Your Excuses Don’t Interest Me
As you know, I’m dealing with several content writers who work for me personally. Initially I started outsourcing for two reasons:
1.) I needed help with my workload
2.) I wanted to give newcomers a chance to build their own business with repeat work.
However, I have seen some really disturbing behavioral patterns with many of these wanna be writers. In fact, out of over 20 applicants I have received for my initial job posting, there is only one writer of whom I can honestly say he is a top writer. I actually don’t pay him enough for what he is worth and he knows it. But that writer is a keeper for sure and every time I have work to outsource he is the one I contact these days.
Fact is that I cannot afford to pay more than I do unless I take a massive cut in pay myself and that would defeat the purpose of me outsourcing my work.
The main aspects of my worries with the other 19 are as follows:
Lack of dedication
If you want to earn money as a writer full time you can’t expect me to be happy when you take weeks to fulfill a simple job. Regardless whether I pay top dollar or not, jobs should always be completed in a timely fashion.
I understand some of us have less available writing time than others and that is fine. However, what I don’t understand is if I have to chase writers to get a job done. As far as I’m concerned I’m paying you to work and if you want to get paid it would make sense to work as fast as possible to get more work.
Lack of communication
The second trait of wanna be writers is a sheer lack of communication. What, has your email provider suddenly decided to stop serving you? It beats me how I have to wait over one month for a simple set of ten articles to be completed and then I only receive five with the comment that the topic was to “hard or complicated” to write about. Hmmm…honey would you like some more work?
Excuses
I’m also not interested in hearing your excuses. I would seriously think twice to serve my clients with excuses about this and that. Yes, I understand we all fall under the radar at times and sometimes it just isn’t possible to complete the work in time. But please, COMMUNICATE the delay to your clients and not the excuse itself.
Your client really doesn’t give a toss about your pain, your illness or your lack of time.
Lack of effort
Whatever happened to dedication to grow your business? Life doesn’t always serve us money on a golden platter. More often than not we have to work for it and sometimes this involves things we don’t like to do, work that pays less than we like or jobs that pay nothing.
I’ve had my own fair share of freebies given to prospective clients. I’ve also worked way below my worth in order to get a new client on board. All of this is a calculated risk to grow my business at all times.
If I get stuck, I usually step backwards and keep going forward – it really is as simple as that.
How to walk the walk and still get paid
If you REALLY want to make is in this freelancing industry you have to learn to walk the walk. Sometimes the wind will blow from the front and at others you can enjoy back wind. Pay your dues and you will see results. Alternatively, keep complaining, tell excuses to your clients and refuse to communicate and you will be on the shortest road to failure.
It’s your call.
Monika
About the Author: I'm a passionate freelance writer and problogger. To further build my business I'm also in the process of building my own niche empire which pays me residual income.
John Soares | May 8, 2009 | Reply
Good post Monika.
I think low pay can cause some writers to not act professionally because they feel they are not getting paid what they’re worth.
My take: either do the job to the best of your ability or don’t take the assignment.
Writer Dad | May 8, 2009 | Reply
Freelancing is a tireless gig, at least until you hit the tipping point. If you aren’t ready to climb a hundred rungs, you should probably never start.
I feel you.
Zania | May 9, 2009 | Reply
It’s getting more and more difficult to find decent writers right now.
Could be the recession making people ‘try their luck’ even when they are not really any good at writing.
I don’t know.
All I know is that I too have found only one freelance writer I can trust, not only to do the work as asked, but to do it extremely well.
Trouble is, he is very, very popular, so there’s a queue for his work….
Monika | May 9, 2009 | Reply
@ John Soares: John, I loved the way you said it. I totally agree with you. I think right now we are stuck in some “give it to me now” mentality where many people expect wonders from nothing. They want to be paid a decent wage but are not prepared to put in elbow grease to deserve it first. The problem isn’t just with freelancers, it exists everywhere offline too.
I’m not exactly sure why we have arrived at this point but between our grandparents who worked too hard and our generation something went terribly wrong.
Monika | May 9, 2009 | Reply
@ WD: Exactly. I’m still climbing rungs right now and probably never stop doing so. Regardless of success there are times when we have to work a lot harder than we like or want. Nonetheless it is required if we want to move our business forward. Thanks Sean.
Monika | May 9, 2009 | Reply
@ Zania: I hear you. I’m not even sure it is the recession only although I think the current situation certainly has more people scramble for extra income and like you said, many of them are totally misplaced in our industry. The irony is that anybody with some will and dedication could make this work.
Matthew Stibbe | May 10, 2009 | Reply
In the past, I’ve subcontracted out bits of writing and editing work. I’m wary about doing it now simply because people do exactly what you’ve described in this article.
I’ve had people turn down work flat and then call up a few weeks later asking for assignments.
I’ve had people take projects on and simply not deliver the work or deliver half of it.
I had a graphic designer work on a presentation and ignore virtually every bit of the original brief and feedback and then, after wasting six weeks and blowing through several delayed deadlines, finally complaining when I killed the project (and paid him a 50% kill fee!).
I once hired a specialist journalist to write an article for a client that was outside my expertise. Despite his vaunted reputation, all he did was write an article (with typos) that basically repackaged the briefing materials I gave him.
I used to have a proofreader who started rejecting about half the stuff I sent her because she was too busy with other work. I can understand why she did it but it would leave me in a difficult position with my clients who were waiting for the work and on a deadline. When I found another (more reliable) proofreader, she didn’t understand why I didn’t give her any more work.
It’s not always easy: but here’s what I try to do for my clients:
* Don’t say no to work on a random or unpredictable basis.
* If I’m busy, try to agree an extended schedule rather than turn stuff down.
* Deliver on deadline. Every time.
* Turn around amendments and feedback within 24 hours
This is what I expect from people who work for me. I have a proofreader who can do it. I have a graphic designer who can do it. I have researchers who do it. But I don’t use writers for client work now because I haven’t found one I can rely on.
Monika | May 11, 2009 | Reply
@ Matthew: Great comment. I totally understand where you are coming from. Like you I also never turn down a client, regardless how busy I am because like you I believe this will only damage my reputation. It is sad to hear about your issues with writers because it certainly doesn’t help the reputation of the industry. I do believe there are good writers out there but they are mighty hard to find if you want them to be reliable. And if you do, they are often so busy themselves they hardly have time to complete work for others.
The hard part is sieving through the rubbish to find the good ones and often it just isn’t worth the trouble.
Samar | May 11, 2009 | Reply
1 writer out of 20? That’s insane. I hope you find better writers! If you let go of your old writers and hire new ones, you can do a probation period with them. Draw up an informal contract that sets down terms about penalties of late submissions without notice etc.
I’ll be honest, as hard as we try, its not always possible to turn in work on time. But it is ALWAYS possible to let your client know that you’re going to be late!
Personally, I send an email to the client telling them that I will be sending in the project on time two days prior to the deadline. Sets their mind at ease and they know that I haven’t disappeared on them.
Chris Anderson | May 13, 2009 | Reply
I notice alot of people try to take the easy way. I wonder if it’s something they should have got themselves into in the first place. I try my darnest to do a good job and besides, I’ll get better with practice.
The recession may actually have some part in it. By that I mean that A LOT of people are turning to working from home and online marketing. And that means many people are new or are just looking for the easy life. People don’t always realize this is work. It’s extremely satisfying and rewarding when you put the effort into it though.
By the way, I’m new here and I love your blog. Just though I’d throw that in there.
~Chris
Monika | May 13, 2009 | Reply
@ Chris: Thank you for the nice words about my blog.
I certainly appreciate your input into my content here because it always helps to get a second or third opinion on things. Practice does make perfect – or close to, doesn’t it? At least it helps to shape our abilities. I don’t believe in easy because if things were easy everybody would make a killing online.
Like you said, most people are looking for the easy way out and are not willing to put in some long-term elbow grease to build a business or achieve measures of success. Good to have you here.
Monika | May 13, 2009 | Reply
@ Samar: I love your idea in regards to the contract. To be honest I have not bothered with contracting my writers for various reasons. However, after reading your comment I do see the value in what you are saying and am going to take this on board for future dealings with new writers.
I do agree with you in regards to being late at times because it happened to me too. However, what really gets me is when writers can’t communicate their lateness to keep me informed of the status of their work. It’s the least we can do when dealing with clients and helps to set the trust and bond for a long-term work relationship.
Davina | May 15, 2009 | Reply
Hi Monika. I think a lot of “writers” are out there trying their hand at it because the idea of being a writer is “dreamy”. It’s not! It is hard work. But if a person IS a writer, it is more than $$$ and more than just work. It shouldn’t matter how much a person is being paid. Being responsible is being responsible. The money is just an excuse, not a reason.
If the pay is not satisfactory for a person, they shouldn’t take the job if they will be tempted to goof around. I just finished editing a 100-page book and worked pretty well non-stop for 5 days to get it done on time, while juggling a few other projects at the same time. If I didn’t like working with words, I would have quit long ago.
You’ve obviously found a real jewel in that 1 writer out of 20. I hope you find more like him.
Kathy | Virtual Impax | May 15, 2009 | Reply
Working with freelancers is often like herding cats. I hear you – I feel your pain – and I think you hit the nail on the head with this post.
Morgan Freeman says in Shawshank Redemption, “Get busy living – or get busy dying.” For freelancers it should be “Learn to act like a professional or activate your resume and start looking for a job.” The thing is – it’s no SECRET why some freelancers are “unemployed”.
Emily | May 16, 2009 | Reply
I am a freelance writer, (newbie)..I have written some poems and started two books. I won an award at the college I attend and I am looking for freelance jobs, something simple. I write book reviews for the Anniston Star News, in Anniston, Alabama. I have a blog at bloggersholiday.bloggerspot.com and I have enjoyed reading your blogs. Any tips would be appreciated.
Brent Crouch | May 26, 2009 | Reply
Hi Monika,
Long time, no see!
I don’t think this phenomenon is isolated to writers, I think it is rampant in all industries. I’m so tired of people that I’ve hired to complete tasks lying to me.
What’s the saying, “Do you want it good, fast, or cheap?” If you are lucky, you can find a provider that delivers two of these characteristics. Unfortunately, most only deliver on one of them.
Monika | May 28, 2009 | Reply
@ Brent: Indeed, it’s been a long while since we last connected. How are things at your end? I feel for you and it seems you are right. I think about my husband and his line of work and again, he too suffers the same issues. For some reasons workers in many areas seem to be unable to stay dedicated to their line of work these days. It is sad and frustrating.
Great to see you are still around.
Monika | May 28, 2009 | Reply
@ Emily: The best advice I can give you right now is to ACT on any morsel of information you learn that propels you toward an online income. Write that first query – propose your first guest blogging spot and – bid for that first job on one of the many platforms. Doing so will get you started earning and before you know you will earn money in your chosen career.
Monika | May 28, 2009 | Reply
@ Kathy: Hear …hear! You are so correct and I LOVED your example quote about one of my favourite movies!
Herding cats, playing mother to lost children or simply losing another few hairs, whatever we call it, it is annoying and since writing this post I’ve come to realize that most of us suffer the same challenges by the looks of it.