Comments on: Copywriting for FREE? Some on craigslist think so… http://theadwriter.wordpress.com/2007/07/21/copywriting-for-free/ ADmonishings and ADvice on ADvertising with ADditional ADlibs from the ADman at ADwriter.org Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:29:26 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Cheap, Fast, Good - Pick TWO http://theadwriter.wordpress.com/2007/07/21/copywriting-for-free/#comment-20 Cheap, Fast, Good - Pick TWO Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:29:26 +0000 http://theadwriter.wordpress.com/2007/07/21/copywriting-for-free/#comment-20 [...] copywriters in this country? Barry Gluck does. And he does a good job of explaining just why copywriters should be paid and paid [...] [...] copywriters in this country? Barry Gluck does. And he does a good job of explaining just why copywriters should be paid and paid [...]

]]> By: TheScrivener http://theadwriter.wordpress.com/2007/07/21/copywriting-for-free/#comment-18 TheScrivener Thu, 09 Aug 2007 19:56:18 +0000 http://theadwriter.wordpress.com/2007/07/21/copywriting-for-free/#comment-18 Thanks for the kudos, Andrea, but I can’t take all the credit for that post. Received something similar to it in an email quite some time ago. I rewrote it a bit so that it became relevant to the writing profession. It amazes me how many ads on Craigslist demean our profession by asking for gratis work. Or the many postings by legitimate businesses offering to pay the Princely sum of $5.00 per article, or even the Kingly sum of 2 cents per word…or, are you ready for this…payment in copies of your work. Makes me want to give back (rather violently) the breakfast I ate this morning. Thanks for the kudos, Andrea, but I can’t take all the credit for that post. Received something similar to it in an email quite some time ago. I rewrote it a bit so that it became relevant to the writing profession.

It amazes me how many ads on Craigslist demean our profession by asking for gratis work. Or the many postings by legitimate businesses offering to pay the Princely sum of $5.00 per article, or even the Kingly sum of 2 cents per word…or, are you ready for this…payment in copies of your work.

Makes me want to give back (rather violently) the breakfast I ate this morning.

]]> By: Write for free? I don’t think so. « Write Ideas Marketing http://theadwriter.wordpress.com/2007/07/21/copywriting-for-free/#comment-17 Write for free? I don’t think so. « Write Ideas Marketing Thu, 09 Aug 2007 18:06:07 +0000 http://theadwriter.wordpress.com/2007/07/21/copywriting-for-free/#comment-17 [...] August 9, 2007 at 2:04 pm · Barry Gluck wrote a magnificent post about companies who try to solicit writing services for free or next to nothing. I highly suggest reading his post in its entirety by clicking here. [...] [...] August 9, 2007 at 2:04 pm · Barry Gluck wrote a magnificent post about companies who try to solicit writing services for free or next to nothing. I highly suggest reading his post in its entirety by clicking here. [...]

]]> By: TheScrivener http://theadwriter.wordpress.com/2007/07/21/copywriting-for-free/#comment-16 TheScrivener Thu, 09 Aug 2007 04:54:08 +0000 http://theadwriter.wordpress.com/2007/07/21/copywriting-for-free/#comment-16 Yeah, it happens way too often. And it's a shame that there are writers, good writers, that will prostitute themselves and accept anything they can get. It cheapens the profession and makes it harder for us to justify our fees. And then there's Pro Bono work. Work that's done for free to give something back to the community. Writing for a 'non-profit' or a charity; or perhaps a church. That's legitimate 'free work' that a writer might feel compelled to accept. And I have no problem with that. I do some occasionally myself. But, of course, that's not what we're discussing here. I guess it's the same in any profession. There are always those who will undercut someone else to make a buck. Or in our profession, there are always new writers who will look to expand their portfolio by accepting 'free' work. They don't realize that by doing so, they will have trouble asking for the 'right' money when the time comes for them to become a '<em>fee-based</em>' entity, instead of a '<em>free-based</em>' one. And that's complete BS for the rest of us. Yeah, it happens way too often. And it’s a shame that there are writers, good writers, that will prostitute themselves and accept anything they can get.

It cheapens the profession and makes it harder for us to justify our fees.

And then there’s Pro Bono work. Work that’s done for free to give something back to the community. Writing for a ‘non-profit’ or a charity; or perhaps a church. That’s legitimate ‘free work’ that a writer might feel compelled to accept. And I have no problem with that. I do some occasionally myself. But, of course, that’s not what we’re discussing here.

I guess it’s the same in any profession. There are always those who will undercut someone else to make a buck. Or in our profession, there are always new writers who will look to expand their portfolio by accepting ‘free’ work. They don’t realize that by doing so, they will have trouble asking for the ‘right’ money when the time comes for them to become a ‘fee-based‘ entity, instead of a ‘free-based‘ one.

And that’s complete BS for the rest of us.

]]> By: writeideasmarketing http://theadwriter.wordpress.com/2007/07/21/copywriting-for-free/#comment-15 writeideasmarketing Wed, 08 Aug 2007 23:33:55 +0000 http://theadwriter.wordpress.com/2007/07/21/copywriting-for-free/#comment-15 Cheers to you for this post!!! I'd add elance.com to that list. I had someone contact me for the "opportunity" to research & write thirty 500 word articles for $2 a piece. Seeing as how I'd make more money in a sweatshop - I turned it down. You're absolutely right. Someone who understands the nuances of a language is rare - and it's interesting (and a shame) how some people think this service should be given away for free. Cheers to you for this post!!! I’d add elance.com to that list. I had someone contact me for the “opportunity” to research & write thirty 500 word articles for $2 a piece. Seeing as how I’d make more money in a sweatshop – I turned it down.

You’re absolutely right. Someone who understands the nuances of a language is rare – and it’s interesting (and a shame) how some people think this service should be given away for free.

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