Writers Offering Free Articles. Is it a Good Trend?

[peerless2acme]

These days whenever I log in to BHW, I always find a thread started by a writer offering articles for free. No, I am not against such a trend but I am just amazed to see the meteoric rise in the number of people following this mad race of freebies. It is clear that these guys are desperate to get clients and nothing can beat freebies, when it comes to alluring people. The trend seems harrowing because these days when a client approaches me he initially asks for a freebie or popularly known as sample article. If I say No for it, he says in a sarcastic tone that other writers are openly giving freebies what's the problem with you. The precedent set by the guys offering free articles is negative.

I am sorry to say this but admins got to make some rule in regards to freebies. In fact, the best idea would be to make a rule wherein a guy starting a thread related to freebie has to take permission from the mods. Just another day, I saw a thread wherein a writer started a thread offering a free article, to each member who comments on the thread. Within a day, there were more than 100 comments on the thread. I went on to read each and every comment and found that many senior members and J. VIP's giving negative reviews still the demand for free articles was on. I mean, what's the purpose of getting such an article, which will only reap you negative results. I'd love to hear from you guys because personally speaking, I don't mind seeing a thread once or twice a month offering freebies but starting such threads after every couple of days doesn't make sense at least to me. Please correct me if I am wrong in my assessment but please also give your views. Thanks.

 

[Don Draper]

Hey, I understand you... But it's business. You can imitate them if you want. I'm not interested in opening my doors to freebies yet. I might, but right now, I'm content with my workload. When I get desperate and perhaps decide to command a higher pay, I might put my name out there. As for now, I won't be giving away any freebies. Either they see my samples and they like it; or they don't. That simple.

 

[peerless2acme]

Hey, I understand you... But it's business. You can imitate them if you want. I'm not interested in opening my doors to freebies yet. I might, but right now, I'm content with my workload. When I get desperate and perhaps decide to command a higher pay, I might put my name out there. As for now, I won't be giving away any freebies. Either they see my samples and they like it; or they don't. That simple.

Yeah!!! I agree, it's business but don't you think that soon everyone will be facing the wrath in the coming future if this mad rush of freebies continues. I am never scared of competitions but this is no competition, it's simply ruining the market. We here are trying our best to write top notch articles and get the well-deserved pay for our efforts but these guys are writing the same article free of cost. LOL. Anyways, I would never be giving freebies for a simple reason that I am confident about my potential. All the best to you mate. Wish that you never reach the desperation state.

 

[Don Draper]

^^

Haha! When I said "desperation", what I meant was... Say for example; I really need to reach a target. For example, that guy who wants to get to China. He needs money quick. If orders aren't as frequent as they are, and I am trying to reach a certain goal, then I'd be open to doing this. There are days where you really have nothing to do. Instead of staring in front of the PC, why not get a new client to have more work? But again, to each his own. Right now, it's nothing I'm interested in... If anyone wants to hire me, or check me out (LOL), then I'd gladly send my own samples.

Good luck to you as well!

 

[youssfy]

It is generally needed to show a sample article as how can one believe in your work without seeing sample.

 

[peerless2acme]

It is generally needed to show a sample article as how can one believe in your work without seeing sample.

I agree with you mate but I don't understand why can't the person pay for the article if he likes it. The entire debate is about freebies and why would I have any problem in writing a sample article but a "free article" is not my cup of tea.

 

[darkhat99]

how to believe in someones works without watching a sample ??

 

[dbyrn]

I know which thread have you mentioned. I'm also surprised that after so many warnings and negative reviews still there are many people wanting to try. I doubt if people even bother to read the thread.
Anyway since most of these freebies are complete crap I think it is not a problem for you guys, is it?
Personally I don't mind getting a freebie from time to time.

D

 

[poweronics]

If the client wants a free sample article, just tell him positively that he must pay 50% upfront for that as quality is not free. He must be guided that newbies in this field just offer free articles as they do not have any clients usually.

 

[cataratas]

When the free article thread popped up the other day that about 100 peope or so jumped on despite generally poor feeedback, it provoked me to think about offering the same myself and mine would be real quality.

The reason for me making such an offer is simply because I do not meet the criteria for putting up a moderator approved thread on the forum where my work would be better show-cased.

Until I (and others in a similar predicament) can notch up the requisite number of quality posts and have the rep level required, then options are limited to chasing around the forum looking for people who need some articles writing. This usually leads to some ad hoc work but having a separate thread of my own, even if it starts with a free offer, would hopefully lead to attracting clients who can offer out work on a regular basis and with whom long term relationships can be built.

Having said all that, I note the Op's comment about client's expectations of freebies and "sample articles" and agree with his sentiments.

 

[peerless2acme]

how to believe in someones works without watching a sample ??

Mate I have clarified this point twice already in this thread. Why would one be against writing samples articles provided they are paid ones but what is the point of freebies. It means that next time you go in a super mall and say them I want a freebie in order to judge your quality. Do you think you would be getting anything free of cost? I think, this needs to clarify your doubt.

 

[peerless2acme]

I know which thread have you mentioned. I'm also surprised that after so many warnings and negative reviews still there are many people wanting to try. I doubt if people even bother to read the thread.
Anyway since most of these freebies are complete crap I think it is not a problem for you guys, is it?
Personally I don't mind getting a freebie from time to time.

D

LOL, then you would have got my point but that thread is not an isolated case, we come across many such threads like that on a weekly basis. I am not bothered about them but if such threads are started on a regular basis, then we got to press a stop button before it's too late. The moment these guys start such a thread they are out of competition but they are also ruining the business as a whole. I may seem cynical but seriously we don't want BHW to become DP, where writers are considered as slaves.

 

[peerless2acme]

If the client wants a free sample article, just tell him positively that he must pay 50% upfront for that as quality is not free. He must be guided that newbies in this field just offer free articles as they do not have any clients usually.

I agree with you completely but I have come across such cases so it was my opinion. Though thanks for the suggestion.

 

[OldSalt]

Ok, I have no idea why a content writer would have a problem sending a free sample. As a content buyer, I ask for a sample but of course I don't give them what subject it should be on. I would expect that a writer would take the time and create a couple of samples and send them to anyone that requests a sample. If someone wants a sample, send them those... if they want to specify the subject - then you tell them that they have to pay for it - period.

*edit* If they insist on giving you a subject for the sample - then do as suggested above - give them the option of 50% upfront for that sample... and if they like it, they pay the remaining 50% before ordering any others.

 

[Techxan]

I agree with getting a writing sample, and I also agree that the writing sample is not for publication. I can tell the quality of writing whether the article is on the international space station or how to keep fleas off my cat.

That said, I will not turn down a free article (or anything that don't eat for that matter), even a bad one. I can use it as research and rewrite it to my standards.

Funny thing is that I haven't gotten any of the free articles that have been offered yet.

 

[Nigel Farage]

Why would you or anyone else care if someone offers their work for free? What business is it of yours? Do you stick your nose in other people's business in real life? You should mind your own business, what other people do is none of your business. What's next, OP? Are you going to set-up a "Writers Union" and start trying to control both what writers charge and what purchasers can pay for ? Are you going to have a "minimum wage", vacation days, mental health days, free health care and housing assistance?

 

[haki_master]

Ok i think that i should write here too as i state that actually the thread the OP is reffering to is mine.I started that thread because i wanted to give away to bhw members something for free , this is my main focus and goal of this thread.Moreover i have not got any payments for articles or whatsoever from that thread.You come to my thread , did not post to get a free article but have the opinion to rate my work? Who are you , a psychic ? Well if you are not stop trolling other peoples threads.People who never learnt giving away for free on their life have such attitude just like you.I do not force anyone to my thread , what i am giving is free how you use it simply depends on you.

 

[Don Draper]

^
Yup, based on what I'm seeing so far, there's no reason to fight. OP, let it be. Like I told you, it's just business.

 

[mike007]

^
Yup, based on what I'm seeing so far, there's no reason to fight. OP, let it be. Like I told you, it's just business.

I totally agree with The Nix that there is no reason to fight against free articles. Different sellers use different techniques and methods to get more sales. There is nothing wrong for article writers to provide some free articles in order for them to reach out to more potential buyers.

If you do not want to give out any sample articles or free trial, that is totally fine. However, you should not criticize other article writers for giving out free articles. This is their way to do business. Why should they follow you way?

Other than free articles, there are a lot of free scrapebox blasts or free scrapebox AA lists being offered in bhw. Should other scrapebox blast service providers and scrapebox AA list sellers fight against the freebies as well? If they don't, why should you?

 

[TheBlueWizard]

Being one of the recent thread starters, this is partially directed towards me.

Its business.

Last time I checked outside of IM/Online Business, there was no limitation on giving out free stuff. The only requirement that should be enforced, is to place a [FREE GIVEAWAY] tag of some sort. Like that, you can ignore it and continue to scroll down.

However, continually trying to enforce a limitation on a person blatantly working for free solely for exposure, can give the appearance that your trying to get moderators to do away with possible competition, instead of ensuring your work is top quality.