mirror-magazine domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home3/lwbean/public_html/wordsonpageblog.com/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121Not long ago, I had a conversation with a potential client at a trade show. The prospect was indicating a strong need for my services, and he promised to call me the following week.<\/p>\n
When that call came, I was prepared. Since the prospect had told me his needs — thought leadership articles — I had a contract outlined and had my pricing in place. But what happened next was so unexpected, I was left speechless.<\/p>\n
It went something like this:<\/p>\n
Client: As I mentioned, I’m looking to place some thought leadership articles in a few targeted publications. I thought it best to bring you on board to write them since I’m pretty busy with my law practice. The articles are all on risk management topics, and that’s in line with your expertise.<\/p>\n
Me: That’s true. (At this point, I gave him a brief synopsis of my background.)<\/p>\n
Client: So here’s what I need from you – you’ll interview me, write the article, I’ll edit it, then you can get it accepted by one of the magazines I’ve indicated. You have relationships with those publications, don’t you?<\/p>\n
Me: I do, yes.<\/p>\n
Client: Good, so you know which ones will pay you.<\/p>\n
Me: Excuse me? Pay me?<\/p>\n
Client: Yes, the idea is that you write it for me, I’ll edit it to where I want it, then you sell it to a magazine.<\/p>\n
Me: ….<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
I admit, that was a new twist on an old theme. Here was yet another client trying damn hard to get me to do his bidding and answer to him without his actually having to pay me.<\/p>\n
No.<\/h4>\n
NO.<\/h3>\n
HELL NO.<\/h2>\n
See, what the client wanted me to do was unethical. Magazines that are paying for your writing are paying for\u00a0their product.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
Let me repeat: That is the magazine’s product. Not yours. And it sure as hell doesn’t belong to the client prospect who wants something for nothing. Why?<\/p>\n
Because it’s a clear conflict of interest. You, as a writer, cannot accept payment on both ends of a project, especially if that project is being paid for by the magazine that has agreed to buy it.<\/p>\n
[bctt tweet=”Is your client blurring ethical boundaries? How to tell (and how to fix it). #freelancewriting” username=”LoriWidmer”]<\/p>\n
You also cannot allow sources to control the narrative in the article. Media agencies have the right to publish material that meshes with their mission, audience, and standards. As they should – they’re paying for that content and have the right to make it fit within their own standards.<\/p>\n
Here’s where the conflict is spelled out:<\/p>\n
Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors or any other special interests, and resist internal and external pressure to influence coverage.\u00a0<\/a><\/h4>\n