Why You Should Never Accept All Freelance Writing Jobs You Are Offered

Freelance writing is a fantastic way to make the money you need to make ends meet, while also flexing your creative muscles. That means that while you will be working hard to address topics clearly, convey the client’s voice, and make critical deadlines, you will also gain a feeling of fulfillment. You will also get to learn so much from the wide variety of gigs that you will be asked to complete.

However, while your career may offer you the opportunity to collaborate on numerous diverse projects, it is important to know that accepting all job offers, every time, is far from advisable.

Don’t be ashamed if this is something that you have been doing, or are now considering doing since the recent lull in freelance writing jobs. Many freelance writers that are new to the market, or even new to the craft, have sacrificed themselves to get the experience to find better clients. However, once you take on whatever task is asked of you, simply to pay the rent as a writer, you will quickly lose focus of your original goal — to be a self-sufficient, well-paid professional with your own respectable business.

And, don’t let guilt or over-enthusiasm rule your decision-making. It should matter whether or not you are able to complete the job if you really have no motivation to do so. There are many reasons to turn down an otherwise viable job offer. It may be out of your wheelhouse, or it may not pay as much as you usually charge. You may lack passion for the subject matter, or completing the project may detract from your overall business model. You need to ask yourself whether it is worth the time or the money to take on the work. Even if you are short on cash, some jobs are not worth the mental torture you will endure to finish them.

Here are just some of the reasons why you should refrain from taking every job that comes your way:

Being Asked to Work for Peanuts

If you frequently take underpaying jobs, you are not only cheating yourself out of the rightful rates that you are entitled to, but you are forever undervaluing your work (as well as the work of other, higher-paid writers), starting a trend. If you accept that amount of compensation once, you will be expected to continue to do so. And, later on, these same clients will expect other writers to lower their rates to compete with your stated price.

If you have been offered a rate that doesn’t align with typical industry standards, move on. If a given project is far to complex for the inferior pay that is being offered, decline. You should always seek to be compensated based on your expertise, work ethic, talent, and experience.

Being Advised to Move Mountains to Make a Deadline

If you have been a freelance writer for a long time, then you can easily give a fair estimate on the amount of time a given project will take. If you have been given a deadline that is seemingly unreasonable, especially when it is coming from a person that doesn’t understand the creative process, it is your right to tell them “no.” Also, if a freelance writer has multiple clients, and we should, the demand to satisfy everyone can quickly become overwhelming, and the quality of all of your work will soon deteriorate.

The panic to mange an unbalanced schedule can lead to stress, which can affect your health, or burnout, which will necessitate an immediate period of rest, which means no one will be happy. It is always best to sort out how long it will take to research, write, and edit your work before accepting a job you may not have time for.

Trying to Make Sense of Confusing or Unclear Instructions

Getting a project with a looming due date, incomplete or dizzying instructions, and a client that is no where to be found can quickly become a nightmare. If you have no clue what it is that they want, there is a very good chance that you will be wasting your precious time doing it all wrong anyway. They may ask you to do it over again, or they can simply drop you and refuse to pay you. It really isn’t worth all the trouble. I would say that it is fair to attempt to get clarification at least once, and if you don’t receive an answer, or you are still confused, it is probably better to turn down the project.

Another thing you must consider is the project’s scope. Are you being asked to give free revisions, pitch an original idea, provide license-free photos, or anything else out of your usual realm? You should get compensated extra for these additional services.

Dealing with a Miserable Client

I will delve into this a bit deeper in future articles, but as soon as you sense problematic behavior from a freelance writing client you should have one foot out the door. Why? Well, you can find better, more professional clients that will treat you with the respect that any human and business owner is entitled to. If they tend to be exceedingly demanding or, even worse, are late with payments more often than not, then these are the red flags that tell are telling you that you should leave immediately.

However, I did initially say “one foot out the door,” Why? Because clients are people, too, and they should be given another chance if they are typically cordial. They may be having an off day, or they may be going through a personal matter. So, consider their overall demeanor, reputation, and communication style before giving them the boot.

Producing Content that is Unethical or Contrary to your Beliefs

If you feel uncomfortable writing about a polarizing topic, or if you are asked to represent a side of an argument, through your writing, that doesn’t align with your values, it is okay to sit that gig out. You should never have to compromise yourself or your worldview for a buck. I had to do this in college for a debate grade and it hurt tremendously to speak against my own interests.

Another thing that has become even more crucial than it ever has in the recent past is preventing the creation and spread of misinformation and disinformation. If you are unsure if you are being told to write an untruthful piece, check reputable sources for the facts. You must surely possess the principles to turn down any project that can possibly hurt others in the long run.

Thankfully, as a freelance writer, you are your own boss, and you have no one to answer to besides yourself. That means that you have the freedom to only choose jobs that represent your values, reflect your expertise, and align with your financial goals, long and short term. So, make sure that you prioritize the opportunities that will be most beneficial to you as a person and a business owner. You should market your services toward your chosen client base, and you will attract the best projects for your skill-set, but, in the meantime, learn to be a bit more selective.