Comments on: When Should You Write for Free

By: MelissaO

MelissaO — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 16:15:58 +0000

Having worked for nonprofits, I can speak from experience when I say that many truly don’t have any money! I do mean specifically those small, community-based organizations and not the granddaddiess of the nonprofit world.

But I would write for free when it would mean the continuance and/or financial stability of an organization or initiative that I cared about. For example, I’ve been working with our local Farmers’ Market through my job since its inception, but I can no longer devote hours to this (my position is also grant funded). The Market is about to fall apart, and I’m well-aware of the challenges it faces. In this case, I’d definitely work on a grant for free.

But to answer a post for some Market looking for a grantwriter to work for free? In an area of the country that I have no connection to, for people I’ve never met? Nope, don’t think so.

By: Gina D.

Gina D. — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 15:27:27 +0000

I rarely, RARELY write for free, but I do have one gig for which I wouldn’t accept money even if it were offered. It is for a weekly e-mail newsletter that is written in support of a cause near and dear to my heart. None of the writers is paid, but I feel like I am making such a contribution to a worthy cause that I couldn’t imagine giving it up.

Other than that, I have occasionally done a free gig or two for clients who were first friends. They are both excellent about paying my my rate, so every now and again I throw in something extra without charging.

Other than these, I’m with Deb….WRITERS ARE WORTHY OF THEIR HIRE!

By: Mariella

Mariella — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 08:16:37 +0000

Em, in Writers Weekly, they have a list of markets for the new freelancer.

By: Em

Em — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 06:31:27 +0000

There’s something that I’ve been wondering. What are the best places to look for the experience that most writing jobs require? Are classes on the specific type of writing enough, or do we need to have work published by others as well? This always frustrates me when I look at job options. I’m new to the whole thing but I look at alot of job postings and think “I can do that. If only I had the experience they wanted.”

So, I guess what I’m trying to ask is what is the best way for someone to break into the freelance writing scene?

By: Pearl

Pearl — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 02:36:47 +0000

I have written many articles for free for charities. When I am thanked for my work and feel appreciated, that’s payment enough. But recently, I responded to an ad on Craigslist and asked if the listing organization was recognized by the IRS as a charity. Instead of a yes-or-no answer, the editor just assumed I would do the assignment and sent me the name and phone # of someone I should interview, # of words required and a deadline. What nerve! My response was that I was not familiar enough with the subject matter and could not afford to invest the many hours necessary for researching and writing the piece.
Now, for the most part, I do my writing-related charity work by favorably mentioning appropriate charities in articles that I am paid to write. For example, if I am writing about weddings, I will mention a bridal gown charity or a non-profit organization that makes and sells custom invitations.

By: Jim Bashkin

Jim Bashkin — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 01:07:30 +0000

I write largely for free, in a sense. I mainly write research proposals for myself, and I can be paid from the resulting research grant, but not for the writing. I have been paid to write proposals and expert reports for others.

On my blog, I write about fiction and am working on my creative writing for the first time in about 30 years.

By: Katharine Swan

Katharine Swan — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 22:32:34 +0000

I’ve had two gigs where I wrote for free. Both were when I was freelancing on the side of a full-time job and wasn’t as concerned about money. Also, both gigs did give me something in return — I got free books from one, and free play tickets for another. However, once I started freelancing full-time I quit both of these gigs, and I would never agree to a similar deal now.

By: Corie

Corie — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 21:38:06 +0000

I do volunteer grant writing for small 501c3 charities. They usually don’t have the manpower or the resources to pay a grant writer. To me its a way to utilize my abilities to assist in the deliverance of my maker’s work.

By: Candace

Candace — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 21:18:58 +0000

S, don’t feel bummed. I’ve never, ever been asked to write for “credit” and I probably would have baffled the editor by making him explain it to me in excruciating detail! I think it’s for the best that you didn’t end up working there.

I used to have a problem where companies I worked clerical-type jobs for expected me to stay late and not write it on my timesheet. After a number of years, I just made it my personal policy that I don’t work for free. Period.

I always say that I wouldn’t dream of asking someone to come to my house and wash my car for free. Why on earth would they think I can write something for free? Or stay late at work for free? On one of those jobs, when I told the boss I was happy to stay late if needed but I’d need to be compensated for the time, I was told, “We can’t believe you’d be so petty.” When at the end of the day my salaried supervisor was running out the door so fast, you’d swear she was on fire!

I have a lot of respect for startup publications that pay $10/story, for instance, rather than paying nothing. It’s a respect thing.

I will donate little odd jobs like brochure design to church or civic groups. I don’t think that’s the same as staying late at a for-profit place because your salaried supervisor doesn’t want to wait for the next train!

By: Lawrence

Lawrence — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 17:05:07 +0000

Note to S (above): Tell that client you have not found any recipes for “credit” and your family has this weird eating habit.