Constant Content

I've been struggling with the issue of how to build up a writer reputation, or if "writer reputation" even matters. I use a pen name, because I feel like since my profession is in engineering, I should probably write about engineering under my name and not a bunch of random articles. Then again, some articles would be good to promote myself.

Even if not attempting to promote oneself outside of writing, and attempting to build up a reputation as a skilled, say, technology writer, do you really want to have articles about dog training or healthy eating floating around? I don't really know if it matters.

Do customers know anything about us on here, such as our average price per word or how much we've sold?

Many writers here have developed a solid reputation under a pen name, so I wouldn't worry about it. It's all about what you're comfortable with and how you want to distinguish yourself.

As for concentrating on one topic - while if you have a continuing gig you'll be able to establish yourself as an expert in a certain field, the writer who can write well about a variety of topics is extremely valuable. The customer who likes your engineering articles (but who also knows you can write on a variety of topics)might ask you to write for a side project on another topic.

Thanks,
Ed

RobertCade wrote:Do customers know anything about us on here, such as our average price per word or how much we've sold?

Some customers do take the trouble to scope you out. If I were looking for an author to fill a private request, I would read their profile at least. Some clients who have approached me for private requests have gone to greater lengths by reading my articles and searching for my website. (Side note - some clients don't understand CC rules and may approach you outside of the system, but you must deal with a CC client within its messaging system, even if the client somehow finds your personal email. If you work with a client outside CC who found you through CC, you risk your status here.)

I agree with Ed's advice that writing on a variety of topics may bring more opportunities. However, if you fill your portfolio with the topics you prefer, you'll attract clients who want those types of articles. So if you like writing about technology the most, devote at least half of your portfolio to articles on technology. To show your range, you could write about technology in different categories. For instance, an article on how technology can take over your life can be slotted in Self Improvement, or you could write about keeping your marriage safe with Facebook in the picture for the marriage and relationships category.

Some topics can hurt your reputation if you cross obvious lines. For instance, if you market yourself as a Christian writer you probably shouldn't write for requests on how to be or catch a sugar daddy. Maybe others would disagree, and that's a pretty extreme example, but you get the idea. I don't think you'll hurt your reputation as an engineer if you write about dog training. The question is, do you enjoy writing about dog training?

When I first joined CC I wrote for as many public requests as I could tackle, and I had success with that strategy. Maybe it wouldn't work as well today because of the number of active writers. After awhile, I decided not to tackle certain subjects, not because of reputation, but because I felt like I had to learn something new every day and couldn't catch up. Learning new things can be nice, but some topics were just pure drudgery to me. I found I wrote faster if I wrote on topics I enjoyed. So I decided to focus most of my efforts on 3-5 areas that were proven to sell frequently, in which I felt best qualified and enjoyed writing about. It took some time, but after awhile I received requests based on my areas of expertise.
All of that to say, Write what you want to keep writing about. Use the same concept for pricing your articles.
Emma

Good insight. Thanks guys.