by September Gray

Created on: June 21, 2010   Last Updated: June 22, 2010

Freelance writing is a job, but for many it is also a passion. When hopes and dreams are on the line, one can be sure there are many sharks in the water, ready to take advantage of the unsuspecting. However, with a little caution, it is entirely feasible to avoid scams and turn the love of writing into a lucrative career.

In order to avoid writing scams, it is essential to stay grounded. If an opportunity sounds too good to be true, it is. As with any other business, a writer should never pay a fee to write for a company. Good business is to make money, not spend. It is not likely the fee will be recovered ten times over as might be promised. It’s doubtful the fee will be recovered at all. Nor can a writer expect to get rich within days, weeks, or even months as some companies would claim. Getting a business up and running takes time and hard work.

Researching a company or website before submitting any work is imperative if a writer hopes to avoid scams. Often it only takes a few seconds, thanks to Google. There are websites dedicated to warning writers of the latest online scams. It is advisable to check out sites such as Writers Beware as well as Preditors and Editors. Also, new writers who are anxious to get started sometimes ignore the red flags right in front of them. It may seem less intimidating to sign an online contract than a handwritten signature, but agreeing to terms and conditions does legally bind you, so read the agreement thoroughly.

When dealing with online companies, there is no such thing as being overly cautious when giving out personal information such as bank account and social security numbers. The majority of online publishers make payments to trusted sights such as PayPal these days and some offer the option of mailing a check. There are company’s who will request the writer to fill out the  W-9 tax form. This is a standard business practice for accounting purposes, but again, heavy research should be done before releasing this document to any prospective employer.

The most important characteristic a writer can have is dedication to his or her craft. As the quality of work improves and the clip files grow, the more opportunities will open up with legitimate employers. In the meantime, developing a business savvy is essential if a freelance career is to survive. 

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