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Writing For Free: When & When
Not to Do It
by Yuwanda Black
Right off the bat, I want to say that there is no right or wrong
answer to this topic. A lot depends on your end goal — to get a job,
garner publicity, build a portfolio, etc. However, there comes a
time when every writer should say no to writing for free. Below are
some issues that I've been pondering about freelance writing.
Issue 1: Content for websites. Content is king on the Internet and
everyone wants something fresh and unique on a regular basis. If you
are promoting a product/service and write articles to generate
publicity, then by all means, give the content away.
However, if what you are selling is your writing skill and are not
promoting anything, then don't give it away. You'd be better off
doing a direct mail campaign and spending your time creating pieces
for your portfolio — even if they are only make-believe companies.
One could argue that the reason good writing is taken for granted is
so many give it away. I give a lot of content away, but only within
the framework of WIIFM (what's in it for me).
Issue 2: Writing on spec: For those of you who don't know what this
is, see this excellent primer article at
http://inkwelleditorial.com/beginnersguideglatzer.htm
This established freelance writer explains spec writing brilliantly.
The bottom line, once your portfolio is complete with good samples,
stop this practice.
The exception would be if it's a credit from a noted source that you
really want. After all, who's going to turn down Fortune? However, I
believe there's a big enough need for good writers that you don't
have to sell your soul for one credit, even if it is a "biggie."
How many samples should you have? I advise between five and ten. Try
to get them from different sources — eg, two newspaper, three
websites, two brochure, one sales letter, etc. This will give your
portfolio a range. Nonprofits, friends with small businesses,
neighborhood shops — all are possible non-paid sources to build your
writing credits.
A tip: Choose a small business and do the brochure, sales letter,
etc. first. Then, send it to your target and ask if they would mind
if you included it in your portfolio. I don't know any small
business that would refuse a well-written promotional piece that
doesn't cost them a dime. Bang, a legitimate credit!
Issue 3: Original Content & Rights: I don't believe in giving away
original content — again, unless you are promoting a product/service
or are just starting out. I am constantly amazed at the number of
publications that want original content but don't want to pay for
it.
An example. I write a small business column. An editor saw it and
approached me to be a regular contributor to their publication,
which is quite noted in business circles. The kicker? They didn't
want my column but wanted me to contribute original content with no
pay. I had to turn them down. I offered the column at no charge
(since I already write it), but explained that original content
outside of this without payment was not possible.
If you write, then you know it's not easy coming up with original
content on a regular basis. Some subjects are so covered that nine
times out of ten, new ground is never being broken. We are usually
just putting a new spin on it. This costs brain cells! And, trust
me, not everybody can do it.
So, the next time you put finger to keyboard, think about your
objective. If we all stopped giving away our pearls of wisdom, then
the pay level across the board would be raised.
About the Author
Yuwanda Black is an entrepreneur, author, speaker and syndicated
small business columnist whose focus is controlling your destiny
through small business ownership. Her most recent e-books, How to
Really Make a Living as an Editorial Freelancer and Advice from
Successful Freelancers: How They Built Their Careers & How You Can
Too! are available for immediate download at
http://www.InkwellEditorial.com/bizguides.html. Visit her on the
web at
http://www.InkwellEditorial.com or
http://www.EntrepreDoer.biz
for a complete list of how-to, small business books and articles.
© Copyright. Yuwanda Black.
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