Carpal tunnel syndrome (or 'repetitive stress') is a frequent
complaint these days.  I have developed a hand cream/body lotion type
substance which ought to go a ways to ameliorate the problem.

How can I get some writers to try this out?  My thought, at the
moment, is freelance writers -- they are frequently 'keyboarding' (I
would imagine), and because they are accustomed to writing, might
provide me with better feedback than other kinds of people.


I am not a writer, and live in a somewhat remote location, and have no
connections or friends to call on for this particular purpose.  None. 
(Please don't suggest that I "ask my friends and relatives to help".)

For the first trial(s), I would want to be there in person.  This
restricts the "area of effort" to the American Southwest and including
Southern California.

This is my first question on Google.  Suggestions about how to ask,
how to set price, other matters, will be appreciated.

Hi there siggy~

You have an interesting idea, there. Freelance writers would, indeed,
be a good feedback source. When you're ready to start publicizing your
product, they may also be handy. (Although there's a big difference
between paying someone to write a press release, and giving a writer a
product and hoping they'll write up a favorable article for you.)

Finding writers is actually pretty easy. Probably the number one
online source for getting in touch with freelancers is Writer's
Weekly. You can post a request, for free, at WW's forum:
http://writersweekly.com/phpBB2

Another good place to post a request is Sunoasis Jobs (
http://www.sunoasis.com ); click on "POST A JOB" on the left hand
side, listed under INFORMATION. (The website doesn't allow me to post
a direct link.) Posting a job here costs $100 for 45 days, on up.

The less-known website "Freelance Writing" allows free job postings:
http://www.freelancewriting.com/cgibin/anyboard.cgi/forumdir/fjb/?cmd=form

The Write Jobs is another alternative. You can post a job here:
http://www.writejobs.com/addjob.htm  The cost is $45 for 5 weeks, and
up.

Frankly, though, if you post at Writer's Weekly, you'll probably be
inundated with interested freelancers. (Assuming there are a number of
them out there with carpal tunnel!)

I'm not sure what your specific needs are, but your ad might look
something like this, in general terms:

"Inventor seeks writers to give feedback on new product. Applicants
should be established writers, currently suffering from carpal tunnel
syndrome. Pay: $XXXX. Send a resume and two published clips to:
carpalt@hiho.com"

You have a somewhat unusual request to make of writers: that they
basically write a review of your product, to be seen only by you. I
could find no standard pricing for this, but I'd suggest that the more
you offer, the more thorough a response you're likely to get.
Freelancers expect to get *at least* $300--$400 for the average
magazine story. That's approximately $100--200 per page. So, depending
upon how much information you want, you can probably figure a fair
price accordingly.

Now, when you advertise, you'll want to send the writer(s) you decide
to hire an email, detailing payment and what you expect from them.
This will act as a sort of a contract. If you really want to do it
properly, snail mail them this letter and ask that they return a copy
to you, signed and dated. This is a good thing for both the writer and
you.

In this letter, be sure to detail how much you're paying and when
payment will be made (upon assignment, after the written piece has
been sent to you, etc.). Then detail exactly what you're seeking from
the writer. How many pages do you want (double spaced or single
spaced)? What specific areas do you want the writers to focus on? etc.
Really think it through and tell them what you want, so that you'll be
happy with the results. Also be sure to include how you want them to
send you this info (via email, snail mail, etc.).

Frankly, I think it would be easier to send writers the product. If
you have specific things you'd like them to do with it, or procedures
you want followed, this could be detailed in your letter to them. This
is a procedure used even by very large companies.

But if you really need the writers to be there in person, be sure to
make this explicit in your job posting, and give them a good idea of
where you are. (If you don't want to name a city, at least name a
county.) If by some odd chance you don't get any responses to your job
listings, and you still really want an in-person trial, you might
contact a local writer's group. You can often find them through local
art councils, or find listings for them in local newspapers,
especially those that tend to list entertainment items. Another good
option if you want in-person writers is to post an ad in your local
paper.

I hope this helps!

Kriswrite

Research Strategy:

Researcher's personal knowledge of freelance job postings

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Request for Answer Clarification by siggy-ga on 23 Jul 2003 16:25 PDT

The question I was trying to ask was not "how can I find writers" --
it was, how can I make a personal connection with 3 or 4 or 5 writers
and get them to try this for me.  I was planning to meet with them,
together or separately, in person and spend some time.  Socialize if
at all possible.

The "feedback" I had in my head was verbal, in the process of
conversation.  It seemed like writers would be more articulate and
clear -- even with verbal feedback -- than the average person.

The idea about treating it as a "job" is interesting, but I'm not sure
I can actually use it.  If I "hire" product testers, I'm already in
business -- not where I want to be, yet.

---

Clarification of Answer by kriswrite-ga on 24 Jul 2003 07:13 PDT

Siggy~

Ah, I see! 

Well, if you want to make this a volunteer effort, I'd hone in on my
suggestion about finding a local writer's group. They are more likely
to volunteer for a fellow regional person than someone answering an ad
in one of the places I mentioned. Look in the phone book and see if
there's a local arts guild that can recommend a group to you, or check
with the local library, or look in the entertainment section of the
newspaper to see if one is advertised or mention. They are usually
very friendly groups, and if they are suffering from carpal tunnel
syndrome, will likely be eager to try out your product.

Once you have a phone number to call, simply explain that you're an
inventor who is testing a product for carpal tunnel, and are wondering
if there's anyone in the group who is suffering from it, and would
like to try out the product. Make sure they understand this is for
FREE and that you're not selling anything. You're just interested in
feedback. I would ask if I could come to the next meeting and make a
little announcement; more than likely, this will be agreeable. Then go
to the meeting and make the same appeal, again stressing that you're
just interested in their opinions, and that you're not selling
anything. Any interested writers can make themselves known then, and
you can arrange a time to meet.

To sweeten the deal a little, and give the writers some incentive to
help you out, you might offer to supply them with X amount of your
product, for free. (Perhaps 30 days worth, or a bottle's worth, etc.)
Again, I think you'll have to stress that no sales are involved here,
and that you're strictly interested in product testing and feedback.

Now, this is just my personal opinion, but it's coming from a
freelance writer, and one who knows many freelance writers. Writers
are not always the best communications "off paper." So the assumption
that they may be able to give you better feedback in person (not in
the written word) may not be all that accurate. Therefore, if getting
together with writers doesn't work out well, you might place an ad in
a local paper, seeking folks who have carpal tunnel, for a similar
feedback session. Just a thought :)

I hope this clarification is more helpful to you.

Kriswrite