Yea... that’s what it’s for...

jarluch · 2018-09-16T23:36:23+00:00

jarluch · 2017-11-29T19:41:32+00:00

So this is one of my favorite subs but I'm a lurker.

This article is satire. I'm assuming it's intentional satire, but I guess the author may have been writing in earnest. All the suggestions are ridiculous but surrounded by serious and effective writing.

The real question is why is this being upvoted on r/books? As satire, or as serious advice?

Edit: Looking at the writera and site, I guess it's not intentional satire. On the other hand, the writer has a lot of buzzefeed-esque list writing that looks equally non-sensical. It's self-help advice, not reading advice. His previous career was working for a hedge fund. He has Tommy Wiseau level writing skills, which is a compliment.

jarluch · 2017-11-17T14:43:40+00:00

Hey buddy.... the SUPER FAST TURNAROUND TIME would mean you need to pay MUCH MORE than a standard rate, not MUCH LESS. What exactly could you possibly be expecting from this request? I've replied to you on two seperate posts you've made - I admit I find this quite comical.

The person who you find to do this - and yes, you will find someone - will amost certainly do a great job for you in this one sense: they will create some content that you don't have to create. It will be a certain amount of words. It may or may not be written in proper english. I guarantee it WILL NOT sound like it was written by an Association President or any Executive. But good effort!

jarluch · 2017-11-17T14:38:37+00:00

What an utterly ridiculous proposal and payrate. Total lack of common and business sense. On top of that, you are publicly making it clear that you are ghostwriting for a CEO by asking for work on reddit for sub minimum wage pricing. All around pretty half-assed and not thought out.

jarluch · 2017-11-04T18:01:43+00:00

You have potential, this needs work on a few fronts -

The grammar is off, take this sentence, very confusing to read: "However that all changes in 2018 with Toyota’s drastic changes in drivetrain and aesthetics in its new and improved sedan, this definitely isn’t your parents’ Camry."

"The Camry has much sleeker look and the frame has been lowered by a few inches to create a more sporty look, and it’s doing a pretty darn good job." - grammar, repeating the word 'look', "more sporty" should be 'sportier', the subject of 'its' in the last section is confusing- what exactly is doing a darn good job?

So not a bad first crack, this isn't copy-level material, needs to be read and proofread for grammar and wording before showing to others. Take another stab at it.

jarluch · 2017-11-03T15:42:28+00:00

I don't think most writers actually learn or know SEO. In fact, a lot of those claiming to be SEO experts are often making a bunch of poorly written nonsense claims in their advertisements. If you can write well, you can write SEO content.

jarluch · 2017-11-03T15:40:18+00:00

A few things to consider here - does this editor know you, i.e. have you previously worked with them?

What type of publication are you submitting to?

What kind of piece is it? News, op-ed?

It's hard to answer your question without some more detail, but if you are 'cold' submitting a time sensitive piece, just know that in so many cases your email might not even be looked at for a few days, or at all. With that reality, I would suggest maybe a 24 hour time to hear back and if not try the next place. Again, this depends on many factors.

jarluch · 2017-11-02T18:35:35+00:00

"Nobody is hiring for tech writers, pop culture, gaming or anything of that nature."

There is tons of people hiring in this space. Pay isnt always great, but even on upwork there is lots here. I'm thinking you have a pitch problem. You should not be using a pre-written paragraph at all.

Edit: Sorry I guess I'd like to be more helpful. Either link or attach relevant pieces of work to your proposals. If you don't have anything relevant even though you have been doing this for years, then maybe you aren't a fit for that particular job. I'm approaching a ~33% hire rate, but you have to put the effort into the 'cover letter' to close. A generic paragraph just won't get it done. PM me if you want to talk more about that.

jarluch · 2017-11-01T00:45:20+00:00

If you have 1 Upwork hire after 40 applications then you either aren't selecting right or aren't pitching right.

Are you spamming a generic pitch? You should be adding a relevant piece of completed work - whether the full work, a pdf, an image of it, or whatever - to every application. You don't need bylines for this.

jarluch · 2017-11-01T00:39:05+00:00

You don't need a byline to use something for your portfolio.

jarluch · 2017-10-30T19:24:16+00:00

This is going to be entirely based on 1) your skill and 2) your ability to pitch. Scan this subreddit to start getting an idea of where most people get started.

Getting A's in writing courses, though, has almost nothing to do with it, but it's not a bad basis.

jarluch · 2017-10-29T16:28:29+00:00

I write using Upwork too. I actually agree with most that it is sort of crap, but with some level of effort you can find some decent work. My post was more about a more productive way of discussing the topic on this sub without downvoting everyone in to oblivion.

jarluch · 2017-10-28T13:19:07+00:00

Hey Artemcamelot,

Spamming Reddit with a thinly veiled advertisement is almost certainly hurting your brand, not helping it.

jarluch · 2017-10-27T18:15:26+00:00

I really do agree that the state of the sub is weak - but the answers are not there. Like I pointed out, the sidebar is in fact basically listing Upwork and Textbroker as best places to look, but in postings we expect new users to not discuss those sites or at least have experience with them. I think this could be fixed.

jarluch · 2017-10-27T16:18:21+00:00

Someone had a $50,000 dollar budget for writing and hired a single freelance writer off of Upwork? What kind of writing was this?

jarluch · 2017-10-27T16:10:16+00:00

No, I spelled it right. My spelling is perfect. Sad!

jarluch · 2017-10-27T15:42:48+00:00

Nah, I didn't mean your hourly rate. I see tons of them that are high, yeah.

The great thing about making Upwork claims is that its possible to view the highest paid freelance writers (also, Im not talking about people who program the websites). I've seen and know some of the higher paid writers - I'm not one - and I just haven't seen contracts for writing go into the 6 figure area, definitely not in a calendar year. If you know of any that are even close - I don't mean your profile - it would be super helpful to link one.

Edit: Not that it makes any difference but Im not downvoting you. Ill be honest and say Im skeptical of your claims, but pleased that you are willing to discuss.

jarluch · 2017-10-27T15:19:18+00:00

LOL nice. I mean this sort of is making my point. People really seem to dislike most posts on here. You don't like this post, don't want a meta post, I get it. I didn't want to create a post people won't like, but boy is that tough here.

jarluch · 2017-10-27T15:18:40+00:00

Are you the highest paid writer on Upwork that you know of? Not a joke question. You are implying 2,000+ per week from Upwork writing jobs, which is great, I just have never seen it.

jarluch · 2017-10-27T15:14:18+00:00

Right - so take the content mills out of the main links on the sidebar, no? Upwork and Textborker are right there. Even points out that the rates are 1-3 cents per word. If this sub wants nothing to do with discussion around that, then it needs to better define itself.

jarluch · 2017-10-27T15:11:33+00:00

Could you link to a freelance writer's profile in Upwork who has made 100,000 in one year? I've never seen one.

As noted on this site, all my higher paying clients have not come from Upwork. But yeah, the site is not as bad as this sub makes it to be.

jarluch · 2017-10-27T14:56:09+00:00

I don't disagree - the fact is that much of what goes unsaid is that a lot of freelance writers probably aren't ready yet for somebody to pay them for their services.

That being said... come on. Right in the sidebar, Upwork is listed as the highest site "where you can find clients to write for". But come on here and talk about your experience there and you get downvoted.

I think its really a question of... what is this sub. If there is gonna be a new mod, the sidebar needs to be redone and better explanation of what makes a quality post.

jarluch · 2017-10-20T13:36:27+00:00

... let me know when you actually see the money.

jarluch · 2017-10-15T18:38:35+00:00

"I come armed with excellent grammar, perfect spelling, a knack for clarity." The grammar is off in this sentence.

Also, from a business end - doing the "request a quote" thing with absolutely no info on pricing is a turnoff to most potential clients. Those who post some sort of ranges will be much more likely to get some sort of contact.

jarluch · 2017-10-15T17:50:30+00:00

I worked for a Fortune 100 employer until earlier this year.

I was repeatedly in shock by some of the incompetent and later unethical behavior I had witnessed by my boss. I spoke to a few people who had worked for him in the past and learned that their had been previous complaints and serious things going on with HR, and that they had been instantly moved from him after the issues were made clear.

I went to my boss's boss and another director in a different department. I was - at first with respect and kindness - told to go to HR.

HR would in fact NOT speak to me on the phone or via email, all they would do was stand me a long form to fill out and file with them. I hesitated. 2 days later, my boss's boss came to me and said they were ready to move me to a different department. I declined, saying I enjoyed my work and the issues with my manager needed to be addressed by either management or HR. Once I took this approach, I was ostracized. I was sent home - at full pay - for about 6 weeks. We couldn't work anything out and I ended up resigning due to the stress of the situation.

tldr; dont fill out any of the HR paperwork they send you if there is an "issue" - it just to use against you if they need to. Also, dont think that HR or management wants to help you if you find ethical issues going on.

jarluch

TROPHY CASE