Comments on: Freebies R Not Us

By: Katharine Swan

Katharine Swan — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:59:00 +0000

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.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:13:00 +0000

Lori, Thanks for the welcome.

Chuck

By: lwidmer

lwidmer — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:09:00 +0000

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.

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:01:00 +0000

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

By: jenniferlarsonwrites

jenniferlarsonwrites — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:34:00 +0000

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!

By: Chuck

Chuck — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:19:00 +0000

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

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:05:00 +0000

That’s great advice, Susan. And it worked – that’s the best part!

By: Susan Johnston

Susan Johnston — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:40:00 +0000

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.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:45:00 +0000

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.

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:24:00 +0000

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.