(ThyBlackMan.com) As a freelance writer, there have been up and downs in this realm of freedom. Some big African American run publications have the misconception that freelance writing is a free service. Ebony primarily has been in the news for not paying their writers. But who is Ebony owned by? Ask any experienced freelance writer about writing for free. Freelance does not mean, “I’ll work for free”, it simply means that one can and may work for multiple publications at once. However why is it so difficult to be paid as a freelance writer?
Editor of the Huffington Post UK stated, “If I was paying someone to write something because I want it to get advertising, that’s not a real
authentic way of presenting copy. When somebody writes something for us, we know it’s real, we know they want to write it. It’s not been forced or paid for. I think that’s something to be proud of.” By saying this does this make journalism more or less authentic and not payable?
Well readers need to stop reading publications that do not pay their writers and then everyone will see how that really affects publications. Writers are people too! Writers have families and financial obligations and aside from all of that they work hard to produce content for multiple people in multiple voices to accommodate their assignment. But freelancers shouldn’t have to deal with not being paid.
Fortune.com tells freelancers how to make sure they get paid with these top three steps:
- Include payment terms in a written contract up front
If you’re getting most of your assignments from friends, maybe you aren’t formalizing contracts in writing, but you should. (Freelancers Union’s web site has a free customizable contract you can use.) Negotiate a time limit. If their policy is 90 days and yours is 30, maybe you can agree on 60. The contract can also specify a late fee, usually a percentage of the total amount.
- Get a portion paid before the project is finished
To help even out your cash flow, and since you’re committing your time and effort in advance, Horowitz recommends charging some “earnest money” when the contract is signed, or payable at an agreed upon point in the project — say, when the work is half complete. Not only are partial payments often more digestible for clients, but they give you an early warning that you may be wasting your time on a deadbeat: If you don’t see a check at the halfway mark (if that was the deal), are you sure you want to finish the job?
- Practice prompt, preventive invoicing
You should send invoices right away, while everyone’s in love with your work. All the more reason to bill them and close the books. Invoices should be sent in triples. Send each invoice by snail mail, email, and with a phone message saying the invoice was sent. If this is what you do on Round One, let them imagine what Round Two and Three will be like.
How has your freelance writing experience been? We want to hear from you! Comment below!
Staff Writer; Amber Ogden
One may also view more of her work over at; AmberOgden.com.
Also connect via Instagram; 1amberogden and Twitter; MsAmberOgden.
