Versatility Important As A Freelance Writer
by Marsha Maung
Sept 10th, 2008
Olympic’s come and done….just like that. Suffice to say, one of my favorite events is the gymnastic event because I love how graceful they are and how versatile some of their dance moves are. Looking back, I was just thinking to myself….not only is it important to be versatile as a dancer, a singer or a gymnast, it’s also extremely important to be versatile as a writer.
I’ve been a freelance writer for as long as I can remember. My brawny fingers can tell a tale all by themselves for all the hard tip-tapping they’ve been doing all those years. And I’ve also met with, worked for and quarreled with as many freelance writing client of mine regardless of whether I am writing content for their website, they blog or just pumping up a press release.
Here’s a conversation to illustrate my point.
Client: This is all great, Marsha. Great work!
Marsha: (beaming like an idiot) Thank you, Frank. Thanks.
(one week later)
Client: Hhhmm….I was just looking at the stuff again, Marsha and you’re a fantastic freelance writer…one of the best content writers I’ve met, actually. But I need something different this time and it’s kind of…like, off-the-wall or something. I need something totally whacky, claims that they can get the sun and moon when they use my techniques.
Marsha: (gasp) Really? Is it true? They can get the sun and the moon?
Client: (laughing) Of course not, dear. Don’t be silly. I need your freelance writing expertise to make it all sound possible, that’s all.
Marsha: (frowning) You mean they won’t get the sun and the moon. But that’s lying, Frank.
(silence)
Client: So…you’re in or not?
Marsha: (scratching her head) In! I’m in! Just thinking, that’s all. Erm…how whacky do you want it to be? Like Mr. Bean whacky or Jim Carey whacky?
Client: (Sighing) Marsha, you’re the freelance writer, not me. I just want it whacky ok? I don’t care if it’s George Bush whacky or Paris Hilton whacky but use your freelance writing skills to make it FRANK whacky, alright?
Marsha: (anxious) OK, OK, OK….I get it, I TO-TA-LLY get it, Frank. You want Frank whacky. So…..erm….
Client: Yes?
Marsha: Do you like Mr. Bean more or Jim Carey more?
In the above scenario (which is only a hypothetical situation, thankfully), it would be wrong for me as a freelance writer to ask the client to direct me to a point that he would have to literally paint the picture out himself. As a freelance writer who has been writing for so many years, I should be versatile enough to come up with my own idea of ‘whacky’ that fits the client’s business.
If your contract writer is not able to conjure up his or her own idea of what you want, think about whether it’s worth the time and effort. Versatility is just as important to a freelance copy writer as it is with a gymnast.
Think about it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Marsha Maung is a Malaysian-based freelance writer with two kids. She spends her time ferrying her kids around, watering her plants, writing web content, SEO stuff, ghostwriting books and also indulges in the occasional Facebook-ing. Visit her blog for more dirty details on the life and times of a mother, writer, designer, housekeeper, coffee-maker, poop-wiper, chef...and just about everything else under the sun.
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