Category: Designers Working With
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When I asked designers how they should be chosen for a project, the majority chimed in with word of mouth. Other suggestions were: research, RFPs, references, successful projects, portfolios, networking, style and attitude.
To find out if writers were chosen any differently than designers, I asked the same question, “How should a company or individual in your profession be chosen?”
Cheryl
portfolio on website
Cheryl Stephens | Mentor/Muse
plainlanguage.com | Building Rapport | Building Rapport : CafePress.com
Liz
What to look for in a writer is a paradox, but recognizable. Given that all candidates can write, the most important qualities are curiosity, a positive “can do” attitude, and patient, listening skills. Look for curiosity about who you serve, who your market is. Look for patience and a strong desire to understand the idiosyncrasies of your work. Look for someone who doesn’t give up when the work doesn’t go well — writing is hard enough, it’s easy to get angry with the words.
What you want from a writer is someone who gets to know you, who wants to care about what you care about. To put it in a more thinking way, you want a writer who sits with you and looks at your market. Too often a writer will look AT YOU as the market, writing only for YOUR approval. That puts you in a position to do all of the thinking. If the writer is looking at the market with you, you can bounce ideas off each other and together you’ll build a more holistic and cohesive piece.
ME (Liz) Strauss | Writer | Career coach | Strategic planner
Successful Blog | Letting Liz Be | Liz Strauss.com | The Blog Herald | Performancing.com | Write With ME
Louise
I don’t think there are any set rules for this. I’ve been offered work through word of mouth recommendation quite often, but I’ve also been approached because someone found me in the phone book. Designers seeking a copywriter should ideally look for skill and experience first. Qualifications can be useful but many skilled copywriters don’t have them. Asking for a range of work samples or looking at a portfolio is often the best clue as to whether the copywriter is competent. Price is also important, but paying a lot does not necessarily guarantee you are hiring the best. Designers should also seek a copywriter with whom they have a rapport, as they will be working closely together.
Louise Bolotin | Writer, consultant
PlainText Editorial Consultancy
Nancy
Experience, talent, word of mouth-all these factors are important. The least important factor in my opinion is price. I’ve been in this business for twenty years and am not interested in working with designers or clients who don’t appreciate the value of my time.
Nancy Friedman | Chief Wordworker
Wordworking | Away With Words
Roy
No writer will be a perfect collaborator. The fleas come with the dog. But I want to work with writers who are curious, passionate, and practical. I want writers who can meet and beat deadlines, who are willing to talk about their process, who enjoy feedback.
Roy Peter Clark | America’s writing coach
Poynter Online - Writing Tools | Book: Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer
Tom
Choose a writer for your project based on your goals. In simple terms, don’t hire a technical writer to deliver killer direct response copy. Or a killer direct response guy when you want a fluffy branding piece. Be smart.
Also, each writer has a specific “voice.” Make sure that voice (and their temperament) is right for the job.
Tom Chandler | copywriting : online/blogging : marketing plans
Chandler Writes. You Profit. | The Copywriter Underground
tom
On the quality of their portfolio.
tom mullen | writer & proprietor
EXIT3A.com | ANONYMOUS, JR
I’ve read a about writers selling on voice, similar to designers selling their talents (at times) on style. Makes sense when you think about it. Not everyone is suitable to every job that comes along.
Following the format for the DWW series, next up will be How Writers Work.
until the next
Designers WW,
cat
