Hey there…I’ve been having problems with freelance writers and was going to ask sites for two logins/passwords. the first to be sent to freelance writers and would be canceled after the review was written. The second to be used by me for ongoing updates. Is this a kosher thing to ask?
Specifically, I have writers who write one or two good reviews then they flake out and either disappear or produce crap that can’t be used. I hate the thought that they might be out there either selling the login/password or just enjoying free stuff. I feel like I’m cheating the site owner.
Personally I can see your concern. If it was me I’d ask for sure. I’m talking as a person who does a fair amount of writing for other people. I love what I do and would never flake out like that. For one thing, I take this stuff fairly seriously. It IS a business after all.
I truly hope no one is passing on login info. That would be horrible.
I’m currently learning how to do reviews by someone who has been doing it for 12 years and is very well respected in their field. In the event you need reviews, blogs, stories, or anything of this nature in the near future, check out my signature or even just contact me through here if you like. I’ve developed quite a bit of trust with the folks I work with and I think they can vouch for my etiquette.
I’m not trying to hijack this thread with spam or anything of that nature, but it does seem like you’re having some trouble finding reliable writers. It’s what I do best and given some time I will be good at reviews as well.
i don’t think it’s a good idea to ask for 2 logins - some people may think it’s sort of weird and may end up giving you none. you could let the paysite owners know when you get the login that you want it only for a limited amount of time. after all, you can always ask the site owner for a new login later. and most review site owners don’t write their own reviews - you can always say “i’ll give it to one of my writers” when you ask for the login, to make it clear that you’re not the one using the login.
it is difficult finding reliable writers, i know. but if you’re having that many flake, i find myself wondering if you’re not underpaying them. i know other people who keep having writers disappear, but it turns out they pay way under the going rate. when the writers start getting offers of more money, they move on. this may not be the case with you, but i just thought i’d through it out there…
the going rate depends on the experience of the writer primarily. the more experienced the writer, the less you’ll have errors that i’ve seen in reviews like mistaking upsells for bonus content or having the writer rave about the video quality of a small average video or going on and on about with marketing text when it’s a review.
newbs generally start at $15 to $20 per review, but i know some cheap guys who offer $10. not surprisingly, as soon as the newb writer develops some skills, they get offered $25 to $30 and move on. experienced review writers get $40 or more per review, and considering that over time most reviews will make hundreds of dollars each if they’re done right, i’ve never understood why people want to cheap out paying writers when a bad writer can cost you so many sales AND bookmarkers. btw, i generally ask for $50 or more per review depending on number of reviews ordered and complexity of the client’s format.
As the webmaster for www.patandsam.com, I’m very careful about WHO we issue a U&P to - there are a lot of “smart surfers” out there who claim to be starting a site, working for someone else, yadda-fuckin-yadda.
– I ALWAYS check the URL (or with the owner of another URL if the person is a writer and not the owner)
– 2 months is MORE than enough time to get a review done - I can always extend it on request.
(I start looking for sales in 2 weeks or so, if not, I send a reminder email about the review)
As someone who writes reviews, the 2 things I hate most are:
– Usernames/passwords that expire in 7 days, since my “food chain” - from something hitting my inbox and going out the other end as html, links or a review - is usually about 11 days.
– A U&P that doesn’t include access to ALL the site’s features (if your site includes feeds to Chi-Chi, you’d better make sure the U&P you issue is good for those feeds or you’ll be accused of upselling…)
experienced review writers get $40 or more per review, and considering that over time most reviews will make hundreds of dollars each if they’re done right
These folks are cashing in early - work with someone you trust, and set up a percentage agreement. That’s fair to both…
i WISH i could get a percentage agreement - some of my reviews have made thousands of dollars in sales but i’ve never made more than $150 from one of them.
[quote=RottenRay;5334]These folks are cashing in early - work with someone you trust, and set up a percentage agreement. That’s fair to both…
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We’re paying $40 for a 750 word review. Though low for NYC prices (which is where I live), I’m targeting writers from Orlando, LA, and Chicago. So it should even out. right???
I’m glad i got your opinion before I asked for 2 U&P.
i’m from l.a. and i don’t take clients for $40 per review unless they want what i call “quicky reviews”, which means that they don’t require me to download more than 2 videos (an older one and a newer one) and don’t require navigation explanations or full exact counts of content.
the number of words aren’t what take most of the time, although my quicky reviews are generally around 600 words - what takes the time is going through the site and getting accurate and complete information.
[quote=Johnny;5355]We’re paying $40 for a 750 word review. Though low for NYC prices (which is where I live), I’m targeting writers from Orlando, LA, and Chicago. So it should even out. right???
I’m glad i got your opinion before I asked for 2 U&P.