Comments on: Beware the copywriting sample bandits!

By: Kumar

Kumar — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 18:59:51 +0000

Very useful article. I was looking exactly same. Thanks.

By: Merryl Rosenthal

Merryl Rosenthal — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 08:06:42 +0000

Thanks for the reminder to be on guard against
sample bandits. I was badly burned years ago
and have been careful ever since.

Cheers.

By: Dean

Dean — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 06:52:37 +0000

Thanks for your tips, Dean. I’ve yet to encounter this problem, but I appreciate knowing about it. My attitude is that every client’s business/problem is unique, so why steal some of my copy? It’s tailored to a particular client and won’t be of any use to you.
.-= Dean’s last blog … Are banners an effective ad medium? =-.

By: Derek Thompson

Derek Thompson — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:55:58 +0000

It’s great to see these warnings out there – it’s so easy to be suckered. If you want to read my own tale of woe and stupidity, check out my posting ‘a cautionary tale’ on http://www.alongthewritelines.blogspot.com. At least I only got taken for $15 worth of work.

By: Freelance Writing Jobs for March 22, 2010 : Freelance Writing Jobs for Web and Print| Part of the Freelance Writing Jobs Blog Network

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:59:40 +0000

[...] Beware the Copywriting Sample Bandits at ProCopyTips [...]

By: Lucy Smith

Lucy Smith — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:41:58 +0000

I’ve heard of this happening a lot with proofreading and editing gigs. They send a sample page/chapter, you proof it, you never hear from them again. Each ‘applicant’, of course, has been sent a different page – and just like that, they’ve had their whole MS edited for free!

It’s so much harder with the editing ones, because of course a proofing test is so standard. With writing, I just direct people to my portfolio page. I’d never write a sample especially for a prospective job.
.-= Lucy Smith’s last blog … Five ways I conquer my weaknesses =-.

By: Karol K.

Karol K. — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:56:14 +0000

Nice tips. They might come helpful someday
.-= Karol K.’s last blog … carlosinho: RT @carsonified 10 Kick Ass Presentation Techniques http://bit.ly/bApS9e =-.

By: Kathleen Hanover

Kathleen Hanover — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:45:05 +0000

I do offer samples to prospects who seem legitimate, but I rarely offer samples from their same industry. Why? Well, number one, it prevents theft. Two, I’m the marketing and PR expert. They’re the expert in their industry. If industry expertise was all they needed to write great copy, they could do it themselves. (And that’s exactly what I tell them.)

Another scam to be aware of: I do a lot of business through freelancing sites like Elance.com. There are “Internet Marketing Gurus” out there who actually teach their students how to rip off copywriters by asking them to create a “free sample” in order to win a bid. This is against Elance terms of service, but it’s very common.

By: HS

HS — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:18:57 +0000

Always enjoy reading your postings! Used to feel exactly same way you do for many years, but not as much anymore. So much is transparent these days – most people post full samples on their site – including agencies, top freelancers like Bob Bly, etc. And if someone doesn’t find what they’re seeking there, a targeted Google search can net you just about any samples you want, from brand positioning to direct mail campaigns to website strategy for a variety of industries. I’m actually surprised you’re still getting emails and calls from these “bandits” at all. I’m not thrilled with the easier access these days, but it’s reality.