I don't put much effort or thought into my experimental blog like i do for any work. The articles in my blog are quick concoctions. It is just a sandbox for me. I hope nobody looks at my blog to judge my writing standards.
This is very sound advice. There are no guarantees, but a writer with a website which offers writing samples and spells out how they conduct their business is likely to produce quality work.
They do. Trust me. I've been freelancing for 16 years and had a website for the last 9 years. It makes a difference.
Well, actually there are. It is upon the writer to offer them - as I do. I only ask for payment once an article has been reviewed and is acceptable. If it needs correction, which is rare for me, I will make it and resend it with an updated word count and such. I've been stiffed only once, and that was months ago. However, I can proudly say I have never stiffed a client - because they only pay once I deliver. I think if more writers adopted the pay after policy, there would be more reliability on the creation of content end. However, the trade off is that clients might be attempting to stiff the writers after they deliver... which then becomes a problem. That is why I prefer to deal with people who have higher iTraders and a reputation in the community rather than someone who has 2 posts and registered yesterday.
I've never had anyone stiff me. However, I always look for threads instead of creating them myself. If a writer has a thread and it turns out that he is a scammer someone will expose him in the thread.
Good point Jackuul. I think both the writer and buyer can be at risk in getting stiffed, but there's a lot one can do to protect oneself- do your homework! Anyone out to stiff someone is very short sighted. Obviously honest writers such as yourself will continue to build your reputation and client base. That's not only honest, but the smart way to do business.
Billing after delivery has absolutely nothing to do with being honest. I bill both ways depending on the project. I'm no more or less honest based on how I bill. If Jackuul is an honest writer who has never stiffed a client, he would be regardless of how he bills out his time. The same is true of any writer. You can still screw over clients if they pay after the fact - their time is worth money just as ours is. If you suddenly decide not to take the work after sitting on it for a while (say a week), you've still "stiffed" them by hurting their bottom line for a week that they'd otherwise have been able to monetize with new content. Be honest, and bill however you want.
I meant not stiffing clients and offering a guarantee on one's work was not only honest but smart business. I wasn't referring to billing, sorry if I wasn't clear. I think as long as the billing is agreed upon ahead of time, then that's honest and fair to both parties. I would want at least a partial payment upfront myself. You could also stiff someone by sitting on their work and not delivering what you said you would. I absolutely agree.
Everybody have already given a lot of feedback with regard to the main thread. Well, I just want to sum up by saying that based on your own instinct and experience, you should select a person to write just one article. Once you are satisfied with the article, you should pay him instantly. You can then follow the same procedure all over again. In short, do not place a big order with one person only. You may feel tempted based on his iTrader count etc but all I am asking you is to test him through your eyes only. I hope you got the point.
I consider doing 10 at a time on a similar subject easier than 10 sets of 1 on different subjects. I end up learning everything I can, and then am able to write quite a bit - so cutting down everything to 500 words and squeezing it in can actually be more difficult for me. However, having the open ended nature of a 10 article order that has a 500~700 range in words per article size is pretty much the best way for myself to be efficient and also to cover everything I learned. Otherwise I end up talking to people about it so I can use it and not feel as if I wasted a few hours of research for ten dollars.
I will probably repeat what others have already posted. Look around and check the writer's signatures and review their portfolio or Website they have posted. See if they have testimonials, samples and ASK for referrals. The payment issue is all dependent on how each writer runs their business. Some ask for payment upfront while others wait to invoice after the completion of the project. This can also be a point which can be discussed between both parties before entering into a commitment. Any questions you may have, ask the writer. Allow yourself to become comfortable with the individual or company who is completing your work. Each writer has a different style and not every writer and client are a match. There are writers with many different specialties and just make sure you get a writer who focuses on your needs. OK, my two cents added... Lisa
Everyone has made good points, no point in me reiterating. I think the problem stems from the surge of "writers" online who will now practically give the work away. It's flooded the market with people who take no pride in their work, and some are only in it to make a few bucks. No wonder it's hard for those needing a writer to trust, and to be able to separate the wheat from the chafe.