As a freelance writer, what type of red flags to do watch for when working with

1. 95

   Kenna McHughposted 8 years ago

   As a freelance writer, what type of red flags to do watch for when working with a new client?
   
   

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2. 82

   tamarawilhiteposted 8 years ago

   Red flags I've run into on freelancing websites:
   * "I don't like this article, send me another, and another". And I've caught them putting my articles up on various sites after submission.
   * Rejecting the article almost as soon as it is submitted. This lets them avoid payment. I now promptly post to Hubpages any article rejected on any freelancing platform, so they can't use it without paying me.
   * "Send me some new content as samples" - so they can use it and you now can't use it elsewhere.
   * They don't have any way to be reached other than an email address.
   * Lack of defined goals for the content, so they keep sending it back for revisions - and intentionally get several rewrites that they can publish as free spun content.
   * Their reject rate is sky high.
   * When you are asked to send a large batch of articles at once instead of being paid as you go.
   * Asking you to plagiarize others' work. I don't put "summarize this WSJ or Economist article and explain what it means to X industry" in that category.

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   1. 95

      Kenna McHughposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Good ones. How about the client is just nuts and can't make up his or mind. You see, I want to catch them before they happen. Yes. I post "rejects" on my Hub Pages as well.

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   2. 82

      tamarawilhiteposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      That's why a clear set of objectives before you write is essential, and if they change their mind constantly, drop them.

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   3. 95

      Kenna McHughposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Yes. I dropped one Monday. She changed the scope of work five times in three days. Crazy.  Even called me on the phone, trying to talk me into doing the article.

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3. 82

   tamarawilhiteposted 8 years ago

   What are the warning signs that you should not work with a client? What red flags indicate that you should stop working for a client on a crowdsourcing website? read more

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