Writer Experience: Scripted vs. ClearVoice
Every website needs content, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy for freelance writers to make enough money to “quit their day jobs.” You might have a better chance of building a career by using more than one platform that helps you connect with clients. I’ve used plenty of them. This post covers some of the pros and cons that I experienced using ClearVoice and Scripted.
Getting Started: Scripted vs. ClearVoice
It takes time to get started with any platform for freelancers. A great portfolio of writing samples might get you noticed quickly, but it still takes time for managers and clients to notice the quality of your work. Like any other job, you have to work your way up.
If you’ve worked as a freelancer before, this won’t surprise you. The question, therefore, becomes, “How long will it take for me to get noticed and start winning projects that I enjoy and that pay well?”
In my experience, ClearVoice and Scripted give you significantly different answers to this question.
You Can’t Get Started With ClearVoice
ClearVoice lets you set up a very professional profile for your freelance account. I like it enough that I’ve used it a few times to attract clients who weren’t on ClearVoice. Your page gives you places to add:
- Your published content.
- Where you went to school and what degrees you hold.
- A short blurb telling readers who you are.
- A longer bio that lets clients know about your interests and experience.
- Links to your personal website and social media accounts.
- A list of topics you can write about knowledgeably.
Once you follow all the steps, you have a great-looking profile.
Unfortunately, that’s where it ends. Perhaps ClearVoice has so many writers that it’s impossible for clients to find my page. Maybe they look at my social media posts and they think I tell bad jokes. Maybe they see that I have slightly long hair and enjoy gardening, and they don’t want to do business with some nature-loving hippie (even though I can also build computers and write some code).
Whatever the mysterious reason is, I’ve gotten three project requests from ClearVoice over the last calendar year. Yes, I checked my email history to count them. Each of those projects asked for one piece of content between 450 and 550 words.
I’ve been on the platform for over two years. I was kind of shocked to get the first offer, so I took it. The process was fine. I wrote the content, submitted it, got a thumbs up from the client, and ClearVoice paid me. Easy enough. I expected more jobs to come through since I had done a good job for that client. The second job opportunity didn’t come through for three months. I took it and went through the same process.
When the third invitation arrived, I ignored it. I had gotten two stellar reviews, but they weren’t helping me get steady work or make more money.
If asked, “How long does it take to get started on ClearVoice,” I only have one honest answer: longer than you can afford to wait.
Scripted Is Competitive, Not Impossible
I like the aesthetics of ClearVoice’s writer profiles more than the ones on Scripted. I also like that I can share my ClearVoice profile with anyone. They can click on the link and see the same information that ClearVoice members see. With Scripted, potential clients can’t see my writing samples until they create accounts and start free trials.
Logically, it seems like my ClearVoice profile would attract more attention than my Scripted profile. In practice, that isn’t what happens.
Perhaps Scripted’s project managers do a better job connecting clients with writers. Maybe I just have more luck with Scripted. I don’t know why I got so much work from Scripted so quickly. The fact of the matter is that I made more money from my Scripted account than any other writing platform last year. Currently, Scripted is the only platform I use. When I pick up other clients, I do it through my website or by word-of-mouth.
I think one of the reasons Scripted beats ClearVoice is that the platform gives writers multiple ways to connect with clients. I can pitch a project idea to a client, pick up SmartMatch jobs when I have time to fill, and talk to project managers about upcoming projects.
I have a bit of an advantage because I’ve been here for a long time, which means I have good relationships with some of the project managers and clients. The opportunity for success was obvious from the beginning, though.
Getting Paid: ClearVoice Vs. Scripted
ClearVoice and Scripted don’t feel significantly different to me when it comes to getting paid. I have a slight preference for Scripted, but ClearVoice doesn’t do anything that bothers me.
You Can Trust ClearVoice to Pay You
ClearVoice seems like an honest company. They paid me the amounts I expected within a few weeks of completing the projects.
The amounts paid for my work at ClearVoice were already set when I took the assignments. I didn’t have the choice to suggest a price or negotiate. I don’t really like negotiating, so that was fine with me. ClearVoice didn’t give me much control, but I didn’t have negative feelings about it.
Scripted Pays Almost Daily
Scripted’s payment processor deposits money into my bank account almost daily. I get paid that often because I turn in assignments Monday through Friday, if not weekends, too.
I have some positive and negative feelings about how Scripted pays.
I’ll start with the positive points. I really like that:
- Scripted lets me set my own rates when I propose projects to clients.
- I can accept SmartMatch projects when they have rates that match my expectations—but I never have to take a project I don’t want.
- Scripted lets clients tip me extra money when they really like my content. An extra $10 or $25—or sometimes a lot more—is always nice!
- Once a client accepts my project, the payment gets processed within a few days.
I only have one negative point that rises above the level of petty annoyance (I’ve had some squabbles with the payment processor that have nothing to do with Scripted—in fact, Scripted has been great at helping me figure things out with the processor).
I don’t like that clients can take weeks to approve projects. Once the work gets approved, the money shows up almost immediately. Occasionally, though, I get paid for work that I barely remember doing. It really doesn’t matter much as long as you keep a steady flow of work going. Still, it’s annoying when clients insist they need work submitted ASAP—then they wait three weeks to approve it.
You Can Become a Writer With Scripted
It took me the better part of a decade before I could use freelance writing to pay my bills and save money for the future. Starting accounts with multiple platforms could help you reach that goal.
Personally, I’ve had more luck with Scripted than with ClearVoice. Scripted and I have grown together, and I hope we can continue that path as the industry changes.
I welcome every experienced writer to apply. More writers joining means that Scripted can continue onboarding clients in diverse fields. To me, that sounds like more opportunities for everyone.
If you’re interested, you can get started by applying.
