Why I passed on an opportunity

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Today I turned down an offer for a job.

It wasn't because I didn't have time to do it.
It wasn't because I didn't want to work for the person who asked me.

The reason I declined was that I realized, while I could certainly wing it and not mess up altogether, there are better people out there for the particular goal this person had in mind with a very specific target audience. 

Specifically, the person who contacted me is one of my LinkedIn contacts with whom I've exchanged messages. She said she liked my writing style, which is why she thought of asking me for an editing job.

The problem is that it's to edit a book aimed at tweens. I've certainly read my share of such books in the past, but it's not at all my area of focus. 

I could do what others do and just say, "Sure I'm up for anything from anyone willing to pay me." But I'm burdened by something called integrity that prevents me from doing that.

I know that for her book to be a commercial success, she has to work with an editor who really

know the market well. Editing a book is not just a question of catching errors but of making sure

it will resonate with its target audience.

I don't know the ins and outs of that particular segment of

the population well enough to serve the author as well as she deserves to be served. That's why I declined.

If you think that's not the way to do business, then we will never be on the same page. On the other hand, if you appreciate a marketing consultant that will not betray your trust, then we can talk. 

You can send me a message via the contact form on my site.