On spec (writing a piece with no guarantee of publication or payment) used to just apply to print magazines. Now that many of us are working online, the whole on spec concept is leaking into the online writing job pool. You’ve seen the requests: “Write an article about ______ and if we like it we’ll buy it.” Every time I see one of these types of ads, I cringe. Here’s why:
We’re giving them something for nothing.
Based on the number of responses (usually a few hundred) I get every time I post a freelance writing job online, I’m guessing at least 50 people write articles and send them into these job posters only to never hear back.
We’re opening up the door for scams.
The online medium makes it easy for anybody to place an ad and post these types of requests with the intent of stealing content.
They’re preying on the inexperience of new writers.
Many freelancers desperate for work fall for these offers because they feel a chance at a job is better than no job at all. As a freelancer your time is valuable, and you should be paid for the work you do just as you would in any other profession.
They’re insulting us.
You wouldn’t ask 5 architects to draw up a choice of floor plans and then only pay for the one you like. Why should you spend hours writing articles for a client so he can only pay you for the one he wants? If he doesn’t like any of them, you might not get paid at all.
So, should we ever?
I won’t do it, but I’m not saying no freelancer ever should. I’m simply saying know what you’re getting into. If you decide to work on spec, don’t just blindly send your work into an anonymous address on craigslist. Find out all you can about the publication. Send a query first (if possible) to determine whether your idea is even something the publication would want. If they tell you to go ahead on an on spec basis, and you want to take a shot at it, at least you know you’re taking a risk that your work might not be used or paid for.
Question for all of you:
Do you work on spec? I’d love to know your opinions and experiences.
