Home
>
Writing
>
Taking the Free Out of Freelance Writing

Taking the Free Out of Freelance Writing

When you run an online agency for freelance writers, editors and proofreaders you'd think the biggest problem would be attracting employers who are willing to pay a decent hourly rate for freelance writing.

You'd be wrong.

Actually, the biggest problem is dealing with freelancers who're absolutely determined to offer their services for free. This week I was forced to suspend the account of one of our writers for just this reason. She had repeatedly responded to requests for tenders on our jobs board with the offer of free writing, which she would provide on the basis that if the employer liked it, they could arrange a fee. And if not? well, if not, she would have wasted time that she could have spent finding a paid writing job.

Why "freelance" shouldn't mean "free."

Unfortunately, this kind of scenario is all too common in the world of freelance writing, where there are so many writers chasing the same jobs that it's hard not to feel that you have to be as competitive as possible in order to win the tender.

Writing for free isn't "being competitive", though. It's being taken advantage of. Unfortunately, this is another concept which many freelance writers are all too familiar with. We're asked to write "for the experience" or for the byline. We're expected to want to spend hours of our time and a huge chunk of our talent working on a writing project just for the fun of it. Sadly, many of us do.

The problem with freelance writing

It's a problem which is peculiar to the freelance writing business. So-called "employers" who wouldn't dream of asking a mechanic to repair their car "just for the experience", or offer an accountant the "opportunity" to deal with their tax returns "for fun", think nothing of asking talented writers, who've spent years honing their skill, to work for nothing more than their name on the bottom of their article, and maybe a link to their website ? if they're lucky.

There are a lot of unscrupulous "employers" out there. In the scenario above, there's a good chance that the writer never would have been paid for her work. When you offer to write for someone with the promise that "if you don't like it, you don't have to pay me, and if you do, we'll work out a fee", there's always a risk that you'll get stung. What's to stop the "employer" from telling you "thanks, but no thanks" ? and then using your work anyway? What if they agree to pay you, but want to pay far less than you're worth?

How to make sure you're paid for your work

We all know how competitive freelance writing is. But that doesn't mean you should simply give your work away. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned pro, try to always bear these rules in mind:

1. Always agree your fee upfront

Never start work on a project unless you know how much you'll be paid, and how the money will change hands. Some writers insist on 50% upfront and the rest on completion, others are prepared to be paid when they hand over the work. However you do it, make sure both yourself and the client are clear on the details.

2. Get it in writing

One you've agreed your free, and the project details, it's a good idea to get things in writing. You can download standard contracts online, or get your lawyer to prepare one for you, but make sure you have something to prove what's been agreed, especially for larger projects.

3. Join a reputable agency

WritingWorld.org was formed based on the principle that freelance writers deserve to be paid, just like any other professional. All job postings on our boards are closely monitored, and we do not allow our freelancers to work for free.

Check it out at http://www.writingworld.org

Amber McNaught is the owner of http://www.writingworld.org, an agency for freelance writers.

Amber is also a director of http://www.writingworld.org, the website design and small business specialists.

professional maid services Park Ridge ..

In The News:

Retailers lose $76.5 billion annually to return fraud as nearly 10% of U.S. retail returns involve fraudulent activity, with $850 billion in returns expected in 2025.

ShinyHunters claims responsibility for stealing 94GB of Pornhub user data affecting over 200 million records and demands Bitcoin ransom.

ChatGPT 2025 now connects to Apple Music, Canva, Expedia, TripAdvisor and OpenTable through built-in apps that help users create playlists, design graphics and more.

Apple releases emergency patches for two zero-day vulnerabilities actively exploited in attacks. iPhone and iPad users urged to update immediately.

DoorDash launches Zesty, an AI-powered social app that recommends restaurants through conversational search, now testing in San Francisco and New York.

Cybersecurity firm Infoblox reveals that over 90 percent of parked domains now redirect visitors to scams and malware, making simple typos extremely dangerous.

The Fox News AI Newsletter covers the latest artificial intelligence technology advancements, including the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

GPT-5.2 is now live for all ChatGPT users with improved coding, writing and image interpretation, with Kurt Knutsson offering his review.

New iPhone replacement scam uses pressure tactics and fake carrier calls to steal devices from buyers. Criminals claim shipping errors and demand urgent returns.

Amazon Ring's new facial recognition feature sparks privacy controversy as Electronic Frontier Foundation critics argue the AI upgrade expands surveillance risks.

New Android banking trojan Sturnus steals credentials, reads encrypted messages and controls devices.

Denmark's 3D-printed student village proves automation builds 36 apartments faster than traditional methods. Skovsporet project shows housing future.

Discover Android's new Sound Notifications feature that alerts you to smoke alarms, doorbells, and baby cries even when wearing headphones.

New SantaStealer malware reportedly threatens holiday shoppers with password theft. This Christmas-themed info-stealer targets browsers and crypto wallets.

The Christmas season brings a surge in Netflix phishing scams targeting shoppers with fake emails. Stacey P received convincing scam but verified account first.

San Francisco Giants invite Jamie Grohsong to throw ceremonial first pitch at Oracle Park after he learned to play baseball with a bionic hand following an injury.

FBI warns cybercriminals are stealing family photos from social media to create fake proof of life images in virtual kidnapping scams targeting victims.

Instagram's new 'Your Algorithm' tool lets you control your Reels feed in real time. The app now gives you power to customize what videos you see.

Major Marquis fintech breach exposes 400,000-plus Americans' data through unpatched SonicWall vulnerability, with Texas hardest hit at 354,000 affected.

Free up iPhone storage fast by clearing large photos and videos from Messages app. Simple steps for iOS users to delete attachments without losing chats.

Scammers are flooding inboxes with fake tracking alerts that mimic real carriers, exploiting the holiday rush to steal logins and personal data.

The Fox News AI Newsletter brings you the latest news on AI technology advancements and the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Texas family reunites with missing 11-year-old cat Grayson after 103 days using Petco Love Lost's AI photo matching technology and community help.

Tired of AI customer service loops? These insider tricks help you escape "frustration AI" and get real human help when you need it most for urgent issues.

Unlock richer audio from your streaming apps with simple tweaks to volume normalization, equalizer settings, and quality preferences for cleaner sound.