Comments on: Freelance Writers and Referral Fees: Would You Charge (or Pay) One?

By: inksy-antsy

inksy-antsy — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:44:43 +0000

I’ve come across this practise on bidding sites as well. People accepting jobs and then referring bits or the complete job to others, asking a fee or even deducting a percentage from the the sum agreed with the client. I think this is wrong and won’t accept/bid.
As mentioned above, if I can’t do an offered job but know someone who can, I refer the client to that person without any charge. This helps client and colleague/friend, is a better marketing-tool, creates win-win, and leaves a far better impression.

By: Links: 2008-09-12 | Meryl.net

Links: 2008-09-12 | Meryl.net — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:29:08 +0000

[...] Freelance Writers and Referral Fees: Would You Charge (or Pay) One? I tried to thank someone for referring me to a new client and she wouldn’t accept it. I also don’t expect payment for referrals as like the article, networking goes a long way. [...]

By: Jennifer Mattern

Jennifer Mattern — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 22:14:08 +0000

I’ve had a few of these come my way over the last few months – while it occasionally comes from other writers, I find it tends to come far more often from other types of service providers (such as Web designers whose clients want site launch news releases done, or Internet marketing / SEO companies).

Those are my favorite types of clients to work with actually (diverse projects for lots of their own clients), but I only do it directly.

On the occasion where it has come from another writer, it was always a writer I only knew vaguely rather than closer colleagues in my network.

I’m actually glad to hear others don’t get these kinds of “referrals” very often.

By: LShep

LShep — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 21:50:48 +0000

I’ve never heard of anyone doing that in this business. I have no problem with bidding sites, though, and I suppose that’s not that much different.

By: Jennifer Mattern

Jennifer Mattern — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:20:26 +0000

True, they’re similar in nature. The biggest difference would be that with referral fees, the person sending the client your way often acts as though it’s a legitimate and strictly merit-driven recommendation when they actually refer you (in other words, they don’t tell the client “I’m recommending this person, because I’ll collect a $xx referral fee.”).

I don’t support bidding sites in general, but absolutely not one that charges the writer. You should never pay a fee for potentially offering your services. The person (or company) who has budgeted to recruit to fill the position / gig should be paying – they’re advertising; you’re responding. Just my $.02 on that side of it.

By: Avid Writer

Avid Writer — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:13:15 +0000

Now this is interesting. I had never really heard of this before – but when you think about it, it is similar to what bidding sites are doing by charging freelancers a fee to have access to those seeking their services. I wouldn’t feel right about charging a referral fee personally.