OHHHH YEAHHHHH. This is something I’ve struggled with for years, and am finally valuing my time appropriately. I’ve had a couple people ask if I can “look over” a short bit of writing for them as a favor, and they’re usually surprised when I tell them I can maybe do it if it’s 500 words or fewer and doesn’t have a quick deadline. Because you know as well as I do that everyone thinks editors only skim for typos, and nobody’s writing is ever as short or as clean as they think it is. And that’s only for the closer friends.

Anyone who falls into the “acquaintance” category gets the “Sure! I’d love to help you out,” followed by me handing them my business card or writing down my website address, and asking them to fill out my contact form so I know exactly what they’ll be needing from me. I’m amazed at how often they’re surprised that I “do this for money” and that I have a website. Sigh.