For those who offer article writing as a service, I have a question about the depth of the research you do.

When I have written articles for clients, a majority of the topics have either been: 1) topics I am familiar with, 2) topics which have been generated from the client, 3) topic suggestions from other articles either the client has found or I have found, 4) or, I have worked on articles previously written by the client which only requires that I beef-it-up a bit and edit.

These have been the four main sources I have used for article writing services.

I have never been in a position to write articles 'cold' until now...without some original source or idea.

I've been presented with a new client who wants articles written about an industry with which I am somewhat familiar but I lack the expertise in that industry and therefore don't have the 'inside scoop'. The only way I see this article request working is if she offers topics which she wants articles written about or if I find a topic that hasn't already been written about. The latter has been a difficult task and slow-going. (I haven't charged for 'looking up topics' just yet, but I can see that if I continue to do this, I may have to, thus eating into valuable time that I don't believe the client realizes just yet.)

I can write easily about what I know but I'm having trouble seeing how I can write about what I don't know... without the article becoming generic in nature.

So if you offer article writing as one of your services, please let me know how it is that you find topics for articles about industries that you are not familiar with. How much time do you research? And if you research where do you find topics?

Thanks,
Janine

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I would do one of two things, either give her a "project quote" for the articles before you get started and include research time in the project quote (versus hourly) or do a sub-contract with a VA who has that type of expertise.

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Ava Office Solutions
www.avasoffice.com

You may want to check with your client to see if she has any resources that would be valuable for you to learn from about that industry. You could also ask if she has any ideas for topics that she sees as filling a need for that industry. I would also suggest searching for blogs that cover that industry to see what they are writing about and get ideas from them, whether you can expand on some of their post ideas or if something sparks an interest for you. This may help you get the information you need from your client without having to pursue the number of hours needed to research question.

Thank you for your replies.

The topics they want articles for are, 'our target market' such as investors. This description gives me very little to start with. The target market is vastly broad.

I have requested publications from the client and I have asked for topics and suggestions. I asked her to look at her sent box to see if there were any topics she was answering questions about which might make for a good topic. I've asked her to look at her Sunday paper. I did as well.

Most of the clients I have written articles for in the past spend time batting back and forth topics and ideas with me but I can see I am very solo with this client.

I'm beginning to realize that maybe some tasks really can't be done entirely on my own.

Thank you both for helping to sort this through.

Janine

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Janine - This is a really good question. Problem is, clients often don't understand the hours it takes. To my mind, you have to make them understand that their social media content is absolutely founded upon their regular input. So a very early step in working with them is to agree on how you're going to get updates from them. You can send a list of questions every so often, or have a scheduled phone call, or any one of a million ways to contact and get the info from them. But truly, if you don't base the work on their own thoughts and ideas, it will sound manufactured and false (no matter how much research you do on your own).

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

Thank you for your reply, Mary.

You are indeed correct! The client wants the articles to be non-generic in nature but without ideas and input, the task is difficult.

I checked out some of the sites which offer ghostwriting but many offer articles based upon what the writer already knows...starting up a home-based business, getting clients, etc.

Some of the writing I have been asked to do borders on technical writing but even this requires great research, manuals, testing, observations, etc.

I'm finding that business owners want the perks associated with good social networking through the use of blogs and social sites but they don't understand fully (even though I say on Mondays, let's have a chat or review your activities which might make for good written work) what it takes to put something non-generic together.

I've been asked 'how long does it take to write an article on XXX'. My answer surprises people. There isn't any straight answer. With a good foundation (i.e., an article to go by or a topic starter) it could take a few hours. Without input, it could take several hours.

Janine

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My client is just starting out in social media and I am learning a lot of how to assist her from this thread She writes her own articles so I don't have to worry about that part. I edit and proof read them.

Thank you for posting it Janine,
Andrea

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Action Jackson Virtual Assistant|

Andrea,

You are in good shape with a client who writes her own articles. This by far is the best scenario. Even with a small paragraph or a few lines from which to spring from, this can turn into a good piece of written work.

The key, as I see it, is 1) establish early that some communication with article topics is necessary and 2) offer ways to prompt ideas either with sharing of other articles or topics. The problem here is that I've been given neither options despite repeated attempts to 'make it work'. I need to rethink this service I provide as I hadn't been in this position before.

Janine

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Janine I could have honestly written this post. For one I abhor writing and one of my clients has been requesting me to write her blogs for her. Granted I have someone local who can help with this who knows the "area", but it is like pulling teeth trying to come up with ideas.

The client will only point me to what others in her industry are blogging about and I am expected to go from there with it. We have had the discussion about the time it takes to research potential topics and the amount of time it takes to do the actual research surrounding the comprising the article/blog.

It is a difficult position to be in and I sympathize with you.

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Dawn Riley
A Virtual Assistant in Paradise
Our business is about making yours better

I'm somewhat amazed at the client's desires (a non-generic article with no required input from them). I fully understand the concept of ghostwriting and wouldn't mind doing some myself; however, in order to be a good ghostwriter, you have to be able to develop their "voice" for it to be believable (just my HO. I could be totally wrong about that...lol). How are you supposed to do that if you don't even know the client well enough to know their personality (even just a little bit) or have no input from them. To me, some of the best blogs out there are blogs that the writer obviously has an interest in or ones that discuss/solve issues that they themselves are dealing with. So, how can you write about topics that you really have no idea whether or not the client even has an interest in and make it believable to their audience?

As for suggestions, I agree with what everyone else has said. Maybe you can come to a compromise with your client. You could do some initial research about her industry and what other writers are doing and then brainstorm some ideas (on your own) that you think might be good to write about and then share them with her for her input (or him?). How does she feel about each topic or which topics interest her the most (if she was the audience, which topic would she click on to read more about).

As far as trying to find her "voice", maybe you could put a questionaire together and then request just 30 mins. or an hour of her time to really talk to her on more of a non-business level to try to gauge her personality a little bit. The questionaire might contain just general personality stuff (likes/dislikes, how she would react to certain situations) and then also how she acts in the business world (some people may be uptight in the office but more relaxed and fun once they leave).

So, with just an hour of her time and maybe a few minutes every month to rate your topics (unless, of course she chose a few that will keep you going for a while), you may find it a bit easier to do what she's asking with very little input from her in the future. Not quite sure how this would really work but it's an idea. Good luck!

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase

Stephanie - Good point that the VA can inspire responses from the client with a questionnaire/list of options.

But I still think the basic idea of social media marketing is that you have to prove active involvement in your field. That's what earns you recognition and customers. So whatever you do in social media is a 'log' of your active involvement. If a client doesn't understand and practice this, he/she needs further training in the nature and uses of social media marketing.

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

I've taken everyone's advice here, which I totally appreciate. I've decided to put together a questionaire for clients who request article writing services but do need some prompting of ideas in order for me (or any other VA) to get some ideas for topics.

Here are a few questions I've decided to ask. Please add to this list and I'll make up one word document that everyone can use (PM me). Let me know what you think. I'd like your feedback.

And, thank you all...again!

Janine

Questionaire for Article Writing and Blog Ideas

(note here to client asking them to fill this out)

1) Do you have any newspaper, magazine or other publication urls, which you feel would make for a good written topic? If so, please include the url(s).

2) Are there any programs that your company has started which would make for a good topic? If so, a few lines here regarding what the program involves.

3) Are there any questions which you have been answering for customers who have been inquiring about your product or services? A good place to check is your email Sent Box.

4) Is there an announcment that can be made publicly about your business which would make for a good written topic? Have you received any designations, awards, moved your facility, created a new website or made any new offers to your customers?

5) What is it about your company which makes it unique? What sets it apart from the competition?

6) Are you running a contest, a giveaway or offering a tips, a newsletter or written ideas which are downloadable?

7) Are you involved in any community work...charities or are you partnering with any other companies?

8) Are you offering teleseminars, how-to workshops or do you have any upcoming speaking engagements?

9) Do you belong to any organizations which offer online newsletters, which I can peruse for topics?

10) Do you have any other ideas for written topics which you believe would make for a good blog, tweet, article, press release, etc.? Some ideas beget others so every idea has value.

Janine

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Of course, this works if I could actually spell the word 'questionnaire' correctly! Sheesh on me!

I'm sending out this questionnaire today to this client. Hopefully, it will work and I'll report back here with the results. In the meantime if anyone has any additional ideas to add to the questionnaire, please let me know.

I'm also going to put together a Monday morning Twitter questionnaire to help get some good topics going on the client's twitter board.

Thank you all again!

Janine

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Looks great, Janine. It'll probably work very well, too. If clients drag their feet returning it to you, you can always give them a phone call and interview that way. Usually, though, people like answering questions about themselves.

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

Thanks, Mary. I'll suggest the call in the event the questionnaire does not work.

Regards,

Janine

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