How do you handle this?

[jwinter]

My private client list is revolving out and as I have been adding new clients I have noticed several ads with a particular statement. How do you handle "if it is acceptable" or "if I approve it" requests? My issue is that I am seeing a lot of this lately and it seems like a very easy way for them to gain content, say they do not like it, and use the article for free. Do you require a contract? Do you avoid the person and move on?

[gatitosmommy]

I wouldn't touch that kind of ad. Whether they gained free material or not, I wouldn't risk it being a waste of my time.

[Kiernansmom]

I have been seeing more of that, too. It does tend to make me nervous, but in the end, it is your content if they do not pay. You can still use it elsewhere. I recently got a new client who had this same comment in some of the emails (we'll pay if we accept it). They did end up accepting it, but just in case, I made sure to write an article I could sell on CC if they did not like it.

[asykora]

Personally as someone who has hired a few different writers here and there...I totally understand the wording being put in there. There are people who submit sub par work and expect to be paid for it and in fact become upset if you mention not paying for it.

I think if you are a strong writer and have an idea what the client is looking for then you should be okay. But like PP mentioned it doesn't hurt to keep in mind you can sell it somewhere else if they don't accept it.

[karmicwindows]

We all write on spec. Unless you are requiring money upfront before you begin the project you are writing on spec.

Until recent years that was something that was always understood between writer's and clients. Even working for content mills there was no guarantee that you work would be accepted. No acceptance = no pay.

I understand clients placing that type of wording in their ads and agreements. There are so many people out there who are desperate for some sort of income that after a few articles posted on a revenue share site they start promoting themselves as writers. It's simply a sign of the times.

[jwinter]

It's only been recently that I had to expand to other private clients or new private clients. Many of my clients are wanting to lower their rates for the same work. Some clients are quietly looking to overseas writers. The financial and economic times have caused a lot of issues for both writers and clients. When I went to craigslist I noticed the "if accepted" wording and it put me off a bit. I always understood that it could happen with clients over the years but seeing it in a craigslist ad just made it a bit more skeptical to me.

Thank you all for your advice.

[seattlejan]

Originally Posted by karmicwindows

We all write on spec. Unless you are requiring money upfront before you begin the project you are writing on spec.

Until recent years that was something that was always understood between writer's and clients. Even working for content mills there was no guarantee that you work would be accepted. No acceptance = no pay.

I understand clients placing that type of wording in their ads and agreements. There are so many people out there who are desperate for some sort of income that after a few articles posted on a revenue share site they start promoting themselves as writers. It's simply a sign of the times.

Always understood? I don't know about that. I've never written on spec. When I started writing professionally in the early 90s, I worked with a contract and an advance against royalties. There was probably some "out" in case what I turned in was totally unacceptable, but it definitely wasn't on spec.

When you write for content mills, it may be technically on spec, but I would personally never write for a TB client with a rejection rate higher than 0. And I've avoided content mills where there are no clear criteria for rejection.

I do understand it from the client's point of view, but there are too many clients who are rejection-happy. I don't care that I might be able to sell the article elsewhere; I don't choose to waste my time.

At the least, I would take a closer look at any ads with that proviso. I wouldn't jump in without asking some questions and finding out their criteria for acceptance/rejection. If they can articulate that in a manner that makes sense to you, fine. If it all sounds too vague, I'd steer clear. JMO

Clients have to protect themselves, but so do writers.

[jwinter]

That was my concern. I wanted to make sure that I was protected as the writer against someone who was rejection happy. I know that there is always a risk but at the same time I want to reduce that risk as much as possible. I don't want to steer clear of all ads like this one but I just want to make sure I am covered in the long run.

[Momof5Raptors]

If you're worried about payment, request upfront payments. My private clients pay full upfront for smaller gigs or half for large projects. The only time this isn't in place is for overflow work from a poster here and content mills.