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I'm a freelance writer and photographer who has relocated to a small town. The problem is, the small town is located right next to a major city, so the "monster" newspaper just over the river competes daily with the small-town paper that I'm currently freelancing for.

Is there such a thing as "loyalty" when it comes to freelancing? Would being loyal to the small paper pay off in the long run? Or, can a freelancer be all that free in such close quarters?

Small-Town Blues

I am sure that it is taboo for any employer from either of those papers to contribute to the other.

Freelancers, who are customarily paid by the piece, cannot be so restricted. But a newspaper can and might well stop accepting work from someone who also freelances for the competition. So, you might find yourself being forced to choose.

Joe Grimm

Talk to editors at both places. Ask about such restrictions and about how much work you could expect to get. Then dedicate yourself to the place that seems to offer the best deal. It sounds as though you should also ask about long-term job prospects. You might still be able to freelance for other local media and keep the newspaper assignments, but I would expect they don't go for head-to-head competition.

Whatever you do, do it on good terms so you can hop back in the event that freelance work stops at the place you choose.

Help us, freelancers: Have you been able to work for more than one news company at a time? How did you do it? What did you watch for? Please submit your comments.

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Coming Monday: This news assistant has been working to get that title changed to reporter and now worries that it might hamper a job search.

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