Comments on: Should You Outsource Your Client Writing? http://allfreelancewriting.com/2009/05/05/freelancing/business-career/should-you-outsource-your-client-writing/ Your Freelance Writing Resource Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:03:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Words on a page » A few links for the end of the week http://allfreelancewriting.com/2009/05/05/freelancing/business-career/should-you-outsource-your-client-writing/comment-page-1/#comment-10392 Words on a page » A few links for the end of the week Fri, 29 May 2009 10:05:00 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/?p=2161#comment-10392 [...] of outsourcing your client writing? Read this article before you [...] [...] of outsourcing your client writing? Read this article before you [...]

]]> By: Amanda Evans http://allfreelancewriting.com/2009/05/05/freelancing/business-career/should-you-outsource-your-client-writing/comment-page-1/#comment-10244 Amanda Evans Wed, 13 May 2009 20:17:56 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/?p=2161#comment-10244 I think like everyone else that commented I tried outsouring once or twice and failed miserably. The time that was spent re-writing just wasn't worth it. Like you I based my rates on my own personal experience and therefore cannot quote for someone else to do the work. If I am approached to do something that is not in my area I have a number of colleagues that I will refer the client to and they do the same for me. I do know a number of freelance writers who outsource all their work but they have built a team of writers. They of course do reap the benefits because they pull in the work at a certain rate and then pass it on to their writers at half the price meaning they get paid while others write. I guess everyone to their own but in regards to subcontracting, I think it is definitely something I and my reputation can do without. I think like everyone else that commented I tried outsouring once or twice and failed miserably. The time that was spent re-writing just wasn’t worth it. Like you I based my rates on my own personal experience and therefore cannot quote for someone else to do the work. If I am approached to do something that is not in my area I have a number of colleagues that I will refer the client to and they do the same for me. I do know a number of freelance writers who outsource all their work but they have built a team of writers. They of course do reap the benefits because they pull in the work at a certain rate and then pass it on to their writers at half the price meaning they get paid while others write. I guess everyone to their own but in regards to subcontracting, I think it is definitely something I and my reputation can do without.

]]> By: Jennifer Mattern http://allfreelancewriting.com/2009/05/05/freelancing/business-career/should-you-outsource-your-client-writing/comment-page-1/#comment-10245 Jennifer Mattern Wed, 13 May 2009 19:30:10 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/?p=2161#comment-10245 Some people do take on the team management approach successfully, and there's nothing wrong with that. When that becomes their job as in the case you mentioned though, they really aren't freelance writers anymore - they own and manage a more traditional business. And hopefully in the process they're being honest in the marketing and / or advertising about what they're offering instead of trying to pull in clients on their own writing credentials, leading them to believe they're doing the work. Some people do take on the team management approach successfully, and there’s nothing wrong with that. When that becomes their job as in the case you mentioned though, they really aren’t freelance writers anymore – they own and manage a more traditional business. And hopefully in the process they’re being honest in the marketing and / or advertising about what they’re offering instead of trying to pull in clients on their own writing credentials, leading them to believe they’re doing the work.

]]> By: Jenn Escalona http://allfreelancewriting.com/2009/05/05/freelancing/business-career/should-you-outsource-your-client-writing/comment-page-1/#comment-10218 Jenn Escalona Mon, 11 May 2009 04:40:24 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/?p=2161#comment-10218 Hi Jenn, I outsourced one time and it worked out great, but your post has made me realize why that was. I'll try to give you the short version: A long time ago I was a manager in a research industry. One of my employees was especially good at our job but didn't really like managing or leading. After our branch closed and we all got laid off, I turned to freelancing while he looked for another full time job. When I found a freelancing job in our area of expertise that would have been far too complicated for me to handle on my own in a short period of time, I got permission from the client to bring this former employee in as a subcontractor. I hadn't really considered it before, but now I realize it was because he and I were accustomed to the employer/employee relationship that we pulled the project off so well. I had always project managed him, he had always listened to me and let me take care of the larger details, and we just clicked. I suppose the moral of this story is that my former employee and I functioned more like an agency, with a manager and an employee, than like two freelancer writers working together, and that would likely be the only way I could bring myself to subcontract again. What that says about me and my controlling tendencies, I don't even want to think about. Thanks for the post and for helping me gain an insight. Hi Jenn,

I outsourced one time and it worked out great, but your post has made me realize why that was. I’ll try to give you the short version: A long time ago I was a manager in a research industry. One of my employees was especially good at our job but didn’t really like managing or leading. After our branch closed and we all got laid off, I turned to freelancing while he looked for another full time job. When I found a freelancing job in our area of expertise that would have been far too complicated for me to handle on my own in a short period of time, I got permission from the client to bring this former employee in as a subcontractor. I hadn’t really considered it before, but now I realize it was because he and I were accustomed to the employer/employee relationship that we pulled the project off so well. I had always project managed him, he had always listened to me and let me take care of the larger details, and we just clicked.

I suppose the moral of this story is that my former employee and I functioned more like an agency, with a manager and an employee, than like two freelancer writers working together, and that would likely be the only way I could bring myself to subcontract again. What that says about me and my controlling tendencies, I don’t even want to think about.

Thanks for the post and for helping me gain an insight.

]]> By: Kimberly http://allfreelancewriting.com/2009/05/05/freelancing/business-career/should-you-outsource-your-client-writing/comment-page-1/#comment-10152 Kimberly Wed, 06 May 2009 10:40:00 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/?p=2161#comment-10152 Jenn, I've tried outsourcing before and it didn't go well. The quality was poor and the time it took me to rewrite the material plus meet all of my other deadlines was just too much. i followed the same screening procedures as others seem to (requesting samples of work, etc.) but it just didn't work out well for me. I like the idea of referrals though. That's worth considering. Jenn, I’ve tried outsourcing before and it didn’t go well. The quality was poor and the time it took me to rewrite the material plus meet all of my other deadlines was just too much. i followed the same screening procedures as others seem to (requesting samples of work, etc.) but it just didn’t work out well for me. I like the idea of referrals though. That’s worth considering.

]]> By: Lillie Ammann http://allfreelancewriting.com/2009/05/05/freelancing/business-career/should-you-outsource-your-client-writing/comment-page-1/#comment-10143 Lillie Ammann Wed, 06 May 2009 03:18:01 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/?p=2161#comment-10143 Jenn, On rare occasions, I have outsourced some small aspect of a project. For example, I've had someone else create the index in a nonfiction book, and once in a while, I have another editor proofread a manuscript I've edited. I get the client's permission and explain that after I've worked with them on their manuscript for months, another editor may find things I've missed or give a different perspective. Other than that, I do the work that clients hire me for. I recently referred a doctoral dissertation to another editor. I have decided not to do any more academic work—why should I spend my time doing something I really don't like? So when a client/prospective client needs academic work, I tell them about someone who is good at it and enjoys it. If the client is expecting you to do the work, I think you should do it. If they use an agency that has a number of writers, that's a different story. Jenn, On rare occasions, I have outsourced some small aspect of a project. For example, I’ve had someone else create the index in a nonfiction book, and once in a while, I have another editor proofread a manuscript I’ve edited. I get the client’s permission and explain that after I’ve worked with them on their manuscript for months, another editor may find things I’ve missed or give a different perspective. Other than that, I do the work that clients hire me for. I recently referred a doctoral dissertation to another editor. I have decided not to do any more academic work—why should I spend my time doing something I really don’t like? So when a client/prospective client needs academic work, I tell them about someone who is good at it and enjoys it. If the client is expecting you to do the work, I think you should do it. If they use an agency that has a number of writers, that’s a different story.

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