Oh goodness, more info to disburse!
I we like to get writer feedback on a proposed system for distributing articles. QG is considering implementing a system that would assign writers articles based on the topics they check on their application, instead of sending all articles into the panel to be subject to the massive pool of hungry writers. The system would be at our recommendation and the number of articles assigned per week would go by the number of articles the you put on your application.
So, for example, if you checked recreation, health, and legal and indicated that you could take 3-5 articles per week, you could be assigned between 3-5 articles from any of those checked topics, per week.
Speak Up! What do you think? Please comment, this is a huge change and we really need your input. We don’t want in create a new system, then in two weeks we find out that writers dislike it and we have to change it back again.
On a separate matter, we have taken into consideration all concerns about the pay scale, and we are trying to determine the best course of action. Please be patient.
Hi- I really like the article system as it is now. Because I work for various freelance clients, I prefer not to have a certain amount of articles assigned to me weekly. Some weeks I might not be able to do any, and others I might be able to claim 5 or 6. The only thing I don’t like is that some articles disappear before I get a chance to claim them.
I like the medical/health-based articles. However, I sometimes see something else that is outside of my listed interests that looks interesting to me and want to write that. I would rather stick to choosing my articles.
Thanks for the feedback so far. Keep it comin’! Please feel free to email me if you would rather do that than post a public comment, either way is fine.
Susan, you make a really good point with the quick claiming of articles. It is something that I think a lot of QG writers struggle with.
A writer brought up that they would like to be able to sort articles? Any thoughts on that?
Hey guys,
Yea I like the current system the way it is now. I agree with Susan. I have done articles outside of what I’ve checked on my boxes and it allowed me to learn things I didnt know before. Also, the freedom of claiming as many projects as you like makes your income opportunity unlimited and QualityGal is one of my main writing tools for income so it would hurt my pockets a little having a system that limits you weekly.
Also, Susan the trick to grabbing projects results in the type of phone you have. The way the QualityGal system works, it’s also a must that you have some sort of blackberry phone. Most times, you will receive the email on your phone a few seconds before it comes to your actual email. Having a blackberry releaves you from having to babysit the computer all day. I have a question Heather.
Is there some sort of way you guys can implement the system where all projects can be sent out at a certain time rather than randomly throughout the day. It can get kind of frustrating sitting at the computer all day from 8-5 and only 1-2 projects get sent out lol. I dont know, just thought I ask about that lol.
I think I would dislike having articles assigned to me. For instance I plucked out an article on sign language the other day, which may not have been listed as an interest for me, but I know ASL. I think it will be an easy and fun topic for me and look forward to starting it.
I also occasionally choose an article I am not as familiar with, but find the subject matter interesting and want to do it. I also sometimes select an article based on my time constraints, so I would be more selective. Being able to choose is so much nicer. I do however miss quite a few I like because they are picked off by others who like them before I get to them. 🙂
Great question Robert: Is there some sort of way you guys can implement the system where all projects can be sent out at a certain time rather than randomly throughout the day. It can get kind of frustrating sitting at the computer all day from 8-5 and only 1-2 projects get sent out lol. I don’t know, just thought I ask about that lol.
We have talked about such a system in the past, but to assign a specific time would effect those that live in different time zones. We have writers from all over the world, and we don’t want to post at one time that is not compatible for a specific group. But, if you are twiddling your thumbs at home one afternoon, shoot me over an email and let me know you are available, if I get anything you might be interested in taking, I will do my best to make it available.
Any writer can ask to be put on the emergency notification list and the general email notification list, that might help increase article availability, if only slightly.
Hi All –
Put me down for leaving it the way it is. Having an assigned number of articles wouldn’t work as well for me. There are some weeks when my time is more flexible and I can take as many articles as you can throw at me. There are other weeks (like this week) where I’ve just got way too much going on to pick up a lot of articles. Like many of the others, I often choose articles outside my normal interest areas. Sometimes those are the most fun. 🙂
I am with everyone else. I like the system as it is now. You all have worked very hard to tweak it since last May when I joined up. I like that I can pick and choose. Some weeks I have more time than others. I am a jack-of-all-trades sort of girl and have such varied interests that I probably wouldn’t continue with a limited amount of articles assigned to me. We all are freelancers, independent contractors, and have worked hard to keep our autonomy as writers. The system as it stands now works, I wouldn’t mess with a good thing! As far as the staggered articles go, I’ve noticed certain times of the day that things seem to be posted most often and look then.
I look for QG to grow in the coming years and am happy to be a part of it. By then, there should be an abundance of work for all!
Cheryl
More two cents…..Besides, if you make it so that articles are assigned by what is in the application, you’d probably have to impose limitations on what can be chosen, otherwise what would keep the writer from choosing everything on the list with the maximum number of articles? Unless you are having logistical issues, I’d stick with the current system.
Cheryl
I agree with the previous writers’ comments. I like the system that you currently have in place. Being able to sort articles would be a nice feature, but not a necessity (for me anyhow) if it would be difficult to implement.
It’s funny because I just read Robert’s response and had come here to ask that articles be sent out sporadically throughout the day. When they all come at one time like they do now, (not sure why people think its sporadic) if I am away from my computer I miss them all.
Sorry I can’t afford a Blackberry right now and so that isn’t an option for all of us. For instance today I missed every new article that came out and I needed something dated later than the 11th. So, I guess I am saying that if not throughout the day, then leave it as it is. 🙂
I agree, definitely leave it as is!! I wouldn’t like not having the flexibility of being able to choose as many articles I want, and on what topics. Having a pre-assigned number and topic would be bland and I may have extra time in one week where I can write a lot more than 3-5. Another week, I may be slammed and wouldn’t be able to do any, which could hurt me and cause pain for the QG staff. I vote to leave the claiming system in place as-is! 🙂
I also vote to leave it as it is for all of the above-mentioned reasons.
Put me down for keeping things as is as well! I like choosing the number and type of articles I’m interested in. Some type of system where writers choose one or two “expert” categories to get first crack at those type of articles/a heads up that you have something in their specialty area would be nice, but perhaps too hard to implement.
Diane, I like the idea of expert categories. A few posts back, I had asked writers to send me their specialties via comment or email, I think you did so thank you! 🙂
So for anyone that is reading and hasn’t, feel free to pipe up with any special talents, I would be happy to add them to your profile! I will double check with the IT guys and see if there is a way to implement a system that might work, but for now everything will stay as is.
Thanks everyone for your feedback!