Please, Think Twice (Even a Thousand Times) Before You Call Yourself a Writer
I would like to make a disclaimer. PinoyCopywriter.com is my blog. This is not a site where I’m offering writing services. Again, this is just a blog.
I mentioned that because I have received job offers and even applications for a writing position. I kindly turned them all down.
But there’s this one applicant that stood out from them all. He described himself, in his own words, as a ‘Professional Writer’.
Well, he was not. I pointed out some of the things why I don’t think he’s a professional writer:
1. He wrote in small cases! All the first words of all of his sentences were in small cases. That alone shouts that he’s not a writer.
2. Every paragraph he wrote contained three or more thoughts.
3. He called me ‘Ma’am’. A search on my name will show that I am a guy. Even more than that, just by reading my About page will give you that conclusion. A professional, whether a writer or not, will do a background check on the person or organization that he or she is seeking a job from.
Let me reiterate what my title says:
Please, think twice before you call yourself a writer. A lot of people work hard to gain that distinction.
LOL! I also get some invitations for freelance work in my blog outside of freelance sites. Sometimes I’m tempted to accept those direct offers instead of ignoring them.
Anyway, like you I’ve come across some of those who want me to write articles for them. Funny, like what you’ve experienced they call themselves professional writers when they could not even compose a very good sentence!
“…when they could not even compose a very good sentence!”
You said it exactly, Gem.
How about when they are trying to pitch an idea to you but use a standard template email. No personal touch added.
I also had someone call me a he when my site is called, “Conversations with Moms”. Even reading one post, they would have seen that I’m a Mom, thus female.
Hmm… I’m not a professional writer and I don’t see myself calling myself such just to get someone’s attention. Though it is possible that he might have something in mind why he did what he did but I agree with you– people worked hard to get/deserve such distinction.
Very nice blog you got yourself here.
tsk tsk tsk buti na lang isa lang ako blogger and not a professional copywriter..pero may point ka sir!hmmmm.
Hi Maria,
I agree. One thing I also hate is when they use just one email template, worse, when they don’t even bother to find out about your name.