Last week I applied for a project and this week, I received a response. Great! Except… yes, the old “sample of how you would handle this” request. Look, I’m all for giving you an idea of how I’d handle your gig, but “samples” are limited. This one asked for a small sample – 100 words – and it is on a fairly obscure industry (but I have written a few articles for that industry already). Noting the gang-emailing format, I decided what the hell – I’ll give you 100 words. But for free? Nuh uh.
Here’s what I put in the same email right below the sample: “Since this is a sample, it is not for publication anywhere without reimbursement. If you like it and would like to use it, I’m happy to discuss a fee for the sample.” If this turns out to be a legitimate client, that line should not offend. Hey, I don’t work for free. You billed it as a sample – a sample it shall remain until you find a way to pay me for it. If it is a scammer, the message has been sent – we’re on to you and “free” isn’t happening anymore. Since this is a weblog “post” sample, I’ll know if it’s used.
Given the collective track record of people who request samples, I’m not holding out much hope of this going anywhere. That’s okay. I’m setting the stage for being treated more professionally. Funny thing is, if we allow even the scammers to dictate the terms to us and we don’t draw our own boundaries, how can we ever expect to be taken seriously?
Do you let potential clients like this know you expect payment if they use your work?
I respond that I am happy to provide a project-specific sample for X fee and point out it is my “sample fee” and less than the regular fee for the work. Upon the 50% deposit and return of the contract for said sample, I am happy provide it.
No $$, no sample.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — if they’re legit, they should be able to tell if I’m what they want by the previously published portfolio work I provide.
Too many of these guys are scammers. I’d rather play hardball up front and not waste even 15 minutes on 100 words on a scam.
I gave nothing special, believe me! I reworked the words he’d sent over and he was pleased. He also responded directly and said I was a strong contender for the job. That may be so. Again, I don’t really get excited until the contract is signed.
And yes, there will be a contract. Only once did I have troubles with a client who wouldn’t sign one. Ironically, he was in the same line of work as this client.
Recently I was asked to provide a paid sample for a potential new client. The CLIENT made it clear that I would be paid if the sample met their basic criteria (XXX words about X topic), but the email seemed a little impersonal, so I wanted to make sure this was a legit offer and not someone who’d emailed every single writer who applied for project, plying them with a paid project, then disappearing with the invoices came due.
So, I emailed them back and said I was excited to work with them, but I wanted to make sure my sample hit the mark, so could they please send me more background on the company? They responded immediately with additional info. That tells me that they’re responsive and sincerely want to choose a good copywriter. And the fact that I asked for more info shows that I’m thorough. I wouldn’t demand a deposit (it’s a short sample), but I feel more confident about moving forward now.
That’s great advice, Susan. And it worked – that’s the best part!
I’m a freelancer in another discipline, but I have been following your great blog for the last several months. Since there are a lot of similarities between what I do and what you do, you might want to consider exploring some different prospecting venues.
Without going into a lot of whydonchas, one such piece of information I’ve worked with for some time very succcessfully comes from Jacques Werth at http://www.highprobsell.com
I’ll get off now but keep up the great work.
Chuck
I love that you have a good solution to this conundrum…because I am seeing more and more job postings that ask for samples. I like that you’ve come up with a polite-but-firm response that will keep you from being taken advantage of. I might have to start doing something like this, too!
Lori you (and Devon) are doing a great job educating folks who need educating… and I love Susan’s idea of asking for info on the company… if even 20% of the folks applying did this it would transform the industry!
Good on you!
Anne, now blogging at http://www.aboutfreelancewriting.com
Welcome, Chuck! I thought I saw you following. Glad to have you here!
I’ll check out the site link. We can all use new marketing ideas! Meanwhile, you might want to hit some of my keywords for Marketing here – maybe there are ideas here that are new to you, as well. Feel free to make yourself at home here. The more the merrier. 🙂
Jen, it’s an epidemic, isn’t it? You guys know how I hate the job boards (except for yours, Anne – you actually take time to search and bring the best ones), especially ones that charge you to view the listings, which we should all avoid as they’re no better than the free Craig’s List ads. The worst part isn’t the ad itself, but the fact that somewhere some writer is feeling desperate (and has taken an idiot pill) and will apply.
DON’T. Period.
Lori, Thanks for the welcome.
Chuck
My response is usually similar to Devon’s: I quote a reduced rate for samples. But I don’t provide them unless they agree.
I also direct them (again) to my portfolio, with a “However, my online portfolio (with a link) provides many examples of my work, some of which relate to your project…” and then include links to specific clips.
I only do this though if I think they might agree or if the gig is truly promising. Otherwise it’s just a waste of time, because 99 percent of them just want freebies.