Exactly this, Devon. Referrals are earned, not bestowed, and only after observing how the writer runs their business. If someone is not inclined to market for themselves, I highly doubt they’re inclined to finish what they started, including paid gigs. Why would any writer place trust in someone given evidence like that?

Cathy, that’s messed up! Yes, I agree that it would be more than a little strange to ask an established writer to just open the door and let a stranger waltz in and steal the gig. Uh, no. I’m all for sharing the wealth, but not at the expense of my own wallet!

I have received requests in the past for referrals for my “overflow.” 🙂 And, yes, it was from people I barely knew. I’ve also been approached on LinkedIn to introduce someone to my clients. Even though I knew the people asking, they shared the same specialty as mine. If they did something unrelated, I could understand, but the exact same specialty to my clients who hire me to write for them in that specialty???

Yep, lazy questions get them nowhere. I see lazy questions on forums. To be fair, most new writers don’t know which end is up, so that kind of question is just going to happen. I tend to point out that if they narrow the question to something more specific, I can help.

No is right! I wouldn’t, either. There have been a few times I’ve introduced writers to editors or clients, and in every case, it’s been because the editor or client needed more writing help for other areas of their business. And the writers were never the ones who initiated the introductions. Well, maybe one time. A friend saw the ad a magazine placed and knew I was already working for them. So introductions were made. 🙂

I’m the same way — new freelancers who don’t look for huge favors are going to get my enthusiastic support and help. I’m always happy to help a new writer get going in the right direction.

One time a fairly experienced writer asked me to “get them in” with one of my longtime clients. Um, no. First, I had no reason to believe this writer had the specific experience or contacts required to work for this outlet. Second, I’m not letting them profit off the hard work I did in landing the client only to have them try to usurp my assignments. (Please. Anyone looking for shortcuts is bound to take advantage of a situation like that.) All I did was tell them, “This is how I broke in: I studied the publication, the masthead, and the editorial calendar. I saw which editors handled the topics I was interested in, and I sent an LOI with lots of relevant clips and my resumé. The editor called me the same day he read my LOI.”

As for the newer freelancers who ask the right questions and DON’T ask huge favors, I keep my eye open for opportunities that might match their particular skills and interests, and send those along when I see a good fit. Why? Because they weren’t pushy and didn’t beg.