Is Free Advertising on the Internet Really Free?

Writing and Submitting Promotional Articles

When you place an ad in a newspaper, buy a radio spot, or have a commercial appear on TV, those communication mediums expect to be paid for providing that service.

When writers submit an article to a brick and mortar publication, they are hoping that the publisher will agree to publish their article, and will compensate the writer accordingly. If the publication isn't well known, they might pay the writer in contributors' copies. Other larger publications are willing to pay money, if they agree to publish your writing.

How did the Internet, become a place where the expectation is that writers will submit their articles for free publication?

While many things can now be done automatically, those tasks still take some time to get them set up correctly. I've often had to look at the things I'm promoting additional times, just to make sure the price has stayed the same, or that the bonuses being offered haven't changed from my last visit there.

Whatever happened to the concept that "Time is Money?" When did things change so drastically?

I wonder how we've strayed so far, from that old philosophy "That there are no free lunches." Many Affiliate Marketers don't receive any money for the programs we're working hard to promote, until a customer actually buys the product. It's now not only recommended, it's almost expected that writers will willingly submit their articles for free publication, and we're told to submit them to as many places as possible. That free advertising, might benefit the website owner if after reading my promotional article, potential customers, go to that website and buy that product. Then maybe I'll have earned my first commission.

I spent time and effort in my writing, revising, and proofreading my article in trying to promote that product. I may have spent time researching the subject before my fingers even hit the keyboard. If the buyer later requests a refund, for the product they purchased, I may not get that commission at all.