FAQ

(SQ = Seeker Query; WQ = Writer Query; GQ = General Query)

[Note: no smoking in here please. It clouds the FAQs and could get us in trouble with the authorities.]

 

I have registered as a content seeker but haven't got an activation email - what's the scoop? [SQ]

Have you made sure The Wittery email address is on your whitelist? If not, have you checked your spam folder (we get lonely when we end up in there)?  Did you provide a valid business email address when you registered? If all else fails, drop us a line and we'll send in the investigators.

 What is the cost of becoming a “Seeker” member? [SQ]

During this beta phase, you can avail of a limited free trial. Simply complete the registration form.  You can then post 3 witty content jobs free of charge.  We are in beta, so bugs come free of charge too.

Check out the Membership Plan Page for full pricing details on full launch of The Wittery. Membership starts at $15.

 

What involvement does The Wittery have in contracts between content seekers and witty writer members? [GQ]

None. You negotiate your own contracts directly. The Wittery is not involved and doesn’t take any commission.

 

Why does The Wittery ask content seekers to provide a valid business email address on registration? [SQ] 

We aim to make the service available only to genuine content seekers.  The valid business email requirement helps to achieve this.  This is required for registration purposes only. Just like you, we like to know who we are dealing with online. It also helps us to provide a better service to all members.

Content seekers can decide whether to include this information in their job posts (or whether to have business details available through job posts.)  If you provide your business information in your job post, you are likely to receive more applications from writers, as they will know who they are dealing with.  You decide!

On very rare occasions we will, at our discretion, accept free email addresses. 

 

I have posted a Job but haven't received any pitches for it - Why Not? [SQ]

The first thing to do is review the details of your job post.  Does it have a catchy title? Are you asking too much for the price you are willing to pay? Are you expecting the writers to write your technical business content from scratch?  Is your job spec too vague? Revise your job post to deal with these issues.  If you are still experiencing difficulties, get in touch with us and we will help to identify what the issues might be.

You will find more tips about Writing a Good Job Post here . There's also an entertaining post in The Wittery Blog about how to write that killer job post. 

 

Can I keep my identity private when posting a job?  [SQ]

Yes you can.  The settings in "My Profile" ("My Office") are defaulted to private settings. It is up to you to select a public profile by ticking the box. You will get more pitches if you make your profile details available. Writers like to know who they are dealing with when pitching for jobs. For more information about this issue, go here. 

 

What are typical rates charged by writers at The Wittery? [GQ] 

The Wittery is a marketplace and is not, as such, involved with the fees that writers charge or with fee negotiations between writers and content seekers. There will be a variation in fees charged by writers.

Rates will depend on issues such as the type of project, the experience of the writer, te amount of research required, whether it's a new article or a re-write and the types of rights being licensed.

As a general rule of thumb, where a writer member quotes under $50 USD for a 500 word piece,  we would have concerns about the quality of article that would be produced for that fee.  It is our view that writer rates on the open market are currently at a deflated level and that they are likely to start rising. This is likely to happen as more businesses begin to realise the value of engaging content.

Bear in mind the value that a more experienced, established writer can bring to a project.  Generally, you can expect to pay more for projects undertaken by these writers.  Where, for example, you commission a highly experienced humorous advertising copywriter through The Wittery, you can expect that the writer will bring added value to the project which justifies a higher fee.

 

What information is there in a Writer’s Profile? [GQ]

The witty writers write their own profiles, so you never know what information you will find in there. It is their showcase. Writers can also upload sample works to their profiles and seeker members (depending on membership plans) will have access to these sample works.

 

How do I select more than one type of "Content" in the "Content" field? [GQ]

Move your cursor to the second item you want to select. Then press control and click the mouse at the same time. Click your mouse again anywhere outside the Content box to complete your selection. 

 

How do I close the "Category" field when I am finished selecting my categories? [GQ]

Simply click on the down arrow in the grey box and the Category field will collapse. 

 

I am having difficulty registering a username - why? [GQ]

Make sure the username you are registering is alphanumeric and that there are no spaces.

 

I am having difficulties with the writer application form. What should I do? [WQ] 

If your difficulty is with the captcha ("code from image") box,  reload the code from the link ("Reload Image") above the box.  This will generate a new number for you to enter.  If you are still experiencing difficulties, you can email your application directly to info(at)thewittery(dot)com.

 

What criteria does The Wittery use when assessing Writer Applications? [WQ]

An engaging, smile-inducing pitch is an excellent start, as humor is the USP at The Wittery. Evidence of freelance experience and/or published writing (particularly humorous writing, including blogging) is a distinct advantage. Information which assists in verifying your identity and credentials allows us to process your application more efficiently. 

Make it easy for us to find all the relevant information about you.  This will help to ensure that we don't overlook any gems.  Treat it as a trial run for pitching to potential clients; although we may take the time to dig deeper into your application, prospective clients expect all the relevant information to be delivered on a plate.

 

How long does it take for The Wittery to process writer applications? [WQ}

Good Question!  It depends on a number of factors.  Where an application instantly grabs our attention and provides us with key information, we prioritise it and can normally process it within 21 days.  Other applications take longer to process.   

 

How will I know if my application has been successful? [WQ]

If your application is successful we will be in touch in due course.  We have tested out notifying writers whose applications have been unsuccessful.  However, given the feedback we have received, applicants can get offended by receiving this (nicely worded!) email.  For the moment, we have therefore decided not to send out notifications in respect of unsuccessful applications.  We will keep this policy decision under review.

We aim to maintain a balance between the number of writer members and content seeker members. For this reason, there can be a waiting period for writer membership.

 

How do I know what pages of this website are accessible by non-members? [GQ]

Check out the Sitemap. Pages which are marked “PUB” are accessible by non-members.

 

Are there other Information Pages on this website? [GQ]

Yes. The How it Works Section gives detailed information about how The Wittery works for content seekers and writers. 

 

Do all witty writer members have public profiles? [GQ]

No. Some writer members choose not to have public profiles.  So, you never know who might respond to your job posts.

 

How do I change my membership plan? [SQ] (Not relevant during beta phase)

You can do this by going to “Membership Plan” in My Office.  If you are changing from an existing recurring membership plan,  please make sure to cancel the existing recurring payment with the Payment Solution Provider. You can do this by using the "Unsubscribe" link in My Office.

 

How do I manage my work at The Wittery? [SQ]

There are lots of features in My Office which will help you with this. You can save and view favourite searches and manage applications you have received from witty writers. For more details on all the features, visit How it Works.

 

How do I manage my work at The Wittery? [WQ]

There are lots of features in My Office which will help you with this. You can save and view favourite job searches and manage applications you have sent. For more details on all the features, visit How it Works.

 

Can I remove my profile from public view at any time? [WQ]

Yes. You can deactivate your profile at any time. By deactivating your profile, it will not appear in any writer search results.  If you deactivate it, you can activate it again later, when it suits. Remember, you can also edit your profile.

What age is Witto? [GQ]

Nobody knows for sure.

Brought to you by The Wittery®, The Witty Writer Marketplace (Where Wit is IT)