Comments on: Things I Won’t Do for Cash

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:40:00 +0000

Cyndy, changing the project parameters also changes the contract terms, which breaches the contract on the client side. I've found that a simple reminder of what the original terms were and a suggestion that we renegotiate new terms is enough to enforce boundaries without driving away business. But again, some business isn't worth keeping, especially if you feel like it's never going to end! (Welcome to the blog, BTW - glad to have you here!)

The sad part, Carla, is that 3 bucks doesn't amount to squat when you add it up over a month compared to how much time you may have to put into it. Sucks! (Welcome to you, too!)

Nice mantra, Alik! The first one on your list is often the toughest to gauge, for I've had a few people go a bit batty after the contract is signed, but as long as you concentrate on the last two, the first one may be workable in the right situation. :)

By: Alik Levin | PracticeThis.com

Alik Levin | PracticeThis.com — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 05:32:00 +0000

Lori
I liked your last one "Work for anyone who doesn't provide authentication of purpose."
I adopted the following mantra to avoid such situations:
"Work with right people, on right problems, with right impact"

By: Carla

Carla — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:51:00 +0000

As a new writer, I was offered $3 a post (minimum 300 words) and I gladly took it until I realized that I had to meet a minimum posts per month before I can even get paid.

By: Cyndy Kryder

Cyndy Kryder — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:25:00 +0000

Lori, I just want to commend you for talking about these issues. You are doing such a service for freelance writers by bringing these issues out into the open. Many freelance writers believe they need to accept bad deals or else they won't have work. You thoughtfully point out otherwise.

I've been known to "fire" clients who constantly change the parameters of a project and ask me to make multiple changes that are out of the scope of the original estimate. As a medical writer, I've also made the decision to avoid helping docs write journal manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals. Too much bad press recently in the Wall Street Journal and NY Times about so-called "ghostwriting" and the inherent implications that medical writers who assist doctors in the preparation of these manuscript are unethical. So very untrue.
Keep up the fight!

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:50:00 +0000

Amen, Stacy. Won’t go there, either. And I won’t work with those who are trashing others, be it their competition, their coworkers, their spouses, whatever. I’d just be the next one in line to be griped about.

Katharine, that’s awful! I know how you feel. That alleged scam artist caused me not just personal grief, but a few nasty notes by people who really have no clue. I had a “shame on you!” note from someone who at least signed a name to the note (whether it was his or not remains a mystery).

By: Katharine Swan

Katharine Swan — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:59:00 +0000

Devon and Lori, I’m with you on the samples. After nearly four years of freelancing (more than three of that full time) you can’t tell me I don’t have SOMETHING that will tell you what you need to know.

I also learned the hard way not to work on marketing copy for products I don’t believe in or agree with. I once wrote some brief website copy for a total pyramid scheme (strike one) selling “cure all” vitamins (strike two). I felt dirty for weeks, all because of four hours’ work. Never again!!!

By: Stacy Quarty

Stacy Quarty — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:43:00 +0000

Will not work for anyone with one iota of a bad rep. If I can't get the scoop on a possible client through word of mouth, I'll Google the f*** out of them.

If any source has anything negative to say, than I say no.

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:45:00 +0000

Gawd Devon, I HATE that! I’ve been doing this for eons. Why on earth do I need to constantly prove myself? Oh, I know – I DON’T. Next!

Gabriella, exactly. I won’t work with startups again. Some here would disagree with us, but I’ve been burned by that particular flame once too often.

By: Gabriella F.

Gabriella F. — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:05:00 +0000

Working for startups. I did that for months last year, and getting paid every month was a struggle. At one point, when nearly $3,000 for one issue was due, the editor said, "I plan to send you something because I want to keep you happy."

Whah? I'm not a credit card on which you can charge up purchases and pay over time!

After much worry, I finally got paid in full, but the last payment didn't come until about 90 days after I'd turned the copy in.

We've all said it before: If you can't afford to fund your operation, it's not my problem. I'm not your investor who gets paid only if your venture is successful. I'm a service provider. Pay me!

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 19:30:00 +0000

Writing "samples" for free. I'm sick and tired of so-called employers expecting you to write a piece for them for free -- even with a copyright disclaimer, there's no way to be sure they won't use it.

If they can't tell via reading my previously published samples whether I can handle the project, they're not professional enough for me to work with them.

You want me to write a sample specific to your project, in order to "decide" whether or not to hire me? Pay me for it.