My policy in regards to posting commissions and YCHs that I buy is usually for me to allow the artist to post it first. Or at least have the chance to. I wait a week after I receive it before I post it, myself, whether they've uploaded it or not. Yeah, I paid for it, and it's mine. But the artist is the one who did all the work. It seems only right that the initial attention at being on the top page, the hits from searches, and the first shot at praise goes to him. (Or her, as the case may be.) It just seems right to me.

And yet... there are a few, a very few, times that I was commissioned to write a story. And my policy was to give the commissioner a week to enjoy the finished story themselves before I post it to FA and anywhere else I might send it. After all, they paid for it. If they hadn't, chances are the story wouldn't exist; certainly not from my keyboard, at least! Since they paid, it seems only right that they get at least a little time to have exclusive access to it. Right?

Well, maybe. It doesn't take a genius to realize these two mindsets are kind of contradictory. Either the commissioner should get first dibs on enjoying what they paid for, even posting it to gain praise for it, or the artist/author should get that privilidge. I suppose it speaks well for me that I tend to let the other side that that right, no matter which side of the transaction I'm on, but I've been considering making my policy in this matter more consistent.

But which way should it be? Should the commissioner be allowed to post first, as the one who thought up the work and paid for it? Or should the artist, as the one who actually put in the creative effort?

This is, by the way, not going to be a hard and fast rule. Even if someone commissions me, I wouldn't demand they not post it for a week. Nor would I demand the artist hold back, next time I commission something. This is just a sort of informal survey. Which seems more right to you?