Reliable English Writers in China – Where to Find Professional Ones
For years, I’ve been researching the profession of English writing in China. The Chinese internet is jammed with sites that offer English writing jobs. So it’s not surprising that many of these writers in China would be native English speakers who are only looking for a better pay. They are good translators, usually very good at what they do. But there are also some unscrupulous operators here – some are barely armed with the basics of English grammar, while others have enough knowledge to pass as an English teacher.
Beware the scams. I’ve worked with several young and inexperienced Chinese writers on these sites. At first, they were all eager to work. Their enthusiasm soon wore off. In addition to charges for their “services” such as translating articles for advertising sites, they often charged for transport and accommodation – well above the usual rates for first-timers.
Don’t be tempted by promises of big money for little work. Many “elite” English writers in China are actually illegal aliens working illegally. Either they overstay their visa, or they came to China without proper work or registration.
Some are British nationals who pretend to be Chinese. Or they are technically British but have no idea how to speak Chinese. Or worse, they are South Sea Chinese who knows all about pronunciation and Chinese writing rules but no idea what Chinese language is even supposed to sound like! They may offer to do some “word digging”, but the real work is writing. And most writers in China will say the same – it’s not easy.
There are two types of writer – the freelance writer who advertises his services on online classifieds, or the hardworking official who writes for a government agency or publishing house. Usually the former are more experienced than the latter. They’ll usually be awarded a contract that details the work to be done and the rate. The writing usually takes place over a period of one or two weeks, with a maximum payment of around $100. You don’t get paid in cash but rather only get a receipt for the completed work.
So, how do you find these professionals? There are many websites that list them. Most English writing sites will have a place where writers can register and get started, while smaller sites often need to be contacted to get work. Writers for hire can also be found at the many translation agencies and companies that can supply local workers for very short terms. These are more expensive, but usually provide valuable writing experience.
For the freelancing sites, the rules are simple: you list your project, specify your price (usually a flat rate, but negotiable), state your location, and wait for people to contact you. Some sites require that you write original, researched material, but there are a lot of excellent writing sites that don’t. The biggest problem with freelance sites is the quality of the writing – if the site is full of terrible content, it’s not likely that anyone will be interested in using it as a reference source. On the other hand, sites such as Elance and Guru offer excellent customer service and have proved well worth the investment for many professionals.
One thing that you should be on the lookout for is ads or requests for payment that ask for confidential information. This is a red flag – if they want to charge you for this information, they’re probably up to no good. Confidentiality is very important when working with foreign professionals – don’t work for someone who won’t give it to you. A good way to help ensure that your Chinese writer understands confidentiality issues is to let him know in advance what you expect to receive for writing the project.
