I am a scientist, or rather would have been one if I had pursued my Masters. I am also a freelance writer. Combine the two, and you get an individual who tries to dissect the art of writing and logically analyse it. That probably explains why I am forever coming up with weird queries related to freelance writing, with weird being a relative term.
Lately, I have been wondering what clients look for in freelance writers versus what we, freelance writers, ‘think’ clients look for in us. Makes sense?
To get an answer, I posted in several forums, asking clients to share what they look for in freelancers. I received a few replies. Sam Botta shared the most unusual reply. He is (if my Google search is to be believed), quite a celebrity. As per his LinkedIn profile, he is an 'American television and radio host, documentary producer, published author and entrepreneur'. He’s also the director of a TV series, called Live Fearless. I loved this demo reel of the show:
Lately, I have been wondering what clients look for in freelance writers versus what we, freelance writers, ‘think’ clients look for in us. Makes sense?
To get an answer, I posted in several forums, asking clients to share what they look for in freelancers. I received a few replies. Sam Botta shared the most unusual reply. He is (if my Google search is to be believed), quite a celebrity. As per his LinkedIn profile, he is an 'American television and radio host, documentary producer, published author and entrepreneur'. He’s also the director of a TV series, called Live Fearless. I loved this demo reel of the show:
I decided his reply deserved a blog post of its own, because:
- His reply was unusual and I think, most freelance writers would benefit from his perspective
- He is an authority client, as far as hiring freelancers is concerned – so his opinion accounts for a lot. In his own words (in the private reply he sent to me post the forum discussion): ‘We've hired more than 10,000 talented freelancers’. Now, that’s a client you’d want to listen to!
I have reproduced his reply exactly the way he posted it (even though the editor in me was clamouring for the right to, at least, proofread it):
“Urooj, this is a non-traditional answer. Spoiler warning: The gurus will surely have issues with how we hire, and that's fine. We just do what works, because we care about what really matters in the world.
We always ask what the person would do for the fun/excitement if there was no need to work anymore. In other words, if the person had been given unlimited amounts of gold for the rest of the lifetimes of all family members, and they were also guaranteed that a portion of that would always be given to the charity the person dreamt of building/supporting... If the person was guaranteed this gold would never be stolen and that all family would always be safe and have gold... IF the person could do work for the LOVE of it instead of for money, what would the person do?
The answers are usually "Well, I would work as a _________ in order to make money." So we have to ask the question in many ways, often in many languages to try to receive an actual answer to the question.
We want to hire people that have such an internal excitement about doing what she or he is 'designed to do' in this life. We want to hire people that do not feel that it's work, they are so passionate about doing it they will have been doing that thing separate from the work experiences they accepted to be able to earn money and gain experience doing something that's NOT the real work they would do if only someone would pay them to do it.
We want to hire people that are able to see past the box of this job or this task, realizing that doing what one daydreams about is what would create the most productivity. We do NOT wish to hire a WRITER that really wants to create joy through photos like those from the collection of Colin Rich of "L.A. Lights" fame. We'd rather hire this person to take the photos she's been dreaming of taking with her camera, then helping her with the tools to have mastery in the skills to enhance this talent so that we can both benefit from creations that come from the results of mutual effort.
The self destructive behavior known as "I can't say what I really want to do" is caused by a variety of factors. One is the fear of being seen as selfish. What is more selfish? Is it doing work that bores you that you didn't give your 'all' to do? OR Is it doing what you are the BEST at, something that EXCITES you which causes you to create the most productive, best work?
Often, when hiring freelance, we hire the person that is open about the real dreams - this is a person that we can work with because we feel the motivation for doing the work, and we want to help you succeed - and this helps us with what we must do to accomplish the kind of influence that affects the course of human events with endless positive benefits.
Tell us what you would do Urooj, if guaranteed unlimited gold for all in your family... with permanent safety and security and freedom to do what you believe you are the best in the world at doing... What excites you? When they mention your name in 333 years to stadiums filled with people across the universe, why will they be smiling? Why do they know your name? What did you do with your talent in this lifetime that made the difference to all future generations?”
Whew! He was elaborate. So, what do you think of his answer? What would be your answer to his question, if the last paragraph was addressed to you? Would you still say you want to be a freelance writer?
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Author: Urooj Kazi is a professional freelance writer. To hire her, visit this website's Contact Urooj page.
