I didn’t realize I had joined a worldwide movement—embraced by everyone from individuals to Fortune 500 companies—when I agreed to write blog posts for a colleague in exchange for career coaching. I thought I was doing something unique, but I learned that many of my fellow writers and editors do, in fact, barter their services, for everything from soup to (literally) nuts. Bartering can be a way to cut costs, build your portfolio, or engender good will. My experience and what I learned about how to barter successfully may help you decide whether this age-old form of commerce can be advantageous to your work.
Tips for Success
I didn’t set out to barter services with my colleague; our arrangement grew rather organically when we reconnected online. I recently left a full-time job to reopen my freelance writing business, and she had retired from the federal government to become a retirement coach. When she offered me a free session of career coaching, I jumped at the chance!
As we talked, my colleague mentioned that she hoped to start a blog for her new website, but she had no idea how to do that. A lightbulb went off in my head. “I could do that for you,” I said. Before I knew it, my experience with bartering began.
I know that informal bartering goes on all the time; we may just call it being neighborly. I feed your cat while you are traveling on business, and you water my plants when I’m on vacation. But I was surprised to find that bartering—once the only way to exchange goods and services—has become big business. Whether you are considering bartering as a way to cut costs, build your portfolio, or engender good will, these tips may help.
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In the sharing economy (think Airbnb and Uber), “what’s mine is yours, for a fee,” The Economist proclaims. Typically, no money changes hands in a barter arrangement. But both types of commerce allow individuals to participate in producing and consuming goods and services as part of a worldwide community. I know that bartering won’t pay the rent, as freelance copywriter Susan Greene made clear, but I’m eager to look for other opportunities. “Will write for toner” may become my motto!
How do you use bartering in your business?
Author
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Susan Milstrey Wells, owner of WYSIWYG Publishing, is a freelance speech and blog writer, editor, and author’s coach.
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