Freelance writers are often debating whether or not writers should work for free, or whether writing for very low rates is worthwhile, especially for freelance writers just beginning their careers. Here’s my two cents on the matter:

Should you work for free simply because you’re a new freelance writer? No.
There is virtually no other profession or job where you’d be asked to work without pay. Does a school teacher work on an unpaid trial basis before she’s hired? Will a dentist fill the first cavity free to prove he can do the job? Of course not. Yet over and over people post ads for non-paying gigs for writers and say, “Great addition to your resume,” or “Excellent opportunity for new writers to gain exposure.” In reality, the majority of these gigs won’t look good on your resume, and the only opportunity to be gained is a hard-learned lesson. You’ll be better off starting a blog or website showcasing your writing talents and sending these links to clients who ask for writing samples.

Should you work for $3 per article simply because you’re inexperienced? No.
I’m a firm believer in not under-estimating a writer’s worth. While I’ll occasionally submit a reprint of an article to Associated Content and accept an offer of $10 or so for it, I certainly wouldn’t spend my days cranking out original articles for them at $3 a pop. I believe my time and effort is worth more than that, and I believe yours is, too.

I completely understand that there are a lot of new freelance writers who aren’t in the financial position to be particularly choosy. I’ve been one of those people. If you’re stuck taking low-paying freelance writing projects to make ends meet, I encourage you not to get stuck in that rut for too long. Take a few low-paying gigs to get the bills paid, but don’t spend all your time on them. Set aside some of your time to pursue better paying jobs or to query a few magazines.