I could just as well have titled this post “Why I Sometimes Write for Free.” I guest post on a number of other blogs, including Mashable and Copyblogger. And I realize this is faux pas in the writing world, but I don’t get paid to write for these blogs.
I make a healthy hourly wage freelance writing and editing, I’ve been the editor in chief of a national magazine, and I have earned more than $1,000 for writing a single magazine article. So it might seem strange to you that I would write for free at this point in my career.
But the reality is, making a name for yourself in the online world is a whole different game than the print world I came from. The players are different, the rules of engagement are different, there’s an entirely different path to what it takes to make it online. Even though I’m not getting paid to write for a blog with a well-established audience, the rewards are significant.
A single guest post on a high-profile blog can bring thousands of new readers your way. It’s the chance to play on a bigger stage,
which is a real and tangible benefit.
In fact, I’d go as far to say that getting a guest post on a popular blog will go further to help you as an online writer, than an Op-Ed in the New York Times. Even if you get paid for your work, The New York Times isn’t likely to link back to your website. But a high-profile blog will, which gives you exactly what you need to succeed online. Links equal higher Google rankings, a higher Technorati rank—not to mention the exposure and traffic that comes your way. And the more traffic your site has, the more likely you are to sell your book, services, get ad clicks or whatever else you have going on your site.
I’m not saying you should write for free across the board. But I’ve seen that the bloggers who have embraced this ethos tend to be more successful than the writers who hold on too closely to their work and demand payment for each and every word that springs from their fingertips. I know this isn’t a popular sentiment among writers and I really think it’s a big part of what is holding writers back from success online.
Here’s a checklist for you to consider whether or not writing for free is worthwhile:
• Are you guaranteed a byline? If no then politely decline.
• Will the site give you a bio note with a link back to your site? I consider this non-negotiable in exchange for providing free articles.
• Is the site well-edited? Both Mashable and Copyblogger have wonderful editors. I wouldn’t work with them otherwise. Working with a good editor can be payment enough for what you can learn about writing online.
• Is the site closely related to your niche? An important factor to consider since it’s not as useful to write for sites outside of your niche. The potential new readers it brings should be interested in your content. And if you write a spec piece and it doesn’t work for whatever blog you’ve targeted, cool, you can run it on your own site.
• Are the site’s owners and editors polite and respectful of you and your work? If not, it’s not worth it. There are lots of great blogs out there. Go find another blogger who will appreciate your effort.
By the way, if you’d like to submit a post for consideration here on Editor Unleashed, I welcome guests posts. You can email me and I’ll do my best to followup quickly.
-Maria Schneider
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Although I don’t do it very often, I jump at the chance to publish on other websites, at least ones that I know get a high volume of traffic. As you say, it doesn’t pay in monetary terms but it’s had huge payoffs for me in terms of visibility and readership, which is a lot of what blogging is about. I wish I could do more!
Delia Lloyd
http://www.realdelia.com
These are some great tips for writers who are starting out, like me. I’m wondering how to translate my free blog writing and my D.C. Lit. Examiner page articles into more freelance writing gigs that pay more.
I’m not a writer by trade, but am in total agreement with you here. I think we lose sight of the idea of “mutual benefits” when we think money is the only reward. The question is, will doing this return a great value? Then, it’s not really “free” at all. Excellent thoughts!
Great article – I really enjoyed it and plan to retweet! It can be difficult to break out of the mold of thinking only in terms of traditional payment. I’m just ‘dipping my toes’ into writing more regularly, and should the opportunity arise, these are great tips to keep in mind!
Great advise. Common sense actually, but not necessarily things i would have considered before reading your post. Thanks for the insight!
Hello Maria great post and your points are always something to consider. But I have to comment on your use of “faux pas” the correct spelling is with an “s” on the pas not an “x” ;) I know sounds picky but I always tell my American friends if you are going to use a French term or Italian term or any “foreign” term please spell it properly. I did take the time to see maybe I simply forgotten my French but “Le mot pax n’a pas été trouvé.” Again thanks for sharing your information.
Great points, I see the follow that you will gain from post as payment enough in many cases.
My first time reading and WOW. Cant wait to have time to go thru archives!
Hi Maria – I’ve also guest blogged for free. It’s a trade of information, an introduction to a new audience, and your chance to do a cyber-favor for someone. In the blogging world, I think it’s standard practice to guest post occasionally and not expect money.
All your points are great. One I might add – the blog’s mission is in line with your own values. By way of a totally hypothetical example, I’d never accept a blogging opportunity to say a porn site. ;)
I like that you guest blog on other sites and also present the offer to guest blog on your site. Very good information. I also liked staying in your area of ideals and knowledge.
Just wanted to say that I really enjoy this blog. Your posts are so practical. Today is just one example. We come away with sound advice and perspective. I like the clarity in your writing.
I’ve also guest blogged for free and consider it well worth my time and effort. Not only does it drive traffic, but it’s a great way to network with other writers.
I agree wholeheartedly with this ethos. I write without payment on both my blog and on others. Not only is this practice helping to build up my name and reputation within the freelance writing industry, it is bringing me direct work in other ways (i.e. editing).
I also agree with the comments that it is a great way to network. I have met an entire community in the past few months that I didn’t even know existed. As a freelancer you can be quite isolated so it is nice to link back to others doing the same as you.
Hi Maria,
I totally agree with this post. When I decided to start my blog I decided to try and find a host site rather than use my own website. My own site acts as an online portfolio (I’m a freelance writer) and would be unlikely to attract sufficient traffic to make me much more than an on-line diarist.
I now blog for Australian Anthill [http://anthillonline.com] and I look on it as a marketing exercise – with benefits. I don’t get paid for my work, but I am getting the opportunity to raise my profile and to network – and I’m guaranteed far more readers than I would have if I did it alone. Plus I’m seeing far more traffic to my own site. I haven’t got any work as a direct result yet but it’s early days (about to post my 5th blog).
Very happy to have found this site – thank you.
Persephone
It’s so true, worlds of difference between online and print writing, and I’m convinced you have to write without expecting compensation for the majority of online-exclusive media outlets. The payoff comes from sharing ideas with a community of like-minded individuals, building an audience for your larger-scale work (like a book or CD or film), and hopefully making friends who will encourage and support your efforts.
I agree with all of these points except for #4. Good writing is good writing, and if you’re making a post for a blog read by engineers or nurses or marketing professionals or mothers with young children, the quality of your writing may induce them to visit your blog or go out and find your novel. In fact, sometimes I think that by sticking close to our creative home, we are doing little more than preaching to the choir.
I’m with Paul. I found myself posting on a financial/trading blog the other day because the topic had to do with the e-book business. I filled out a blog profile on myself with bio stats and lots of info on my book (which is a novel that has little to do with finance) simply because the opportunity was there.
One of my story’s themes explores the line between self-destruction and redemption. While day traders may not be the novel’s ideal target audience, who knows… I’m sure they’re all familiar with such a struggle, as are most people. Some of these wheeler-dealers may even read fiction, in which case I might find some new readers.
Bottom line: You won’t know until you try.
http://www.badbadbad.net
These sound like the right questions to me.
We encourage our readers to guest blog, especially new writers. There’s nothing wrong with writing free when you are trying to make a name for yourself. Most blogs will give you a byline and bio. It’s best to research the blogs and get to know the owners.
Hi Maria. Thank you! Very useful information.
It goes well in conjunction with an article I read on Matador Network recently.
Knowing When to Pitch to an Editor and When to Blog
I may well be pitching you sometime soon.
Good tips, but are these the ONLY reasons someone should write for free? I can’t help but wonder if there isn’t also value in writing for a good cause, writing just to write because you’re interested in it? I know it’s easy for me to sit and say that pro bono writing is good exposure because I am employed by other means. However, I do believe that there’s value in the words, value in writing the words, if you mean them. Even if you’re not always compensated.