Comments on: Why Writing for Free Still Sucks

By: Weekly translation favorites (July 15-28)

Weekly translation favorites (July 15-28) — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:54:13 +0000

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By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 13:39:25 +0000

Thanks for weighing in, Lisa. Truth is I've never considered blogging to be in the writing-for-free category. It's marketing and networking. Plus it's free advertisement.

By: Lisa Johnson

Lisa Johnson — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 20:48:53 +0000

I totally agree with what you're saying with one exception. When you write for yourself, by starting your own blog. You are writing for free — at least in the beginning. But with each post, your writing is improved; you're getting your name and work out there and you will have an online writing portfolio. Before blogging, writing for free was a way to get experience, but with the internet and social media, it's a whole different world now.

By: Paula Hendrickson

Paula Hendrickson — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 15:54:47 +0000

Indeed. An article published in a local weekly paper (whether it pays nothing or a few dollars) carries far more weight than any Demand or other mill work.

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 14:35:24 +0000

That Karma bus is going to be busy, Paula. ;)

I think it doesn't necessarily lower our rates, but you're right that it lowers the averages, which some clients may use as negotiating tools. I guess the solution to that is to work with people higher up the food chain. More valuable clients tend to understand the price of working with more valuable writers.

Yes to one or two pieces for free, but be selective. A Demand Media article is going to net the opposite result. Some clients won't consider these to be acceptable clips.

By: Paula Hendrickson

Paula Hendrickson — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 14:28:32 +0000

There are one or two of those ill-advisors out there right now — who are shockingly popular among newbies who know no better — who I wish the Karma Bus would pick up soon.

One of the worst parts about advising writers to work for free lowers the median pay rate for all writers.

Disclaimer: I don't mind beginners writing one, or even two pieces, for free so they'll have a published clip to show real markets. Why? When you're not published, it's basically that or writing samples. In either case, you're not being paid, but having a published clip will look better to people assigning stories at those real markets.