As I stated in the last post on InkwellEditorial.com where we talked about outsourcing SEO writing jobs, I received a rather long, detailed email from a fellow SEO copywriter. She wrote, in entirety:
Hello. I would like to thank you for all that you offer with your inkwell site. I came across an article from you a couple of months ago & your website is now a daily stop for me. There aren’t any sites that I have followed like yours! (Not stalking~plus you’re in Jamaica, much too far!)
I’ve been freelancing for the last few years & have recently decided to go full steam ahead with my business. [My Take: Good for you!]
(I’m also learning all there is to know about affiliate marketing~I need some kind of steady income. However small it may be at first. Another subject I’ve been soaking up from your site & articles.)
My point in contacting you - I have come to the realization that even when I’m swamped with work there is obviously only so much I can accomplish as an individual. I would like to look into outsourcing my work.
The main concern I have is how to have faith that a person will do the job with flying colors. If I have someone transcribing 5 hours of audio - I would want to go over the document to make sure everything is A+ - it’s my business name on the line after all. Another thing I’d be worried about is having someone ’steal’ clients or working out side deals for extra work (not going thru my business but more of a one-on-one).
I have placed a few craigslist ads in the past looking for some great people (I received an overwhelming response) so I do have some people I’d like to try. When you first went about hiring people to represent your hard work, did you draw up a contract with them? If so, what kind of issues do you feel is a MUST? The last question I have is how to decide what kind of pay rate for the people I’d be outsourcing to? I can’t offer the moon & the stars right off the bat & I don’t want to lowball anyone.
I realize this is long & I truly appreciate you reading my ramblings. If you have any advice or can suggest some articles that may help I would be grateful. I hope you’re staying cool & think you should sell some beach sand on your site! I know I’d buy a bit just to have a piece of paradise. (I spent some time in Jamaica about 20 years ago & there are two things that stand out to this day 1) this crazy ass waterfall where tourists & locals alike climb that sucker & pray they don’t plunge to their death (beautiful but scary) 2) every local had the catch phrase ‘no problem man’. (And I vividly remember hearing ‘Like a Virgin’ from Madonna ~ I was so blown away - I was only 13 at the time so it was totally cool in my mind!)
Enjoy the week & thank you again.
As I said, a rather long and involved email – but with some VERY good questions. I bolded the portions that need answering.
I was going to answer this in one newsletter, but it’d be 10,000 words or more, so I’ve decided to break it up and answer one question here over the next few days. Sorry if this is going to throw anyone off, but I don’t have to write a book right now and that’s what one answer would equal – a 10-page ebook.
So, following is the answer to the first question, which is outlined below. Let me preface my answers by saying, all of this is from my point of view based on hiring (and sometimes firing) literally hundreds of freelancers since 1997, which was when I ran Inkwell Editorial (my editorial staffing agency in New York City (1996-2004).
Have Questions about Freelance Writing, SEO Writing, Internet Marketing?
Lately, I’ve been receiving a tsunami of questions about all of the above. This email is typical of what’s been landing in my inbox lately. And, while I’d love to answer each and every one of them as quickly as possible, it’s just not possible for me to do so.
I do EVENTUALLY get to the ones that I think have “universal” appeal; ie, questions that may help a lot of other freelance writers.
My point in telling you this is if you’ve sent in a question and haven’t heard from me, just know that I’ve received it and if it fits my universal criteria guideline, I’ll answer it in the newsletter. Some that are coming up include:
Working internationally, eg, one reader from Poland sent in the following about a week ago:
My problem is that I’d like to get clients from the US, but I am from Poland and I’m completely clueless where I should start in terms of legalities. Do I need any American work permits? Do I have to register in any American labor bureau? Do I need to pay taxes there or just in my country? Does buying writing services from a foreigner entail any financial or legal obstacles for my potential client? Do I need to register a business to be hired remotely for this job? What do I need to start this career?
Another reader sent in the following question just today:
I am writing this letter because, I am stuck. First, I don’t know what the hell I [sic] do. I am a SEO Content Writer, but I know HTML, how to upload videos, create a website and all that techy internet stuff. The more I think about it, I think I am more of a Virtual Assistant than a writer. However, I want to be known for SEO Content Marketing. But, my dilemma is - choosing a niche and wondering if I should market my self as a VA or market myself as A Writer with strong technical skills? You see, I have no problem researching a niche and seeing what they want. My problem is- I get bored.
And there are quite a few more sitting in my inbox that I just haven’t had the time to get to.
BUT . . . I will. Just bear with me.
Readers like you are what make this newsletter so informative for so many. So continue to send in your questions because if you’re wondering about it, 9 times out of 10, many others are as well.
Now, for my American friends, enjoy our Independence Day (4th of July). I’ll post again next Tuesday.
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