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Q&A section of Requested Content

Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:56 am
by Ariah
Can someone give me a brief explanation how the Q&A located on the Requested Content section works? I asked one requester a question, and offered an article to another. How will I know if they respond? It's been a few days and nothing has happened, as far as I can tell. Will I get an email, or will an answer show up in the Q&A? Is there any way to tell if the requester actually looked at the question or offer?

Also, from reading other posts, on the old site, did everyone's questions and requester's answers show up to everyone? Does that mean that only my questions, and the requester's answers, show up to me?

Thanks!
Ariah

Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:33 am
by rickstooker
I'm wondering about this too. Is there a way for buyers to answer our
questions? I've never seen an answer to mine. Do they come by email?

Maybe I'm dense or maybe I'm just new -- but I find many and maybe
most public requests confusing and contradictory and in need of
additional explanation of their terms regarding length of articles, etc.
Don't such buyers get bombarded by requests for
clarification? Wouldn't it help them to answer once for all writers?

I think some buyers need to hire a writer to write their requests for
articles!

Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:51 am
by J. A. Young
I think some buyers need to hire a writer to write their requests for
articles!
Ouch! Let's not tick off our clients! But, it is sometimes the case that a request requires a bit of clarification. On the old site, most clients responded fairly well to questions. My experience, overall, has found that serious buyers are pretty attentive. With the new format, I have found that some questions are ignored and I'm not altogether sure why. Hopefully we are all just getting used to the new tools and formats.

It may also be helpful to know that even buyers who have completely ignored my questions have still purchased my articles. I like to think that a vague request means I have the right to go my own way--it's chancey, but whether they buy it or not, you still build up your repertoire and in a month or so someone else may snatch it up--happens all the time! --JA

Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 1:45 pm
by rickstooker
Thanks, JA,

I'm not trying to tick anybody off - it's just frustrating when so much is
not clear and I have to guess about what they're telling me I'll be paid for
so many words.

I do think it'd be better for both writers and clients for CC to find some way
to facilitate communication between writers and buyers so as to avoid
misunderstandings.

Thanks for your quick reply.
Rick

Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:37 pm
by Celeste Stewart
The new site does flag you when you have a message from a requester. You'll see a new line in the left side navigation area saying : New message as well as an indication under "Account Status". You also get an email telling you the message. It works great!

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 12:17 am
by Ariah
Thanks for the info Celeste, I guess I just haven't had anyone reply to my question or offer.

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:08 am
by Keesa
I've recieved answers and been notified by mail, so I would say that it is, indeed, working.

But a strange thing happens sometimes; when I ask a question and the person doesn't respond, the requested content post itself moves up to the "Private Request" area. I have NO idea why that is...as far as I know, these people are not asking me to fill their requests personally. :shrugs: But if a question isn't answered, the request appears in my private request section.

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 1:46 pm
by rickstooker
Thanks, Celeste,

I guess I have to echo the "I must not have gotten a reply yet" !

Rick

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:59 pm
by May
Keesa, I was wondering the same thing. When I saw the request move into "Private Requests," I thought at first that meant they were requesting for me, personally, to write more stuff for them. But I don't know! Very confusing.

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 8:56 am
by Keesa
It's happened on all the requests where I've posted a question and not gotten an answer. I figure it's just a bug and ignore it. :D