Should I Write for Free?
Starting out as a freelance writer can be frustrating for many reasons. Many find themselves in the difficult spot of needing samples to gain new clients, but not having any because they are just getting started. In this situation, it is easy for you to spin your wheels day in and day out. This leads to one very important question: should I write for free?
There are many arguments for and against this. Rather than attempt to sway you in one direction or the next, I am going to lay out a few facts and let you decide on your own.
Let’s start with the negatives. When you write for free you are not getting paid. Obviously, if you are trying to support yourself as a freelance writer this does not bode well.
Another detail to consider is the time that you will spend writing for free. The more time you spend writing for free the less time you have to work on paid gigs. Along with this, you are also cutting time out of your day that you could be spending on marketing.
On the plus side, writing for free will put more samples in your portfolio. With these, it will be easier to land gigs in the near future.
Additionally, writing for free is a great way to improve your skills. Since you are not getting paid, your main focus should be listening to the client and making sure that you give them what they want. Learn as much as you can about the writer-client relationship as you complete these free jobs.
I could go on and on about why you should or should not write for free. But rather than do that, I will leave you with the information above. If you have a stance on this subject, feel free to leave a comment.
