimed to have affected his ability to spell. But I digress.

While it was fairly easy to see that ol’ Michael or Antonio wasn’t really looking for a freelance writer and that he was a scammer, it’s not always easy. In fact, an email just came in that had me rereading it. I tend to do that when strangers send me unsolicited emails requesting my assistance. Call me a skeptic. I am for a reason.

Here’s the email in question:

terrymichele@gmail.tt

My name is Karen. I got your contact details online.  Can you write an article on a specific topic? The article will feature in a publication at an upcoming workshop. I have a title for the article and have drafted an outline to guide you. Please respond to my email for more details. Email and text correspondence only.

(xxx) 111-2222

Warm regards

Sounds reasonable, doesn’t it? Why shouldn’t this be a legitimate email?

Because the signs are there.

My name is Karen.

Hey, it could be. But I’d bet money that her name isn’t Karen and she’s already signaled that she’s lying. Look at the email. While I’m not divulging the actual email, it was just like the one above. Where is “Karen” in that? Had Karen not had a mismatched name on her email, it could have looked legitimate.

For any of us who have been at the rodeo as long as the bull has (and this is nothing if not pure bull), it isn’t hard to see through that. Yet even the savviest of freelance writers can’t always see the signs. Let’s look deeper.

Can you write an article on a specific topic?

This email came in through my website, which has a number of links to various articles. So yes, Karen. You showed your hand by asking about the obvious. Can a freelance writer write a freelance article? Really? Still, she may be someone who just goes right to the contact form without bothering to check to see if this is an actual freelance writer.

The article will feature in a publication at an upcoming workshop.

Taking a page from Michael here, are we? Where’s your apraxia? What condition didn’t you mention? Come on, Karen. You’ve got to work a little harder for this, ‘kay?

I have a title for the article and have drafted an outline to guide you.

This is a direct rip-off of Michael Antonio’s approach. Hmm, maybe I should alert him that Karen here is horning in on his business and stealing his best lines.

Email and text correspondence only.

(xxx) 111-2222

Oh yes, she did. She included a phone number, but don’t call her!  She doesn’t want it. What will happen if you do? Nothing. She won’t answer. She’ll text back, working her best Michael Antonio magic on you. That way you won’t notice that Karen isn’t a Karen but a Carl.

This, my freelance writer friend, should go right into your junk folder.

That begs the question:

What is Legit?

If the job is legitimate, the client is going to ask for a conversation. It’s a little strange when someone writes to you and doesn’t ask if the type of project they are farming out is something that you can handle. Not always, but the clients who have contacted me out of the blue have always asked this.

Another tell: The client is going to ask what you’d charge? I’d be surprised if price doesn’t come into the conversation on at least the second email or first phone call.

Also, you’re going to have this person’s contact information and, I’m just going to say it, they’re not going to tell you not to call. I’ve never had that happen in the 20+ years I’ve been a freelance writer.

The biggest, best sign of legitimacy is the contract. Real clients will sign contracts. They’ll talk with you on the phone (some will insist, but it’s your call whether you want to). They’ll share all their contact info, and they’ll tell you what the hell they want and not be so bloody vague.

Freelance writers, be aware that these scams are out there, but also that they’re starting to change it up enough to attempt to sound real. The email, the ask, and the info they share  — or don’t share — are the clues. When in doubt, trust your gut.

Writers, have you seen any odd offers or emails?