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Posts: 2774

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Q: Writing Product Descriptions

I'm considering an offer from a Chinese company to write English product descriptions for them to use on Amazon and some other platorms.

They asked me what I charge for this service. I have no idea if it's worth my while. I'm hoping it's not a mao per word or something like that.

Does anyone know anything about the rates for this or have other insights?

Many thanks in advance.

10 years 16 weeks ago in  General  - China

 
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This is a tough one.

 

I could imagine how I would feel if I wrote a great description, charged a 200 RMB flat rate, and then saw the company owners make mega bucks for a product that takes off.

 

How about, if you asked for a set rate plus a commission on each product sold by your description?  I think 300 RMB for an hours work would be fair, or 500 RMB for more technical descriptions that take longer to write.  Your commission could be a few RMB for each item sold on the back of your writing.

 

After all, you will effectively be a salesman. As such, you should get a share of  the profit.

 

I have seen stuff advertised on Amazon etc that I would not buy because of the poorly written description.

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10 years 16 weeks ago
 
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Posts: 7178

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This is a tough one.

 

I could imagine how I would feel if I wrote a great description, charged a 200 RMB flat rate, and then saw the company owners make mega bucks for a product that takes off.

 

How about, if you asked for a set rate plus a commission on each product sold by your description?  I think 300 RMB for an hours work would be fair, or 500 RMB for more technical descriptions that take longer to write.  Your commission could be a few RMB for each item sold on the back of your writing.

 

After all, you will effectively be a salesman. As such, you should get a share of  the profit.

 

I have seen stuff advertised on Amazon etc that I would not buy because of the poorly written description.

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10 years 16 weeks ago
 
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Just remember, this is China!

 

If a new product flumps, it will be your head they will be after, regardless of whether you have written a brilliant description or not. It will be you that they blame!

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10 years 16 weeks ago
 
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Excellent points, old chaps.

 

What I initially thought of as an easy cash cow has turned into a potential nightmare on further thought and input from my mates.

 

The last thing I want is to open myself up to some metaphorical anal rape....and it appears there is the distinct potential for that to occur

 

 

ScotsAlan:

And the added complication, what if the product is crap? If it was a decent product that I liked, I would do it for a flat fee and some free samples. Fishing tackle for example, I would do it for free to get some fishing tackle freebies :-)

10 years 16 weeks ago
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iWolf:

lol....the product is probably ordinary at best.

 

I'm yet to find out what the products are. I asked and was told "Amazon products" ha ha ha

 

Maybe I can swap some freebies for a ecc raincoat

10 years 16 weeks ago
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ScotsAlan:

"Amazon products"? This being china, that might actually be stuff from the Amazon rain forest :-) Dried piranha anyone :-)

10 years 16 weeks ago
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10 years 16 weeks ago
 
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