I Won’t Write Your Blog for Free

I have a goal to establish myself as a freelance writer.  With a significant freelance income.  I’m off to slow start, and with this economy it may stay slow for a while.  Thankfully, I have a day job. 

So I spend some time most days searching for writing opportunities.  There are many out there.  I don’t always fit the requirements.

But I stay away from any that make statements like:

– No pay (yet) but you’ll share in profits as our business grows! (Meaning use your time and talents to make MY business grow)

– We can’t pay you, but this is a great opportunity to have others read your work. (Meaning put your stuff out there so others can steal it for free)

– We’ll pay you based on readership. (Meaning don’t expect to make much)

I’ve followed up on a couple of those types of “jobs.”  In the early days of the web and writing, I actually was paid repectably for a few articles I had on Themestream.  But Themestream (pay per click) couldn’t keep up with that model and eventually folded.

My writing is my work.  If I want to give it away from free, I’ve got my own blog.  If linking here builds your traffic, and mine, then go for it. 

But when I spend my time researching, writing and editing and article, I expect some benefit.  Either it’s for a cause or promotion in which I believe.  Or it’s for an addition to my bank account, also in which I believe.

Your ability to go to WordPress or Blogspot or a number of other places and set up a free website doesn’t make you an established publisher.

And it doesn’t give you the right to my work.

Man Does not Live by Facebook Alone

From John Piper:

If you are reading your Bible on your computer or your smartphone or your iPad, the presence of the email app and the news apps and the Facebook app threaten every moment to drag your attention away from the word of God.

via Beware: The Bible Is About to Threaten Your Smartphone Focus – Desiring God.