Freelance Writers: Why You Shouldn’t Write for Free

How many times have you gone to a doctor and made a deal like this: "Doc, please treat me and let's see how I feel in a couple of weeks. If I'm better, I'll pay you. If I'm not, I won't pay you, but it will be good experience for you."

Freelance writing is the only profession I know in which the manufacturer often creates the product for nothing in the hope of getting started or in gaining more exposure. It's the worst thing you can do for yourself and the whole world of freelancer writers.

Here's how writers are lured into writing for free and why you shouldn't be one of them:

Writing on Speculation: This is when a publication asks you to write the article and if the editors like it, they will consider publishing it. When you write for free, you are, in essence, saying your product is worth very little. In addition, when you accept writing an article on speculation you are taking the chance of your article being well-written, but unwanted for a number of reasons. This may include the editors changing their minds about wanting the subject or totally forgetting they assigned the article to you. You may never know the real reason, but if your article is rejected, your fledgling confidence will take a dive. And one more editor will see that writers are willing to work for nothing.

Getting Paid on Publication: This is often another losing proposition for a writer. The editors may rave about your article but if they don't publish it, you don't get paid. Do you know how often editors don't publish articles they have assigned? A lot. But if you have a contract to get paid on acceptance (which means that you get paid when the editor approves it), you will still get paid the full amount no matter what the publication does with the article. A number of years ago, I wrote an article on acceptance for the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) publication called Modern Maturity. I got paid $1500 for it after it was accepted by the editor. For some reason, the editor never published the article. I was disappointed, but at least I got paid for writing it.

We're a Start-Up Publication: I can't tell you how many times--even as a seasoned, well published writer--I have been approached by publications and websites pleading poverty but wanting good writing for their enterprise. The promise is always the same: you'll get good exposure as a writer. (This is like applying for a job at a new shop and being told by the owners that they can't pay you but you'll get good exposure as a salesperson.) Don't believe it. Many of these publications never see the light of day in print or online. But if you write for them for free, it just reinforces the fact that these start-up editors can get something for nothing the next time they try.

How to Get Paid for Writing: Hone your skills, learn how to write an effective query or proposal (never send in the whole article to an editor), get a written contract from a reputable publication and take nothing less than getting paid on acceptance. And that counts for the very first article you write and submit for publication.