Are there are good reasons for writing for free? Yes!
However, being new to the writing business is not necessarily a good reason.
Better Reasons
The following are a few good reason for writing for free:
To Build You Career
- Building a reputation for enhancing your career is a good reason for writing for free; however, there are limits. Building a website and writing articles for the website to promote your business is a good reason. Other ways include: contributing to professional newsletters, developing frequently asked questions (FAQ) for your website, creating a blog designed to provide information and drive traffic to your business website, and writing for unpaid professional journals.
Supporting a Charitable or Favorite Cause
- Providing well researched articles to support a favorite cause to spread the word and promote the cause. This is excellent for those who do not have the financial assets; however, want to help . This type of free writing often leads to paying gigs as you continue to build a writing reputation. The drawback for this type of free writing is the chance of being flooded with requests for more free writing opportunities.
Just for Fun
- Sometimes writing about topics you like; however, you never have the opportunity to write about in your paying gigs. If concerned how these articles will be received, you could use a pen name to explore ideas running around in your head to test the waters.
Portfolio Building
Anytime writing is completed, free or paid, keep samples and place them in a portfolio to help obtain writing gigs. After all paying the bills with paying gigs makes it possible to write for free on occasions.
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