I’ve done it too, Devon. I think we all have. What none of us have done is take anything that comes along in an attempt to earn a few measly dollars.

But taking a quick-and-dirty assignment to get cash in the door works when there’s a missing check!

Respect is an important aspect of it, Paula. And I agree — they do respect you. I’d say they trust you, too. That’s sometimes a great tradeoff for lower pay.

Good idea to have a healthy mix of clients. Keeps it interesting and helps cushion the blow should one drop out of sight.

One allows me freedom to write about whatever I like, no pressure to meet deadlines, and it’s light, fun, quick work. Sometimes it’s one column per week, sometimes it’s one per month.

The other lets me cover interesting people and businesses throughout the region; the editors know they can’t compete with my regular rates and understand when I have to prioritize better-paying assignments. They’re also flexible and easy to work with. Because it’s a quarterly publication, the deadlines are usually long enough that I can work on those pieces between my higher-priority jobs. Over the past year or two it’s turned into a win-win.

The reason these arrangements work is because I don’t rely heavily on either client for income, and neither dominates my schedule. I just find it fun to have a good mix of clients, so I choose to work for them when I can. Last year I got to write that epic article about the impact out region’s suffragists played in passing the 19th Amendment, this year I wrote about the oldest continuously-operated dive bar in the city. I love how wide-ranging the topics can be.