Good day yesterday. I managed to get most of the Web project wrapped up. One more element or two and we’re on to the editing phase. I got some queries out in the afternoon, then off to a meditation-related music demonstration, which I didn’t want to go to initially. Turned out to be amazing.
Also, I heard from a client who took the time not only to tell me where my invoice was (the one I’d just sent him a week ago), but to contact the accounting department and get an ETA. That’s refreshing. This client, who is new to the organization, has made what was once a stressful, cumbersome project a breeze. The communication was amazing, which made everything run smoothly.
It seems everywhere I turned yesterday, the Internet was talking about free samples. Do you give them? Should you? On one forum, talk went to a particular job offer where the client wanted – brace yourself – 21 pages of editing using their sample. And the writer was unsure if turning yet another “sample” requirement was a good idea.
When I give free samples:
Never.
Let me restate – I don’t give free samples based on their parameters. Why? Because I’ve had no end of people asking for “samples” that are actually the project in disguise. Get about 100 writers to complete a sample and voila! They’ve just finished their project for free. Okay, it will probably suck having that many perspectives, but these are people who probably don’t care.
If they want a sample of my writing, I send links, Word documents, or PDFs of what I’ve already written. If clients are serious about your work, that’s all they’ll need. No client needs to see if you’ll fit by getting so specific. Either you’re trusted or you’re not.
The same goes for an editing sample. I have plenty of projects lying around to show both before and after. There’s no way I’m giving them what amounts to a chapter of edits.
In my experience, every time I’ve been asked for a sample it’s been by someone whom I never hear from again after I turn them down or who comes back to argue why all the “top” writers or editors had no problem with it. Anyone who disappears without a word or argues the point is not my client. Chances are the pay rates were in line with the pay – meaning the more requirements, the fewer dollars you’ll see. Cheapos often argue the small details and dig their heels in on price. Just try giving them your price (you should be setting that anyway, not them). Watch their reaction.
Have you ever given a free sample? Do you still consider it? Have they ever netted you work that you’ve been paid well for?
No. I use examples from my portfolio that illustrate the style and tone they claim they're looking for.
Like you, my experience has been these companies divide up the project as "samples", don't pay anyone, change their name and URL, and use it without paying the people who wrote it.
Not acceptable.
I'm with you – no, I do not give free samples. My online portfolio has their samples or I have plenty others I can give them.
This is usually where newbies will say, But, I don't have a portfolio. Take a post/guest post you wrote and turn it into a pdf, create some articles (if you don't have them already) and keep them for your portfolio-and market them.
I thought in the beginning I didn't have much of a portfolio, but you probably have more than you think. You don't need a ton for one query. Better you create work for yourself that you can market or use for your own development then filling the coffers of some cheap company trying to build their own on the backs of others.
Just saying. 🙂
Devon, that's the shame of it. They dangle a carrot that they then eat. Rat bastards.
You're saying it right, Cathy Miller. 🙂 Beginning writers need only to make their own samples that they use until they get "real" samples. Or as you say, use what's there already. The serious clients are the ones who simply want to see if you can write.
Oh my, 21 pages of editing! Jeepers, they could spell "scam" any clearer! I despise these creeps. When it comes to my medical editing, I'm always happy to edit a 500 word scientific article sample for free (somewhere random in the middle of their text, so I don't just get an abstract that could be going to a conference as-is). For my writing, they have heaps of choices from my blog post writing, as well as samples to view on my blog's portfolio page. I hate hearing of people being scammed like this.
I offer a free knuckle sandwich with all free sample requests.
No free samples here either. I made that mistake early on and never heard from the people again, but hey they had my work for free!
I am happy to link to other work which shows I am capable of doing the job.
Several years ago I did five a free sample for a TV review blog, but I only agreed for three reasons:
1) It was a reputable company I was already familiar with.
2) They asked all applicants to write a couple hundred words on one of a handful of topics.
3) I hadn't written reviews or a blog before, so I didn't have comparable examples.
I did hear back when they said I'd made it to the final cut, and then again when they announced the writer who got the gig. (Not me.)
That said, I don't normally provide free samples just because someone asks, but I really do like Nicky's approach.
Lori,
I have given samples in the past with mixed results. I was new, though. I'm not sure if I would anymore. I wrote a sample report for the main company that I work with right now (although they paid me for the sample – AFTER determining I was a good fit). Although the sample was actually a LOT of work, I don't regret it because they pay me very well and keep me busy. I recognize that isn't the norm.
Another company asked for a sample and in my naivete, I provided it – not knowing really what they were looking for. I never heard a word back from them.
Nicky, I think in that case (medical writing) it's important for them to see your abilities, so yes, I agree they'd get a sample there.
Jake, do they get fries with that? LOL
I did it once too, Fiona. Early on, I gave them a sample, a "chapter" rewrite. Never heard from them again. That was my lightbulb moment.
Paula, sounds like you made the right choice given the circumstances. If it hadn't been a reputable company, I would have walked away myself, but nowadays I hope most reputable companies wouldn't ask.
Michelle, was payment for that sample ever part of the pre-hire discussions? Interested to know why they paid after the fact. Sounds like they're good people.
I've done samples where the client was very clear that:
1. The assignment I was getting was actually part of a project
2. He would pay me a very competitive rate if I did the job to his satisfaction. And bless me he was satisfied with the result and paid me, though he gave the rest of the project to someone else( he went with someone closer to his location).
Sounds like the best approach, Damaria. I got my job at the magazine via a sample, but they made it clear from the outset that I'd be paid for it.
Suspect I have given a free sample and sometimes I offer to do an edit or sample of two or three pages of a whole book – ghosting or rewriting.
But, I do this to first of all time myself with their material, and second to show them what I'll do… it's part of determining if we can work together.
But no, no other samples.
Lori,
I always give a free sample edit–usually about 5 pages of a book-length manuscript. I do this for several reasons similar to those Anne gave. 1) Usually I work with inexperienced writers, and the only way I can determine how much editing each manuscript requires is to actually edit a few pages and see how long it takes me. 2) I want to be sure I'm comfortable with the genre and content and writing style. I enjoy the luxury of working only on projects that I truly love, and the only way to know that is to try it out. 3) I want to make sure the author and I work well together. If the author isn't happy with my work or if she is difficult to work with, I don't want to take on the project.
So I use the sample edit to quote a price and to make sure the author and her work are a good match for me.
And yes, most of the clients I give samples to hire me to edit their manuscripts, even though my quote is usually considerably higher than any other quote they receive. Clients realize they are getting value for what they pay me, and the best way for them to understand this is to see that I get their vision and that their work sounds just like them–only better–after I have edited it.
Writing samples are different, though. I would not normally give writing samples because it's easy enough show competency and writing style through other pieces. For a book-length ghost-writing project, however, I would consider a sample so both the client and I feel comfortable that I would carry out their vision, so I could get a better feel for the time involved, and, again, so I could determine how comfortable we are with each other.
I sometimes give "samples" at a slightly lower rate, especially when it comes to a client who wants a book edited, to see if we can work together. "Let's do X pages at X rate, which is X% lower than the project rate". This is contracted, and it is stated in the contract that the rate will go up to Y if we continue.
I rarely do it anymore, but I worked successfully in the past.
You don't have a portfolio? Sit down and create one. Take the time to write samples in each type of writing you plan to pitch yourself. As you land gigs, you replace these with completed, contracted samples.
How is this different than project-specific free samples? You're working in genre, not to project specifics for someone who won't pay you, and you include the copyright on the sample.
Lillie, that's a good point I hadn't considered. By editing a little for them, you're establishing a trust relationship. Mind you I wouldn't do that for clients who are requiring a million different things in their ad (they're usually looking for a free or close-to-free ride), but perhaps a little leeway isn't a bad idea.
Devon, I'm more inclined toward charging for the sample, too. I've been paid for samples and I think that shows I can trust the client's intentions.
Lori,
Most of my clients are first-time writers who have no concept of what editing involves. They aren't sure what to expect, and they are surprised to learn how much it costs. Also, I find some authors think their words are golden and don't accept any criticism, no matter how gentle. So it's to my benefit to find that out and avoid working for those clients. I think the sample edit is more useful for me than for the clients–it's the way I determine if this person and the project are a good match for me.