Teach A Man To Fish

Let’s lay the foundation for my stand-up comedy career with some crowd work:

How would you help such a client?

Client: I've bought an account under ABC Content Mill. Help me pass the trial stage, and I'll give you 70% of the pay.

You: How about you learn how to write effectively and according to their guidelines? I'll even review your trial articles and point out areas of improvement before you submit them.

C: Okay.

C: Um, could you help me find potential buyers for the account?

Y: 😐?

Okay, that was a bit of a mischaracterization up there.

The subject of our group project isn’t technically a client.

Mostly because, as you’ve read, I refused to take him up on his offer.

Not-Technically-A-Client (NTAC) and I met about two years ago when I was looking for transcribers to clear up some files I had on my queue.

He was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and what he lacked in experience and transcription skills of note, he made up for with an eagerness to learn the ropes and get to work ASAP.

I’m a sucker for eagerness, so we started working together.

I forget now what ended that partnership.

I could go through my records to find out, but it won’t be of value to you or the story. (Just trust me, bro.)

In the months that followed, NTAC would sporadically frequent my inbox with requests to peruse his applications to various freelance platforms for a fee.

I wasn’t in the best place financially at the time, so I accepted his requests.

It was low-hanging fruit, and I became low-hanging fruit, too.

Fast forward to the exchange above.

As I’ve mentioned, his industrious attitude was endearing when we first met, and it continued to be a key reason why I kept entertaining him.

So when he so quickly threw in the towel — an action which, by the way, would cost him more than sticking it out — I felt almost disappointed in myself for not being a better… mentor?

I’m not sure what we were, but it seems I didn’t play my part well enough.

I’ve been at a loss for words as to how to respond to him.

So I just haven’t.

But that’s where you come in. 😀

Here… Wear my shoes

How would you help this hungry but floundering freelancer?

Would you help him at all?

Can this just be a weird footnote in my “I help freelancers...” story that I bury forever?

Reply to this email or leave a comment on its web version.

I’d love to hear your take on this situation.

Except I’ll just be hearing myself because reading is basically listening to the voice in your head. 🍄🌿

Keep Freeing Right,

Hope. :)