Comments on: Requirements for Work http://writerathome.com/requirements-for-work/ Taking it one word at a time. Sat, 28 Apr 2012 13:09:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: admin http://writerathome.com/requirements-for-work/comment-page-1/#comment-93 admin Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:33:39 +0000 http://writerathome.com/?p=231#comment-93 I agree. If you have put the work into a degree, it should definitely count. And I think having references would help in some cases. But, like you pointed out, there are times when people want way more than they are willing to pay for. I don't have a degree, but I've studied a lot of different areas, many of them in college. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. :) But I've seen so many people who are smart, and know a lot about a topic without attending college for it. And I know people with advanced degrees that can't write to save their lives. And if a degree made you a better writer, we'd be out of high-paying clients. I think our writing should stand for itself. I don't mind sending in a resume, but either someone can provide the quality of writing you want, or they can't. A piece of paper doesn't change that. And I don't have anything against people with degrees (does it sound that way?Ugh.) or writers using that degree to get a better gig. If you've got it, use it. But I don't want to be automatically disqualified, either. And references weed out the dead-beats, but you can still get someone with great references that can't give a client what they want. I think it depends on the client, and what they are offering. If it was something in my niche, and I felt comfortable enough to send reference information to them, I would. And I understand that looking for someone with a degree cuts down on the responses someone would get when they are looking for a writer. It's still annoying to see, though, when it is listed as a requirement on a low-paying gig. You really do get what you pay for. We offer something that most people can't, with or without a degree. I agree. If you have put the work into a degree, it should definitely count. And I think having references would help in some cases. But, like you pointed out, there are times when people want way more than they are willing to pay for. I don’t have a degree, but I’ve studied a lot of different areas, many of them in college. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. :) But I’ve seen so many people who are smart, and know a lot about a topic without attending college for it. And I know people with advanced degrees that can’t write to save their lives. And if a degree made you a better writer, we’d be out of high-paying clients.
I think our writing should stand for itself. I don’t mind sending in a resume, but either someone can provide the quality of writing you want, or they can’t. A piece of paper doesn’t change that. And I don’t have anything against people with degrees (does it sound that way?Ugh.) or writers using that degree to get a better gig. If you’ve got it, use it. But I don’t want to be automatically disqualified, either. And references weed out the dead-beats, but you can still get someone with great references that can’t give a client what they want.
I think it depends on the client, and what they are offering. If it was something in my niche, and I felt comfortable enough to send reference information to them, I would. And I understand that looking for someone with a degree cuts down on the responses someone would get when they are looking for a writer. It’s still annoying to see, though, when it is listed as a requirement on a low-paying gig.

You really do get what you pay for. We offer something that most people can’t, with or without a degree.

]]> By: Diana http://writerathome.com/requirements-for-work/comment-page-1/#comment-92 Diana Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:07:51 +0000 http://writerathome.com/?p=231#comment-92 I think references shouldn't be out of the question from client or freelancer, really. It would help a lot of us in the long run to weed out the non-payers. As the freelance market is becoming increasingly flooded with ESL and with highly skilled workers who're looking for extra income (because some obnoxious news outlet told them to freelance write), our most valuable asset is our ability to write well and to follow guidelines and deadlines. As for a degree, I don't think it should be required for your standard content mill, but if a client wants to boast the credibility of the work, then a writer with a degree is more useful. I took five years to get a degree and worked my ass off for it. I'm proud of it and I do believe that all of that work and learning makes me more qualified for certain work than someone who has not taken the time and effort to learn the things I have. However, as we start to see things like: $2 for 500 words about wedding planning. Non-ESL. Minimum BA required. Must provide experience and references -- I just want to scream at those people. Are you ever tempted to plaster your site with a huge banner saying, "You get what you pay for!" .-= Diana´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.readingssexy.com/2009/08/masters-degree.html" rel="nofollow">Masters Degree</a> =-. I think references shouldn’t be out of the question from client or freelancer, really. It would help a lot of us in the long run to weed out the non-payers. As the freelance market is becoming increasingly flooded with ESL and with highly skilled workers who’re looking for extra income (because some obnoxious news outlet told them to freelance write), our most valuable asset is our ability to write well and to follow guidelines and deadlines.

As for a degree, I don’t think it should be required for your standard content mill, but if a client wants to boast the credibility of the work, then a writer with a degree is more useful. I took five years to get a degree and worked my ass off for it. I’m proud of it and I do believe that all of that work and learning makes me more qualified for certain work than someone who has not taken the time and effort to learn the things I have. However, as we start to see things like: $2 for 500 words about wedding planning. Non-ESL. Minimum BA required. Must provide experience and references — I just want to scream at those people.

Are you ever tempted to plaster your site with a huge banner saying, “You get what you pay for!”
.-= Diana´s last blog ..Masters Degree =-.

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