Writing: Expectations vs Reality (Tips before you choose a writer or company)

Too often, clients approach writers and writing companies with idealistic expectations. What do I mean? Most presume a professional writer or company that provides professional writing services will always get everything 100% right. The reality is that writers are human and writing companies are fueled by writers who are human.

As a writer, I rely on the customer to provide full and accurate instructions for their project. In the past, I've had projects where the client will come back and say, "You didn't cover XYZ." When checking the information, the client sent to me when placing the order, XYZ was never mentioned. I point it out, and after some back and forth, most times the client will realize their mistake and either add it themselves or pay me for my time to make the changes. Then there are clients who insist that I should have known or claim that "if you had asked me questions, I could have explained."

These clients are why I now reiterate instructions and require clients to reconfirm (in writing) before I write the first word. Back in the day, however, I didn't do that. And trying to get a client who is dead set against paying a penny more to see that the issue we're having is because of their omission can be an exhausting battle.

I am a professional writer. I'm not a mind-reader. If it's not in the instructions, it doesn't get covered. Why? Because I am following instructions, which is part of what I am paid to do. Adding to a client's instructions can be as problematic as a client who fails to give the full instructions.

So, for those seeking a writer or company to help, remember that the writers are humans. We have flaws, and we make mistakes. For those of us who've been around the academic writing block a while, we've learned little things to help reduce mistakes and clarifying the order requirements beforehand is one. An important one. As a client, you hold equal responsibility on the outcome of the project. When you provide full, clear instructions, your writer will be able to better meet your expectations. But realize that your writer is bound to follow what you request... nothing more or less.

For a brief period, the writer and the client are partners. It's imperative to know what you can reasonably expect from one another to avoid issues down the road.

Correct. However, after thousands of projects, I've gotten pretty good at recognizing elements of instructions that are either unrealistic or inconsistent with other elements of the instructions, and at anticipating what ambiguities in the instructions could potentially generate a problem. Anytime possible, I'll try to anticipate and address potential problems in advance and discuss them with the client to make sure we're on the same page about what's expected. Other times, clients will make additional requests that were never part of the original instructions at all after the project is already done. In those cases, the choices are to pay for the extra work or just handle the changes themselves.

I totally agree with you. So, often people just write the topic and some basic suggestions and that's all. But then, when work is done, they write a lot of additional points and say that you did a bad job. And they did not even mention this or that item in their order. And then I have to do extra work for which I do not receive payment. So now, I'm asking my clients to more clearly articulate their writing requirements.

@naomiking
You've identified yourself as a student, but your posts seem (intentionally) to imply that you're a writer with "clients." Do you mind my asking what your primary language is? (Because it's obvious that it's definitely not English.)

I've faced many instances in which the client's instructions for a revision or edit are entirely new requirements, or sometimes at odds with the original instructions. To avoid the back and forth, I try to detect any missing instructions and confirm with the client before I start the work. In case the client is clearly wrong, I always insist on compensation for the extra work. However, I sometimes do free edits in case the changes needed are minor, especially when the client is respectful.

It is precisely because of the writing expectations that my company insists that writers and clients have a preliminary writing discussion prior to starting the project. While the client is asked to give the writer a summary of the writing task and expectations, the need for clarifications and probing questions to make sure that the work will be done right the first time, has resulted in my company requiring the preliminary discussion between the parties. This ensures that the client expectations can be met and, since a record of the chat is kept on our server, there is always a file to refer to when the client indicates and oversight on the writer's part. If it was not discussed in the preliminary meeting and no record of such an instruction or expectation is on file, then the writer is free from the liabilities entailed in revision requests. The order is considered ordered the first time.

What are some tips for evaluating essay writing?

Essay writing requires facts, arguments, analysis, and evaluation. Following each point will accord the supreme quality of an essay. The first and last thing is to have adequate knowledge of your subjects. Then you can proceed in the right direction of essay writing. After writing all the essential and communicating part of the essay, then you should go for an evaluation. It will be helpful in forming an advance essay. The other most important thing is citing the resources. I am elaborating some tips which might be fruitful in every possible way-

· Check grammatical error.
· Lines and paragraphs must have connectivity in order to maintain the fluency of the essay.
· It must contain non-plagiarized contents.
· Don't forget to write a thesis statement.
· Use synonyms of words unless common words.
· Add some quotes for increasing effectiveness of an essay.
· Do proofreading and editing.

You might also want to mention that writing an "advance essay" with "supreme quality" also requires logical connections between sentences, but otherwise, yeah, this sounds good! Thanks! :)

Personally, I always double check with the client prior to submitting the paper. I also ask my writers to do the same thing. Dot all the I's and cross all the T's. If it turns out that the client forgot a specific instruction in relation to the essay, then I simply let them know that the error is not writer instigated and therefore, will require an increase in the cost of the paper. If the client doesn't agree, then they don't get the paper and all I or my writers get, is a partial payment on the order. No refunds. I do not refund the payment for client errors. If they are careless enough to not provide complete instructions, then they deserve to be taught some sort of lesson. Specially since they aren't the ones actually working on the lesson.