We know you're busy. We are, too. We understand that your time is money. Ours is as well. However, being the business savvy person you are, you surely understand that good interpersonal skills are a must when communicating with potential clients, buyers and colleagues. When you post your content needs on this (or any other) forum and writers send you a query with their bid, their information and any other requirements that you asked for, it's not only polite and good business - but it's also expected..... that you at least give them the courtesy of a response. It doesn't have to be long, detailed or ever polite. A simple "No thank you", "Get real", "I can't afford it", "I found someone", "Kiss my ass" or even "Fuck off" would suffice. Best, Senobia Torres /me steps off her soap box and waits for the choruses of "Kiss my ass" and "Fuck off" to commence......
I've come to think that most people want to avoid confrontation or leave their options open. They don't write a "no, thank you" letter for fear of getting flamed or otherwise harassed by writers who do not understand that not everyone loves them. The other thing I've seen is that by saying nothing, they leave it open - one of my best clients disappeared after my initial offer letter, came back almost a year later and admitted to hiring another writer in the meantime. (He told me why they parted ways but I just honestly don't remember any more.) He pays me more than the other writer and gets far more in return. Another client didn't respond for several months because life and his real job interrupted his side project - he too is now a regular. That said, I too would love for prospects to at least say something. Even the HR person's "we'll keep you on file" is better than silence. Sure, the two fellas I'm referring to are great clients but there's been quite a few that disappeared and not returned as well. I try not to let it bother me anymore and just chalk it up to a part of working in this business. Do I like it? Not a bit. Hopefully, at least one buyer will hear your plea and change their ways.
Being ignored is a part of sales and marketing. What's the big deal? Follow up politely, and if you still don't hear anything just focus your attention elsewhere.
I don't post lots of WTB ads but once in a while I do, most of the time I post ads just to test the market to know if it is even worth responding to ads or Will my response be buried in 300 other responses? On DP CL or other forums with half way decent traffic when I post an ad in about 1 hour I get 30-50 responses..! then few hours latter 100+, next morning 200+. And these are cheap jobs just to test the market - The market is flooded.. with cheap labor. So I don't waste time responding to ads most places on the internet. But my point is a lot of buyers might not be being rude they just might have 200+ responses in their inbox. I agree it is always good to respond and keep good formalities because lots of times you end up dealing with those same people in the future especially in smaller circles or professions but the internet can be a crazy environment, Like a crowd of desperate savage people fighting over one bag of rice at the gates of a refugee camp.
Yes, this is true. But what of the clients who contact you directly? First? And ask for a quote? *sighs*