Expert: Dan Scherer - 9/8/2005

Question
I would appreciate your wisdom on the following matter. I am looking into writing/rewriting/editing internet web content. I have an academic background and my current field is teaching and curriculum development. I am investigating whether it would be worth my while going down this road as a career/business opportunity as I have a passion for writing and a sense that the need for internet copywriting or editing is very high. Living in South Africa, we have some band-width challenges with regards to the Internet, but I foresee that this is an area that will grow radically over the coming years.

I would value any advice that you can offer on the above.

Thanks

Dennis

Answer
Well, Denis, yours is a really interesting query. It may be a coincidence but I offer a service of the type you describe even though my background is in corporate communications.  I operate with a simple, single-page website (www.copyhawk.com).  But I will be candid with you, the assignments are not too frequent, absent some other form of promotion. I think what we face is the NIH syndrome, Not Invented Here, which most website developers display.  Since I am mostly busy with webmaster chores for www.rhymeshop.com, I have neglected promotion of copyhawk.

The overhead for the simple site is minimal but I do not have an incentive to spend promotional dollars to reach folks who are unable to overcome their biases. Sorry to throw a wet blanket on your dream.  Perhaps if you are focusing your effort on websites at home you may be able to build a viable business.  No question that the internet is jammed full of sites that need editing help urgently. Maybe you could start in a modest, part-time way, with a simple site to expose your offering.
I would be interested in hearing about your progress.  Best of Luck, Dan Scherer, copyhawk@aol.com