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I think it curious that an STC mag would undervalue the contributions of
technical writers (assuming this is true, I never imagined that the STC did
not pay for articles)? I mean, what value does your knowledge have? Is it
worth a pat on the back and a line on your resume, or is it **also** worth
some renumeration? Isn't being paid to do research and contribute to the
skills and knowledge of the profession worth a little more than job
satisfaction? I can understand the idea that giving your product away for
free attracts future customers, but to give the product away for free to a
professional journal?
As technical writers, what do you think of the value of your work?
Seriously. I understand there is a benefit to breaking into the industry and
getting set up, and all, but that's what being an intern is all about,
that's what being entry-level is all about. If I want JoAnn Hackos to share
her particular insights about managing my publications, should she do it for
free because the pat on the back feels really good?
I don't know. For the past 10 years, until quite recently, I've been good
for an average of 12 hours-per-week of volunteer community service (no, not
court-related ;?). That had nothing to do with my profession, though I might
consider doing a newsletter or something pro-bono on occasion, but not for
the pat on the back, for personal reasons. Isn't contributing research,
work, and professional experience to a professional society journal more
than some general volunteer work you do because it feels good. If not, why
do I have to pay dues at all, why doesn't everyone involved, including
vendors, do this pro-bono?
Cheers,
Sean
sean -at- quodata -dot- com
> -----Original Message-----
> From: oakeyd -at- roanoke -dot- cc -dot- nc -dot- us [SMTP:oakeyd -at- roanoke -dot- cc -dot- nc -dot- us]
> How important to you is the exposure you would get by being published in
> TC? I can understand you having strong feeling about writing for free, but
> how much could this article advance your business opportunities. Would
> doing a freebie now open you up to more paid jobs in the future? Which is
> the lesser of two evils?
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