Writers' Rights

 I've been writing professionally for 20 years. It's a great creative outlet. I've received a lot of praise for my works, which is very humbling. I love being able to write about topics and causes that I'm passionate about.

Choosing to pursue writing as a vocation was challenging. I didn't know where to begin. I found a few freelance sites, and started ghostwriting for others for a while. I'm not particularly proud of everything that I've written but it was a learning experience that I'm thankful for. It got my foot in the door for some good opportunities. 

If you want a career in writing, you have my full support. GO FOR IT! Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it. With that in mind, here are a few things to consider:

1. Don't write for free. Unless you're writing for fun or volunteering to write for a non-profit, you should be compensated fairly for your work. After all, you're taking time out of your day to work for organizations. It's okay to set your own prices and ask to be paid what you're worth.

This includes writing samples or test assignments for employers. Personally, I think that any work that takes more than an hour to complete should include financial compensation. Otherwise, you're just devaluing yourself. Also, the more that you work for free, the more others will come to expect it. 

2. Don't ghostwrite. If you want to make a name for yourself, don't ghostwrite works for others. Ghostwriting got me started in freelance writing, but it isn't a long-term career path for many (unless it pays really well). I'm thankful for the clients who have insisted that my name be added to any articles that I've written for them. Some companies may even ask you to create a profile which can help you get your name out there. 

3. Know your worth. After you've been writing for a while, you probably know how much your time and effort that was put into writing is worth. You can name a set price for each article or your daily output. Personally, I  prefer to set a price for how much I can write on a daily basis. After all, I've got bills to pay, and prices aren't decreasing.

4. Get credit where credit is due. One of the biggest frustrations that writers face is not being properly credited for their work, I remember a situation years ago where I was asked to rewrite marketing articles for a company that I worked for. I significantly revamped and improved the pieces that had been written by an intern. My colleagues were impressed by the final products You can only imagine my shock and disappointment when I found out that copy contained in the final brochures had the intern's byline on them. I wasn't given proper credit or recognition, which was one reason why I'm glad that I no longer work for that organization. You deserve full credit for any articles or other content that you spend time writing or revising.

Well, that's all for now. Writing can be frustrating, but if you love it, don't give up. There are plenty of customers and companies that reward hard work and like to showcase upcoming talent. Be persistent and work at your craft every day.

Until next time, have a great week, everyone!