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To presume any proposed deal negatively from the outset can be part of healthy self protection. This given the sheer number of folks attempting daily to take advantage of copywriters. More so now, given the state of the economy.

To presume any proposed deal positively from the outset can be wishful, overly optimistic thinking. Meaning you're going to swap spit with a whole bunch of frogs before you lock lips with your prince.

What's necessary is a fair bit of research and a solid intuition and feel for people. And even then you're still taking chances. But that's business. No guarantees, right?

The optimists on this forum seem to think just about any offer rolling into view should be given the benefit of the doubt. My opinion is that's a recipe for getting your hiney handed to you.

Jumping in blindly might be a way to land work and gain experience if you're new. But it's a lousy way to find clients you'll want to work with more than once. People willing to poll forums like carnival barkers aren't going to feel any hesitation continuing to do so once they've used you up. Your goal is to find someone you'll want to work with on an ongoing basis. And they the same.

There are times I think some of the graybeards here forget the anger, humiliation, and contempt that getting taken advantage of causes. Maybe because they're miles past that point in their careers, and hey, they survived getting shafted ... and so will you.

There's an easier way. Find your own clients. Pick the people you want to work for and with. You'll be blown away how many top-shelf companies are rarely approached in this manner. Yet the moment someone honks out a cattle call, they're immediately surrounded by dozens of clamoring, eager scribes. Guess who has the advantage here? Hint: it ain't you, dear writer.

Always be prospecting. Look long and hard for that company you know you can help. Do the job right and they'll trip over themselves to pay you well. Focus the energy you would've expended climbing over the bodies of fellow writers to land some nebulous "come help me get rich" gig, and instead pick up the dang phone and call that company.

Prospect hard ... ask for the work. Or swim with all the other trout looking for someone, anyone, to toss them a worm.

Agreed - it's wrong of me to have presumed anything - and yes, I SHOULD have asked him first, so my apologies to the OP for my negativity, no harm intended and lesson very much learnt.

Blame it on the 5 hour journey to London - long travel doesn't bring out the best in me