Subject: 9 reasons not to do spec work -- ever

 

Dear Direct Response Letter Subscriber:

 

Recently, my friends at AWAI asked me to participate in a small

panel discussion about writing copy on spec.

 

Spec work means no money up front, no obligation on the part of

the client to use or even read your copy, and no obligation to

pay you a cent.

 

Because I am militantly anti-spec work, and not just for

copywriters, I had to prepare for the discussion with a quick

outline of my anti-spec arguments -- and here they are:

 

#1--No skin in the game.

 

The potential client who asks you to work on spec has no "skin in

the game."

 

Without a financial commitment, he can abandon the project at any

time -- no skin off his nose.

 

If he does so, you, by comparison, have just wasted your valuable

time.

 

#2--No respect.

 

If a prospect thinks you are worth your salt, is serious, and can

afford you, she will hire you.

 

Asking you to work on spec means she isn't convinced you can do

the job or are worth the fee you want to charge.

 

Who would want to work for such a client?

 

#3--Whim.

 

Because spec assignments are so ephemeral and iffy, many editors

and marketing managers will hire you on a whim, some without even

having a real assignment or, if they have one, with no intent on

giving it to you.

 

#4--Vanishing royalties.

 

One form of spec work is, "We will pay you nothing now, but if

your copy works, we'll pay you a royalty or percentage of sales."

 

Yes, but if the client decides not to go ahead and run the promotion, my

royalty will be zero.

 

#5--Audition.

 

Asking someone to do spec work is in essence asking them to

audition.

 

Can you imagine asking your local pizza place to make and deliver

a pizza to you, without charging you, with the promise that if you

like it, they will become your regular pizza restaurant?

 

#6--Not vetted.

 

Not all, but the vast majority of companies that ask freelancers

to work on spec are small ad agencies or business -- little

operators you never heard of and know nothing about. Meaning they

are not vetted.

 

Why would you trust such a stranger, already making a

questionable request, to be good for the money?

 

#7--Promises, promises.

 

A common enticement is, "If this spec project works out, we'll

have a ton of work to give you."

 

Why would you want to work for a client who starts with you by

saying they have so little confidence in you they will only hire

you without pay or commitment?

 

#8--"We're testing several writers and the winner gets hired and

some money."

 

If I wanted to enter a contest, I'd enter a beauty contest --

though obviously, I'd lose.

 

I'm not here to enter contests. I'm here to work with clients who

hire me with a contract, an agreed-upon fee, and a retainer for

half up front.

 

#9--It's no way to run a business.

 

This short video makes a compelling case for why it is neither

appropriate to ask vendors to supply service or goods on spec,

nor a good idea for vendors to provide services and goods on

spec:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=essNmNOrQto

 

Exceptions? Yes. But relatively few.

 

Sincerely,

 

Bob Bly