Why the Writers Network is Necessary
Following is a guest blog post from JR Hafer of Global Copywriting Service. JR is leading the way to establish a new network of writers and other virtual contractors which will provide a basic standard and/or "seal of approval" for freelancers. I asked JR to introduce the Writers Network and be available for questions from readers. So, please leave a comment: do you think the Writers Network is necessary? Would you join this organization?
Standards for the Virtual Service Industry
Many industries have an unscrupulous element embedded within them. Along with the growing of virtual businesses and online presence of small businesses and first time entrepreneurs comes a responsibility of integrity and ethical practices. Every industry develops standards, and there is always the need for a pledge of honesty and honorability in business practices.
Everyone has heard of the seal of approval of Good Housekeeping. The seal is the standard bearer for quality and excellence in manufacturing for the retail business. Folks often are persuaded to buy items when they notice the Good Housekeeping seal on it. They feel confident of the quality and of the ethical standards of practice of the manufacturer who developed and markets the particular item.
There is an ever increasing number of “so called” freelance copywriters being awarded projects requesting payments up front after which they never deliver the finished product. This is giving all freelance copywriters a bad name and our clients are being taken advantage of by these charlatans. This isn’t healthy for the industry.
Conversely, there are individual “buyers” who request sample articles to be written with the promise of a contract or a pending project. The project never comes to fruition and the client “stiffs” the writer because the product has been completed and delivered, but payment is never made.
Perhaps we need a seal of accountability; maybe, a seal of “Good Housekeeping” so to speak, within the writing, virtual assistants and virtual marketing world, where trust can be assumed without the perspective of risk by both clients and producers? This could propagate business and set an ethical standard for the industry.
Quality creative writers and virtual service providers need an association where they can “network” with other providers and potential clients as well. A virtual platform to shop our wares, somewhere we can draw from a well of trusted experience. There could be a mentoring program, resources to grow in the business and eventually a well of knowledge to draw from when help is needed on a project. This concept can be an evolving community of networking and mentorship for the virtual service provider and the industry.
There is no better advertising than word of mouth. The Writers Network is organization where members pledge to uphold a strict code of ethics. Thereby, when the search for ethical and honorable practitioners is undertaken one knows there is a source where a pledge is displayed and a “Seal of Ethical Practices” appears and provides the potential client confidence as he/she searches for a freelancer who displays the Writers Network logo.
The writers’ network is forming and you are being invited to participate, become a part of the founding core group, and becoming a lifetime charter member.
These concepts are predicated upon the old adage “We should always treat others as we want to be treated.” With honesty and integrity, displaying the fact that you took a pledge of ethical behavior only enhances these values.
Consider this request to become a member of the founding core group and to participate in forming this international association.
Questions? Comments? Is another writer's "union" necessary? Would you join the Writer's Network once it is off the ground? Leave a comment here for JR, or contact him through his bio.
I’ll get the dialog started on this. Readers- if you have any questions, I have asked JR to be available for a couple days to talk about the Writers Network.
JR- my question is: Do writers unions like Freelance Writers Union and ASJA and Editorial Freelancer’s Association already serve this need? Also, how can such a pledge of quality be upheld? Thanks!
To describe the Writers Network as a union would be misleading. It is a place where freelance commercial writers can network and pledge themself to a higher practice of standards and adhere to a certain code of ethics. The writers network is an evolving association which will become the standard bearer of those who want to make a statement about honor and integrity. Is it enforcable? “No” and we are not trying to be a policing agency. It’s Not unlike the National Association of Realtors (NAR)… We are only bound by our word of honor. How much does that mean? Well, that’s up to the individual member.
I happen to be a Virtual Assistant and I am also a participant of the writers network along side of JR. I beleive as a virtual and freelance professional, we all run accross the same obsticles in our respective fields. Being under bid on jobs, providing a service and then dealing with that one bad apple that makes you chase down what you are due. The Writers Network is not unlike som of the Virtual Assistant Network of professonal individuals that operate by a code of ethics.
Cynthia
I think The Writers Network is an avenue where freelance commercial writers and other freelance professionals can network among themselves and share with its members their experiences in providing their specific services to their clients. I think it is a terrific idea and I want to know more about it. I think it’s way past time that a code of ethics is designed for our industry.
I think this is a problem in every industry, especially the building industry. Except with builders and home owners the stakes are much higher and the potential for loss is much greater. So, I can see where a “seal of approval” could strengthen the industry.
I would love to learn more about the Writers Network. As a fairly new freelancer, I get overwhelmed by the underbidding that happens. I simply can’t compete with someone who is willing to charge $6.00 for almost an hours work. I’ve also run into situations where I began a job and then when I’m almost finished my employer vanishes offline, leaving me with no money and wasted time. In my case, I would love to be part of something like this.
Networking for the sake of networking isn’t going to provide employers with any guarantees that the work they hire out will be handled by ethical writers. There are already several agencies (mostly unions and writers’ guilds) that ask members to adhere to professional standards, and in some cases, help the writers negotiate with clients for better pay or working conditions.
While I do applaud your desire to form a loose coalition of like-minded people, I just don’t see the advantage of being a member, other than to meet my peers and competitors. I probably wouldn’t be willing to shell out cash for this, either.
I literally laughed out loud when I read in the blog: “There is an ever increasing number of ’so called’ freelance copywriters being awarded projects requesting payments up front after which they never deliver the finished product.”
How on earth did he come up with this idea? I would like to see where his source is for this nugget. I assume he merely needed a proof point and, finding none, made one up. That’s what made me laugh
That aside, my response to the whole thing was shrug. I’ve been freelancing for 20 years and in reality I don’t see this “seal of approval” meaning much to anyone.
You can avoid all these problemds with good business practices: get referrals, contracts, money up front, etc.
Perhaps Joe’s real name is George w. and he lives in Washington DC, in a bubble. Maybe he hasn’t bothered to read the rest of the article. who knows? Why attack something and someone you don’t know or understand?
When I accepted the chance to make a difference and maybe do something positive, I expected to get an array of opinions. George, errr Joe has a right to have his opinion, but I learned a long time ago, if you can’t say something nice about someone don’t attack them personally just because you don’t agree. I am sure Joe has a thriving practice and he has never encountered any problem with clients. I salute you Joe, and wish you the best. thanks for your opinion… Hi Ho silver…
You asked for opinions and Joe provided his opinion. Just because it’s not a positive one doesn’t mean it’s not worthwhile.
I’ve been freelancing full time for about two years and make a living from it. While I understand the need to network, I’m not sure a ’seal of approval’ will mean anything unless it’s from an established association or federation.
I am curious, more than anything, about how the network proposes it would benefit freelance writers and clients. How will the Writers Network have any muscle to protect a writer or a client? For instance, the earlier post who mentioned being hired online and the customer disappearing into the thicket of the Internet. Does a client have to take the pledge as well? And what happens if the writer/client don’t live by the pledge?
Are any of those forming the network also members of Freelance Writers Union, ASJA and Editorial Freelancer’s Association? If so, how does your network differ from those?
Thank you.
That’s right and thanks for your comment.
That’s a good question Elizabeth, thanks for your response. We don’t have all the answers, that’s why we are forming the advisory board. There is no policing or enforcement apparatus and neither should there be. Besides being a networking community and an outward display of self imposed honor and integrity Joe was right, one can do that themself. The Writers Network is mainly just that, a network.
We do not address any collective barganing or possess any perception of ethic enforcement. I don’t think that is possible anyway, do you?
We are not a bidding platform either.
Every industry should have a standard bearer that promotes ethical practices and integrity. That’s all…
I would appreciate your suggestions as to what we can do to have a positive effect on our industry?
I do appreciate all of the opinions and don’t want to ever sound kirt to anyone.
Thanks for your comments.
JR
I think the Network is a good idea, and yes; I would join. Please send me info on becoming a member.
A Network is something that sounds like a good idea at first but generally ends up as a somewhat bureaucratic exercise in jumping through hoops to get accreditation.
Often the process becomes exclusionary to protect the economic self-interest of the early members. If you advertised enough in Good Housekeeping, you could get their seal. If you couldn’t afford to advertise, good luck in getting the seal.
Professional licensing has worked the same way. The fact that someone can pass an exam does not make them a good practitioner. It just tells you that they know some things, not how well they apply their knowledge.
What may seem, on the surface, as a protection for the customer becomes instead an economic protection for the service provider.
I won’t go on except to say that I have been a free-lance consultant for many years. I also do free lance writing form time to time. I have never provided services, except for an initial get-acquainted session, unless I had a contract or verifiable promise to pay my fees. I can’t imagine sending off or delivering a completed piece of work without knowing I was going to be paid. I just don’t see that as a problem.
Those so-called charlatans that provide poor results to the customer only exist because the customer hasn’t done due diligence.
Caveat Emptor is still a good piece of advice whether the supplier is licensed, networked or otherwise certificated or not.
Some kind of clearing house or marketing association might make sense and could be provided for a fee. The current organizations provide little that would help a free-lancer expand their business.
I do not think the network is a necessarily bad idea. It just isn’t a very good one.
Darcy, I do not have your email address you must contact me at JRHafer@yahoo.com to join The Writers Network. We would love for you to be a member. We’ll be waiting to hear from you. Joining is free at the moment.
Ed you are correct and we would surely like to have you aboard helping us guide this thing to something that will make a positive influence on the industry. I would hope you will contact me at the above email address.
Thank you for your comments. Our diversity is what will make us successful.
JR
Just so everyone is aware of it, there are several other Writers Network websites, however the one we are discussing and I represent is: http://www.TheWritersNetwork.net
Hopfully this will clear the air somewhat. Just follow the link. This has also become an issue to deal with, but I am sure our advisory board and members will come up with a solution short of giving up…
Thanks, JR
Joe: I feel that you may be operating in different circles if you haven’t seen online copywriters make off with deposits from clients and vice versa. Your statement “How on earth did he come up with this idea?” and the following phrase about “making something up” literally made my mouth drop. How could you NOT have stumbled upon dubious practices in 20 years of freelancing? I’m seriously at a loss as to what circles you are operating in.
Lisa says: “I’m not sure a ’seal of approval’ will mean anything unless it’s from an established association or federation.” and I feel I agree with her. But every ~Established~ association has to start somewhere.
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JR says “There is no policing or enforcement apparatus and neither should there be.” I’m not sure I agree with that, because I don’t see the point of anyone taking a pledge with no policing- no policing = no teeth.
If these “charlatans” see a Network thats helps them to get business, but has no teeth, what’s going to keep “them” from joining and taking the pledge, too?
As for the networking aspect, I am personally full of networking
lol
I don’t know James, I guess I’m just not convinced.
All I can say is, That’s why we need folks like yourself to help it evolve into something more. We would be delighted to have you help us make a difference. Only with folks, like you who care will it be possible to make an effective positive difference in this industry. Thank you…
JR
Just how could such an organization get payment for a writer who has been “stiffed?”
Great Question DN. I wish I had a great answer, however I don’t. The only answer is we probably can’t.
However, we can try to keep others from getting “Stiffed” by publishing the clients name.
If you have a suggestion we are listening.
Another thing, Does anyone know of any place on the Internet one can go and find a consoladated list of active freelance commercial writers?
I don’t think there is one at present…
The Writers Network will provide every members website and email address as well as their specialty, for potential clients to contact (optional to the member of course).
Thanks for the great question DN.
JR
Noble enough idea. But those representing this “network” need to seriosly improve their English grammar and spelling skills. No offense.
Yeppers, yor rite. Thanx.
smile, JR
Hmm, Jim, looks like no one is immune to typos. While a professional veneer is important, a typo is just a typo.