Comments on: Why Freelance Writers Should Never Write Free Samples

By: Angela Booth

Angela Booth — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:42:02 +0000

Great topic. :-)

There are endless writing scams. The request for a unique sample or a writing “test” is common. Scammers get away with it because writers lack confidence, and won’t stand up for themselves.

No one, not even a totally new writer, should ever audition for a gig – your writing samples are always enough.

A genuine buyer will only be too happy to pay for a “taste” of your writing. If he wants ten or fifty articles, he’ll be happy to pay for one or two – in advance – to see how you approach a topic, and what your style is like.

Writing is a valuable skill; if you’re a new writer, please realize that what’s easy for you is hard for others… and charge appropriately.

By: Edie Dykeman

Edie Dykeman — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:06:24 +0000

I agree with the comments above. There are too many people out there scamming freelance writers, especially those just getting started in the biz. Thank you for bringing this out into the open. Hopefully, the more writers highlight this problem, then fewer newbies will get caught in this obvious scam. Thank you, Jennifer.

By: Jennifer Mattern

Jennifer Mattern — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:06:20 +0000

That’s exactly the problem Kecia – unfortunately there are some scummy “clients” out there that do this. I’ve most often see it and heard of it happening on the lower end of the pay scale, generally targeting the newer writers who start to assume that’s just “the way it works.”

By: Kecia

Kecia — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:45:00 +0000

I have always felt that it was wrong to ask for a custom writing sample upfront, but it seems to be a popular trend among job ads. I have never applied to one of these kinds of listings, but have almost talked myself into it a time or two. As you mentioned, however, I feel like I’d be getting ripped off. If the client needed 10 articles, and at least 10 people apply for the position with a custom writing sample…Why does he need to pay anyone now??

By: drbruce

drbruce — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:25:22 +0000

I’m just looking around a doing some freelance writing after finishing up my first ebook. I’ve found several of these “jobs” and even at my stage of the game, I couldn’t image why I would send someone something for free, unless it was to promote my own writing. I do write an occasional free article for a fellow that is promoting my book, but that has some payback – I’ve made a number of sales on his site, and it seems that when an article of mine pops up, I get a book sale, or at least a query about the book. Yes,sounds like a scam to me too.

By: Denise

Denise — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:16:00 +0000

I would never write a custom sample for free. It doesn’t make sense and it’s a bad decision business-wise. If writers are applying for a gig they already have experience in (and have existing samples to support that claim) there’s absolutely no reason why the client should expect or need custom samples.

Anyone who asks for custom samples and refuses to pay for them screams “scam” to me. Talk about a “great” way for cheapskates to load their sites with free content!