How to Safeguard Payments as an International WriterWritten by Brenda Townsend Hall
Freelance writers operate on a basis of trust. Whether accepting commissions or sending off unsolicited material to likely buyers, they probably concentrate far more on quality of their output and their marketing effort than on honesty of buyers. In days when writers worked primarily for publications in their country of residence, it was easier to check soundness of potential buyers of material, even if checks were fairly casual, such as recommendations from other writers. Now, however, opportunities afforded by Internet, electronic publishing and e-mail mean that writers quite literally have world as their market. Over past few years I have sold material to Hong Kong, Singapore, USA, France, Belgium, Jordan and UK. To be fair, I have only twice encountered problems over payment. On one occasion I received promised cheque but unfortunately it was of bouncing variety and I ended up paying bank charges for privilege of trying to cash it. I decided that in this case publisher, who did not respond to my requests for explanation, had forfeited restrictions imposed in contract and I sold article elsewhere. On second occasion I made repeated requests for payment and was promised that cheque was on its way. However, no payment ever arrived and I am not sure how to go about recovering my money. Nick Inman, now resident in France, highlights difficulties surrounding payment of freelance writers in Europe: You'd have thought that it would be easy to collect a debt in civilised countries of European Union and that National Union of Journalists (NUJ) would help you to do it. But not always so. I am particularly concerned about burgeoning expatriate press, worst of which behaves as if it were a entity unto its own: out of reach of British law and NUJ's solicitors; and not quite a full member (because of language) of host country's own media. Besides which, many countries of Europe barely understand concept of a freelance contributor. But it shouldn't matter who you are or where you choose to live: a debt is a debt. The unpaid supplier has legal right on his side under EU regulations which came into force last August: these state that a client has to pay you 30 days after he (or she or it) becomes aware of how much he owes you, or after you have delivered work - whichever date is later. This rule can be overridden by agreement between you but that is only legitimate excuse for late payment. In theory then, non-payment, particularly within Europe, shouldn't be a problem. But it still happens. So what is answer? First, I suggest freelance writer needs to put in place some means of self-protection. Work out a simple set of terms and conditions and, whenever a new client is proposing work, send these to client and ask for them to be signed and returned to you before you deliver anything. Say what your fees are and when you require payment but also say what you undertake to do on behalf of client. A further safeguard is to request an advance payment of 25 - 30% of agreed fee. If, on other hand, client has a contract, look carefully at payment provisions and ensure that they are acceptable to you.
| | Giving Yourself the Right to WriteWritten by Michael Southon
"But I've only been on Internet 3 months! How can I write an article?” That was my reaction back in 1999 when I began my online career and heard that writing articles was key to bringing targeted visitors to my website.But I went ahead anyway and wrote my first article. I soon discovered that writing articles is quickest way to build your reputation as an expert in world of online marketing. So don’t wait for someone else's permission - start writing articles and grab your space in limelight. Here are some other mental blocks and how to deal with them: (1) "I don't where to start". Start anywhere - it doesn't matter where. Putting words on paper is like planting a seed in your subconscious. Your mind will go to work on it while you're busy doing other things: while you’re driving, while you’re sleeping, while you're doing dishes. Suddenly, out of nowhere, will come next idea. That’s power of subconscious and power of putting words on paper. (2) "I don't know how to finish". Again, it doesn’t matter. Just write and conclusion will come to you of it's own accord. (3) "It's just an idea". This is another mental trap - fear of turning ideas into reality. Look around you and realize that every skyscraper, every ocean-going liner, and every symphony was once "just an idea".
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