Whether you are a new writer or have many years of experience under your belt, it can be easy to fall prey to scams that target freelance writers. While some may be “hidden in plain sight,” others can be much harder to detect, but with some caution and care, you can avoid them.
There is no such thing as a free lunch
One way scammers target writers, especially those who are new to working online, is to request articles from you free of charge that they will publish and use. Do not fall prey to this tactic. If a company requests a sample article, make sure you are confident it won’t be officially published for their gain. This is why it is so important to have a high-quality portfolio that showcases your work and also to request payment for any items you submit.
Avoid going off platform
Many writers take advantage of the opportunities to find work on sites such as Fiverr or Upwork. Some clients may ask you to contact them through a messaging app or email. It is wise to be cautious about doing so, as contacting a client directly means you lose the protection the freelancing site affords. You may find that you don’t get paid, and parts of your work, or even the entire piece, will be plagiarized with no payment or credit for you.
Avoid overpayments and fake cheques
A scam that has become increasingly popular is to overpay a writer and then ask them to send back the difference before the original payment clears. You’ll often find that a “stop” gets put on the payment you were supposed to receive, and you end up losing money.
Don’t trust pay-to-play job boards
Pay-to-play job boards take advantage of new writers who don’t know that a company that asks for a “security deposit” or requires money for start-up costs or some other upfront fee is trying to rip them off. These are almost always scams, so do not fall into the trap.
Always read a contract thoroughly
Before you sign a contract or brief, read it fully and understand what you are being asked to do, what sort of compensation you will receive and also what timelines have been set. If you have any questions, ask them and make sure you fully understand the parameters before you agree to take on the work.
Take your time
If you are offered a contract and feel like you are being pressured to accept it, that can be a warning sign. Trust your gut. If you feel there is something “off” about a brief and there is a lot of pressure to sign on before you have a chance to thoroughly understand what you are being asked to do and how and when you will be paid, take that as a sign to move on.
Be comfortable with the content
Freelance writers may be asked to prepare pieces that cover a huge variety of topics, but some may be best avoided. Again, this is where it can be very important to trust your instincts. It is okay to not accept a brief or contract.
Find your tribe
While this may sound clichéd, connecting with other freelance writers can help you avoid scams. You can share tips and best practices and help each other avoid fraudulent sites. The Canadian Freelancing Guild is one organization that offers this support, and there are many other informal groups you may be able to connect with through social media.
One of the perks of writing for Words of Worth is that it is a trustworthy company with many years of experience under its belt. You can trust that you will be offered a variety of work and that you will be paid fully and on time. You also receive support, advice and encouragement from its editors to help you hone your craft, so why not submit an application to join the team today?