Right offbat, I want to say that there is no right or wrong answer to this topic. A lot depends on your end goal — to getjob, garner publicity, buildportfolio, etc. However, there comestime when every writer should say no to writing for free. Below are some issues that I've been pondering about freelance writing.

Issue one: Content for websites. Content is king onInternet and everyone wants something fresh and unique onregular basis. If you are promotingproduct/service and write articles to generate publicity, then by all means, givecontent away.

However, if what you are selling is your writing skill and are not promoting anything, then do not give it away. You'd be better off doingdirect mail campaign and spending your time creating pieces for your portfolio — even if they are only make-believe companies.

One could argue thatreason good writing is taken for granted is so many give it away. I givelot of content away, but only withinframework of WIIFM (what's in it for me).

Issue two: Writing on spec: For those of you who do not know what this is, see this excellent primer article at http://inkwelleditorial.com/beginnersguideglatzer.htm. This established freelance writer explains spec writing brilliantly. The bottom line, once your portfolio is complete with good samples, stop this practice.

The exception would be if it'scredit fromnoted source that you really want. After all, who's going to turn down Fortune? However, I believe there'sbig enough need for good writers that you do not have to sell your soul for one credit, even if it is"biggie."

How many samples should you have? I advise between five and ten. Try to get them from different sources — eg, two newspaper, three websites, two brochure, one sales letter, etc. This will give your portfoliorange. Nonprofits, friends with small businesses, neighborhood shops — all are possible non-paid sources to build your writing credits.

A tip: Choosesmall business and dobrochure, sales letter, etc. first. Then, send it to your target and ask if they would mind if you included it in your portfolio. I do not know any small business that would refusewell-written promotional piece that doesn't cost themdime. Bang,legitimate credit!

Issue three: Original Content & Rights: I do not believe in giving away original content — again, unless you are promotingproduct/service or are just starting out. I am constantly amazed atnumber of publications that want original content but do not want to pay for it.

An example. I writesmall business column. An editor saw it and approached me to beregular contributor to their publication, which is quite noted in business circles. The kicker? They did not want my column but wanted me to contribute original content with no pay. I had to turn them down. I offeredcolumn at no charge (since I already write it), but explained that original content outside of this without payment was not possible.

If you write, then you know it's not easy coming up with original content onregular basis. Some subjects are so covered that nine times out of ten, new ground is never being broken. We are usually just puttingnew spin on it. This costs brain cells! And, trust me, not everybody can do it.

So,next time you put finger to keyboard, think about your objective. If we all stopped giving away our pearls of wisdom, thenpay level acrossboard would be raised.

This article was posted on November onezero, twozerozerothree