Yo, I'm with you. I have plenty of bylines and I don't really need them. I will get the occasional client who will ask for specific samples, and while a byline would help, it's not necessary. I just point to what I've written for others.

And if the money is there either way, go ahead and put my name on it if you want. 🙂

My concern is more for newer freelancers who are still trying to figure out their value. They're bombarded by messages (from self-proclaimed "experts," coaches, and publications themselves) that there's often more value in a byline than direct pay.

I've even seen some of these so-called "coaches" and "mentors" spout advice that freelancers should never ghostwrite. To them it's all about ego. It's the "look at me!" game, even if it means writing for free, writing for revenue sharing schemes, etc. for a byline when you could be earning much more for your time elsewhere. And "elsewhere" doesn't always mean ghostwriting either. It can be bylined work for less prestigious publications.

And that's what I mean when I say "byline-chasing" — the writers who poo-poo any gig that doesn't give them what they (or their mentor) deem a top-tier byline, regardless of how good a gig might be for their business (and wallet) overall. I wish that kind of bullsh*t advice wasn't so prevalent, but sadly it is.

I've had writers come to me for help because they thought they'd never make a livable income freelancing because they learned from so-and-so that only pitching big publications mattered. Set them straight and point them in the right direction, and it's funny how fast they're suddenly able to support themselves.

Bad coaches, publications, etc. that try to exploit writers for a quick buck of their own are everywhere. And when it comes to newer writers figuring out their value, one of the most important things to me is that they learn to look beyond that nonsense and start thinking like an actual business owner rather than simply a writer looking to get their name on some website or in some magazine.

There's a place for that. The problem is when it becomes your only, or even primary, focus — especially when you're still new.

Paula — precisely. I market myself, so I don't need bylines for exposure!

Ashley–WATCH OUT! PITCHFORKS AND TORCHES! Seriously though, you are totally right. No matter what you do–get paid what you're worth to do it. And note that I didn't really mean to attack byline writers–I moreso wanted to point out that it's okay to NOT want that. That it's vital to stop and figure out what YOU want out of your career rather than just following the crowd. I've known some amazing magazine writers, like Catherine Tully, who've been a great inspiration to me over the years. I definitely wouldn't see their career focus in a negative light–just as something that wasn't the right choice for me.

I loved reading a little about your journey, Yo, and seeing how you made your career work for you, rather than the other way around!

And that's why we love you — your modesty. 😉

Like Paula, I'm glad you brought up the issue of byline-chasing. It holds far too many new freelancers back from more lucrative gigs.

Get some clips you're proud to share publicly? Sure. Put your ego over earnings on a permanent basis? That's not smart business.

I'm not sure why some of the newer writers I meet are so against ghostwriting. It's not like you have to do that exclusively either. No reason you can't pursue both. Find some balance.