Comments on: Translating freelance “Client Speak” into plain English

By: Dondu. N. Raghavan

Dondu. N. Raghavan — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:32:44 +0000

Quite a good post.

Regards,
Dondu N. Raghavan
.-= Dondu. N. Raghavan’s last blog … The present Miss France is future interpereter!!!!!!!! =-.

By: Kundenjargon | between drafts

Kundenjargon | between drafts — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:39:41 +0000

[...] kann das so aussehen wie die Zusammenstellung “Translating Freelance ‘Client Speak’ Into Plain English” von Dean Rieck. “Client Speak”-Listen gibt es reichlich, aber diese ist speziell zugeschnitten [...]

By: Dean Rieck

Dean Rieck — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 22:33:59 +0000

Meg:
Oh, yeah. I’ve been there. This guy is called “the hustler.” See this:
http://www.procopytips.com/time-eating-clients

By: Meg

Meg — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 21:57:00 +0000

“exciting new start-up”

We can’t pay, but we’ll put your name on our PR0 webage. Just think! Your name and your writing right there on the internet! Next to ads, from which you won’t be making a penny, that is.
.-= Meg’s last blog … This Is Just How Caesar’s Legions Got Started =-.

By: Charles Cuninghame

Charles Cuninghame — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:04:05 +0000

Dean – this is so spot on. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry!

By: Star

Star — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:15:48 +0000

These are great guys. I actually had an editor tell me my pitches were in “the pile” and then she explained that “the pile” was kind of like a compost heap that she went to once in a while and reread. I am coffee grounds! Well, if you do pluck me from the muck–it will sure make your mag grow!

By: Lorraine

Lorraine — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:30:08 +0000

Dean, I think you have a second career ahead in stand-up comedy.

These are priceless–hard to choose a favorite, but I think I’d pick, “All we really need are a few tweaks to what we’ve already done.”

Translation: “Our stuff is total crap and we need a massive overhaul.”

I can think of a number of “translation” anecdotes, but mercifully, I’ll share just one:

“The owner has a wacky sense of humor and is hands-on with the copy blocks.”

Translation: “The owner will axe your tight, benefit-focused heads and insert his inane puns so you’ll blush with shame and never be able to use the copy blocks as samples.”
.-= Lorraine’s last blog … Hire an Expensive Copywriter—and Start Saving Money =-.

By: Dean Rieck

Dean Rieck — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:30:52 +0000

Lucy:
I don’t quote by email. I make people call me. It filters out many of the fakes. But it’s common for people to vanish once they know a price. That’s a key decision moment, and there’s something about paying for writing that freaks out some people.

By: Lucy Smith

Lucy Smith — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:50:43 +0000

I loved your one about *crickets*. I recently had an out-of-the-blue email (on a public holiday) from someone asking me to do copy and photo work, and wanting to know my rates. I never heard back from them after I told them what I’d charge, and politely explained that I’m a writer, not a certified Photoshop expert.

By: Hugo Moolenaar

Hugo Moolenaar — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:16:28 +0000

Dean: As per january first, I started to charge for my advices too. Wonder how that wil go. In the past I did all the advice work for free. But I hated myself for doing so. So now I’m a copywriter and also a consultant. ‘Paying just for talking’ can make entrepreneurs a lot of money. Right?

We’re the guys that come up with all the right questions and ideas, aren’t we? Now I’ll go on, convincing my clients…