As for free writing for non-charity companies, I won’t do it. I’ve had local people ask me to work with them and then get shocked when I start talking about pay. Just because I know you doesn’t mean I’m doing you a favor, people. I’ve also gotten tired of the “writing for ad revenue” game. I know money can be made and probably would if I focused more, but it just seems like pennies trickling in from various places isn’t going to cut it.

Last time I talked to him, these days he’s only writing sales copy for a variety of websites and businesses where he lives.

As fas as “working” for free goes, exposure or no, I simply won’t do it.

@ Deb — I also think writing for free is acceptable under a few key conditions — establishing one’s self at the very beginning, and charity and Nonprofit work.

The critical factor for new writers is to not just randomly accept an assignment, but to carefully evaluate it and look at it from a long-term perspective and see if it’s something that will further your writing career.

My only write-for-free gig was writing for a local business association, which gave me contributor copies for my portfolio as well as later put my work on the internet which was HUGE in advancing my career.

Getting your work published via the internet gives you a much-coveted online sample, so dissemination of samples is far easier than sending out hard copies to potential hirers.

I’d definitely tell new writers who are evaluating whether to write for free to use that as a criteria. A finished online product (along with making sure you get a byline) are two of the best ways to take your writing career to the next level — PAY!

I still do the newsletter every month. It’s the only thing I write for free. I’m okay giving my services to them because I love my congregation and I’m proud that I can be one of the “active” people who really helps out. So I guess this fits in with that volunteer spirit. For everything else, I look at my writing as a business and expect to get paid. : )