I was talking with a fellow freelance writer a few days ago and the subject of Freelancers Getting It Wrong came up, like it tends to do. You can’t really blame anyone for discussing how writers can get it so wrong, so often. It’s prolific.
This particular case was another of those “How dare they” critiques of a job posting. In it, the writer was angry. She felt there was deception afoot, and here’s how she put it:
This is clearly a fake job posting because they want a very specific set of skills.
Yes, my writer friends. This writer says that if a job posting requires you to be a writer who has actually worked in that client’s particular field, they’re lying and scamming you. I mean it’s a logical conclusion if you subscribe to this rather tired fallacy:
I can write about anything.
I remember years ago on a now-defunct blog, the blogger posted a job listing in which the client wanted someone who had a deep understanding of the tea trade. He even said if you put milk in your tea, you’re not the right candidate. Fair enough. That ruled me out. He knew to stress that he wanted someone with an expert-level knowledge of the industry. His yardstick was a bit unique, but it worked.
Except it didn’t. The pushback and argument that ensued was crazy-making level. The blogger fended off several angry posts about how dare this guy rule them out because … well, refer to the fallacy listed above.
And right there is the one thing we as freelance writing pros should never do:
Argue with a potential client.
I’ve seen this happen so often I’m beginning to think that people really are trying to sabotage their freelance writing careers. Seriously, why on any planet would you think that telling off a potential client is going to A) make them change their minds, B) make them realize that you know their business better than they do, and C) hire you?
I can tell you with certainty that none of the above will happen. What will happen is that this company will now remember you for the wrong reasons and avoid you like the plague you are. You’ll be lucky if they don’t mention it to anyone else in the industry.
Know this:
Clients know what they need. You may think you do, but if you told them, “Sure, I can write about finance!” when you think balancing a checkbook and investing on your own is the same as an in-depth article on the new regulatory requirements and how it will impact alternative risk transfer, you’re going to be in over your head quickly.
Attitude gets you nowhere. That confident “I can do anything” attitude is useful when you’re trying to get the courage to start a freelance writing business, but it will get in the way when you start getting pushy with client prospects. Don’t. When was the last time you wanted to partner with or buy from someone who told you how wrong you were? Never? There you go.
Have you seen other freelancers arguing with/about potential clients?
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