Poll: You Tell Us What To Do

Textbroker processes! I want to know the rubric by which articles are rated. Second option: style. I find that to be a murky area and one that is a little subjective, so it is easy to get dinged for poor style.

added by: author Ross on 08/06/2010 - 09.01

As long as you write about underwater bears, I don't care if it's correct in style, punctuation, or grammar. And while you're at it, tell me where I can find some on this site!

added by: author A-035348 on 08/06/2010 - 09.29

I've suggested this before, but I think it bears repeating: since the gap in pay and number of available assignments between 4 and 5 stars is so vast, I think there should be another rank, something like 4.5, perhaps. I believe this would result in more equitable paydays for good writers and less expensive payouts for clients who, hopefully, would be willing to pay a couple more cents/word for higher quality work.
Personally, as someone who has supported herself by writing for over thirty years, the 4-star pay scale is an insult; if it weren't for a few DO clients, I would have quit TB long ago, since I cannot force myself to work for what turns out to be less than fifty cents an hour.

added by: author Supercrone on 08/06/2010 - 10.15

I don't want any of these. I'd like to know more about the best way to handle requests for revision if we cannot do them. The auto-generated letter sounds a little threatening to the writer and generally has nothing to do with whether or not I return an article to the content pool.

added by: author A-003903 on 08/06/2010 - 11.37

The Textbroker web site is not user friendly. When I joined I had no idea what to write about or how the article should be written. There was no one to connect with to give me direction. To me, it seemed so easy. All I had to do was write sentences that made sense and use the keywords over and over again. Boy! was I wrong.

I remember asking an editor for instructions. The reply I received was just follow the client's instructions. That did not tell me very much. One other time, I contacted an editor, she was very impatient with me and told me to figure it out, she had other work to do-like getting articles from clients.

It took me quite a while to know how to write to write the article, and to have the article make sense. I wrote them as if they were a story, and that, I found out later, was not what the client had in mind. If I was rated low, it was only because no one told me what was expected.

I think that Textbroker should start at the beginning and actually teach new writers the way to write an article. Never mind the grammar. Show the way an acceptable article should be written. Create a user friendly site, and you will get better results from new writers.

added by: author SondraC on 08/06/2010 - 11.46

would like to know more about why things seem to be feast or famine with you guys and what you're doing to make the number of assignments a little more regular.

added by: author A-029857 on 08/07/2010 - 12.00

I think you should have a blog post that focuses on features that the authors would like to see implemented by textbroker.

added by: author A-038960 on 08/07/2010 - 01.37

I'd like to learn about the Textbroker processes, although hearing from fellow authors would be interesting as well. I've enjoyed the previous Textbroker articles so far, but I assume that most of you who are writing them are not writing for Textbroker. I could be wrong, but it would be interesting to hear the experiences of a few successful authors on the site. Regardless, I look forward to the next blogs.

added by: author A-038461 on 08/07/2010 - 01.53

I have to say, I love that last option! Underwater bears certainly are an appealing lot- I was half-tempted to choose that answer when casting my vote. :) But, as a second thought, I decided to show sincerity and an honest opinion for what I'd like to see. Thanks for the poll, it's a great idea!

- Nat

added by: author NatMikey on 08/07/2010 - 02.06

Thank you for an opportunity to cast a vote.

Unfortunately, I didn't see an option that applied to what was on my mind, so I thought I'd give you my feedback in writing, instead.

On the client side of your site, I notice that you have examples of the kind of writing clients get for their money when they pay for a 2-, 3-, 4- or 5-rated author.

I'm new here, so maybe you've already provided similar examples to your authors; but, if so, I haven't found them, yet.

If they exist, I would appreciate it if you would tell me where they are; and, if they don't, I think it would be helpful if a "Writing Samples" corner could be set up, so that authors could see specific examples of what kind of content gets what kind of rating. Your editors read and rate every article, anyway, so all they'd have to do is just pick a good example of each level of writing each week and publish them in juxtaposition to one another. That way, authors could more easily get a better idea of what is expected of them at each level.

Also, with respect to things like grammar issues, it would be helpful to see actual examples of what you consider to be incorrect grammar or punctuation published side-by-side with the corrected versions. You could even use that long-famous headline: "Do You Make These Mistakes In English?"

Another thing that would be helpful in that regard is an "Exceptions" corner, where you discuss things like the way clients want a keyword phrase written takes precedence over the way grammarians would write it. For example, a phrase like "smoking-reduction device" may be requested by a client to read "smoking reduction device" even though it is not grammatically correct, and even though the TextBroker submission screen will treat the correct version with the hyphen as incorrect.

I'm sure you can appreciate that it wouldn't be fair to your writers to downgrade their writing for incorrect grammar that they are unable to correct because of "custom-and-usage" exceptions like this. An "Exceptions" corner would make proper allowances for these "googlisms" and prevent future misunderstandings.

My next suggestion would be to assign some kind of a numbering system to each item upon which your editors might base a downgrade of an author's work. That way, when editors read and rate an article, they could easily include just the number of the item which affected their rating, and authors could then go to the published list of such items, find the specific one that applies to their particular article and learn how to avoid making the same mistake in future. The numbering system could be as simple as just starting out with 1, 2, and 3, and adding to it as you go along, with maybe an occasion decimal point here and there to accommodate expansion of a particular entry, such as 1.1, or 2.6 or 3.9, etc.

Lastly, it seems to me that it's as important — if not more so — to find something positive to say about the articles your authors write as it is to point out their shortcomings. Maybe you could establish a corner where you single out certain passages you come across that seem to you to "work" exceptionally well, or that are noteworthy for some other reason, such as being particularly entertaining, or enlightening or educational.

You know your own business best, I'm sure. It just seems to me that you're more likely to get more of the kind of writing you want if you take a few moments out from time to time to tell your writers what that is!

Thanks again for inviting us to give you our feedback.

:)

added by: author A-040516 on 08/07/2010 - 03.29

Thanks for this post. I want to know more about what the client is looking for. Sometimes when they leave instructions I find those instructions a bit vague. I am left wondering if I am giving the client what they want. I want to write to please the client and the readers who will be viewing my work.

It took me a while to decide because I would like to see information on grammer, style, the Textbroker process and what the client is looking for. I am thankful for the blogs posted so far. They have been a big help.

added by: author WLWilliams on 08/07/2010 - 06.33

I would love to be able to choose more than one article at a time. This would enable me to plan my time and turn out good articles. Sure, there would have to be a penalty for someone that booked the articles and did not deliver but I believe you would find that to be unusual! For people serious about earning money, booking several hours work would speed up the delivery process on articles. A lot of time can be wasted loooking through content material and making a selection.
Thank you for listening! Author A-035387

added by: author A-035387 on 08/07/2010 - 06.34

I don't understand the rating system. I have never had anything returned, or a revision requested yet I am held back in ratings due to the editorial team. Writing style and grammar usage changes with the type of information or article that you are writing for. More information on the use of the materials would help with knowing the correct style of writing needed.

Also, as you mentioned in an earlier blog entry. Ratings should be based on the acceptablilty of the customer more and less on the comments of the editorial team. If clients are satisfied with an authors writing it should be acceptable for Textbroker.

Why the double standard?

added by: author A-032836 on 08/07/2010 - 07.53

One of my clients sent me this link, it has to do with writing for SEO. Others may find this helpful.

http://www.wordtracker.com/academy/content-writing-tips?utm_source=Subscribers&utm_campaign=218da29042-Newsletter_59_Top_10_SEO_content_writing_tips&utm_medium=email

added by: author A-002484 on 08/07/2010 - 09.35

I would like to hear about story angle. Feature length articles, I usually chose a few topics within the keyword and dig deep to cover it. Shorter articles of 300 words or less, I am not sure whether to give an overview or cover one subject in depth. I'd like to see a blog post on this subject.

added by: author A-040455 on 08/07/2010 - 10.32

I think the TB site is pretty easy to navigate. I would be interested in seeing TB put some grammar, punctuation checkers on site, so it would be easier to submit error free articles.

added by: author A-032131 on 08/07/2010 - 11.05

How can I up the ante to direct orders?
Thank you.

added by: author A-047529 on 08/07/2010 - 02.08

I love reading the blogs, comments, and other tidbits you post for us. What I would like to see a little bit more is some emphasis put on content accuracy. I agree that style and grammar and all of that is important, but equally important, to me, is that the information contained in our work, as professionals, is accurate and well-researched. Many times the articles we are asked to write are technical in nature or require knowledge in a specified area. Yet, I've not come across much in the area of emphasis of content accuracy. I think research is just as important, if not more so, than grammar, style, and the rest.

-Just my two cents worth :)

G.M.

added by: author G.M.K. on 08/07/2010 - 02.55

I'm a fiction writer and the whole process of SEO writing is new to me. I'm in need of a tutorial. I'd take a lot more assignments if I knew what the clients were talking about regarding headings, subheadings, bulleted lists and so on. And some clients' specifications are so lengthy, fussy and detailed I'm wondering why they just don't write the piece themselves. I'd love to attempt to please them, but I'm intimidated.

added by: author A-034116 on 08/07/2010 - 05.34

I disagree that ratings should be based on what the client thinks. Very frequently the client gives too little information and you can be sure that the clients are not nearly as objective or consistent in their rating as are the Textbroker team. It is even clear that clients don't put much thought into their ratings. I have never received a rating that had a different grade for any of the four categories since the option to give discrete grades was added. I think an objective rating by the Textbroker team is the only fair way to go.

added by: author Ross on 08/07/2010 - 07.03

There have been at times very nasty remarks from Textbroker as to writing style.....I think that this type of "critique" is very unnecessary and unprofessional of your editors. One of my friends who use to write for TB was told by one of the editors that one piece she wrote was "overbearing" and "Baroque" and "the structure of this sentence is horrendous".....really, yet the TB client gave her excellent remarks? I think it would be much more helpful if the editors refrain from putting a writer down and just stick to helping them to see a better way in which to restructure a sentence or paragraph.

added by: author WriterKB on 08/07/2010 - 10.04

Honestly, I appreciate all the information you have so willingly shared with us that most of the vote options would work for me. The question I have probably would not be addressed for any of them. I am a bit afraid to ask because I have a feeling it is something I should be able to figure out by myself. However, no matter what I've tried I can't get it: can someone tell me how to work the Address Book feature? I have one contact and I don't know how it got there, and I have no idea how to put others in. Sorry if this only makes me look dense, but I really can't get it :) Thanks!

added by: author SVHobbie on 08/07/2010 - 10.23

There are several topics that I would like to see addressed. First, I agree with W.L. Williams, there needs to be more information provided in regards to the clients needs. Knowing if an article is going to be used in advertising promotions, or if it is just to relay information, allows the writers to "tilt" the information in right direction. I also believe that this will help to improve writer's ratings. Next, I was curious if Textbroker is currently engaging any clients that want full length articles. Some topics, such as I have found on construction, is actually very detailed. I have worked as an Apprentice to a Home Builder for several years. If certain details are left of the information given becomes null and void. Addressing these topics, I believe, would help to clear-up some of the confusion that writers encounter.
Thank you

added by: author A-048610 on 08/08/2010 - 10.41

hi

i would like to get more advice from fellow writers to give us some tips and advices. but, i would also like to get to know the clients as i am now writing for same ones. Maybe they are famous and we can check their sites and support them or even learn from them as some maybe professionals. Then gives a better idea of what they are needing.

the only complaint i have so far is TB needs to give us more time on a revision. the clients gives u times and it is our choice when we take the assignment but we do not get one when it is time for revisions. if you are off on the weekends and bust it really hard on an article you lose that time and money if you do not get it turned back in. that drives me crazy. it does not happen all the time. but when it does i have to stop my life with my family. and no laptop either!

thanks

cheri

added by: author cheri2010 on 08/08/2010 - 10.57

I have another thought on this blog question. I would like to be able to contact some of the other authors. One author wrote on this post, and I would like to write directly to them to tell them that I agree with him or her.

I believe that the writers are not given the freedom of privacy. Everything that we write or say is read by the editors. Even this post. We respond but before it is printed, it has to be read by one of the editors before it is released.

I also write for AC Content. It is like a social community and yet we all write. This site keeps everything within it secretive.

I would like to be able to read a writers article if they want me to see it prior to being released. We each can help each others if we want to.

One matter that has already been mentioned, is something that I have wanted to suggest for a long time. I will never write for a client who ''threatens' to reject an article if it is not written exactly to what they want. I will not give them a chance. This happens all too often. I will never write for those who threaten in any way.

I also resent the very lengthy instructions the clients give for an article that might pay only 3.50. they even ask for pictures or links to be added. What nerve they have, those not so big spenders I will never write for them either.

Another matter, are those .75 cent articles in the Grade 4 list. There are so many of them, who would take them. It does not even pay for the time to write them I wonder why TB even accepts them. They are an insult to the writers on here.

I also noticed a day or so ago that a client gave instructions for an article he only paid 4.50 for. He wanted the best article possible, error free, with the highest type of editing. Well then, let him send it to Grade 5. However but they want the best and pay the least. Again I will not write for that small amount. I believe they should be advised that a perfectly edited article is a 5 grade article and they have to pay prime price.

Another matter that has already been mentioned above, I agree, we should not be limited to only accepting one article at a time. Many times I find subject matters that I absolutely know all about. By the time I write the one article and return for another the articles are already gone.

Demand allows newbies a limited amount of article to see how they write. Then they can take as many as 20 article for the week. This would help the flow and help me to earn more money on TB.

I do not like writing for only $5.00 a day because all the other articles have already been taken. Maybe my article would be written better than the other writer? No one will ever know.

Once again, I must agree that there is either feast or famine on the site and not enough writing or earning worth the time spent.

You will lose a great many good writers if things do not change on this site for the betterment of the writers.

You hired more writers. Why would you do that? when there is not enough articles to write for those who have been writing for TB for a long time?

Spreading things out too thin is not the way to retain good and loyal writers.

My two cents on the matter. I was hesitant to mention all of this, because I like and respect the editors. However the subject matter was previously brought up, so I figured I would jump into the water and give my two cents.

added by: author SondraC on 08/08/2010 - 02.26

I really enjoy these blogs and all the different opinions and questions. Thanks for putting one up on TB.

One thing I wonder about is how TB gets clients to submit category 5 articles. It is great to see a bunch of them come up, but then when that client relists another large quantity, they seem to put it all under category 4. I suppose they want to save money and figure that they can get just as good (almost) work for one third the cost or less. How can you keep them coming back at the category 5 level? How about offering them a small discount for listing new submissions under category 5? Another idea mentioned in this blog topic to add a 4.5 category is also an interesting idea.

Writing category 5 articles is an amazing way to earn a satisfactory amount for this type of work. It is the only thing that keeps some of us authors returning for more work.

added by: author A-002484 on 08/08/2010 - 03.13

At times, I find the instructions absolutely confusing. I don't know what type of form clients fill out, but more clarity would be great. Often, I don't understand what the client wants because they go overboard on instructions. Sometimes, there is so much info or a list of 15 words to cram in the 200 word article and it just makes for bad writing. My name isn't put to it, but still, I'm a writer.

I like the added keyword feature. It would be helpful if the client chooses what type of article they want. For example, if they can say "overview, product review, call to action page, etc."

I also think about the pay at times. It is really hard to take on some of these assignments because it takes me quite a long time to write, whether it appears that way or not, so the end result is very low pay.

added by: author A-031307 on 08/08/2010 - 06.52

@Cheri: Agree. We definitely should get more time on revisions. I, for example, once was involved with a client who requested 5 revisions over a short period of time, most of which were requesting changes outside of his original request. On the fifth I decided to appeal to the TB team for help, but my 24 hours expired before I got an email back. I think that on a revision we should get the original amount of time given for the assignment or 48 hours to revise, whichever is greater.

added by: author Ross on 08/08/2010 - 07.42

I'm also up for "Tell me about these clients and what they're looking for." Great idea, editors!

added by: author Gabriella on 08/10/2010 - 12.06

Textbroker is a great tool for writers of all skill levels. You are able to select assignments, query the poster for specifics, write content and receive reviews of your work. All you have to do is pay attention to what your clients and the Textbroker editors have to say.

I have found that it is much easier to compose my articles in Word where I can edit and spell/grammar check them. I then copy-and-paste the finished copy into the Textbroker window. This also gives you a copy of your work that you can file in appropriate folders as part of your portfolio.

Using the assignments from Textbroker I have polished my skills to the level where I have developed a number of regular clients, from other brokerage sources, for whom I spend most of my productive time composing e-books, articles, newsletters and the like.

Thank you Textbroker for providing the venue for my talents to flourish.

Dave (the Rave)

added by: author David on 08/10/2010 - 12.06

A feature I would like is a way for authors to flag article requests for various reasons:

1 - Those that are in the wrong topic ... the loan consolidation articles that were in beauty and not finance, for example.

2 - Those with incomprehensible instructions. I've been working with people for whom English was an afterthought for a long time, but some of the clients here submit things that have me baffled.

************
And I would like there to be a "Aussie, UK, USA spelling and vocabulary" flag on the articles if it's critical for the client.

added by: author A-008720 on 08/10/2010 - 12.15

On the poll questions; In regards to grammar, I have no problems with the 'experts' critiquing/correcting my grammar. Since I'm not an English major and having had little or no advanced grammar training, I expect to occasionally be grammatically incorrect, and I appreciate the advice. I've yet to see evidence of the editors being a "mouthy" lot, but then I'm relatively new to this, and regardless, being "mouthy" would seem to me to be just part of the job. As far as pulling back the curtain, I really don't see what that would accomplish. The process seems pretty straight forward and transparent to me, but again, I'm relatively new. The clients.... yes, the clients. From looking at the poll results, it's apparent that most of the authors feel as I do. I've taken on a handful of assignments that offered (at best) unclear instructions. I don't know if it's possible to somehow clarify the client's requests any better, but I'd like to think that doing so would make everyone's job considerably easier. This scenario has occurred only twice in my situation, and the thought has occurred to me that maybe it's just me, but from reading other's similar comments, I suspect I'm not alone. I personally find navigation around the site simple enough, and I think underwater bears are uber-cool. I suppose if I had an unlisted concern, it would involve either the author's rating system, or the restrictions on being able to claim only one assignment at a time, although I somewhat see the logic behind the latter. I do like the idea of being able to voice concerns this way. Thank you.

added by: author A-047595 on 08/10/2010 - 12.41

I read a lot of the blogs from others. Based on what I have read, it says I am wasting my time writing for Textbroker and should stick with my newsletters and books. I therefore think I will see if anything gets accepted, or it's all rejected or perhaps some are taking what is indicative of my writing and using as theirs. That is probably more possible than I imagine, but nothing on the website says it isn't.

added by: author A-047889 on 08/10/2010 - 02.34

I honestly think there should be some sort of a cap on the instructions. It's a little ridiculous when there is a novel of instructions tied to a $1.50 job. That's why I only do jobs that have instructions that are 6 lines or less. :)

added by: author A-040835 on 08/10/2010 - 04.18

@Supercrone - $.50/hour? Two suggestions for you: First, try to figure out ways to speed up your research. That's probably where you get bogged down. Secondly, I don't know how quickly you type and proof, but that's another process that can be sped up. Even when I was doing 4-star work, I was never making less than $10/hour, so it is possible. I'm also a firm believer in being as selective as you can about the articles.

@A-003903 - You have the right to refuse to do a revision. I'm a firm believe that if the revision request looks like it's out of line (i.e. beyond the initial description/instructions), then gently let the client know this and also e-mail TB to let them know why you're refusing to do the revision. I realize that this can be a pain, but protecting your percentage of unaccepted articles is really important as this is something that clients look at when placing DOs.

@SondraC - Girlfriend, seriously. I don't see the correlation between the user-friendliness of the TB Web site and what you, as an author, should write about. As a writer, I'm not sure how there could be any confusion about what it is you do. Stringing SEO words together and calling it an article has never been something that's been advocated. TB could have the best Web site in the world and it still wouldn't make a person into a good or bad writer. On a personal note, I've never experienced any of the editors at TB as impatient, mean or otherwise unfriendly. Oddly enough, they all seem to have a decent sense of humor and are very helpful. I think we have to realize that TB is what it is... a brokerage service for writers and as such, they expect us to be able to do the job. That's kind of what signing on to this gig is all about, don't you think?

@A-040516 - Those are some cool suggestions.

@WLWilliams - Okay, not to pick on you, because I've seen this numerous times... but does anyone contact the clients directly to clarify what it is they are wanting? If I have a question, I simply ask the client directly via the IM system we have on the site. There are two things this does. 1) It helps clarify what the client wants. 2) It helps establish a good relationship with the client and can possibly lead to direct orders.

@A-032836 - I'm not trying to be mean, but based on your post, I can see why you're being held back.

Ex// "I have never had anything returned, or a revision requested yet I am held back in ratings due to the editorial team."

Your sentence structure and grammar are problematic in this sentence. The structure is a bit ungainly and there should be a comma between "requested" and "yet". I'd probably also use "nor" rather than "or".

Ex// "Also, as you mentioned in an earlier blog entry."
This isn't even a complete sentence.

If you're having these types of errors crop up in your writing, then you will continue to stay at your current level. It's not a double standard.

Writing style may change for each article, but grammar really doesn't. A great resource is Strunk & White, The Elements of Style. The rules of grammar still apply to what we're doing and there are clients out there that want polished grammar and good sentence structure.

@A-032131 - I'm a firm believer in using Microsoft Word or Open Office to write the articles. These two programs have better grammar tools than anything on the web. Ultimately, human editing is key to ensuring that articles are as error-free as possible.

@A-047529 - You can up your overall rate for direct orders or specify client specific rates. Navigate through your author's area to set these items or click on the client number and set a client specific rate for that client.

@Ross - Amen.

@WriterKB - I heard from a friend of an uncle's cousin's brother-in-law... Give me a break. If you have an example of a TB editor being rude to you, then by all means, post it. Otherwise, it's hearsay. If the TB critique of your friend's work was as you say it was, maybe the writing was overbearing, baroque and maybe the sentence structure was horrendous. Writing is a tough gig KB and critiques are absolutely necessary. Whenever I've received a critique of my work that I didn't quite agree with or understand, I simply e-mailed the editor in question and asked, "Can you be a bit more specific. I'd like to become a better writer, so please help me out." These editors are here to help us, but they can't babysit us and coddle us by blowing sunshine up our asses about our writing.

@cheri2010 - Tips and Advice: First of all, use upper and lower-case, even when posting to a blog like this. Every time you write, you should be practicing good writing habits. Secondly, get a copy of Strunk & White.

@SondraC - You seem really unhappy. Both of your posts were pretty negative. I'm not saying you shouldn't have the right to complain, but maybe you're just in the wrong profession.

TB has the right to run their business however they'd like to run it. They are a privately held company operating under an LLC. They don't answer to you or any of the other authors. If they want to be secretive, they have that right.

From a content theft standpoint, it wouldn't be a good idea for authors to be able to pre-proof articles. Like you said, you write for AC. Maybe another writer who is an author for AC becomes your friend and offers to proof your articles. You say, "Wow, what a great idea!" So you give them a couple of articles and instead of proofing them, they post them as their own articles on AC. There are many examples of AC articles being ripped off by others. Personally, I'd rather have my content protected than have it sitting out there waiting to be stolen.

The rest of your post is one big whine. I'm sorry, but seriously. Get over this stuff. I can't even say more because I'm already feeling like I'm being mean and I have nothing good to say about the rest of your post.

@Ross - As soon as the client comes back with demands outside of the original scope, you have the right to refuse. Contact the TB editors, let them know what's up and contact the client and gently let them know that they're revision request is out of scope.

@David (Dave, the Rave) - Nice post.

RE: What does the client really want?
One of the things we need to keep in mind is that many of the clients here at TB are not from the U.S. While many countries, like India, have ESL, there are some that do not. Unfortunately, this is the nature of the beast. In many cases, it's absolutely appropriate to contact the client.

@A-047889 - If you feel that it's a waste of time, please feel free to not write for TB. This will allow me to have more articles and make more money. Thank you.

@A-040835 - Just don't take the gig if it's that horrible. It's your choice to click on the little button that says, "I want to write this article".

Lastly, I have two suggestions. One, I would love to have an author photo so that when I post in the blog, people can see my cool tinfoil hat picture. Secondly, I would suggest that everyone just put on a tinfoil hat, hunker down over their keyboard and write. We need to do everything we can to help the economy and protect ourselves from space aliens. SRSLY.

-Neal (aka - Author en ee ay ell).

added by: author Neal on 08/14/2010 - 02.36

WOW Neal! What socket did you plug your tin foil hat into? Good to have you back; I needed a good laugh today - I am almost in tears!

added by: author A-002484 on 08/14/2010 - 07.02

My request is pretty simple, I'd like to see what a day in the life of an editor on Textbroker is like. For instance, do a causal interview of a regular editor, ask her/him how they do their job, how they handle any stress, etc. I am a curious sort, so I'm interested on about the other side of the work aisle. =)

added by: author Nicky01 on 08/15/2010 - 09.06

I'd like to see a post asking authors if there is anything they'd like to see changed on textbroker. Because I am having serious issues with my textbroker mailbox. A) It would be really, really helpful if textbroker allowed clients to have real names such as "Bob" or "Tim" instead of client IDs because it's so easy to mix up a string of numbers when messaging someone. B) Even when I double check the recipient of my message, it's still going to the wrong person. I think the mailbox is messed up.

Anyone else having problems with their mailbox or simply can't stand the client IDs?

added by: author Tamar on 08/17/2010 - 03.11

@ author A-002484

Wow - thanks for the link to the word-tracker article. That is a HUGE help for the articles I've browsed so far. I was plumb stumped on some of these client instructions, but the realization (from asking an editor, then doing a web search on the three-letter abbreviation she gave me without explanation, and reading this blog entry) that I was writing an SEO, and what on earth an SEO implied, was (at long last) an enormous help.

Many thanks for that link.

Textbroker - have the assignment tagged as "SEO" or "instructional" or some kind of hint at what the target audience looks like would be an enormous help. It would improve your image to your clients as well, I imagine, since they get more on-target content the first time and fewer revisions necessary. (Then, of course, for the new writers, you'd need a blog article on what SEO means and implies.)

added by: author A-008868 on 08/17/2010 - 11.25

@A-008868 @Nicky01 and other new authors, there is a blog post on who our clients are and the bare minimum basics of SEO here: http://www.textbroker.com/blog/authors/help-me-help-you-giving-clients-what-they-want.html
If you've recently signed up with us and have just started reading the blog, please go back and look at some of the old posts. Our third or fourth post explains the mechanics of ratings and almost is an overview of "a day in the life" of an editor.
I've been thinking about adding video to the blog, so that might be a good one for a short clip. Thanks for the idea!

added by:  Textbroker  on 08/18/2010 - 10.50

I would like to see a maximum number of keywords for Level 4 pieces. If a client wants 10+ keywords included in an article, the individual should pay for a Level 5 writer. Maybe the client could pay an additional amount for each keyword beyond a set limit.

It would be great if orders could be submitted in a format where all of the information falls in the same place with each request. A structured order form would make it easier for writers to read. The client should be able to save the order templates for future use. Form fields could be (article marketing, web content, first person, etc.)

An example of a quality piece from each level should be available to guide the writers.

It would be neat if a writer could block a certain article from appearing in search results. Currently, the author has to blacklist a client to avoid certain projects.

A writer should be able to click on their favorite clients and see a listing of all orders submitted by the client. The author can then focus on writing for clients that they work best with.

I agree that there should be a flagging mechanism in place for articles submitted under the wrong category.

I believe that there should be a threshold minimum for shorter pieces that the client should be charged for in each level. A writer may find it easier to ignore the shorter pieces because the effort required (research/proof) doesn't appear to be worth it.

I've never had horrible treatment from the editors and I like how direct they are in their editing notes. I love the keyword counter and the client rating system. I hope that there are more grammar pieces to come.

added by: author A-038427 on 08/19/2010 - 02.03

Neal, I LOVED your post. I knew you were the author before I scrolled to the bottom! You summed up my feelings perfectly.

added by: author A-005762 on 08/21/2010 - 12.49

Neal, Neal, Neal... I read through these posts, shaking my head and picking up my jaw from its oft-repeated floor bounce. I took note after note for my responses until my copy-paste function sued for early retirement.

Then I read your post.

And now, with little ado, I can honestly say that 90% of my response is simply, "Ditto, Neal! Atta boy!"

As for the rest of my response, a quick summary suffices:

Textbroker is NOT responsible for how many or how few orders are placed. The responsible party for that number is always and forever with Textbroker's clients. The clients determine when, how many, or with what requirement, etc., etc., etc., orders are placed.

And to the writer who posted, "You hired more writers. Why would you do that?" Are you SERIOUS? You truly don't think that every single one of the 45,000-plus "writers" who are registered here are constantly ACTIVE, do you? Of course, TB wants a potential "overage" of writers. How else can they assure clients that large numbers of orders placed at one time have a reasonable possibility of being filled? Having too few authors available is far riskier and considerably more foolish than "Spreading things too thin" ... And for the record, your comment should have been, "Spreading things too thinly..." Adverb, ya know....

And speaking of which, to the author who posted, ""advanced grammar instruction," I respond, "People, nothing about the grammar here is "advanced" anything. High school standards apply."

In closing, ...still love the hat, Neal. You go, guy!

added by: author A-035348 on 08/22/2010 - 10.31

I know I'm a few months late to the party here, but did Textbroker ever follow up on this? I see the overwhelming winner of the poll was the client info idea. I would love to know more about these clients.

Primarily I would like to know why they NEVER respond to my messages. Even if they are not interested, I wish they would at least say "no thanks." I know they are busy, but how hard is it to at least type those two words if nothing else.

added by: author A-049457 on 01/03/2011 - 05.40

I am brand new to TB. So far, I have nothing I can contribute but it appears as though most of you like the site, the editors, and most of the authors.

I think once an author has adjusted to TB and the way it functions, they will either settle down and write, as I plan on doing, or get on their merry way. I say "Good luck!" to whichever you do. I look forward to working with the rest of you.

added by: author Chuckster on 01/10/2011 - 02.46