Should You Write for Free?

I'm always being asked by writers - new and experienced alike - if it's a good idea to write for free. Well, it all depends. Years ago no one would think of writing for free because the entire process was quite more complicated. Before the internet because the main communication choice of millions and millions of people, if you wrote something, you needed to find a publisher. Even that cost money! And the thought of a publisher even suggesting you shouldn't get paid would have been absurd!

However, fast forward a few decades. Now, everyone with a computer thinks he can write. Between personal and family websites, blogs, emails, chat rooms..the list is endless. People communicate by writing, not by talking. Even cell phones now are mainly used to send text messages!

Does this mean that each person who can type can "write"? No. But that mean that they shouldn't try if it is something they are interested in? Of course not.

So, where does that leave a person who wants to see if has a paid future as an author? It probably means he's going to have to produce at least a few articles for free (ArticleDashboard.com), then he can graduate to sites where content is asked for and writers can submit bids. The majority of these sites pay very little, but it's great experience. Places like www.GetAFreelancer.com are decent places to get a few writing gigs and make a few bucks, get your name out there, build up some references, and get going.

Once he has a name (or at least feels confident about his abilities), he can and should think about producing some free work IF and ONLY if his work will carry his byline and his resource box at the end. There is NO sense in writing for free if you can't promote yourself, your business, your book, your services, etc.

Being a writer doesn't mean you have to be a full time published author. Many "writers" have careers such as banking, real estate, medicine, even plumbing...and they write articles in order to gain exposure for their business and build their business.

After all, producing a few free articles that result in more customers to your website or in your store is so much better, right?