Giving It Away: Free Articles for Fun and Profit
Right away you′re thinking, he’s crazy. How can giving away free articles lead to any sort of profit? I’ll get to that in a second.
If you participate in any online writer discussion groups or forums, you know the topic will frequently turn to the debate about whether or not a professional writer should ever give away their work. Usually, the question is sparked by somebody asking for web site content in exchange for “exposure.”
I believe my perspective on this is valid, as I am on both sides of the issue. My main source of income is through writing (primarily proposal writing for nonprofits, but also books). I also own and maintain web sites that use free content that I could never afford to pay for.
As a writer, I know how to separate my assignments between those that pay and those that do not. I understand the value of my time, and dedicate the majority of it to those areas that can directly bring me income. But I also understand the vital importance of promotion, and dedicate a percentage of my time to that pursuit as well.
If somebody asked me to create entirely new content, to their specifications, for their paying customers, and asked me to do it for free, I′d let loose with a few well-chosen expletives.
On the other hand, when I have the opportunity to contribute a small article (particularly one that I already have in my file) that will include a link to one of my books for sale, I am happy to do so gratis.
An example would be how I promote my latest book, An Introduction to Fund Development Planning. I have submitted an article, based on the first chapter, to several free article directories and they have been picked up by several web sites. Also now on those web site are links back to my page selling the book, and that has led to several sales.
It is well worth giving that article away (and giving it to multiple venues) for the return it gets me in book royalties.
When I use articles from such directories – as I do to populate The 13th Story – I know that these authors also understand the value of a well-placed link, and that they have a means of monetizing that link on their end. I never ask anybody to create original content that I cannot pay for. But, I am happy to accept their gift of content that promotes their paying work.
Do I feel guilty about using their words on my sites? No. I give full credit including links, and I′m not getting rich off of this. The ad income from the 13th Story barely covers my hosting and other costs. This is a break-even enterprise that I do because I love it. It is not even close to being my primary source of income.
So, should you give away your valuable work for exposure? That’s up to you. But I have found (as have many others) that finding a balance between what I do to make my living as an author and freelance writer, and what I do to promote that living, is a key to my success.
Who knows? I may decide to syndicate this article and just give it away!