If you’re new here, welcome to my client case studies. I’ve been documenting my freelancing projects and some personal tips I learned along the way.
In this case study, I’d like to share two writing gigs close to my heart – creative writing. Here are the two creative writing projects I found online:
Here's what you will learn:
Creative Ghostwriter for a Poetry Collection
Project Background:
Found this client in Upwork last August 2018. The client wants to publish and sell books. At that time, he’s collecting poems from ghostwriters, like me. Poems are short. These poems are usually on Instagram or Tumblr and can be used for the book and social media posts.
He said, “There’s no need for highly intellectual content. I’m more trying to democratize poetry as a genre and make it accessible and understandable for younger audiences. The language can be quite simple as long as the user resonates with the feelings.”
No. of Words: 10-30 words
Target Audience: Millennials
Poem Topic: Love, relationships, break-up, romance, direction in life, advice etc.
It was a privilege to write five poems for him. Here are my 2 poems:
300 Handwritten Business Letters
Project Background:
I’m so excited to share this project. The project was challenging, unforgettable and held a special place in my heart. Here it goes…
Last May 2020, a client invited me to apply. It was a business writing campaign for 300 letters then shipped to Northern Virginia, USA. What makes it so unique and challenging is that he needs someone with decent penmanship to handwritten 300 letters (150 words each).
Yes, you read that right – all 300 HANDWRITTEN LETTERS!
I was so excited to get the job done that I didn’t think of the figures. THREE HUNDRED LETTERS is not a joke. And it’s all handwritten in the unlined business paper. My goodness!
But wait, there’s more.
The client provided 300 CUSTOMER NAMES to personalize each letter.
Did I take the challenge? YASSS.
Why? It is because of the following:
- Genuinely want to help this client.
- Clients like him are rare and unique. Amidst all the digital email marketing, he chose handwritten letters. He could automate the process, but NO. He wants to connect to his customers on a deep and genuine level. And that is so beautiful.
- Privilege to compete with bots.
- In this digital era, this campaign is a challenge to us humans. Clients could purchase an email tool like Mailchimp, Mailerlite, or Klaviyo to get the job done. He could hire a bot/AI, but he didn’t. He chose me, a human, to handwritten his business letters. And it’s a privilege to be part of this, once in lifetime campaign.
- I love handwritten letters.
- How could I say no to handwritten letters? Back in the days, we didn’t have cell phones, social media, and video calls. Handwritten letters are our primary medium to communicate. There’s something special about handwritten letters that connect to readers on a deep emotional level.
Phase 1: Penmanship Test
The client provided a typed version and a handwritten version of the letter as an example.
The letter is an announcement and an invitation to their local customers on the grand opening of their bathroom vanity showroom. The client sells bathroom furniture, tubs, and fixtures.
He’s inviting the locals to visit their shop and have a cup of espresso while they’re shopping.
I need to make sure everything is perfect before I jump into writing all the 300 letters.
So I sent him some sample letters, in lower case and upper case format.
Fortunately, the client likes my penmanship. And he’s pleased with my work.
Then, he sent the 300 names in excel.
Phase 2: Handwriting the Letters
The most awaited part, I STARTED WRITING.
It was fun, at first.
Not until I already feel the pain in my thumb and pointing finger after finishing 50 letters.
I start to ask myself, can I finish this?
Day and night, I keep on writing. I always remind myself of why I accepted this challenge in the first place.
After a week or so, I’m 50% done.
Current letter count is 150 handwritten letters. 15 groups – 10 letters each.
To be honest, I want to quit. I don’t have regrets. It’s just that I don’t think I can continue writing anymore.
I’m way past the deadline.
I’m so excited about the idea that I thought I could do it in 1 week. It turns out it took me a month to finish everything, considering the days I need to let my swollen fingers rest.
Slowly writing, I continue.
So the time has finally come.
I’m down to my LAST LETTER.
And it’s time to ship the 300 letters. Yay!
Phase 3: Shipment from PH to US
Covid makes this project more enjoyable. I can’t go outside and process my shipment in DHL.
So I booked a rider and provided him with an authorization letter to ship the package.
Date I shipped it out – June 13
Date client received the letters – June 20
My Takeaways
Passion is a double-edged sword. Sometimes, it can put you in the best and least common situation you can imagine. But it’s all worth it. Passion is what keeps you going.
Another thing, in hiring, it’s attitude over skills. Everyone can write a letter. But someone who is up for a challenge to finish 300 handwritten letters says a lot about them.
Lastly, writing builds genuine connection. Your article, poem, marketing copywriting or letters are useless if you can’t connect to your target audience.