I am curious to know how other writers deal with having to write on something they have no knowledge about. I keep getting requests from clients asking me to write on subjects that I am not familiar with. When I tell them that, they come back saying they have confidence that I can do it. This sort of puts pressure on me to give my best and I end up spending hours on learning and trying to make something of it. The last time I had to do something like this, I ended up spending a lot of time on the project and rejected other projects just to be able to complete this. How do you guys handle such situations, especially when these requests come from long-term clients?
If it's coming from a long-term client, I do the research and charge extra for it. Once they know the quality of my work, my clients are always more than willing to pay me extra because they know I'll fulfill my end of the bargain. Be confident in yourself and your abilities. If you aren't confident in researching, do some studying or get someone who knows what they're doing to give you some pointers on research. Most of the time, I've learned that my confidence (or lack thereof) reflects in my writing. So be confident in who you are and in your own abilities. Worse comes to worse, be up front with your client and tell them that you just don't feel comfortable writing about the subject. This was something I recently did with a client, even offering him a refund. Instead, he emailed me back and told me he understood that the topic was a difficult one, but that this job would pay off for me in the long run if I just did my best. He even went as far as having his partner burn more info to CDs and mailed them to me for research! Do what works for you... Hope Wilbanks
Well, if your goal is to just be a generic content writer, get used to research. In that case, you also shouldn't be charging client #1 $x and client #2 $y. A general writer has to be able to research anything, and that should already be worked into your standard rates. If you want to make more money, the best bet is to specialize. In that case, you simply tell the client that you can't take on the project, and you ought to have a large enough writer network built up that you have a specialist in their niche to refer them to. By giving referrals, you get referrals, and it's how you find the clients who are not only paying more, but not advertising publicly.
It's really not that hard. You look at what you'll be paid and what you have to do to accomplish the job properly. It's either profitable or it isn't. For instance, let's say someone wanted me to do a project involving metal mining. They just want one good piece (article, sales letter, whatever). Let's say I'm to be paid $500 for the item. Sure, I can go and spend $100 on key publications, maybe make some calls, and spend many hours getting a handle on it. And yes, I'll do a good job. But, in the end, was it worth $500? For me, no. It makes no sense to take on a project for what amounts to $25 an hour, when I can do something else and make $200 an hour. Of course, if it's on a subject I'm interested in or want to develop knowledge for future projects, it might be worth doing. You always have to factor in future potential. Now, if all they wanted was a general article about how gold is mined and the costs involved per ounce, I can do that without a problem.
Thanks for your insight. Sometimes, when you think too much of a particular situation, it bothers you and seems monumental. It's good to be able to get others perspective too.
I admit, I always get a little suspicious when a content writer says they can write about anything. Really, nobody knows about everything. I do think it's possible to write about something you don't know much about after doing research. But why not specialize? I think there will be plenty of customers interest in purchasing content from you on subjects you do know about.
I know what you mean and that's precicely the reason I am always upfront with my clients about what I can do well. Yes, it sure is possible to write about anything after a ton of research. But then, the time factor is what I am talking about. Sticking to your areas of specialization makes sense in the long run..
The only reasons I can think of to ignore the above advice would be: - you are concerned that you won't be able to eat next week - you've never written on a totally new subject and want to try it - as said above, a good client really, really wants you to do it I did two short pieces on things I knew little or nothing about, then stopped. In addition to dragging your rate down to a point where posting for 5 cents per post is starting to look like a raise (kidding), you will hate doing it and that may affect your other work. That's a price you don't want to pay.
Spot on, specialists earn more than generalists in just about every field known. People want to work with the best. Become the best in your niche and what you charge becomes immaterial.
Well! Its not necessarily 'food on the table' that makes people take up everything that comes their way, it could also be enthusiasm to learn new things. But when taking up writing as a profession, I agree with you that specilization is the way to go. Be a master in one...
You shouldn't feel bad writing on a topic you don't know about if you trust your research skills. If I have to write on something I don't know anything about, I research the topic and charge for the time I spend researching. For jobs those kinds of jobs, I use my hourly rate (vs per article rate) and include research time in the quote. It's the difference between $25 for a 500 word article with little to no research required and $50-$200 for a 500 article that requires 1-4 hours of research. That way, missing out on other assignments doesn't hurt because I'm being compensated the same amount either way. Don't be afraid to charge your clients for the time you spend working for them. Attorneys and plumbers do it. Writers should, too. If your clients really want you to write for them, they'll pay you. Otherwise, you have other clients who are willing to pay, so it's really no loss to you.