[Hidden-tech] Re: help wanted

[Anthony Vlamis]

usually i just lurk on this board. Good as it is, i simply can't find time 
to jump in an comment on every thing that piques my interest.  However, on 
Jeanne's point i had to chime in and say he words were right in the 
bullseye. I have been a ghostwriter, marketer, author and it is a constant 
battle especially in this independent contractor type of economy to get the 
proper value for one's work.

Clients need to distinguish between price and value.  If you hire someone 
for $14 per hour you may be getting a good value in terms of someone who 
knows how to string together a meaningful and grammatically correct 
sentence. But getting someone who knows how to interview the client to 
determine what their selling proposition is in the marketplace, who their 
competitors are and then crafting a message that will help to differentiate 
the client from the other providers -- other than the fact they are local 
which is pretty much meaningless in the electronic age-- that's just not a 
service that can be bought for $14 per hour.

Of course this Wal-Mart mentality isn't just limited to writing.  I have a 
few IT consultant friends who were earning around $200/hour before the 
economy started wheezing and now they find they are being solicited at 
$40/hour--and justifiably refusing to work at that wage.

My suggestion to the solicitor is check with the Writers' Union and the 
Direct Mail Marketing Assoc to names just a few and see what going rates 
are. No doubt some folks will solicit a service without realizing what the 
going market rate is, or have a budget in mind  that's not in line with 
their needs, and so it's understandable that the first time one purchases 
such services, a lowball figure might unknowingly  be offered.  But this 
isn't any different than procuring the services of an attorney or 
accountant.  Would you want someone working on the legal processes around 
your business who worked for $14 per hour?  Then why would you entrust a 
service that might improve your sales and profits dramatically to, in 
effect, a copy editor.  The right person is worth many times their price. 
That's the difference between price and value.

respectfully,

Anthony Vlamis
Intellagent Communications
845-794-2930
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Edbride-PR" <Ed at edbride-pr.com>
To: "Jeanne Yocum" <Jeanne at yourghostwriter.com>; 
<hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net>
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2008 9:23 AM
Subject: Re: [Hidden-tech] Re: help wanted


>   ** The author of this post was a Good Dobee.
>   ** You too can help the group
>   ** Fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>   ** If you did, we all thank you.
>
>
> Quite right, Jeanne. And well-put. A company's fortune or failure depends 
> on
> good marketing, and PR can be the most efficient component. The good news,
> of course, is that a PR pro can do this work in a lot less time than might
> be anticipated.
>
> Ed
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jeanne Yocum" <Jeanne at yourghostwriter.com>
> To: <hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net>
> Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2008 3:08 PM
> Subject: [Hidden-tech] Re: help wanted
>
>
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I can't let the message below go without comment. People who know how to
>> write effective press releases, get coverage in the media, and write and
>> place articles do not work for $12 to $14/hour.  Anyone who has the
> required
>> skills is making MUCH, MUCH more.  I can't think of any reason why 
>> someone
>> who does know PR would work at these rates, even if you're promising a
>> steady, long-term gig.
>>
>> I don't mean to fault you for trying, but I feel I have to speak up on
>> behalf of my profession.  Good PR people are highly trained professionals
>> and need to be compensated accordingly. People who don't know what 
>> they're
>> doing in this field are unlikely to produce results and can actually be
>> downright dangerous in terms of the negative  impression they will leave
>> with the media about your organization.
>>
>> You would be better off taking your small budget and hiring someone who
>> knows what they're doing to executive one or two small projects for you.
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Jeanne Yocum  | Principal
>
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