No Spec, No Problem
Read more about: Uncategorized
|
Stumble it! |
Delicious | 
Kirtsy | 
Digg
4
Comments
Spec work is one of the banes of the freelancing profession. Many are the clients who think that asking several potential freelancers to contribute free or super cheap work is okay, even when the sole benefit to them is maybe, just maybe, landing a longer term job. Why do they do it? Have these clients been burned in the past with a freelancer who promised much but delivered little? Are they simply piecing together a whole project by getting free work out of as many people as possible? Or are there just enough freelancers out there who agree to it that it has never occurred to clients that this is a practice that shouldn’t occur?
Don’t get me wrong. There are times when the job market seems so saturated that I can understand why freelancers – in all fields – find themselves considering an affirmative response when clients request spec work before they make a decision. However, freelancers must fight that urge. What it all boils down to is you, the freelancer, paying for the privilege of being considered for a job. Clients might as well start tacking on an application fee for each job they post – it’s basically the same thing.
Working for free is not okay. Say it with me. Working for free is not okay.
The good news is, saying no to spec work doesn’t mean the end of the road. I was the joyful recipient of this knowledge very recently. I placed a bid for an editing job, and the client got back to me asking if I would mind editing a document on spec to see if we would be a good fit.
Yes actually, I do mind, but I didn’t want to shut the door on this client just yet. With the help of the No Spec website, I drafted a little letter, politely explaining why I don’t do spec work, how it affects freelancers, and that I would be happy to provide a sample at my normal cost.
Well, I’ll be – I got a terrific response. The client was thrilled with my honest viewpoint and gave me her direct contact information. Although I can’t promise I will actually get the job in the end, I’m happy knowing that no bridges were burned and I did my good deed for freelancers everywhere.
Just say no to spec!
Lorna Doone Brewer is both a writer and an entrepreneur at heart. This is where those two worlds meet. She also blogs at 
Tamara Berry used to miss interaction with her daughter. Now she misses interaction with adults. Freelance writing is her happy medium.
I totally agree that spec work is something that freelancers should try and avoid. In the early days of Nexus Publishing I often pitched editors who would say can you write a piece on spec to check out your style etc. It simply doesn’t make economic sense.
If you’re finding that a lot of the pitches you make come back asking for spec work, I would politely turn them down. There is plenty of paid work out there if you keep plugging away.
This came at a timely point for me. I had a client just this morning that asked me to write a 500-word article for them as a “trial.” I feel that my portfolio and feedback should be enough for them to make their decision. I went to the website you mentioned and took their letter and modified it. Thank you for this timely post!
When asked for spec work, I direct potential clients to my website or I submit a piece that is totally unrelated to the work they have requested. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I will definitely be using the site that you mentioned the next time someone requests a customized sample.
Thanks.
Pamelas last blog post..Lessons from a Garage Sale
Thanks for the tip! It’s so hard to say no when you’re chasing potential clients. I’ve agreed to some projects that I wish I hadn’t lately. It wasn’t spec work, but your post was a good lesson on how saying no can serve your interests.
I occasionally do spec work for photography, but I solicit the client. I contribute to iStockPhoto.com, so I can at least get a release and potential revenue from “free” work.
Elliott - 21st Century Dads last blog post..Open Thread Thursday