Interesting writing team contrast

1. 96

   RonElFranposted 3 years ago

   
   I haven't been as active on HP lately as I used to be. Two emails from two writing teams that arrived in my in-basket just minutes apart illustrate one reason why.
   
   I certainly understand the need to edit articles to ensure they meet the highest standards. But for me, at least, there is an enthusiasm cost when "Congratulations!" from HP simply means they've decided to leave one of my articles alone.

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   1. 85

      Kyler J Falkposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      I tend to agree that the callousness of the HubPages staff often leads to lost enthusiasm as an author, such as when you request help and get copy/pasted answers that rarely meaningfully apply to what is being asked. It is even worse when they edit an article, or uphold a standard that otherwise would clash with highly successful standards elsewhere.
      
      I've mostly adopted the "take it or leave it" mindset as it concerns my writing, and have moved much of my efforts to other platforms under pseudonyms. Luckily, though, this place is still worth visiting as it concerns writing about video games and hyper-specific topics, topics that don't do well on most other self-publishing sites I utilize.
      
      Yes, though, I wish they'd be a bit more personal and empathetic in their approach here at HP when it comes to their editing and community staff.

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   2. 77

      plogan721posted 3 years agoin reply to this

      I just started back looking at HP 12 hours ago and received an email from the editor.  The reason why I left was like you, I got sick and tired of HP staff nitpicking over my work.  I have not any money, and I have found Medium and newly discovered Vocal Media (as of 2 months ago) to be more personal, and I like that VM does have that "take it or leave it" style. (meaning either they accept the article or they don't).
      The reasons I came back:  I started thinking about the following:
      What if they have changed?
      Do I still have my account?
      So this is where I might put my last to blog posts from my GoDaddy Website builder blog.  They are supposed to be published when they are not.
      It seems that HP staff has not changed.

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      1. 96

         RonElFranposted 3 years agoin reply to this

         Patricia, I wouldn't want my comment to discourage you from sticking with HP. In my opinion, it still has its place. Like you, I also write for Medium. But I often have articles that fit better on HP than there. You just have to take HP for what it is now, and assume they're doing what they have to do to survive. After all, they've succeeded when most similar platforms haven't. So, despite my complaint, I'd encourage you to stick around.

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   3. 93

      Kenna McHughposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      Once I had to fix an HP edit. Other than that, I am pretty happy with the edits. Yes. I agree forum letters are not as valuable as a personal message.

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2. 97

   PaulGoodman67posted 3 years ago

   I appreciate the emails telling me if I need to take action, or when one of my articles has been edited. I really don't generally have a bone to pick with the editors, but the emails telling me that my hub has been checked out and is fine can seem like a pain in the a**e. Sometimes I can do ten articles per day when I'm in serious editing mode, that's a lot of emails in my inbox.

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3. 88

   poppyrposted 3 years ago

   I don't mind them editing my work at all. Most written work needs editing, and if it helps get more traffic, what's the harm? Doesn't mean we're bad writers; in fact, if they're taking the time to edit what we've written, it means it was worth the time.

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   1. 90

      theraggededgeposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      Yes. This The editors have always been helpful to me. Sure I have had to correct a couple of factual errors, but on the whole, they've been fine.

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   2. 97

      viryaboposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      +1

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4. 72

   Miebakagh57posted 3 years ago

   When an editor set to work on a writer's article, it got fine tone to a certain degree. And up it goes. It is either featured or it land on a niche site. I have experienced both.

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   1. 79

      psycheskinnerposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      And others have experienced different outcomes, including inserting of wrong information and loss of traffic.  Their experiences are also valid.

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      1. 72

         Miebakagh57posted 3 years agoin reply to this

         Psycheski, your pointer is a reminder.                                             All the various experiences are truely valid. But the buttomline is that we writers should put in our best. Plus having some control over an editors edit.                                     Like for example, re-editing a text, or picture, or title(subtitle) if you don't like the work done by an editor that brings down traffic.

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5. 97

   PaulGoodman67posted 3 years ago

   Editing is good. The "Congratulations!" emails that say nothing's happening are irritating. What's the point of them?

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   1. 90

      lobobrandonposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      You made an edit and did not spam your article with unrelated Amazon ads just because it is receiving a lot of traffic. Congrats for not doing that. It does not bother me, I get 3-4 a day sometimes (every other month) and I just ignore them. They do not need to be opened so no harm I guess.

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      1. 97

         PaulGoodman67posted 3 years agoin reply to this

         I don't think there's any rational option other than to ignore them, is there?
         
         I accept that it's probably more of an issue for someone with hundreds of hubs who edits a lot. The phone goes ping ping ping ping.
         
         I don't think there's any good way of dealing with it without risking missing the important emails that demand urgent action. It's not life-threatening, but it is annoying sometimes! Plus it's easy to confuse them for the "congratulations, we've put an article in a niche" email, if you're not careful.

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         1. 90

            lobobrandonposted 3 years agoin reply to this

            Oh, I have my phone on silent and not even on vibrate most of the time so that is not an issue. Stuff like this is the very reason it is on silent, so I can understand the irritation

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            1. 97

               PaulGoodman67posted 3 years agoin reply to this

               I'm just ranting. I like all the other editing-related emails. I just wish I could weed that type out!

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               1. 72

                  Miebakagh57posted 3 years agoin reply to this

                  A+

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