It is a question of many freelance workers — and almost every freelance writer — faces at some point in his or her career: Do I like to work for free?
Until recently, for example, many Huffington Post and Forbes writers were not paid anything for their contributions; despite this, approaching these areas will still be searched and coveted, because of the high traffic and recognition of the name offered by each brand.
The value of "working for cancellation" has long been shared by partners, with some believing it to be hateful and a waste of their time, with some insisting it could be worth it with the right client. The issue may not be easy for writers, and many designers, photographers, and other creative professionals have stories of non-clients without giving anything but "exposure" to their work. However, it is very common in the writing world, where young writers in particular are often very fond of dropping out of their pictures — and publishers know.
Although the theory of free exposure leading to paid work is compelling, is it really worth your time? If you are wondering if unpaid space has long-term value, ask yourself a few questions.
What are your goals?
Working for free is not a business plan you want to stick with for a long time, especially if you are looking for a full-time self-employed job.
With that in mind, any free content you write should be in the service of the highest target. If you’re just starting out as a freelancer, it’s true that getting emails and specific products can be important to your portfolio, and writing free content can also prove beneficial if you’re trying to put yourself in a new niche.
Make a list of conditions that every writing gig must meet to count as valuable in your mind. For free content, these may include:
Leading paid work within the company
Proven work leadership elsewhere (for example, some authors have built a successful approach by starting with the brand)
That line will be a huge improvement in writing your portfolio
If space is not available, it is time to turn your goal into something else.
Are There Other Options?
Getting rid of clutter may be difficult when you have no idea where to look, but there is no shortage of paid opportunities out there. The online privacy market throws gigs for creative professionals in every discipline and career stage. Before you say yes to unpaid contributions, take the time to plan your options for these steps:
Join work boards and networking sites. Appearance is a great way to connect with new merchants and clients, and if you are not ready yet, now is the time to re-upload your favorite work sites like CareerBuilder and Indeed.com. It is also wise to join LinkedIn to start connecting with former colleagues (and even college professors) who may hire you for extra work or recommend your services to a friend. Finally, search for paid projects in niche writing sites like BloggingPro.com, FlexJobs.com, FreelanceWritingGigs.com, and Online-Writing-Jobs.com, to name a few.
Think inside. Building a local client base can prove valuable, and is worth considering potential in your community. Let's say you specialize in web content SEO and are looking for new customers. Make a list of businesses in your area, from dry cleaning to coffee shops and accounting companies, and check out their websites. If they could benefit from your services, contact them with a detailed plan for their websites, and present yourself as a career writer. Use a cool email email template (which can also be used for cool emails) to help you get started. Although there are no guarantees, this type of exchange is likely to help you build confidence and identify yourself as a local resource for other businesses.
Even if it is not available by the main publisher, it is still a function you can add to the portfolio.
And unlike other content areas, these local businesses can be used to pay contractors for services provided.
Hope for their peers. There is no place other than personal experience, and it is wise to join freelancing groups through sites like Meetup.com, Facebook, and LinkedIn to connect with their writing colleagues. If you do not care about the technique directly, look at the few authors you accept and approach them for direct advice. Ask them to walk through their professional choices and the steps they have taken to succeed. You can even ask for their opinion on free content, and if they help, what stores do they recommend for career development.
Are you protecting yourself?
You’re not alone if the conversation makes you nervous: Only 39 percent of employees negotiate a salary when giving their final job, and retirees — especially caregivers — are unlikely to be embarrassed about assuring them of their value. But self-employment often means making a contribution to your career, and it should not undermine your ability to create a writing portfolio and paid opportunities. Consider the role of your emotions when it comes to submitting unpaid work, and do not let fear stop you from focusing on the income you want — and the needs.
There are no easy answers when it comes to working for free, but one thing is certain: Exposure does not pay bills. Ways free gigs and worries, evaluate their natural value (if any), and find ways to pay along the way.
0 Comments