Freelance Writer Position - Anonymous employee Pottermore Employee Review

1.0
25 May 2017
Anonymous freelancer
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Obviously being part of the Potter-world would be amazing...but unfortunately this seems to be the only pro I experienced.

Cons

I applied for the freelance writer position at Pottermore that opened up at the end of August 2016. After applying, I got an email stating that they wanted me to pitch some articles for them. I wrote some pitches, and sent it off. After a few weeks, I got another email a month after that asking me to send them a full piece. After four weeks, I followed up with them to know the status of my application. Didn't hear back. Each week I sent another email asking them for follow-up...and still nothing. Extremely disheartened, I noticed a very similar article in both tone and content to the one I submitted on Pottermore's site, posted a month or so after I sent in my article. I was then contacted a few weeks later to be informed that my piece wasn't right for the site, despite the strikingly similar piece that had been posted to the site after I had submitted mine. As a freelance writer, and I know this business is cutthroat, but the lack of communication in this process was extremely disheartening and frustrating.

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Pottermore Response
9y
Sorry to hear the above, the freelance opportunity advert generated thousands of applications so it took us some time to get through them all. All those that were asked to submit full pieces we responded to and we gave feedback as to why we didn't use their piece at that time. The full article /request to expand on ideas that were of interest we sent to all those that were shortlisted and we ask you to review the website so that they will be in the house style/ tone. This would be why there are similarities. I would really like to resolve this to make sure you are able to talk though any outstanding queries so please drop an email to the email address you have FAO Janine and I will be in touch. thanks

Explore other reviews about Pottermore

5.0
14 Jul 2015
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The people who work here are both kind and brilliant - which is a very tough combination to find. The culture is absolutely set by the CEO, who is inspiring, formidable, and open. The editorial, marketing and social media teams are extremely talented, and there's generally a great dedication to nurturing imagination, creativity, and new talent. And there's a really nice social vibe too - book clubs, boot camps (which I always think of going to but never do), birthday drinks, ice cream treats in the afternoons. It's a truly delightful place to work, and I've made some very great friends already. Beautiful offices, exciting projects, really great gender balance and heaps of women in leadership positions, which really means a lot to me. There are definitely role models and mentoring possibilities in the editorial and creative areas, and I imagine elsewhere. There's a really lovely, collaborative approach and ultimately, everyone here is in the business of imagination - so they're all a little bit magical.

Cons

Nah. I can't really think of anything, to be honest.

3
1.0
13 Feb 2015
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Working here means you deal with a brand that was incredibly successful and has a special place in the hearts of those whose teenage years involved Harry Potter books and films. Also trendy wooden floors, free coffee and bread, plus offices in great location

Cons

The senior management can't devise a strategy for toffee, so have bought in an army of overpaid mercenary consultants, who are laughing all the way to the bank. However, whilst taking the money, none of them have come up with a plausible strategy as to how to revitalise an ageing brand (answer - you can't, the kids are over it). The minions at Pottermore by contrast are unhappy and ignored. Their views are not invited and would be rejected in favour of an external (and expensive) opinion by the untrusting senior management. you'd have thought this would be an excellent brand to have on your CV and a great place to work - but in fact it'll rob you of your confidence, and eventually break you.

10
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