Creativity

I have read an awful lot lately about the multitude of websites that ask for contributors, but do not pay.  This is creating a lot of anger, and I can entirely understand why.  As someone who has been paid to write, and paid for his writings, I am totally in agreement that you should not do things for nothing, as it cheapens your art, craft or whatever else you choose to call it.  To do something for no pay however, is not the same as doing something for nothing.  Try to be creative!  If an organisation asks me to do something and then explains their lack of budget, do they have a premises that I can use for a workshop for example.  Maybe someone cant pay you to write on their site, but can they advertise your site in return?  Can they do a feature on you?  I have done a lot of work for no pay, but very rarely has it been for nothing, and there is a huge difference.  It may surprise you to hear that in pretty much every case, it’s been worth it.