I have to admit that I was pretty surprised that Koreans, basically Korea based companies, aren’t as well-versed with search engine marketing, online promotion, article marketing and internet marketing as I would have expected them to be. I say this with all sincerity in my heart…and perhaps I lack the real knowledge of what’s behind the scene as I am not a Korea contract writer per se.

I’ve been hired by Korean companies to write as their contract writers before and basically, my job as a Korea contract writer has always been to ‘finetune’ or ‘edit’ or ‘rewrite’ a lot of their English work on their websites or blogs. No complaints there although I found it a little tough trying to understand some terms and concepts behind what they’re trying to convey through their websites.

Korea contract writer needs to understand the Korean culture

One of the first things that I’ve noticed as a Korea contract writer is that there is an immediate need for the freelance writer to come to terms with the Korean culture and the way they way. the same way that Malaysian companies are rather tuneless and slow and Hong Kong companies are fast-paced to a point of madness, Korean contract writers need to understand that Korean companies are often chasing something too.

They are quick with their decisions and want to know ALWAYS that whatever they are getting is going to get them ahead of their competitors. Most of the time, as a Korea contract writer, I had no problems dealing with that but it would come as a surprise for others, perhaps.

Understanding Korean is not a must but would be advantageous

I know a smattering of Korean ranging from the common ‘Ahnyeong-haseyo’ to the ‘Biyane’ and also the ‘Culsunghamnida’ and also ‘gwenchanaseyo’. It all ends there. But it did not stop Korean companies from asking for my freelance writing services.

And that’s because Korean companies, as mentioned, are always open ideas on how to make themselves different or stand out.

You have to know this…Koreans have a very tumultuous past…in terms of history and being pummeled left, right and center from the Chinese, Japanese, Americans, Russians, Mongols…you name it, they’ve been harassed by these people. Therefore, if you want to be a Korea contract writer, you’ll have to understand why they work they work and why they do the things they do – they’ve been suppressed for so long that they stand quite united against a lot of ‘attacks’ from the outside.

Writing to make Korean companies standout and individualistic

True, Koreans have adopted a lot of their culture from the Chinese….not surprisingly so because ultimately, Koreans are basically more Chinese than they are Japanese. Furthermore, the Japanese forced so many unreasonable rules on them when they were there that you can hardly blame Korean companies work these days.

I don’t think you can find a single Korean in the country using a NOKIA (Jap brand) mobile phone in Korea today.

Therefore, when a Korea contract writer is hired, this person is expected to write in such a way that represents the company as a very individualistic yet modern, strong yet flexible company.

Not easy, I assure you, but it’s not impossible.

The purpose of this article is not meant to insult or cause unnecessary affront with other quarters. The purpose of me writing about being a Korea contract writer is because I’ve had experience writing for a few of these companies and I know that there’s a big market out there. This article is written to help other freelance writers who intend to write for Korean individuals or companies in the future.

I believe that every culture is different and it came as a surprise for me when I started writing for Korean advertising companies and Korean internet marketing companies.

Marsha Maung is a Malaysian-based freelance writer with two kids. She spends her time ferrying her kids around, watering her plants, writing web content, SEO stuff, ghostwriting books and also indulges in the occasional Facebook-ing. Visit her blog for more dirty details on the life and times of a mother, writer, designer, housekeeper, coffee-maker, poop-wiper, chef…and just about everything else under the sun.