What are the benefits of writing for no pay?
@positiveminded1977 (7072)
India
November 27, 2008 11:45pm CST
Recently, I received an email from the editor of an online magazine. He says he has no money to pay me, but he would give me credit and include a link to my website or blog.
How would this benefit me? Would he be grateful to me and give me paid jobs when has "has the money"? In other words, would writing free of charge lead to bigger paid jobs? I feel like writing a piece for him. If he likes it and publishes it, I could get more people to visit my blog. This will benefit me only if they click on my Google adsense. I don't have any commercial blogs/websites.
There is yet another reason I would write for no pay. Writing for less or no pay sometimes leads to much bigger things or teaches you bigger things. Or, at the most, gives you some valuable experience...and boosts your self-confidence.
What is your take on this?
3 people like this
10 responses
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
28 Nov 08
i think it is worth writing for no money simply because it gives you confidence that people read and like what you are writing. Also, writing, no matter what gives exposure to others. plus, if this guy 'gets money' who knows how much money you may get? it might be worth the risk.
1 person likes this
@mssnow (9484)
• United States
28 Nov 08
There are times when i am looking for a job that i wish I had something to show them. A lot of places that need writers ask to see my work. Well at the moment I dont have any major places to show. So, that would be a big benefit for writing with no pay is to be able to show my work to prospective employers.
@dhedows118 (891)
• Philippines
29 Nov 08
The only thing that I can think of right now for writing with no pay aside from you have mention on your discussion is that your name will be known.
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
28 Nov 08
Hi positiveminded,
Yes, I think that is very good and it will boost your self-confidence up and you can learn so much and in the long run you may come up trumps and earn good money, but make sure you are not been taken for a ride, don't trust anybody and be careful.
Tamara
1 person likes this
@satishvarma142 (302)
• India
28 Nov 08
it may increase your popularity and later on you can earn money..be positive goodtime is a head..happy earnings
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Nov 08
I wrote for years for no pay, you build up a portfolio that way, even today I still run an e-zine where many people send me their work and I publish it for no pay, many people don't mind, not receiving pay they just like getting published and having there stories read.
@munhozmib (3836)
• Sao Paulo, Brazil
28 Nov 08
Hello, positiveminded1977.
Writing for no pay means you are opening yourself to new opportunities. I am sure that somebody will read the article, if you write it, and you never know if somebody likes your ideas and try to contact you in order to hire you.
You cannot expect to start writing for a big amount, anyway. So, by starting for free, it means that you are getting some experience and learning how is the writing market.
And, to be honest... What are the downsides? None. All that may happen to you is having your article published with another name. Then you can sue the person who told you they were going to publish it for free. So, other than that, there are no downsides. You will not lose a cent, but yet earn more knowledge and perhaps be recognized.
Respectfully,
Munhozmib.
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
28 Nov 08
I would only write for nothing if it were a subject/magazine that interested me. That way it's fun and the exposure is purely an incidental bonus. I've done that in the past. If the subject were not something I would normally write about, then it should be paid.
I can see the advantages, especially if you would enjoy the work and no pay also means no pressure. If it's not enjoyable, it's probably not worth it.
The magazine I used to write and edit for worked like that: purely voluntarily. No one got paid for basic stuff, so we all did it for fun and freebies when they were available. However, when a paid opportunity arose, the regular writers were always asked to declare an interest first.
