Writing for Websites--negotiating terms question

brendat15

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Hi! At a recent networking event, I met the owner of a new website that caters to parents living in a suburb of my city. She is interested in meeting with me to find out how we can work together. While she seemed very nice and does seem to have a nice website I'm not sure I really want to add this to my plate. Also, if I do decide to do it is it appropriate for me to ask to be paid for the work? I'm thinking she had the idea that I would write an article and in exchange get traffic from her site to mine (I have a blog that is topic specific--about organizing). Is it appropriate for me to ask for traffic numbers to decide it if is worth my time to do for free? I've heard from other sources that freelance writers should try to stick to paying gigs but this is a tricky one. Thanks for your help!
 

WildScribe

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Also, if I do decide to do it is it appropriate for me to ask to be paid for the work?

Seriously?For goodness sake, if you are doing work, YOU SHOULD BE PAID. Give her your rates. If you don't want to do it, give her HIGH rates. You don't need to know about her traffic because you're doing this as a job, not as a charity case. Unless, of course, this is in fact a charity, in which case you might work for free as a sort of donation based on the merits of the charity, not on her web traffic.
 

ATP

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I never thought that I would hear myself say this, but 'it depends'.

I am getting back into the field, and have to re-establish a track record. Through my market research, I have found an organisation that is directly involved in the area & one of the sectors I write in. They have requested for volunteers, and I will likely conclude the second meeting with the person responsible for the website run by the larger organisation in which he works.

I am a seasoned writer & with much credit behind me--but still not enough. We are still to finalise how we will co-operate, but being with them will enable me to develop skills that are lacking in a number of areas, and a chance to develop for a job in one area, down the road. It will also provide me another benefit--a chance to get out of the house, to socialise, and to network. In the meantime, I have let this chap know that I have limited time, as I have to freelance in order to survive. I go into this with my eyes wide open-a lot of unknowns, perhaps a sharply limited total duration, & a foot in the door, and an opportunity to (hopefully) find something suitable that pays. This is the way it is. But, I have learned through hard & painful experience, always make sure that you get what you want or need, and always with a distinct goal in mind. Be very careful whom you volunteer for. (Avoid most independent filmmakers--they're real shits!)

This flies in the face of what many, especially in the US, consider a positive attitude. But, this is the ultimate nature of networking, and in this situation, a fair exchange--they are trying to get the maximum from me, at no cost, & a chance to develop it further so as to attract more investment. He did not make any mention of even possible payment for a full-time editor or such. In turn, I am trying to get maximum ROI for minimal time. We both know and tacitly acknowledge this.

So, my message to you is, yes, if there is some tangible benefit for you by writing for this woman for free, then do it. But, set limits at the outset: amount of time you can commit, or articles able to commit etc. And, you will have to network like crazy to capitalise on this. But make sure that it clearly fits in with your larger plan. For older blokes like me, time is of the essence. If you're young/younger, then you might be content to go with the flow that comes from the experience or opportunity.
 
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WildScribe

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I agree, ATP, but she is talking about a job that she says she doesn't even want to do, and does not mention any benefit to her except maybe web traffic.
 

ATP

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Yes:

The other woman's offer of linking to her site for traffic in exchange for a free article, she is unsure about.

But if she decides to do it, she is thinking of asking for payment and about the woman's website 'traffic details'.

My reading of this is that she is trying to decide if she would take up the offer if her conditions were met, or not. She appears at an early stage of her 'career', and is having to deal with this question, which all career freelancers have to confront & answer at some stage in their professional life.

The point of my "missive" about the issue of volunteering is not so removed from this person's situation, as there is no money involved, but there is some other form of benefit. She must simply weigh it up--charity organisation & belief in its objectives, or not
 
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