Out of respect, I’d also like to comment on the other top entrants. You all did a great job, just #9 really struck me as special.

#17 - Creative but written in a clumsy manner. Sometimes it is a syntax problem and at other times not the best adjective.
#8 - Very clean, concise, well written
#5 – Contains syntax and spelling issues
#4 - Not written as well as others
#7 - Peppy and well written except I noticed you got the name wrong several times. Called the site 'The Final Copy'. Not a stickler for details.

I have chosen #9 as the winner of the writing contest. Below are some phrases I’ve extracted from your submission. Your descriptions are both creative and very accurate. All the way through the text, they just keep coming.

There was not one poorly constructed sentence and you have an element of whimsy but moderated with getting the point across.

EXTRACTED PHRASES:

Introduction Letter
revolutionize freelance business partnerships
writers and designers to create published products
dynamic workshop format
a new online community
The driving force behind this website is quality of a final product, rather than economic competition
pair clients with freelance writers and designers of compatible style
writers or designers may pitch their prose or layouts to buyers who have provided specifications

Web Styled Press Release
The result is a stylistically and cost-friendly match made in heaven…or, at least, cyberspace (example of whimsy)
divided into three sections: Writing, Design, and Follow-Up. (Exactly right)
Within these sections, there exist separate portals for buyers and for artists
fosters a workshop atmosphere
there may be repeated contact between writer and buyer to fine-tune the product

#23
I don’t think the writer fully understands the process. I see “customers are only shown freelancers within their price and quality range”. However, we don’t stop any freelancers from participating. A customer posts a project as a contest and any freelancer may enter into this contest. When the contest concludes, the customer chooses a winner and pays a prize. The direct communication through the site allows freelancer and buyer to communicate offering the potential for future work.

I think it is confusing for someone new to the site.


#22
I think it does a good job of explaining how the site works however the writer doesn’t seem to focus on why a buyer might use the service in order to connect with the reader.

Second paragraph says, "can find contests created by potential buyers". These are not 'potential' buyers.

"The buyer is matched to writers or designers who meet their needs and the style they desire". I have noticed comments like this from other entrants which makes me wonder what it is about the site that gives them this impression. I'm curious to know why you think there is a match up process? It is really only the free market at work. Buyers says what will be the prize and the talent then decides if they are interested to enter for that price. The talent also would only enter contests that interest them. There is no match up of "needs and style".


#21
I’m not sure it really flows as well as some of the other pieces.

Shouldn’t have a hyphen in the first sentence between ‘need’ and ‘by having’

This artist understands the way the artists and buyers interact which #22 did not understand. Also understands how it can be beneficial even after the contest ends. “Afterwards, the buyer and their chosen artist may work together for as long as is mutually beneficial”

They got the follow up correct also, “TheFinalPrint supports the buyer throughout the creation of their product. Once a design is chosen, TheFinalPrint is able to complete any final work that the artist may be unable to do.

I think that this writer has taken the time to think it through carefully and not just begin by ‘shooting from the hip’.


#20
I like this PR. Could possibly spice it up by discussing at the beginning why the reader should take an interest as opposed to starting with how the site works.

First impression; writes well though I’m not sure that the word “Capabilities” is the best description.

Don’t think this description is completely accurate. A service called “Follow-up” is also offered by TheFinalPrint in order to insure that the needs of both the buyer and the contributor, after the completion of the contest, were met, and that all projects are completed successfully on time.


#19
I like that you open with “why” the reader should take interest in the article.

This statement is not correct. “which will allow writers and designers the opportunity to flaunt their creatively professional, or budding, skills to bid for the job”. They are not bidding for the job.

I notice that these articles often refer to the contest as closed and that others cannot see the work. This is true for the writing but not necessarily so for the graphic contests.


#18
Could be more succinct.

A bit clumsy such as, “TheFinalPrint.com launches to establish” and “compete for work; functioning as an inexpensive and lucrative resource for self-employed artists and business-owners alike”

This sentence really doesn’t make sense or else it isn’t written well. “Therefore, a buyer may strategically attract more competitors to his or her project by providing a higher rate of payment, or prize money, without sacrificing profit.”


#17
This one starts with the “Why”.

This line is clumsy or just the wrong word, “and then let the results flock in” but this writer writes well and some of his descriptions are creatively fresh.


#16
I like this entry. Ideally we could address “why” the reader wants what we offer at the beginning of the PR, instead of “what” we offer.

Should have used ‘s’ apostrophe here. “designer’s style bests fit"

This is not 100% accurate because it is not that the writer/designer didn’t finish the project within a given time. “if a writer or designer were unable to finish a project within the given time, the buyer would have the option to use the website’s Follow-Up service."
Instead I might say something along the lines of ‘if the results of the winning entry are not ready for production, the Follow-Up guarantees your project is completed’. Obviously my text can be improved. TheFinalPrint allows a buyer to work with a designer/writer who has great ideas and talent but may not possess all the skills needed to fulfill the requirements of a project. Typically these projects are not handed to a freelancer but a large agency.

This is a true and useful statement, “Writers and designers can greatly benefit from TheFinalPrint.com by connecting with buyers who most appreciate their style, skill and talent."

This is also a useful statement. “already agreed upon by both buyer and writer/designer before the contest begins, underbidding by competitors is eliminated, as is the need for payment negotiations”.


#15
I like the excited tone used from the beginning. I also like the quote you have at the end. From a developer’s perspective, I see this as part of the reason why they are interested in TheFinalPrint. From the beginning, we should probably address that a buyer is no longer limited to just one individual or agency who may not share their vision.

Got the “Why” up front.

This is not accurate because TFP doesn’t have the mentioned database. “A large community of writers and designers in TheFinalPrint.com’s database compete for a job by completing a contest”

This statement seems a little unclear or inaccurate, “Also, project awards are based on the company’s compatibility with the writer or designer, not the individual’s advertising budget. Writers and designers are never asked to pay to compete for jobs, eliminating advertising costs”.

I appreciate the time everyone has spent contributing to our press release and testing our new system. Please give us some time to further review each entry to determine the winner. You should now be able to view everyone's entries, though you will need to first log in. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to send me an email or submit comments within the public discussion area of this contest.

Thanks for participating in our contest!

Bill

The contest holder has extended this contest to 9 days.

KarenW, I'm sorry I see the same problem with dates and time stamps, which looks to be our fault. I've extended the contest 1 day, so it should conclude tomorrow (Wednesday July 14). I may make a further extension if I receive a request to do so. Hopefully this problem can also be fixed before the end of the day. I'm really sorry for the trouble.

Sorry the site has been running slowly this morning. We should be able to fix the problem later today.

Also, I’ve received requests to extend the contest from a number of writers who only recently responded to the job advertisement on Craigslist. So I have extended the contest 1 day and may make an additional extension if there are no objections.

Thanks!

I'm a little confused as to why the deadline appears to keep changing. It was originally Tuesday and then on Sunday, it suddenly said "tomorrow" so I scrambled to finish it quickly without the time for revisions that I'd set aside. Then it changed back to Tuesday, but now says Sunday. I wasn't sure if this is an issue with the site or otherwise?

Thanks.

#13
Second paragraph. This sentence is way too long:
"The contests are interactive, allowing for questions and clarifications between contributors and the contest holder, and buyers communicate directly with the writers/designers for the duration of the contest, continuously providing feedback as new entries are submitted to make sure the needs are understood by everyone."

This sentence is a bit clumsy:
"Buyers take an active part in directing contributors and to make it interesting, for an additional $10, can block contributors from viewing each other’s submissions until the contest is over."

This is not completely accurate in that we don't necessarily hire individuals who participate in our contests;
"TheFinalPrint may snatch up the best and brightest to staff the Follow-up section of the web site which provides printing services, web design, and revisions to completed work. They will even take your half finished, abandoned project and finish it for you."

So, I'd say it’s ok. Not too verbose but sentences should be better constructed.

#14
Not bad but overall the writing wasn't inspiring.
I like the fact that you gave good examples of tasks that could be performed in the follow up.

“Follow-up also includes services such as web programming, formatting and finalizing print artwork, and the creation of letterheads and business cards. In addition, TheFinalPrint will soon offer print services, such as printing business cards, catalogues, etc., as another Follow-up option.”

Final two lines were, for the most part, just a restatement of the opening paragraph.