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.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
For writers who choose to write on spec, my suggestion would be to only do it if the article is something you can sell elsewhere if the publication rejects it.
Then at least you can shop it around, and hopefully get someone else to pay you for your time.
I agree with Katharine’s statement. On the one hand, writing on spec has paid off for me in a few cases, but I’ve gotten burned other times.
Katharine and Susan,
Thanks for stopping by.
I do agree with both of you. Maybe I’d consider working on spec if there was a case where I could be pretty certain to sell the piece elsewhere.
I don’t write on spec, but I spent a quarter of a century in the interior landscaping business where companies have to submit designs with proposals to be considered for contracts. Other freelancers, such as corporate trainers, have to give quite a bit of detail about custom programs they propose to clients, and it’s always a fine line between giving the client company enough information to conduct its own training and giving just enough information to convince the client that the training will meet the client’s needs. Clients have paid me hundreds of dollars to edit a proposal … then not get the job. Most business-to-business consultants and businesses face similar risks.
Very thought-provoking points, Amy! You’ve helped your readers see this issue from a few new and interesting angles.
Thanks for writing this post!
Jeanne
Please do comment and discuss.
We love a good conversation!
Please use a name when commenting. Does not have to be your real name or full name. But responding to folks calling themselves "Make Money Writing Online" and such kinda sucks. Calling yourself keywords will likely get you thrown into my spam filter.