Comments on: Carson of Content Done Better Goes Legit: Expect More of Same in the Future http://copywriterunderground.com/2007/04/05/carson-of-content-done-better-goes-legit-expect-more-of-same-in-the-future/ Copywriting Beyond the Words :: The Freelance Writer's Life Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:46:36 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Bill Hilton http://copywriterunderground.com/2007/04/05/carson-of-content-done-better-goes-legit-expect-more-of-same-in-the-future/comment-page-1/#comment-3952 Bill Hilton Mon, 09 Apr 2007 14:31:07 +0000 http://copywriterunderground.com/2007/04/05/carson-of-content-done-better-goes-legit-expect-more-of-same-in-the-future/#comment-3952 I hadn't thought of it like that. Knowing the company, I think she's more likely to become overwhelmed with making endless cups of tea and ocffee, but I guess the principle's the same... I hadn’t thought of it like that. Knowing the company, I think she’s more likely to become overwhelmed with making endless cups of tea and ocffee, but I guess the principle’s the same…

]]> By: Tom Chandler http://copywriterunderground.com/2007/04/05/carson-of-content-done-better-goes-legit-expect-more-of-same-in-the-future/comment-page-1/#comment-3951 Tom Chandler Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:43:52 +0000 http://copywriterunderground.com/2007/04/05/carson-of-content-done-better-goes-legit-expect-more-of-same-in-the-future/#comment-3951 Bill: Look at the bright side -- once your former colleague becomes overwhelmed with administrative duties (one of the banes of corporate life), she'll hire you to do the actual writing. Bill: Look at the bright side — once your former colleague becomes overwhelmed with administrative duties (one of the banes of corporate life), she’ll hire you to do the actual writing.

]]> By: Bill Hilton http://copywriterunderground.com/2007/04/05/carson-of-content-done-better-goes-legit-expect-more-of-same-in-the-future/comment-page-1/#comment-3942 Bill Hilton Mon, 09 Apr 2007 08:49:40 +0000 http://copywriterunderground.com/2007/04/05/carson-of-content-done-better-goes-legit-expect-more-of-same-in-the-future/#comment-3942 Hey Tom: This new craze for employment is cutting both ways. Until very recently, I shared a regular gig with another freelance, handling the copy for an expanding marketing agency in London. Last month they expanded to the point where they decided they needed a full time copywriter. My colleague was interested in a full time job, and I wasn't. The upshot is that she has taken the position full time, so they have much less work for me to do - at least until they start expanding again. Like, I guess, everyone on here (nice to meet you all, by the way!) I have a ton of work on, so it's not really a big deal. But an interesting illustration of the way a gig can vanish overnight! Hey Tom:

This new craze for employment is cutting both ways. Until very recently, I shared a regular gig with another freelance, handling the copy for an expanding marketing agency in London.

Last month they expanded to the point where they decided they needed a full time copywriter. My colleague was interested in a full time job, and I wasn’t. The upshot is that she has taken the position full time, so they have much less work for me to do – at least until they start expanding again.

Like, I guess, everyone on here (nice to meet you all, by the way!) I have a ton of work on, so it’s not really a big deal. But an interesting illustration of the way a gig can vanish overnight!

]]> By: Tom Chandler http://copywriterunderground.com/2007/04/05/carson-of-content-done-better-goes-legit-expect-more-of-same-in-the-future/comment-page-1/#comment-3878 Tom Chandler Fri, 06 Apr 2007 23:41:52 +0000 http://copywriterunderground.com/2007/04/05/carson-of-content-done-better-goes-legit-expect-more-of-same-in-the-future/#comment-3878 Micheal: I'm curious. When someone asks you how long you've been married, do you say "11 or 12 years..." 8-) I like the freedom of freelancing too, but I wouldn't blame a newer writer for choosing a health plan, matching 401k and a decent paycheck over learning the business at $100 a project... Micheal: I’m curious. When someone asks you how long you’ve been married, do you say “11 or 12 years…” 8-)

I like the freedom of freelancing too, but I wouldn’t blame a newer writer for choosing a health plan, matching 401k and a decent paycheck over learning the business at $100 a project…

]]> By: Roberta Rosenberg, The Copywriting Maven http://copywriterunderground.com/2007/04/05/carson-of-content-done-better-goes-legit-expect-more-of-same-in-the-future/comment-page-1/#comment-3875 Roberta Rosenberg, The Copywriting Maven Fri, 06 Apr 2007 22:42:11 +0000 http://copywriterunderground.com/2007/04/05/carson-of-content-done-better-goes-legit-expect-more-of-same-in-the-future/#comment-3875 Talk to me at 20, Mike :=) Seriously, though, you're right. Specializing is key. Mine remains direct response, but then the client says, "Roberta, can you ...?" And, of course, I can. And I do. Talk to me at 20, Mike :=) Seriously, though, you’re right. Specializing is key. Mine remains direct response, but then the client says, “Roberta, can you …?” And, of course, I can. And I do.

]]> By: Michael A. Stelzner http://copywriterunderground.com/2007/04/05/carson-of-content-done-better-goes-legit-expect-more-of-same-in-the-future/comment-page-1/#comment-3871 Michael A. Stelzner Fri, 06 Apr 2007 21:40:59 +0000 http://copywriterunderground.com/2007/04/05/carson-of-content-done-better-goes-legit-expect-more-of-same-in-the-future/#comment-3871 Roberta - I have been a freelancer for 11 or 12 years and still love it very much. I think the trick is to specialize (like I do in white papers). - Mike Roberta – I have been a freelancer for 11 or 12 years and still love it very much. I think the trick is to specialize (like I do in white papers). – Mike

]]> By: Roberta Rosenberg, The Copywriting Maven http://copywriterunderground.com/2007/04/05/carson-of-content-done-better-goes-legit-expect-more-of-same-in-the-future/comment-page-1/#comment-3870 Roberta Rosenberg, The Copywriting Maven Fri, 06 Apr 2007 21:17:12 +0000 http://copywriterunderground.com/2007/04/05/carson-of-content-done-better-goes-legit-expect-more-of-same-in-the-future/#comment-3870 I celebrate 20 years solo this month and there are those days that if the right offer came along, I'd chuck it for a steady paycheck and company-paid long-term care benefits :=) I've definitely seen a downward push on marcomm writer fees in the last 2 decades. Making the case for our specialized talents seems to get harder all the time. (Long ago, an ex-client remarked, "Roberta, it's just words!" incredulous at my even then relatively modest fees.) Hmmm ... I celebrate 20 years solo this month and there are those days that if the right offer came along, I’d chuck it for a steady paycheck and company-paid long-term care benefits :=)

I’ve definitely seen a downward push on marcomm writer fees in the last 2 decades. Making the case for our specialized talents seems to get harder all the time. (Long ago, an ex-client remarked, “Roberta, it’s just words!” incredulous at my even then relatively modest fees.)

Hmmm …

]]> By: Tom Chandler http://copywriterunderground.com/2007/04/05/carson-of-content-done-better-goes-legit-expect-more-of-same-in-the-future/comment-page-1/#comment-3857 Tom Chandler Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:12:00 +0000 http://copywriterunderground.com/2007/04/05/carson-of-content-done-better-goes-legit-expect-more-of-same-in-the-future/#comment-3857 The whole thing is clearly a late April Fools joke. On the off chance it isn't, good luck! There is something to be said for leaving the job behind at 5:00... The whole thing is clearly a late April Fools joke.

On the off chance it isn’t, good luck! There is something to be said for leaving the job behind at 5:00…

]]> By: Carson http://copywriterunderground.com/2007/04/05/carson-of-content-done-better-goes-legit-expect-more-of-same-in-the-future/comment-page-1/#comment-3856 Carson Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:09:23 +0000 http://copywriterunderground.com/2007/04/05/carson-of-content-done-better-goes-legit-expect-more-of-same-in-the-future/#comment-3856 Neat post, Tom. I agree with you 110% in terms of copywriting, too. My hopefully greener pasture involves some elements of what I've been doing with CDB, but it really is something of a departure from the writing life. I wouldn't have turned in my self-employment card to go write for Company X. Carson Neat post, Tom. I agree with you 110% in terms of copywriting, too.

My hopefully greener pasture involves some elements of what I’ve been doing with CDB, but it really is something of a departure from the writing life.

I wouldn’t have turned in my self-employment card to go write for Company X.

Carson

]]> By: Tom Chandler http://copywriterunderground.com/2007/04/05/carson-of-content-done-better-goes-legit-expect-more-of-same-in-the-future/comment-page-1/#comment-3855 Tom Chandler Fri, 06 Apr 2007 14:55:33 +0000 http://copywriterunderground.com/2007/04/05/carson-of-content-done-better-goes-legit-expect-more-of-same-in-the-future/#comment-3855 <b>Michael:</b> I'm not planning to throw my hat over the fence, but any business wishing to fully leverage online and offline media channels needs more "content" than at any time in the past. A few companies are apparently starting to realize it. I'd have to fundamentally change the way I do business to help even a fraction of my clients at that level. For a business, there's a significant "continuity of messaging" question to be answered when using multiple freelancers. <b>Deb:</b> You're certainly right; there's been an explosion in "online" writing work, but the prices being paid are abysmal. Even magazine work pays better than a lot of today's commercial work, which is fairly depressing. This is primarily a problem for newer, less-established writers, but it's never nice to see your own profession slaving away for pennies... <b>Jason:</b> Yes, it was a rather brilliant play on words -- right up to the point where I edited out the "a company employing a freelance writer can't enjoy the kind of direct access to their brain that's truly required..." and left the subhead intact. My bad. Your good catch. Michael: I’m not planning to throw my hat over the fence, but any business wishing to fully leverage online and offline media channels needs more “content” than at any time in the past.

A few companies are apparently starting to realize it.

I’d have to fundamentally change the way I do business to help even a fraction of my clients at that level. For a business, there’s a significant “continuity of messaging” question to be answered when using multiple freelancers.

Deb: You’re certainly right; there’s been an explosion in “online” writing work, but the prices being paid are abysmal. Even magazine work pays better than a lot of today’s commercial work, which is fairly depressing.

This is primarily a problem for newer, less-established writers, but it’s never nice to see your own profession slaving away for pennies…

Jason: Yes, it was a rather brilliant play on words — right up to the point where I edited out the “a company employing a freelance writer can’t enjoy the kind of direct access to their brain that’s truly required…” and left the subhead intact.

My bad. Your good catch.

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