Comments on: Black Hole Copywriting: The Truth About Why Your Deliverable Disappears

By: Lorraine Thompson

Lorraine Thompson — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:56:12 +0000

Those extended post-delivery revisions are annoying and costly as you usually must revisit material–even to make tiny changes. That’s why I stipulate the two-week limit for edits.

My sympathies regarding your current situation. Please feel free to come back and vent until your ordeal is over!

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:33:53 +0000

All of the above – I’ve had copy go bye-bye because of every single thing on that list. It’s frustrating. But it’s no reason for them to not pay me, so I make damn sure to collect a deposit up front.

Like Stephen, I have had clients contract the work, then disappear. Worse is the client who receives the copy then waits a month (conveniently whenever the invoice shows up) to say a few things didn’t fit so he won’t pay for this or that. I’m of the opinion that if a month went by and there was no communication (and dammit, I ask every time I submit) about the wrong this or that, they’re paying anyway. It’s not up to me to read their minds.

Can you tell I have one of these clients right now? LOL

By: Lorraine Thompson

Lorraine Thompson — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:15:14 +0000

Hi Stephen:

That sounds like torture.

The worst part about black hole copywriting is not knowing why. As sensitive writers we often imagine the worst!

By: Stephen Da Cambra

Stephen Da Cambra — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 17:54:03 +0000

Thanks for another great blog post.

I had a good client with whom I was contracted to write 1500 – 2000 words every month. While I received regular payment, I never heard anything about the copy I submitted. It was tough to write copy that I know was destined for the black hole.

“Keep things in context” is good advice.