{"id":6668,"date":"2018-11-19T17:10:01","date_gmt":"2018-11-19T17:10:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/writefitcopywriting.co.uk\/?p=6668"},"modified":"2020-10-22T16:11:15","modified_gmt":"2020-10-22T16:11:15","slug":"copywriting-test-auditions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.writefit.co.uk\/2018\/11\/19\/copywriting-test-auditions\/","title":{"rendered":"Why You Should Never Do Copywriting Tests For Free"},"content":{"rendered":"

It happens to all copywriters at some point. You get an inquiry that sounds promising until they ask you to do a copywriting test to prove your credentials. It doesn\u2019t matter that you\u2019re a professional. They want you to audition to prove your worth.<\/p>\n

Although you might be tempted to say \u201cyes\u201d if there\u2019s plenty of work in the pipeline \u2013 it\u2019s a common tactic to promise jam tomorrow – always insist you\u2019re paid for your time. And here\u2019s why \u2026<\/p>\n

1. The client wouldn\u2019t give away their services for free (as a trial) so why should you? A hotel company recently asked me to do a copywriting test before committing to a larger project. What if I\u2019d strolled into their hotel and asked for a free night before deciding whether to stay for the rest of the week?<\/p>\n

2. You don\u2019t know how honest they are. If they need six pages of website copy, they might approach six different copywriters and ask each of them to write a different page as a test. The result? They\u2019ve got their website written for free.<\/p>\n

3. If a client can\u2019t pay for sample copy, they probably won\u2019t have much (or any) budget to pay a proper rate when the main project starts. If they\u2019re trying to get freebies now they might try and screw you down on price later on. And who wants to work for people like that?<\/p>\n

4. Copywriting is a professional service and should be treated as such. I\u2019ve heard it argued that copywriting is \u2018creative\u2019 so \u2018auditions\u2019 are perfectly fair. This is nonsense. Copywriting isn\u2019t acting; it\u2019s a professional service and a vital part of branding \/ marketing.<\/p>\n

5. Doing business requires trust. When you approach an architect or accountant you trust them to do the job based on their credentials, reputation and website. Asking them to do a test is like saying \u201cI don\u2019t trust you\u201d. This is no way to start a business relationship.<\/p>\n

6. If they can\u2019t tell if you\u2019re a good fit by looking at your website, they either (a) don\u2019t really know what they want, or (b) can\u2019t tell good work when they see it. Either way this is could lead to complications once the project begins. You don\u2019t want clients like that.<\/p>\n

7. Doing a free copywriting test implies that the client knows more than you. Remember that you’re the wordsmith. You’re the expert. You should be giving them valuable advice and working alongside them rather than just doing their bidding.<\/p>\n

8. If they\u2019ve asked you to \u2018audition\u2019 it probably means they’ve approached multiple writers. This means that the risk-reward ratio<\/a> won\u2019t be in your favour. What\u2019s more, you don\u2019t know their selection criteria. It won\u2019t matter how good your copy is if they just want the cheapest writer out there.<\/p>\n

9. Experienced copywriters turn down jobs that require free tests. After all, they\u2019ve got paying clients to service. If you\u2019re asked to audition then it\u2019s a tell tale sign that this client operates in the bargain basement. This means lots of work for little reward.<\/p>\n

10. A copywriting test isn’t needed because clients are protected anyway. If your work is awful then a client could (and should!) refuse to pay. After all, you won\u2019t have fulfilled your obligations.<\/p>\n

So the next time you\u2019re asked to do a \u2018sample\u2019 or a \u2018copywriting test\u2019 insist on a small fee to cover your time. Explain calmly that you\u2019re busy, and that complying with their wishes will take you off paid work. The fact you\u2019ve got a full diary should give them confidence and make them question their approach.<\/p>\n

Of course, it\u2019s hard to resist doing tests when you first start out. And you might think it\u2019s worth jumping through hoops if the prize at the end sounds big enough. However, if a company is so hard up that they can\u2019t afford to pay a small fee at the outset, then you might find this prize is an illusion anyway.<\/p>\n

My advice is therefore this: only spend your time on real clients, with real budgets, who treat you like a\u00a0 professional, value your skills, and pay you accordingly.<\/p>\n

James Morgan<\/em><\/p>\n

@writefitcopy<\/p>\n

James Morgan is a freelance copywriter and owner of Write Fit Ltd. Contact<\/a> him on 01892 576786 or email james@writefit.co.uk.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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