It doesn’t matter what your business is,
people will ask you to work for free.
They usually frame it
as ‘a great way to get exposure.’
“Complete the tax returns at no charge for the Mayor
and he’ll recommend you
to all of his friends.”
“Supply the county fair
with your home-made chocolates
for free
and thousands of people will see your company name.”
As a writer,
I’m often asked to work
for exposure.
“Write for this anthology.
There’s no payment
but a zillion readers will know your name.”
Even though I can sell
everything I write,
I still take some of these deals
BUT
I don’t take them merely for the exposure.
Why?
Because sometimes
(often)
this exposure doesn’t materialize
and then I’m truly working for nothing.
I always have another reason.
It could be gaining access to a big name writer,
someone difficult to approach
yet helpful to my career.
It could be because
the anthology supports a cause
near and dear
not only to my heart
but to readers’ hearts.
It could be because
it makes my publisher/super fan/the community
happy.
I also investigate the recruiter.
Does she only arrange
these work-for-exposure deals?
What is her track record
for gaining this exposure?
Why does she want me to work for free?
How is she pricing the final product?
And I consider
what I’m giving up
by taking the work for exposure gig.
Does this mean I’ll miss my publisher’s deadlines
or
I’ll delay a release readers are waiting for?
You’ll receive many work for exposure opportunities.
Evaluate each one carefully
before saying yes or no.