Thanks for filling our writers form

We have put together a list of FAQ for you. Going through our answers should give you a good idea of how Chillibreeze works. Looking forward to working with you soon!

Note: If you have not filled our writers form yet, make sure you do so right away.

FAQ related to Chillibreeze
FAQ related to the writer registration process
FAQ related to how it all works and the why’s
FAQ related to the sample article
FAQ related to what to do after submitting a sample
FAQ related to career development and feedback on your writing

FAQ related to Chillibreeze

What is Chillibreeze all about?

Chillibreeze is a content development company that works with clients from all over the world. We believe in flexibility without any compromise on quality. Our core team is fun loving and energetic. All the writers in our network work from home. The design division works from a real office.

What kinds of projects do Chillibreeze writers work on?

Check out some of the content writing/editing/research projects we have completed in the recent past.

A few (not all) of these are ongoing projects.

FAQ related to the writer registration process

Are you looking for any specific profiles? I have experience in technical writing and business writing but none in web content writing.

No problem! We are looking for good writers. The genre of writing does not matter because as you can see from the list of projects we have worked on, we work on all kinds of content-related projects.

I haven’t freelanced before. Do you accept newbie writers as well?

Yes, we do. We are firm believers of the proof-is-in-the-pudding concept. We think that it is your writing, and not what you are, what you have done in the past or what you have achieved, that sets you apart. We do look at your resumes and profiles but we do that so we can match you up with the right projects.

I am an experienced writer. What is in it for me?

We have several opportunities for high end writers as well. For one, you could work on projects that require a specific type of profile. You could promote yourself via Chillibreeze. We might also invite you to offer an online/offline course or workshop.

How do I register as a writer at Chillibreeze?

Use our writer registration form. This is the first step towards working with Chillibreeze.

FAQ related to how it all works and the why’s

How does your system work?

To cut a long story short, the first thing to do after filling our writers form is to write a sample article for Chillibreeze.com. Pick a few topics for your sample article. Once your article is rated, you will be added to our preferred writers' network and start receiving project offers from us.

Here is a more detailed explanation of the process:

Step 1: You become a preferred writer

• You register via the writers' form (You have done that already).
• You choose a few topics for your sample article (We prefer you come up with your own topics. But, if you need topic ideas, visit http://www.chillibreeze.com/writers_cafe/Topicsforsamplearticles2.asp for sample article topics) and send them to us (writers at chillibreeze.com)
• We pick a topic for you to write on.
• You send your sample article to us.
• Your sample is edited and rated by our in house editor.
• If your sample is accepted, you are immediately entered into our "preferred writers" network even before your sample is published on one of our websites.

Step 2: Getting Chillibreeze projects

• Once you are a preferred writer, you receive suitable project offers depending on your profile and article rating.
• You respond to project offers with appropriate information (Do not start writing when the offer is sent).
• We assign you the project (We select the writer who matches the project perfectly and mail the writer saying something like "You have been assigned X project. This is the brief. Now you can start writing." We do not mail all the writers who respond. Only the selected writer is sent the project).

Step 3: Completing projects

• You send in the write-up before the deadline.
• The client approves the write-up.
• You are sent an invoice format once the client approves your project.
• You fill in your details and send us the invoice back.
• You get paid by check (or direct deposit to your Indian bank account) in Indian rupees

OK. What do you mean by "preferred writer"?

You become a preferred writer by writing a sample article for our website. Preferred writers are sent most of our project offers.

Is this like those sites where you bid on client projects?

We know there are sites out there where you can "bid for projects" without writing any samples. We are different. We quote a fixed price to our clients depending on their needs and then look for suitable writers in our network. The writer and Chillibreeze are both responsible for the final output that goes to the client.

What is your pay scale?

We do not have a fixed payscale. Every project has a different payscale. Every project offer we send out will have the payment details mentioned.

You can choose which projects to work on depending on the type of project and the pay offered.

BUT I registered because I am interested in editing, not writing.

If you are interested in editing for us, let us know (Write to writers at chillibreeze.com). We can send you our editing test. If you have ample experience with editing, you will not be requested to write a sample.

We are always looking for experienced editors so there is a good chance you will receive a project, especially if you ace the editing test.

But why do I have to write a free sample? I have worked as a writer for more than ten years and I know my way around. I think my resume speaks for itself!

When you write a sample, we get it edited and rated by our in-house editor(s). The amount of editing needed on your sample before it is published gives us a good indication of how much editing would be needed when you work on a real project. This is a formula that has worked for the past five years.

We do understand that some of you might have extraordinary profiles. However, we have had some bitter experiences where we offered projects to a few writers without requiring a sample. It turned out they were not as good as their resumes projected them to be. Our customers were disappointed. Once bitten twice shy! These sample articles help us tell the real McCoy from the fake ones.

That said, we know this does not hold true for all writers. There might be some writers out there who really don’t need to go through our screening process. If for some reason, you DO NOT want to write a sample, this is not the end of the road. We understand that some of you are so experienced that you don't need to be "tested". Just email us at writers at chillibreeze.com and tell us why you don't want to write a sample. We do make exceptions for outstanding writers.

I find your website really interesting. Where can I get more information about getting more involved at Chillibreeze?

Check out these links:

• Paths writers can choose to take
• The Chillibreeze Professional ladder
• The Chillibreeze Involvement ladder

FAQ related to the sample article

But how do I pick a topic for my sample?

Please come up with a few topics for your sample article and send them to us. We love innovative stuff, so let your creative juices run! Here are some articles published on Chillibreeze.com. Now you have an idea of what we are looking for.

Though we prefer that writers come up with their own topics, if no topic ideas occur to you, you can take the easy way out. Pick (specific article headings not broad categories) from any of the categories listed here http://www.chillibreeze.com/writers_cafe/Topicsforsamplearticles2.asp
and email us at writers at chillibreeze.com We will choose one of them for you to write on.

You can pick 5 different topics from 5 different categories or 5 topics from the same category. It all depends on what you are interested in writing about.

Our tip: Choose the kind of topic you are really interested in writing. This will increase your chances of bagging a client project.

If I write a sample, does that mean I get a project right away?

We usually send project offers ONLY to our preferred writers (writers who have written a sample for Chillibreeze.com) with a few exceptions. Writing a sample article ensures that your email id is added to our preferred writers’ network (like a screening process) and it does not guarantee a project immediately. But it does mean you will start getting project offers.

Why do I have to write a sample? Why can’t I send you links to my work online?

The reason we ask for a free sample is to test a writer's ability to write for the web. We then get the sample edited and evaluated by our in-house editor before we publish it. We also add metatags to the article to increase its SEO potential. The sample also acts as a showcase for the writer (because Chillibreeze is ranked high by Google) and is helpful when clients ask for writer profiles and samples. Let us say a project comes up tomorrow and a client shortlists you for it, to keep things uniform and objective, we would rather show the client a sample on Chillibreeze than something on an e-zine or on your blog.

How do I benefit by writing a sample?

Once we find a project suitable for a group of people, we mail it out to them. Your sample helps us pick the best writer for the job. A great sample highly increases your chances of being selected for a project because we assign projects to writers based on their profile and the quality of their sample articles.

Getting your article published on our website with a good rating also gives you higher credibility and exposure. You could use the article on our site as a sample for your other projects. Chillibreeze pages are ranked pretty high on Google and getting published here will enhance your portfolio. Plus we also add value to your sample article by having our in-house editor edit and refine it.

Do I have to keep writing free samples for Chillibreeze to earn money? I did that for a few other sites and they never paid me anything?

Nope. We ask for just one sample in the beginning so we can rate you as a writer. After that, you basically work on client projects that are assigned to you based on various factors. The payments for these projects are mentioned explicitly in their project offers, to avoid any confusion at a later stage.

Fair enough. Tell me more about the sample article itself? Are there any rules?

Sample article specifications: The number of words may be 500-1500 though we are not as stringent about the number of words as we are about the content quality and originality. Please try to send us this article within 5-10 days of being assigned the topic.

Before you start writing, please send the topic you have chosen to nishi@chillibreeze.com so we can approve it.

Can I submit something I have published elsewhere? Like on my blog?

Your sample must be unpublished and original. We cannot accept as samples, articles that are already published elsewhere/ ones that have sentences/paragraphs directly borrowed from other articles. We have a strict original content policy.

What does that mean?

Our Original Content Policy: We do not accept content that has been published on other websites. Remember that we use a powerful plagiarism detection tool and have a strict anti-plagiarism policy. So anything that you write for Chillibreeze or its customers must be original. Writers who plagiarize on customer projects are immediately blacklisted. So we recommend you never use any line directly from any other source.

What is the target audience?

Our target audience: Global. We get web traffic coming in from all over the world. US, India, Europe, Australia…... the list goes on. So please keep your writing global.

Do not use ‘Indian English’, long drawn sentences or flowery language. We are looking for simple yet effective and insightful content that can be appreciated by visitors.

Once you finish working on your sample article, send it to writers at chillibreeze dot com and we will take it from there.

FAQ related to what to do after submitting a sample

What happens once I submit my article?

Once your sample is approved, rated and edited, we will publish it on our website. You will become a preferred Chillibreeze writer and we will contact you for suitable freelance assignments.

We will publish your article with your photo and byline on our site or an associated website. We have an original content policy. So, please make sure you do send us articles that have not been published elsewhere.

While you are waiting for projects, feel free to browse the writers’ section of our website and make use of the numerous resources we have for writers.

What if my sample is rejected?

If your sample does not meet our website’s quality standards, our editor might not approve it or add you to the preferred writers’ network.

If you would like a second chance to prove your abilities, you can take one of our writing and editing assessment tests. The higher you score on the assessments, the better. Not only is this a way to get added to our preferred writers network and enhance our resume, our writing/proofreading/editing skills assessments also tell you where you stand with respect to other Indian writers. Taking them might be a great way to evaluate yourself and take necessary steps to hone your skills.

Why can't I see my article online?

Due to the high volume of articles we receive, it sometimes takes around a month for your sample articles to get published. But once you send your sample, we rate you almost immediately and add your email id to our mailing list.

I wrote a sample and it was published. When do I get a project?

Our preferred writer database is currently growing very fast and will not be able to assign projects to every writer at all times. But, we are trying to modify our systems such that we might be able to keep most of our writers occupied.

Signing up with Chillibreeze does not mean that you work exclusively with us. You are at liberty to work on as many projects as you wish from other companies. The only thing we ask of you is that if you are assigned a project, you follow strict deadlines.

Writers can also check out our list of additional opportunities while they are waiting for projects.

I responded to a few project offers but I was not selected. What do I do to increase my chances?

Good question! The thing is once you get positive feedback on a project, you are more likely to bag more projects and it becomes a chain reaction. But how do you get your first project?

Read some tips from Dr. Nishi Viswanathan, our Co-founder and Chief Content Officer on how to bag a freelance writing or editing project on Chillibreeze or any other website for that matter. Taking and acing our writing and editing assessment tests will highly increase your chances of getting selected as well.

One more tip from us: Take every project seriously! We keep track of all your responses and your performance on every project. Respond to offers only if you are sure you can take on the work if it is assigned to you. Writers who respond to offers and then refuse them when selected or take up projects only to drop out when the going gets tough reduce their own chances of receiving future projects. So do writers who turn in shoddy work.

FAQ related to career development and feedback on your writing

I would like to get detailed feedback about my sample. How can I do that?

We have a service designed just for you. Check out our Expert Review option. Writers can get a detailed and confidential review of their article along with suggestions for improvement.

Do you offer certification or any other way to enhance my resume?

Yes, we do. We offer writing, editing and proofreading assessment tests. We analyze every paragraph of your submission and provide a comprehensive assessment of your skills. While applying for a project/job, you can also have your transcript sent directly to your customers and potential employers from Chillibreeze to add credibility to your portfolio.

Our aim is to make the Chillibreeze writers’ section a one-stop shop for Indian writers and editors. And we would like to believe we are getting there. Check out the text box below for a comprehensive (kind of!) list of what else we offer writers.

Phew! That was one long list of Qs and As! I am ready to write a sample now.

Great! Send in the topics of your choice to writers at chillibreeze dot com so we can pick a topic for you.

Visit our writers' corner at http://www.chillibreeze.com/writers_cafe/IndiaWritersNetwork.asp and check out some other cool stuff you can do at Chillibreeze.com.

Even if you are not sending us a sample, your feedback about our site is always welcome. Send it to writers at chillibreeze dot com.

Hope you enjoy working with us.

Feel free to contact us with any questions/suggestions that you might have.

Good Luck!

The Chillibreeze Team