Turn clunky content into something beautiful with these tips
Tune-Ups are a popular format on Scripted and a fantastic method of introducing yourself to a new client. These jobs are typically ordered when a client has old content that they'd like to freshen up on their website.
In this guide, we will cover a few key tips to ensure you knock them out of the park, every time.
Tip 1: Tune-Ups are not complete rewrites
A great tune-up is a hybrid of copywriting, constructive editing, and traditional writing. Your job with a Tune-Up is to rework clunky sentences, rearrange the existing content that the customer likes, and improve the overall flow of the piece. In some cases, the client may want you to create new content or shorten the document, but a Tune-Up is rarely a complete rewrite. You'll almost always be reworking existing content and the price of Tune-Up jobs reflects that.
Tip 2: Massage the new content into the old
Suppose that the original content you are tuning up is 500 words and the client would like to extend the piece to 800 words. Unless otherwise mentioned, this does not mean that you should just tack on an extra 300 words to the end of the document or create a brand new section.
After you've identified the optimal flow of the content, add sentences with new information the client requested or constructive sentences that help drive home the
overall message in the same voice. New content in the Tune-Up should not be of a completely different tone than the original unless otherwise instructed.
Tip 3: Mind The Word Count
We strongly advise not tacking on new content with the hopes of increasing the word count and subsequently, your payment. Building a relationship with a new client starts with trust. If you believe a new section may genuinely further clarify a certain aspect of the content, feel free to drop the client a message to get their thoughts, but please do not attempt to upsell your clients with superfluous wording. Doing so can impact your standing on the Scripted platform.
Tip 4: Check the content brief and ask questions
Have you discovered a few sentences in the original document that seem pretty flawless? It happens more often than you'd expect. First, check the Content Brief to see if the client has outlined any aspects of this content that they don't like and check to see if they've supplied any reference links that may differ from the style of the piece you're currently tuning up.
If everything seems to match, this is a great time to use Messages to your advantage. Drop the client a line to ask how they feel about a certain section and you'll not only learn more about what they hope to accomplish with this piece, but you'll also provide a great deal of assurance to them that they've chosen the right Writer for the job!
And as usual, if you encounter anything that the above tips don't quite cover, feel free to reach out to us at support@scripted.com!