Free samples are a good idea with cookies...why not with writing?
If you're a new writer, you probably lack published clips to show to prospective editors - you know, the people you're querying so that you can write for them and, you guessed it, get some published clips. It's a vicious cycle.
A natural impulse might be to offer to write for free (in essence, write only for the clip itself), but you should resist this impulse. Here's why:
When you write for free, you debase the value of your work. If someone offered you a free car, your first thought would likely be, "What's wrong with it?" Writing is no different - when something of value is offered for nothing, it immediately becomes less valuable.
Plus, even in your own mind, the value of your work diminishes when you're willing to do it for free. And that can undermine your confidence in a big way, even if you think you feel OK about it.
Finally, when you write for free (or nearly free), you screw up the market for other writers. Why should someone be willing to pay them the going rate when you, eager beaver that you are, are willing to do the work for nothing? Right now there are undoubtedly dozens of ads on elance and craigslist offering laughable rates like $2.50 for an 800-word article. Giving them credence by responding to them perpetuates them.
So what, you may reasonably ask, should you do when you're a writer in need of clips? Here are three suggestions:
1. Write for free - for charity. This is an exception to the "never write for free rule" - think of it as pro bono writing. Talk to a local nonprofit and offer your writing services to them for a press release, a newsletter article, or whatever they might need that would also help you out. Tell them the only thing you'd like in return (in addition to a byline, if appropriate) is their permission to use the finished piece as a clip (and, ideally, someone at the organization as a reference if they're happy with your work). You get your clip, you've helped a good cause, and your karma is through the roof. Win-win.
2. Finesse the definition of "clip." Write something great, and offer it to prospective markets as "a recent sample of my writing." This is true; you're not saying that it's been published when it hasn't. They will probably see through this gambit, but if the writing is strong enough, they won't care. Everybody has a first job.
3. Write on spec. This is controversial and should be approached on a case-by-case basis. Writing on spec means that you're not paid unless your work is accepted for publication. Some writers swear by this tactic; others avoid it like the plague. You need to trust your instincts here - it's not a bad way to break in if you're confident that you can do the assignment well, and that there aren't scads of other hopefuls writing their hearts out trying to land the same assignment.
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Jennifer Carsen, J.D. is a "recovering lawyer" and the founder of Big Juicy Life. Her specialty is turning lawyers into writers. Visit http://www.bigjuicylifecoaching.com for a copy of the free report, "6 Myths About Leaving the Law for Writing."
Thanks for writing this article! I completely agree and think it's important for emerging writers to have this information. I also think the businesses or people who take advantage of writers in this way should be ashamed of themselves.
It's like all the food and beverage places out there (this happens in Australia a lot) who get young people to work for free as a 'trial' before offering them paid work. Some businesses often staff their restuarants for free like this for weeks or months! And when young people don't know that this is illegal and that they are being taken advantage of, the restaurants will always have a pool of free staff to draw on, making it impossible for people who refuse to work for free to get jobs in the industry. Sorry for the digression, but I think it is a relevant parallel.
Thanks for your help in getting this important info out there!
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