But, under the right circumstances, it can pay to do some things for free.

Here’s an example of what I mean taken from a different industry.

My husband the patent attorney has been on sabbatical for the past two months. In the past two weeks, while he was technically off the clock, he visited a handful of clients, including one in a different state. He made the gratis visits because during his regular work week it’s difficult – and very expensive for clients who pay him by the hour – to schedule in-person meetings. His clients loved it. They got his undivided attention for much longer than he’d normally have to talk about anything they wanted. The result: even before his sabbatical ended, he’d lined up a bunch of new work.

What does it have to do with writers?

You never need to write for free. But there are other things you can give editors or clients you work for. To use my husband’s example, schedule in-person visits. During a trip to California last month, I spent time with two editors that’s already paid off in multiple assignments. I’ve made the 3,000-mile trek to New York before for the same reason, and with the same lucrative results.

Other things you can do for free that pay off in the end:

• Tip off an editor to news happening on the subject their publication covers without expecting an assignment out of it.
• Send links to articles on subjects an editor is interested in, with no strings attached.
• Recommend another writer for an assignment you can’t do yourself.
• Send in stories with headlines, decks, keywords and other SEO elements, suggestions for art or photographs, charts and graphs – even if you’re not required to.
• Make yourself available to brainstorm story ideas, editorial calendars, web strategies or other subjects – it shows you’re a team player.
• Write LinkedIn recommendations for editors, copy editors, art directors or other editorial staff you work with regularly.
• Share links to your articles on social media – it’s good for you, but also a plus for the publication or website you write for.
• Send cards at holidays thanking them for their business.

Other than writing, what have you done for free for editors or other clients that’s paid off in the end?

So for your reading enjoyment, here’s some WordCount Q&As I’ve done with writers on a variety of subjects. Happy reading.

Suddenly Frugal’s Leah Ingram – This prolific magazine writer, book author and frugal living blogger explains how she wrote her latest book in eight weeks.

One freelancer’s DIY book publishing success – Colorado-based corporate translator Corinne McKay explains how she self-published How to Succeed as a Freelance Translator and netted $12,000 in two years.

NewspaperDeathWatch.com’s Paul Gillin on online community news – New media pundit Gillin explains why small news ventures, in print and online, are fairing better than their larger counterparts.

One writer’s journey from print to online – Michelle Nicolosi got the online news bug back in the 1990s. Today she’s executive director of the now online-only SeattlePI.com.

Marketing your freelance business in bad times – Keven Malkewitz, a marketing expert and assistant business professor at Oregon State University in Corvallis, says in a down economy, cultivate existing clients, brush up on new skills and increase your marketing efforts.

If you’ve a freelancer with a unique take on the business, a successful blog or an online news venture, I’ve love to interview you for the WordCount Q&A. Contact me: michellerafter (at) comcast (dot) net.