BellaOnline Forums Career Nonfiction Writing Should Writers Write for FREE?

Voice your opinion about this controversial topic of whether or not writers should write for free...

If writers didn't write for free, Bella wouldn't exist.

- Rae

LOL True Rae...so true.

In the May 2003 issue of Writer's Digest, there was an Article posing both sides of the issue of whether a writer should write for free.

I think that a lot depends on the individual writer and his or her motivation. How important is it for that person to write for money and why?

I think they should only write for free when it helps *them* work out their own issues in some way.

I think writing for free is a fantastic idea in general, because anything you create is of value as a reflection of your talents. If you write a superb article and give it for free to your local newspaper, and it clearly links to your website, you could get tons of requests from other groups that read it for you to write for them too. If you can write really well, that skill will be in demand.

Also, as long as you own rights to your content, it is time well spent. Say you spend 2 years writing a lot of content on freshwater aquariums. At the end of 2 years you now have an entire book's worth of material on the subject. Even if other people ran it for free during that time in magazines and such, you now have finished your book AND you have gotten a ton of free publicity for yourself in the meantime. So when people see the book in the bookstore they'll go "Oh I know her! I loved her advice! I'll get this book by her!"

So it all comes down to quality. If you write well, the more of your content that is seen, the more people will actively want to get everything else you've written. It's like say a Stephen King book. If someone reads ONE book for free at the library, they're very likely to go buy the rest because they love his quality. But if they don't even read any of his content, how will they know he is a quality writer? Trusting your friends who read it is one way, but it means your friends will have to have read him. So that free quality sample is critical in getting the snowball rolling <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I know many, many writers who began by posting content for free on websites. That led to a loyal following, which led to magazine offers and book offers.

My own opinion, as a professional writer, is that the professional writer should only write for free if it is of some benefit to themselves (getting established; finding contacts; networking; feedback). No writer should be expected to write for free. This should be a personal choice.

That's my opinion in a nutshell anyway.

People write for a lot of different reasons. Some write as a hobby, some as a career, some are employed in business, some are simply looking for their 15 minutes of fame. It's hard to lump them all together in a "you should" statement.

Myself, I write for enjoyment. It's fun sharing your thoughts with others. If I get paid for my toughts, so much the better. But I'm not going to stop sharing my writing if I'm not paid for it. I love it too much!!

This is a toughie! I have read endless articles on this very topic and pondered the question myself on numerous occassions. Editors will tell you never to write for free because editors won't want to pay you if they know you have written for free elsewhere. Then again, some people say it's the only way sometimes to get started as a writer. Personally, I have written for free and the reason I did so was for the cause I wrote for and to get something to put on my writing resume...lol. I think it has to do with what you are writing for. If a person only wants to write for the fun of it or to get a foot in the door then I think writing for free is the way to go. I don't think it's a good idea to consistently do so if you are wanting to establish a career in the biz. But, then again, if it's for a worthy cause (volunteer position with a non-profit or not-for-profit agency) then that's a little different. Just my thoughts on the ole subject.