Comments on: Clear as Mud

By: Karen Swim

Karen Swim — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:27:01 +0000

Hi Richard! Communicating with programmers can be a frustrating experience! As I was reading, I was nodding my head wildly recalling situations that nearly drove me over the edge! Definitely teaches you to be very precise and clear.

By: Richard

Richard — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:02:51 +0000

This communication problem is very very prominent when dealing with programmers. The programmer does not understand your explanation, but thinks he does, and you do not understand the programmers explanation, but you think you do.

Particularly troubling is impatience when one or the other, during the establishment of a contract, decides he understands and ceases to pay attention to the other person’s efforts to clear up confusion over what may appear to be nuance or semantics. The consequences can be costly, both in money and in trust. If you find that the other party is too glib in his/her expressions of understanding find someone else!!!

By: Karen Swim

Karen Swim — Tue, 26 May 2009 21:36:43 +0000

Julie, I agree with you. I begin my own client engagements with both written engagement memos and a voice to voice interaction to avoid misunderstanding. It definitely helps to be specific. However, these errors in understanding are not limited to freelance writers but can happen in any profession even when people work together in the same department / location for the same company. It is extremely important, as you noted to repeat, clarify and check understanding not once but throughout a project.

By: Karen Swim

Karen Swim — Tue, 26 May 2009 21:32:32 +0000

Dwain, your point about slowing down and establishing understanding is a good one! We live in a “do more, do it faster” society where attention is frequently fragmented. How often have you heard the phrase, “but I thought you said..” in the halls of corporations. It happens but as you noted errors are for more costly.

By: Julie Mierau

Julie Mierau — Tue, 26 May 2009 19:45:45 +0000

These types of misunderstandings give all freelance writers, editors and proofreaders a bad name. The responsibility lies with the freelancer to determine specifically what the client wants and expects — and is paying for. Take a few extra moments to clairfy what the project entails, put it in writing back to the client, and ask the client to sign off on the agreement. Those moments will save time and, more importantly, your reputation.

I spent 17 years as a freelance writer. I learned this lesson the first month and diligently applied it to every project I accepted, thereby creating an incredibly loyal client base.

By: Dwain

Dwain — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:24:18 +0000

Working in Europe, I found this happened often where there was a difference between oral and written comprehension.
While in a corporate role and now as an executive recruiter, I find it critical to clarify expectations. The stakes are high and the costs for error can be devastating.
There is a desire to move rapidly, but moving quickly with mistakes typically requires significantly more time. Net, quality time up front is the best solution.

Dwain

By: What the Writing Community Teaches | Meryl.net

What the Writing Community Teaches | Meryl.net — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:25:47 +0000

[...] How two people can read the same thing in a different way from Karen: Though this has happened to me, the post reminds me to talk things through when something doesn’t turn out as I expected. [...]

By: Meryl K. Evans

Meryl K. Evans — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:00:29 +0000

You’re in luck, Karen!! I thought I had blogged about my miscommunication and I did. Here it is:

http://www.meryl.net/2007/01/words-with-multiple-meanings/

Just last night, I thought my husband said “cell phone” (hey, lights were off with light coming from only the TV) and he meant “stuff.” But this is a different kind of misunderstanding than what we’re talking about here.

Meryl K. Evans´s last blog post..Links: 2009-03-20 Writer Mama Winner Edition

By: Karen Swim

Karen Swim — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 02:32:53 +0000

@Meryl, thank you so much for sharing those suggestions, they are perfect. Since reading and writing are universal primary skills, people are inclined to believe the business of writing has universal language but as we know this could not be further from the truth. I wish you could remember that single word too, if you do come back and tell us.

@Janice, oh those images had me rocking with laughter. I utter that “let me just confirm” phrase so often that I even use when talking to myself! LOL! Um yea, I talk to myself…

By: Janice Cartier

Janice Cartier — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:13:02 +0000

Clarity is huge.

Have you ever read the Amelia Bedelia stories? When asked to “dust the furniture” she does, with perfectly good “dusting powder” she finds in the bathroom. Asked to “dress a chicken”… yep, nice little pants ( not knickers, trousers)… “draw the drapes”, you got it, she sketches them…

Clarity, up front clearness.. yes, essential… and if there is any question a nice sense of friendly good humor is a help. It’s not insulting to repeat back the understanding. “Let me just confirm” or “let’s make sure we are both on the same page here”. Most clients appreciate it.

( and Friar that friend of family is ALWAYS a rock and a hard place, so if you ever choose to do it, you have to be right up front at the beginning, offer a “friends and family” rate, or do a barter, but it is an exchange one thing for another)

Janice Cartier´s last blog post..Alluvian Landscape