Comments on: Integrity and Writerly Boundaries

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 16:36:04 +0000

Anne, I think once they've proven themselves, you can move the agreement to email. I've done that myself. Just an agreement in writing that this is what you need and when is fine, right?

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 21:04:15 +0000

Your list could be mine! Except I've got two long-term clients without contracts… we just keep noodling along and it works. But no new ones for sure.

By: hugh.c.mcbride

hugh.c.mcbride — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 20:09:04 +0000

Lori: Great post, as always. Like the others who have already commented here, I can't think of anything significant that you've overlooked w/ this list.

That said, I'm particularly intrigued by #5 -- & the more I think about this one, the more I think it could easily be a post unto itself.

Maybe I'm feeling particularly cynical this morning (OK, I *know* I'm feeling particularly cynical this morning), but steering clear of all companies w/ ethical issues sounds a lot like saying I won't cheer for a sports team unless I'm sure there are no ethically questionable dudes (or dudettes) on the squad. Excellent in theory, but difficult if not impoossible to achieve in practice.

Though the Enrons (& the Michael Vicks) of the world are easy to identify & shun, I find that most issues related to business ethics (or the lack thereof) are more prevalent that we'd like to acknowledge, & more prone to interpretation than we'd wish were the case.

Any of this making any sense -- or do I just need to spend some time with a warm cup of tea & a nice spot in the sunshine until my faith in corporate humanity surges a bit?

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 19:20:48 +0000

Paula, try Couponcabin.com too. Great place to find that last-minute discount.

Devon, I find that #1 and #4 often coincide, which makes it a BIG no-no.

Kim, remember those times when we were just starting out and we thought "Boundaries? What are those?" :) We learned quickly!

Ashley, good for you for helping her. Her statement is one lots of freelancers utter. Yes, we do have to eat. More importantly, however, we have to look at ourselves in the mirror. Anyone who's willing to compromise their own standards consistently is skirting the edges of unethical behavior. I'd much rather behave as a pro than do what I'm not comfortable doing just for a paycheck.

Wendy, don't you love that one? I get the "I don't have the budget for your fee" (which I'd better hear sooner rather than later), but DON'T think you're paying me with invisible money. My bills aren't invisible, therefore I'll be requiring real cash.

Same here, Cathy. There are some projects that just don't fit.

By: Paula

Paula — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 18:45:30 +0000

Numbers 4 & 6 are a tie for me. And funny how the people most likely to treat you badly are those who are otherwise unethical.

Back to free shipping… Freeshipping.org lists all kinds of deal on free shipping, but cash-back places like Fat Wallet and eBates are really good at listing which stores have free shipping deals – and who doesn't love getting free shipping and cash back on your online purchases?

By: Cathy

Cathy — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:48:27 +0000

You pretty much covered it. For me, #4 does not have to be something nefarious. If it's just "not my thing," and I don't believe in it, I don't feel comfortable writing about it. Being in the health care niche, you can imagine some of what I mean.

In addition to royalties (laughing with you, Wendy), the offer of ALL that traffic I'll get as a result of my "expert" sharing. :-)

By: Wendy

Wendy — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:23:29 +0000

Royalties- LOL! Isn't that usually followed up with something like, "Our site gets tons of visitors everyday!"

I'm sure that should be okay, since you could get a byline out of the deal, right?

By: Ashley

Ashley — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:13:46 +0000

This is a great list. One of my good friends is a fulltime freelance writer, and she's struggling with one particular client. She's writing stuff that she doesn't feel good about (the client's clients don't have the best reputations) and I've been encouraging her to find something else. She tells me she doesn't have time to look and "I gotta eat." That makes me really sad. I actually found a job for her online, so I'm hoping that will help her phase out the client she doesn't like.

That's an example of writing something that goes against my beliefs. I just couldn't do it.

By: Kimberly Ben

Kimberly Ben — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:33:35 +0000

You've covered some very important boundaries writers must consider. I agree with them all completely.

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:13:08 +0000

#4 is a big one for me. I get into a lot of debates about that, because, supposedly, a "professional" is supposed to step back and not be affected by the beliefs behind the work. However, I believe that words have power -- why be a writer if you don't? -- and therefore, even for cash, I will not write words of power that go against what I believe has ethics and integrity.

That's more important to me than the paycheck, so I'd rather lose the client and find someone else.