Should I write for free?

You needn't.

Over the 700-plus pieces I've had published, fewer than five were done with no expectation of payment. That said, some writers have found giving their work away helps them in the early stages of their career.

One of the hottest and most divisive debates in the world of freelance writing is whether or not new writers, in the course of trying to establish themselves, should write articles for publications which don't pay. Some think it's the best way there is to gain experience and “clips” (published examples of their work which they can show editors when pitching story ideas). A parallel argument rages among photographers.

Many writers are adamantly opposed to writing for free, saying that in all other jobs, people get paid from day one. That's true if you're in a salaried position; no one expects the waiter serving lunch to work for nothing for the first few months. However, I think the freelancer's life is more akin to that of an entrepreneur setting up and running a small business.

A good many writers argue that, by writing for free, freelancers trying to make a name for themselves depress payment rates throughout the industry. I'm not convinced of this. Respected, money-spinning publications (such as airlines' inflight magazines, and the
government-backed monthly I often write for) still pay decent money. Having worked on the other side of the fence, as an editor responsible for both content and advertising revenue, I have a good understanding of magazine economics. I don't think many publications could afford to boost payment rates significantly.

In my experience, it isn't necessary to write for free. If an unpublished writer approaches the editor of a paying publication with a good idea (and shows he or she has a proper understanding of what's needed to turn that idea into a fine article – which is something I'll go into this in future posts) then there's a good chance the editor will give him or her the go-ahead. Because the writer is untried, the editor may well warn that the submission is “on spec,” meaning he'll only use it if it's up to scratch. Also, he'll likely ask the writer to submit it early, in case it needs extensive revision.