Private Request Question

[DSWaltenburg]

I'm beginning work on my 1st Private Request, and have a question:

During the submission process for the 1st P.R. article, when selecting Category, I chose Private Request. For Subcategory, there was just a short list of names, none of which were my customer, so I left it unmarked. I then just put a note in the Short Summary that is was for a P.R. for my customer. Being the neophyte, I somehow assumed that when the article was approved, it would be directly forwarded to my customer---instead it was posted for public consumption. Shouldn't articles marked Private Request be (for lack of a better word) quarantined so they aren't accidentally purchased by someone else?

There's more to this issue, however, I think it belongs in the Site Renovation/Tech Issue thread.


Any advice is muchly appreciated!!

Deborah

[Celeste Stewart]

The private requests are "sort of" hidden from the general public, but if writers are logged in, they can see the list. From what I understand, notices are not emailed out to interested subscribers when "private requests" appear.

But... customers can and do stumble across them which is why you see many of us writers putting disclaimers in our short summaries making it as clear as we possibly can to others that an article is for so and so only.

For example, I usually put the following on mine: (and you're welcome to copy and paste using your own info)

*****************PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING************************
This article has been written specifically for a customer’s private request. Please do not purchase this content if you are not the person who requested it. If you need a similar article, Constant-Content’s request system can help you get exactly what you want, customized for your own needs. Thank you.
************************Celeste Stewart***************************************

I've been lazier about doing so lately but I probably should get back into the practice. I've had too many articles sell before the requesting customer had a chance to buy. While some would say, "cool, more sales" these usually occurred as deadlines and time crunches bore down on me, making rewrites extremely inconvenient and leading to not-so-happy customers.

Also, I believe your customer is the "Subia" customer found in the Private Request list but I'm not completely sure. If he has a private folder established, he should let you know to post your articles in it. Posting in a private folder gives the article even less exposure, though logged in writers can see it and I think random, targeted search results might display it. While we wait for a complete solution, doing the disclaimer thing works the best.

[Celeste Stewart]

Also, no, the approved articles aren't automatically routed to the customer. As writers, we must go back to the original request and let the customer know that the article has been approved and is ready for them. A "link" mechanism is in place to provide a link to the article. So, once you get the "article approved" notice, go back to the request and let the customer know. Otherwise, they'll have no clue.

[Ed]

Two issues are/will be addressed:

Making private requests invisible to other purchasers

Changing the way authors notify customers about work submitted for requests.

[DSWaltenburg]

Thanks :)

Deborah