(sigh)
Here we go again. Another trip around the internet groups and forums is all it takes to wind me up. So forgive the minor rant, but this needs to be said:
[bctt tweet=”There is one solid reason why you, #freelancer, are not getting those gigs you see online.” username=”LoriWidmer”]
Know why?
Because the job poster ruled you out the minute you responded.
Oh yes, she did. And for good reason.
This is an all-too-common sin that a lot of freelancers are committing, and it’s one I saw on not one, but four job threads in a LinkedIn group I frequent. Hell, it’s probably the reason many writers are stuck in the same payment rut they can’t quite dig themselves out of. What’s the red flag those potential clients are seeing?
Writers who don’t follow directions.
Wait, so if I can see it, it must be something they’re doing in public. And it is.
They’re not reading the posts through. They couldn’t be. If they were, they’d see this little sentence:
If you’re interested, send me a private message.
Jeezuz, it’s right there. The poster wants you, freelance writer, to reach out privately. Yet how many times do I see, and you probably see, people on that very thread responding like this:
“I’m interested!”
“Here’s my email, please contact me.”
“I can help!”
No. No you can’t. You can’t even follow the simplest of directions.
Once upon a time, I had to hire a writer to help with a massive project. I asked for specifics — send your background, relevant experience, and your rate. Know what I got?
- “I’m here. What do you need?”
- “I’ll help you.”
- “Interested.” (Seriously — one word)
The writer I hired was the only one of a dozen people who actually followed the directions. That signaled to me that she was smart enough to take direction, too. She would be someone who would listen. And damn, she was good. She stayed on task, asked smart questions, and heard the responses. I hired the right person.
So how can writers who are failing the simplest test ever get hired? The answer is kind of obvious, isn’t it?
Follow the damn directions.
But there is another level of direction-shunning that has me more than a little baffled. In quite a few instances, I’ve seen writers debate why the rules should apply to them — in public. I’m not even kidding.
One writer argued that full-time employers should be hiring her and letting her work from home on her own time because she can’t take a full-time position. Yet she’s applying for full-time jobs….
Another writer decided to let the hiring manager know that she should amend her thinking and hire an experienced writer who didn’t have specialized experience in the hiring manager’s industry. Because giving the job to a writer without that experience is always a good idea when you’re trying to get a job done correctly and without problems.
If you’ve made them wonder when you didn’t follow directions, you’ve chased them away completely when you dictated how they should be doing their job.
That kind of bravado is why plenty of writers don’t get out of the starting gate.
Some friendly advice from this exasperated writer:
- Follow directions always
- Don’t ever think you’re the special flower for whom the rules do not apply (you aren’t)
- Never ever tell a hiring manager what they should be looking for instead (hint: it won’t be you)
- Don’t expect the world to adapt to what you need when you’re not willing to adapt to what others need
- Lose the ego and attitude
- Treat clients and potential clients with respect
- Run your business as though you’re trying to attract clients, not repel them
If anything on this list makes you feel rebellious or is something you’re inclined to argue over, this one is for you:
Find another profession.
If you can follow directions, you’re already doing better than a sickeningly large number of freelancers. It takes little more than paying attention to details, and showing that client you’re willing to collaborate.
Writers, what are some of the worst offenses by writers that you’ve seen?
What advice do you have for these types of writers?
11 responses to “Why You Aren’t Getting Those Freelance Writing Gigs”
Amen, sister! I see it often. Actually, I just forwarded a series of emails I had with a woman who plainly wasn’t paying attention at all to what we were discussing–and she kept calling me Gabriel, despite the fact every email in the thread had my signature line with my name spelled correctly.
This is a related rant. I sometimes use source-finding sites. As required, I post on there what I’m looking for, such as “Need tech experts to offer their best tips on how to extend the life of your devices.” The smartest PR people always, always respond with their potential source’s name and some great tips I can pick up and attribute to that person, perhaps with some clarifying discussion.
The worst PR people and sources? They respond as you’ve said–with an, “I’m here.” “I’m interested.” “My client would be great….” and then they tell me their client’s reality TV credentials (I’m not joking. I get lots of responses from reality TV stars, and I wouldn’t touch them with a 10-foot pole; I believe we’ve had enough of that for a lifetime, but that’s another rant for another day.)
People: Show why someone truly needs you or your invitation! Don’t just show up.
Ugh. You got me going. 🙂
LOL We are preaching to our own choir today, you and I. 🙂
So, Gabriel ;), why haven’t you changed your name to accommodate that woman? I mean really, talk about being inflexible. LOL I feel your pain. I once told a dude what my name was and his response was “No it’s not, it’s …it says right here your name is….”
That’s when you know they’re not your client — when they argue what’s obviously not true.
Good PR people are tough to find, aren’t they? You’re right — the good ones will read and respond in kind. The bad ones will send you a cosmetic surgeon when you asked for a security expert. Oy.
Gabriella, YES! On all counts. A while back, I received a press release about a source who I could have pitched to one of my editors IF the source’s company was involved in certain areas of work, which was not clear from the pitch I received. So I sent an email asking for clarification and stating specifically that the company would need to be actively involved in (not just planning to get involved in) A, B, and C–and that if the company met those criteria, I could query my editor on a potential story. The publicist, rather than answering my questions, sent an email to her client and me in which she told the client I wanted to interview him for a profile of his company that would appear on (name of media site) and asking him what dates would be convenient to schedule an interview.
As for names: Mine is androgynous, and my parents went with the traditionally male spelling, so all my life I’ve gotten mail/email incorrectly addressed to me as Mr., and I hate that but it is what it is. But last week, I replied to a Mr. email and signed with Ms. to correct the error, and the person (a source I need for a story) proceeded to use Mrs. in subsequent email.
Cluelessness abounds…
Whenever I see writers responding with “I’m interested” or “I can do that!” to a post asking interested candidates to contact them by DM or email, I wonder if they have any price. I mean, they usually don’t even know what, if anything, the job pays. Follow directions, and you’ll find out everything you need to know.
And Gabriella, I’ve had those PR replies too. The sources they offer up are rarely a good match to whatever query I posted.
Bingo! Once again, Paula, you hit the nail squarely on the head. And I doubt in most cases if these same writers even know what the job entails.
When I see those replies, I read “I’m desperate” instead of “I’m willing to have a conversation to see if we’re a good fit.”
Paula, I’ve seen instances in which the job poster provides a link to the full job listing–and then they get peppered with questions from people who clearly couldn’t be bothered to read the listing.
Can I work remote? (The job description specifically states it’s on-site.)
You didn’t provide rate information. (The full job posting does.)
What style guide is required? (Guess where you could find that detail?)
And so on.
All these people are doing is branding themselves as freelancers who need to be spoon-fed, who need their hands held, who have zero initiative–who are, in short, poor prospects. And all because they couldn’t be bothered to click on a link that would have answered all their questions. I don’t get it–but I do know that they make it easier for me to compete for those positions!
Randy, you’ve seen the bulk of the more ridiculous things while moderating the LinkedIn forum. I think the most frustrating for me is the sense I get (and I see you do, too) that some of these people need to be led by the hand to the job, then want to be hired without question.
Meanwhile, another writer is following directions and getting the job. Funny how that works.
(Nothing like spotting a typo four days too late: PRIDE. I was wondering if the overly-eager respondents had any pride.)
Paula, they both work. 😉
Oh my, I see this all the time on LinkedIn too! It leaves me scratching my head every time. If you can’t send a resume to the email address as requested, how are you going to digest (and follow) the guidelines for the project?!
I feel like in general people’s ability (or willingness) to read information right in front of them is going down the toilet. Off topic but almost every day I also see FB ads selling something and people will start asking questions that are answered in the damn title. Boys clothes 7-8 $50. What size are these? Price? LOL
Oh Krista, you hit on my peeve, too! I saw it a few times just over the weekend. It’s right THERE. First sentence, title, etc. If you don’t read, you’re not presenting yourself very well to a potential client, right?
I saw it on a weekend conference chat — people asking questions. The answers were right there on the screen. I mean, literally it was in plain sight and the presenter was talking about the very answer they were seeking. Yikes.