Many writers might be reluctant to either give samples to clients, or show clients their completed article before being paid. For this problem, there is an extremely simple solution that can leave both parties happy. A great way to work around the insecurity of sending an article before payment is through screenshots. Simply pull up your article in your normal word processor, go to Print Preview, and take a screenshot (On pc, PrntScn on Keyboard, on Mac, i believe you have to download third party program). Then crop the image to be only white background with black text. What this does, is allows the client to read your article, check to make sure the content is high quality and they are satisfied with the work. It also completely eliminates the possibility of them simply copy and pasting the article onto their site, or wherever they mean to use it. I know a few writers on here already do this, and that's great; it's a safe, no-hassle way to keep both the writer and client happy. I hope to have helped anyone who could use this information. Regards, Noah
There are so many damn good tips that are so obvious, staring us in the face, but we don't even think to think about them. This is one of them. But, for me, I get my fee upfront.
A really determined thief will just type the article out again, based on your screen dump. I know that's ultra-cynical but I think, in truth, there is no way of allowing anyone to see and read an article without there being an element of risk. In the end it's a trust issue and a writer needs to build a relationship with their clients to ensure this level of trust is there.
Better advice is to always demand at least 50% of your fee up front and never to provide samples. Create a body of work, be it a blog, a website, or a list of links to published pieces that will provide potential clients their samples. Too many "clients" asking for "samples" simply steal the sample and don't hire the writer.
Yes, an advance is the way to go. Sending an image won't stop the desperate and unethical from sitting there and copying while typing - especially when it's a short article.
Well it really doesn't matter to me if someone copies my article and shows it as his own. Clients who contact me have to give me task once to see the quality i deliver. Asking for samples is the most illogical thing that clients can do because anyone can pose anyone's article to be his own. Client can check the itrades before approaching. And if they really approach, they need to give a minor task to see the quality of writing.
I always require payment in advance. Quality is guaranteed or the client gets their money back. I generally use previously published material to prove writing ability. No problems thus far. The screenshot method however, is an excellent one.