‘Write for us for no pay — but be sure to follow our guidelines!’
I got the same email this morning. It’s been bothering me all day because, wow, is it possible that some aspiring writer will think it’s a reasonable offer?
Writing “for exposure” is a scam. When you provide free content to a money-making publication, no one but your mom cares that you’re the one who wrote it.
Every time you let someone else profit without compensating you for your hard work, you make our profession less professional. Always get a contract. Insist on a living wage. Fight to control your content. And if you don’t know what that means, study up.
