Dear Writing, Agencies, and Other Employers looking to Hire a Writer

I speak on behalf of all the freelance content writers worldwide

As you read this, I am currently filling out job applications for content writing positions on indeed, each one crazier than the last.

I was really hoping to have a break in my spiritual mentoring and energy healing career so that I could focus on promoting my own digital tools and products, but I’m just not making enough to sustain me and my children right now. On top of that, my lease is up soon and I’m long overdue for a bigger and better kept place for me and my babies.

A stabled income is much needed right now.

However,

My job search has been a very frustrating journey.

I’m not sure if freelance writing has become oversaturated and positions are limited or businesses aren’t getting the results, they need from the writers they hire, but as I read through these guidelines and qualifications for these content writing positions, I’m puzzled.

Why on earth are you employers asking for certain degrees and extensive training in the field that your establishment niches in?

I get writers should have a concept of the type of business you run. I also completely understand having some training in marketing digital content and things pertaining to the writing and marketing aspect of your establishment.

But you guys are asking content writers to have full degrees and an extensive background in that specific field.

If I had a degree in human resources or a master’s in Psychology, I wouldn’t be applying to your job position as a blog writer, I would be doing what you are doing.

Here’s my thing, I get you want to hire someone who can speak on the given topics of your business, but years of schooling or some in depth training and background in that field is not necessary and it shouldn't be a requirement for us to write quality detailed pieces for your business.

I have written some of the best articles, mission statements, newsletters, landing papers etc. for people in fields that I had little to no experience in prior to writing for them.

Let’s talk about all that SHOULD be required of us content writers. All writers should know these things:

• Conduct adequate research in a reasonable amount of time
• Learn and convey the voice and tone of the company they are working for
• Write engaging relatable pieces while incorporating a call to action to make the audience feel compelled and happy to take the next step
• Have a basic understanding of marketing/ digital marketing
• Have an understanding of SEO best practices
• Write on a large range of topics (If you can research is a no-brainer)
• Work independently
• Meet deadlines
• Friendly with a workable and teachable personality
• Has integrity and takes pride in their work
• Can handle constructive criticism and feedback and use it to alter and customize the services being provided

Even with this, most of the points on this list connect and intercept. A good writer would automatically demonstrate competency with most of these things anyways.

Any other additional experience, skills, or special training after that is a plus but shouldn’t be necessary for hire.

The pay

Let’s address another sticky thing,

Most of what you employers offer as far as wages go doesn’t appropriately correlate with the qualifications you are asking a person to have.

The higher the qualifications and guidelines and the more a person can meet those guidelines and qualifications, the more of an asset they are to the company, thus the more they are worth.

How disappointing is it for someone to have gone through the hiring process, jumping through all your little hoops just to get paid .02 — .06 cents a word?

That’s slavery at this point, not to mention belittling.

Once again, I’m not as concerned with the wages as I am with the expectations you have for the applicant in order to receive those wages.

The niche

Now let’s address one of the most frustrating things concerning this whole matter.

JUST BECAUSE A WRITER’s BASE, NICHE IS NOT IN YOUR GENRE DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE INCOMPETENT TO WRITE QUALITY CONTENT IN YOUR GENRE!

And I stand on this belief! I am living proof that someone can write outstanding pieces other niches that they typically do not write in.

I have gotten denied positions after turning in samples of my work and portfolios and I know the reason is none other than the fact that those samples were from a different niche topic.

I’m not telling you how you should pick your candidates. All I’m saying is that it is more important to pay attention to the quality of the work itself than the topic.

It's just like driving a car, if you learn to drive a car in your hometown, you can also drive anywhere else in the world (all you need is your navigation system or a map.) Likewise, if you know how to write, you can write about any topic, you may just need to educate yourself a little about the topic.

Here’s another thing to keep in mind… Some niche can relate to others. I know I primarily talk about spirituality and the occult, but guess what?

Those topics also venture into things like

• Mental health
• Personal development (which I talk about, just from a spiritual perspective)
• Addiction and recovery
• Parenting
• Health and Wellness
• Holistic Health
• Psychology
• Religion
• Inspirational
• Self-help
• Science

And so much more….

We are in the age of the internet. Everything I want to know about any given topic is within a click of a button. Stop using the difference in the niche fields to deny great writers an opportunity.

The Conclusion

The bottom line is, that we need each other; I can use the money and the experience, and you can use the services for your business. You may be the one hiring us content writers, but we still work for ourselves as a private contractor of whom you outsource your work to.

Stop treating us as desperate peasants setting all qualifications and guidelines super high, making us jump through hoops just to pay us 2 cents per word.

We are professionals just like you so treat us with respect, decency, and understanding.

Realize that we don’t need all these fancy degrees and titles to produce your brand quality content. If we did have those fancy titles and degrees, we wouldn’t be writing content, we’d be working the job that you have.

Quit being unrealistic.

Most of us wear multiple hats and usually work on multiple projects at a time.

As long as we have good comprehension skills, can research, write, follow directions, meet deadlines, communicate effectively and understand the basics of SEO, digital marketing, and how to compel an audience to make an action, I promise you, that will be all that’s needed to give you quality service.

Signed

-A Fruster’d Freelance Writer.