Should you "audition" for a freelance copywriting gig? (Maybe.)

His email had the tone of a drill sergeant barking orders: "Down on the ground, soldier. Give me fifty!"

Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration. His actual message was slightly less aggressive:

"If you're interested in applying for this freelance opportunity, here are your instructions..."

He then outlined his “requirements.” I was to plan a ten-part email sequence and submit fully written drafts for three of them. Presumably, other candidates were receiving the same directive. He would review the submissions and choose the winning copywriter.

Oh, and the kicker: this “audition” was unpaid.

I politely declined.

If you’ve been freelancing for any length of time, you’ve probably received similar requests. And if you’ve scrolled through LinkedIn lately, you’ve likely seen writers sharing their frustration about clients unapologetically asking for spec work.

The natural response for many of us is to recoil. “Nope. Not going to do that. Goodbye.” And, in most cases, that’s exactly the right reaction.

Most cases. Not all cases.

Are there times when giving a client a "test taste" of your copywriting might actually be a good idea?

First, let’s consider it from the client’s perspective. Why would they ask for a "try-before-you-buy" deal in the first place?

Sure, some clients have shady intentions. They see writers as desperate for work and exploit that to get free ideas and content.

But not every client fits this mold.

In some cases, the client genuinely wants to find the best writer for the job. They may view an audition as the most effective way to evaluate a writer’s skills. After all, ad agencies routinely do hours—even days—of on-spec creative work when pitching major clients. To some clients, it might not seem unreasonable to ask a freelance copywriter to do something similar.

If you immediately say no to all such requests, you might miss out on an opportunity to land a terrific client. But of course, no one wants to be taken advantage of. So, how do you separate the legitimate requests from the exploitative ones?

When faced with a request for unpaid spec work, consider the following warning signs. If a client shows any of these red flags, it’s best to walk away:

1. Unwilling to have a live conversation. If a potential client won’t meet with you on the phone or via Zoom, that’s a huge red flag. Genuinely interested potential clients will want to speak with you.

2. Unwilling to review portfolio samples. Most prospective clients will want to see your existing work. If they’re not interested in reviewing your portfolio, ask yourself why. After all, your samples may be enough to prove your capabilities, without you having to do any free work.

3. Unwilling to agree that your work won’t be used without payment. If you’re willing to do some free work, you’re within your rights to ask whether the client plans to use it. If they dodge this question, take that as a warning.

4. Unclear about the freelance opportunity. A trustworthy client should be upfront about the scope of the project. What kind of work will you be doing? How much? For whom? If they’re vague, proceed with caution.

5. Avoids discussing fees. A serious client will be eager to discuss rates if they’re genuinely considering you. If they’re unwilling to talk about money, it’s not a good sign.

6. Refuses to say how many writers are submitting A transparent client will have no problem sharing, at least roughly, how many other writers are in the running. If they dodge this question, at best it’s a cattle call; at worst, it’s a play to get as much free content from as many people as possible.

7. Won’t provide a decision timeline. The client should let you know when they plan to make a decision. If they’re unwilling to offer even a rough timeline, they might not be serious about hiring anyone.

Ultimately, it all comes down to motives. Is this a client who values your skills and genuinely wants to find the right fit? Or are they trying to extract cheap or free work?

If your gut tells you it’s the latter, feel free to decline and move on. But if you sense a real opportunity, it might be worth considering. Set clear boundaries, ask the right questions, and protect yourself from being exploited. Under the right circumstances, an audition could lead to you landing a great client.