‘Freelance Writer’ Term Portrays a Negative Image. One entrepreneur’s mission to delete a term from our lexicon
Boca Raton, FL — There’s at least one term you won’t find in Allison Media Group, Inc.’s (GIIW) vocabulary: freelance writer. That’s because GIIW’s founder and President Allison Nazarian finds the term disparaging, inaccurate and even unprofessional.
“The term ‘freelance writer’ really takes away the business aspect of what we do. We don’t call doctors or attorneys who work as sole practitioners ‘freelance doctors’ or ‘freelance attorneys,’” Nazarian explained. “For most of us, writing is a full-time business, not an artistic pursuit. That’s why we prefer the term ‘copywriter’ or ‘marketing consultant.”
“I surveyed professional writers throughout the U.S. on their feelings about these terms. Their perspectives were interesting. Some felt that ‘copywriters’ referred to full-time writers at ad agencies or marketing consultancies, and that ‘freelance writers’ described anything from penniless bohemians to creative prose writers. Some viewed both terms as equal. It’s my mission to heighten awareness and proper usage of the term ‘copywriter.’”
Since 2001, Nazarian has employed professional copywriters at her firm, which specializes in marketing communications and campaigns. The GIIW opinion survey on the two terms will continue through the end of 2006 online at: www.GetItInWriting.biz. Visit the site to weigh in with an opinion. Look for results in early 2007.
About Allison Media Group, Inc: Since 2001, Allison Media Group, Inc. has been showing clients why “words mean business.” GIIW’s business-to-business and business-to-consumer clients nationwide are realizing that improved marketing communications can positively and significantly impact their bottom line.
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