TeamOrders
by Christina Zila, Branch Manager
We're excited to launch a new feature: TeamOrders!
While the majority of our clients are very happy with the OpenOrder system, we are targeting new clients that want a specific skill or knowledge set. These clients are often willing to pay for extra knowledge, but they want assurance that an expert will take the article. We also have clients who work with a few select authors, but those authors are very popular, and the client would like to easily switch the order from one favorite to another. These client needs led us to TeamOrders.
TeamOrders are a hybrid of Direct and OpenOrders. Orders go to a specific team of writers selected by the client at a price set by the client. When a Team member chooses the order, only that author completes it. If the author doesn’t complete it on time, the order goes back to the Team and another Team member can complete the assignment.
TeamOrders are not a concept to circumvent OpenOrders or DirectOrders. They are an additional ordering function that alleviates certain issues that new clients are experiencing. Clients can still place OpenOrders and DirectOrders. Clients can place DirectOrders with authors who are on one of their Teams.
For example, a client works with Author A, Author B and Author C. The client has placed these three authors in a Team. The client needs a press release for an event in three days. The client isn't sure which writer is available, so the client places a TeamOrder instead of guessing or sending messages and waiting for replies. The client also needs a brochure for the next season, an item that isn't time-sensitive. Author B has already written about the product, so the client places a DirectOrder with Author B for the brochure.
Participation in Teams is completely voluntary. If you don't like any part of a Team, whether earnings, instructions or anything else, you can decline the Team. Since Teams are voluntary, clients have to make their Teams competitive to attract the best authors that fit their needs.
Now that we have the general concept, let’s get in to the details.
Pricing and Earnings
Clients set TeamPrices. Their pricing tool includes our commission, so they set prices that fit their budget. The Team price applies to all items for that Team, regardless of any author's star rating or DirectOrder price.
Here's an example: A 4-star author with a DO rate of 3 cents per word joins a Team with earnings of 2.5 cents per word. If the author chooses the TeamOrder, they will earn 2.5 cents per word. The minimum TeamOrder earnings is 1.37 cents.* 2- and 3-star authors will earn more from TeamOrders than from items chosen from the OpenOrder board. TeamOrders may be a great way for 3-star authors to showcase their specific subject knowledge and earn more in the process.
Finding and Joining Teams
All Team information is displayed under "Assignments – TeamOrders." There are two types of Teams: invitation only Teams and casting call Teams. Casting calls will be visible to all authors, no matter what star rating. Invitations will only go to specific authors chosen by the client.
Click on a Team name to view the requirements for the Team. Clients may ask for an application. The application can be almost anything – a quiz, a request for a writing sample or proof that you know the subject at hand. The Team may also have special conditions. Conditions may include that only 4-star authors may apply, that all items will be published with the client's name or pseudonym, that you agree to a non-disclosure form or any other conditions in accordance with our Terms of Service and US law. Conditions based on race and gender are not appropriate. A condition to write in a specific voice is a valid requirement.
Your application will be forwarded to the client, who then will approve or reject your application. Clients may become overwhelmed with responses, so please be patient.
Claiming TeamOrders
Once you've been accepted to a Team, click on the Team name to see the orders available for the Team. You can accept one TeamOrder at a time for all Teams. You cannot accept orders for multiple Teams simultaneously. You cannot accept multiple items for the same Team simultaneously. TeamOrders are in addition to any OpenOrder you may choose. This means that you can have two items accepted, one OpenOrder and one TeamOrder. You can still receive as many DirectOrders at your set price as clients want to send.
When you accept a TeamOrder, you have the processing time to complete it. Missing the deadline will mean that the order goes back to the other members of the Team. When you submit, the order follows our regular process: It is checked for plagiarism and sent to the client. The client has the standard three days to review the item and accept or ask for a revision. The revision and rejection process is the same as all other orders.
Leaving Teams
If you have been invited to a Team and do not want to participate, simply click the "No Thanks" button. At the moment, you cannot hide casting calls that you are not interested in, but we are working on this feature. We are also working on leaving a Team that you have joined. The function is planned, but it was not visible at the time of this writing.
How Will TeamOrders Change Textbroker?
Creating and managing a Team requires a certain time and thought investment. The majority of our current clients are very happy with the simplicity of the OpenOrder system and do not have the time to invest in a Team. We predict that our OpenOrder volume will continue to grow. On top of that traditional growth, Textbroker's sales team is working on bringing in clients with higher expectations and corresponding higher rates of pay.
Level 3 authors may benefit most from this development. While clients evaluate articles on how well they serve their needs, Textbroker rates solely on spelling, grammar, style and tone. Because clients may place more technical articles at higher levels, a level 3 author may have the appropriate skill set to write the article and be unable to access the assignment. With our new TeamOrder system, a client can ignore the Textbroker rating system and instead look only for authors with appropriate experience. Since our 3 star authors represent the largest demographic, it makes sense to search for these skills among a wider pool.
We know that recent months have been hard for 3 star authors, and we hope that this new system will improve their chances of finding an assignment. Because many clients will invite authors based on the information in their profiles, please make sure that your profiles reflect your experience in a way that makes you attractive to our clients.
Finally, the casting call feature will allow you to directly showcase your talents to a client. You can find subjects you're interested in and prove that you're the right person to write about them. TeamOrders give you the ability to pursue clients more directly and write about the things you love.
We know that change can be unsettling, but we hope that this post will address any concerns you may have. Please be patient with us as we develop this feature, and as always, thank you for your work here at Textbroker.
* Edited from our original post. Textbroker still takes a 30% commission, but we calculate down from the client's set price instead of up from the author's earnings. This different calculation method results in a slight difference in the minimum earnings from DirectOrders.
posted on 09/12/2011 - 08.43 | textbroker blog | comments: 41
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I have already been placed on a team - but I noticed the rate per word is less than direct orders - only 1.37 per word. This does not agree with the above posting.added by: author Anne H on 09/13/2011 - 08.33
This sounds like a wonderful opportunity. There could be assignments during the holiday period as well, or other "slow" times. Thanks for leading the way in opportunities for writers, Textbroker!added by: author TGallagher on 09/13/2011 - 11.33
Thank you for clarifying the mechanics for us. This concept does sound interesting.added by: author Ysoria on 09/13/2011 - 03.19
Indeed, the 1.5 bottom limit may be on the client end, but as authors we are seeing lower values than this.added by: author evena on 09/13/2011 - 03.50
In order to accurately reflect what we can do, the limit on the "Type of Writing" feature in our profiles needs to allow more choices -- or preferably, to allow unlimited choice. I have none listed at present because it only allows 5 choices. There is a thread on this in the Improvement section of the Forum, but no staff member has weighed in yet. If clients are going to be searching a lot more for writers based on capabilities, we need to reflect all that we can do. There are also other profile areas that limit choices.added by: author bets on 09/13/2011 - 03.51
I get the concept of the TeamOrders, but where are these open casting calls I'm, reading about? So far, other than this blog and an empty tab in my UI, I don't see anywhere to explore this feature further as a writer, and I'd like to :)added by: author WordChick on 09/13/2011 - 04.08
The team I was invited to shows 1.4 cents per word, not the 1.5 as stated in the blog.added by: author Beverly on 09/13/2011 - 04.56
The enhanced profile definitely needs tweeked. The amount of possible choices on type of writing needs to increase to reflect the authors' expertise. The "interests" section addresses this to some point, but the types of writing section is where most clients will probably look first.added by: author sdmaurer on 09/13/2011 - 06.31
Team Orders for a level 4 writer equates to a bargain for the client. I had a client interested in posting direct orders until they learned a team order is cheap. This team order direction is going to cost me money. The minimum team order rate should be 1.5 cents like it is for direct orders. Competing with the level 4 open queue is not a good direction to take.added by: author Cyberquill on 09/13/2011 - 08.30
I agree with authors bets and WordChick. To realize the full beneifit of this new system, the "Type of Writing" profile feature needs to allow more than 5. Having been around a long time, worked with many skills, in many places, and with plenty of education, I would like to have more than 5 choices to show case what I can do. I might add, the level 3 authors really do need more work.added by: author G. Adcock on 09/13/2011 - 08.30
I agree with Cyberquill. As a level 4 author, joining a team might mean less competition for orders, but it will also mean I earn less per article than I would accepting an open order. If clients want access to specific authors instead of the uncertainty of the open orders process while requesting a minimum article count, I don't think paying the authors 1.37 like the team I was invited to is a good way to go about it.added by: author Shaulina on 09/13/2011 - 08.53
Thank you TextBroker - I LOVE the TeamOrder idea! There are a few clients I work with regularly, but when I had time to write there was no way for me to search for articles by their client ID. Now that their orders are in one spot, when I have time to write I can check there first. It's easier to write an article for these clients because I know what they expect, instead of taking a chance on a new client who may provide inadequate instructions, and then kick back a change request. Personally, I'd rather get 1.37 per word and know they'll love the article & accept it quickly, than get 1.4 per word writing about topics I don't enjoy!added by: author Imara6mara on 09/13/2011 - 11.51
People usually pay more for convenience, not less. If the Team Feature is a convenience feature for buyers, the fee should be higher than for open orders. This feature would give them more control, thus being a higher value with a higher cost. Buyers should not be encouraged to turn away from Direct Orders. The payout to the author should at least be equal.added by: author A-071827 on 09/14/2011 - 12.10
As a level 4 writer who should be a level 5, I'm not sure this system works that well for us writers above level 3. Frankly, I think that levels 3 & 4 should be compensated better. It is hard to concentrate upon the highest quality writing when the pay is so poor.added by: author A-065460 on 09/14/2011 - 12.59
Okay, I'm in. Who wants to line up to join my team? I imagine there will be great response, so please react quickly!added by: author VegasSaint on 09/14/2011 - 02.03
Looking forward to seeing this idea grow :)
Here is to hoping for some invites!added by: author Jon Stone on 09/14/2011 - 03.22
I see zero options for me to join a team, but then again, I'm still new around here. NO idea how I would get to join a teamadded by: author ReneeG on 09/14/2011 - 09.41
I agree with another author. People usually pay more for convenience, not less. If the Team Feature is a convenience feature for buyers, the fee should be higher than for open orders.added by: author PJay on 09/14/2011 - 11.23
@ VegasSaint I'm interested in joining. Please message me.added by: author A-079985 on 09/14/2011 - 12.22
I am a level 4 writer who actually likes this. It gives more exposure to higher paying clients.added by: author A-006044 on 09/14/2011 - 12.58
I agree, here is to hoping for some invites rather than sit with my thoughts on the situation. I have noticed there are more 4 and 5 level articles now than ever before and conveniently, that happened just after my husband got knocked down to a 3. There never used to be that many 4's and 5's now, as 3's, there is hardly any work for 2's and 3's. My wild imagination tells me this is just another way to weed out the writer pool. I truly hope I am wrong.added by: author Jericubed on 09/14/2011 - 05.21
This looks like a good opportunity for level 2 and 3 writers to have a chance to increase there earningsadded by: author sadonna on 09/15/2011 - 10.42
I like having a team order and an open order to work on at the same time. I also like being able to see all of one client's orders in a team listing rather than stretched across different categories. I hope the clients I have written for will send me an invite to their teams. I am new to TB, and I am impressed with the professionalism and courtesy of the clients that I have had the pleasure of writing for. I would hate to lose the opportunity to write for them in the future.added by: author The.Author on 09/16/2011 - 12.43
It is not fully explained how to apply for open casting call teams. Am i right to assume you click to participate, then wait on a response?added by: author E Grace on 09/18/2011 - 06.14
I have noticed a reduction in level 3 articles, and I must wonder what would cause this. I do not see any of the clients I have written for in the past showing up on the open order list.added by: author G. Adcock on 09/20/2011 - 01.21
Team Orders sounds like a great concept. I look forward to seeing how it works over the next few weeks!added by: author LifeTravel on 09/25/2011 - 03.11
Am now a member and accepted into 11 teams. I am excited about working -just have not seen any work available.added by: author JustImagin on 09/26/2011 - 08.07
I belong to T.E.A.M. I hope I didn't miss any orders yet...I didn't see any so far!!!added by: author marcyt on 09/28/2011 - 08.00
I'm also on T.E.A.M. I clicked on it and didn't see any orders. Then I got a description of an order in my mailbox, with no due date and no indication of how to accept the order. Then I noticed the the pay rate fell from 7 cents a word to 3.48 cents . I am very confused as to how this thing works and how they can cut the rate in half after accepting a writer on the team.added by: author Debbie D on 09/28/2011 - 10.56
I know am confused as well. I was initially very excited about team orders but so far I have not seen any orders. Also, there seems to be a drastic reduction in level 3 articles so will just have to wait and see.added by: author A-079403 on 10/02/2011 - 04.33
I've had the best results with the orders coming from Private Teams! I advise you to let your work speak for you and hope you get a private team invite. TIP: If you decide to take on direct orders (DO) for your teams, make sure your DO rate is set at the same level as your team rate, otherwise you might end up writing the same content for less (depending on your DO rate). Good luck everyone!added by: author Katrina S. on 10/15/2011 - 08.39
Can I make a suggestion? There are so many great things going on at Textbroker, but a lot of change creates questions. Can we create a way for writers to communicate with the Textbroker staff to get questions answered?
That being said. I just noticed that I have been removed from a team but never received any notification. Is there a way for writers to look into this or no?added by: author Arnold on 10/18/2011 - 06.59
Please send any questions to mail@textbroker.com.
added by: Textbroker on 10/18/2011 - 07.56
Am I right in thinking that these are responsible for the drastic drop off in open orders? I may need to look into new websites. I have been applying for teams and not getting any responses, so there is not a lot of work for me here now.added by: author jschlosser on 10/25/2011 - 04.05
U r so right. I have written 2 articles since teams were added. One was for a team and that has been the only one I have seen offered on 14 teams I am a member of. Thank God I do work for another site that takes care of it's writers.added by: author JustImagin on 10/26/2011 - 07.36
Hi,
I am glad that you have started this new feature. I feel so much more a part of the Textbroker family and it feels great. I recently finished my first Team Order assignment and got approval from the client. I can't tell you how encouraging it is to feel like you are growing. I hope to move up to a level 4 soon. However, this new feature is giving me more confidence in my writing. Thanks Textbroker for being on the cutting edge.added by: author Alizdesign on 10/26/2011 - 10.19
TeamOrders have not had an impact on the OpenOrder system.
Thank you for your commentary and for your work here at Textbroker.added by: Textbroker on 10/26/2011 - 05.09
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