Freelance writing is not volunteer writing

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Have you ever been asked for an original article on a given topic prior being hired? As a freelance I have been but into such a situation more than once. Employers call it sample original article. It's a way of checking your writing skills on a given topic before inviting you to join their team. Well most of the time this is just a scheme to collect free content.

If you are sick of working for free and letting others take advantage of your work, here are three things you should consider before sending an original article away:

1. Always and I mean always publish your work before sending something as sample work. Nowadays on the internet there are a lot of opportunistic employers. I am not saying that all those placing writing job posts are trying to deceive us. But most of them seek to do so. Picture this situation which unfortunately is real in 5 out of 10 cases. Someone asks you to send him/her a sample article on a give topic. You think that person will evaluate your work and if he/she doesn't like it will immediately delete it. You couldn't be more wrong! There are people out there posting on their sites content written by you and me and more important for them written for free.

2. If they keep asking you for original content don't give them the entire article. Let them see just one or two paragraphs of your work. If they want to see the rest they should pay you. Demand this and thus check whether they take your work seriously or not.

3.  Verify your employer's credentials. If you can't find this information online ask him directly. If he/she is serious about hiring you then they will have nothing against sending you a few details regarding their current and previous activity.