The Great Debate — How Much Should A Writer Charge?
Several prominent bloggers have addressed this issue lately. In fact, I have found myself in the middle of this debate several times the last few weeks. What should you charge? What pay scale should you follow? What should you pay for outsourcing various services?
I admit that I pay too much for some things, and not enough for others. My biggest word of advice is to research, do your homework (aka competitor/industry espionage 
) and start off where you feel comfortable.
Many have complained about writing for less than $10 an article. It stinks, but in my opinion, you’ll take what you can get to make sure the rent gets paid at the end of the month. Do I recommend it? Yes and no.
I hated writing for peanuts, but with no education, no experience, and a dire need for extra money I took them. Lots of them. However, I gained more from those low paying jobs than I did from jobs that pay much higher.
When I made agreements for low paying work, I asked for information. I asked for feedback, which I used to gain higher paying jobs. I asked for information on SEO, and received valuable tips and hints from people who have been in the business for years. I asked confidentiality on pricing in exchange for recommendations and word of mouth advertising.
Eventually, I had a full workload that paid higher than I expected. Those small jobs helped me gain what I needed to enter the higher paying markets.
I no longer do these jobs, nor do I recommend that others follow my path. I’m simply stating that I think experienced writers are unfair when they look down on other writers who work for less when they don’t know the entire story. I understand that it holds prices down, but this generally shouldn’t be an issue.
Four reasons for this:
- While I dislike the basic principle, some customers are interested in an article stuffed with keywords, and only enough ‘filler words’ to keep Google from considering it spam. Generally, these articles fall towards the lower end of the pay scale. They aren’t interested in content or quality. For unconfident beginners who need the experience and the cash, these work well. These articles become a chance to test the waters and see what’s available. Experienced writers refuse to take this type of project. It all evens out in the end.
- Customers interested in quality content are looking at the higher end of the scale. These clients want quality, well-written content, and normally don’t have the patience to deal with newbie writers who have never composed a piece. I’m not saying there aren’t any, but they are few and far between. Anyone who has bid on a project can vouch for that. They see the higher price tag as an assurance that they will get exactly what they need. The first time.
- For writers a little short in the ‘fame’ department, big writing jobs might come along on a regular basis, but they aren’t enough to keep the wolves from the door. They have to take the smaller jobs to keep their head above water while they are chasing the bigger fish.
- Writers from other countries can afford to work for less because of the differences in our economies. Not their fault. In fact, I would do the same thing in their position.
I will launch a new site offering a completely new set of services in the next few weeks. This means I need an entirely new price structure. I will not be taking the same path, but I still need to choose wisely. The Internet leaves very little room for mistakes.
I have considered my pricing structure for writing/coaching here as well. While I would like to increase my prices, I feel that it would be unfair to the market I am currently targeting. I am out to make ends meet, and help others. So long as I can continue this way without going under, I will continue to do so. If I need or want the additional income, I will aim at a different market. My prices will remain the same for now.
All in all, I see working your way up the pay scale far more notable than waking up one morning and saying ‘I think I’m going to write for $200 an article today.’
If it was that easy, everyone would do it. I’d be retired, and living out my dream. End of story.
This may lead you to ask what the standard pricing method is. While I would like to lead you to a page that tells you exactly what to charge, I can’t. There isn’t one. You need to charge what you feel comfortable with. It should cover all of your expenses, and make a profit that meets your needs.
If you are trying to decide what to charge, or are looking to increase your rates, here are a set of posts that will give you insight into this area:
On deciding what to charge for your writing services…
- Hourly Rate Calculator from Freelance Switch
- Professional Practice from Step Inside Design
- Five Things To Know Before Setting Your Prices from CatalystBlogger
- A Pricing Strategy for Everyone from Startup Students
- How Much to Charge for Freelance Writing from Imagine This Writing.Net
- Calculating Your Freelance Rates (A four part series) from Freelance Sprout
- Setting Writer Rates: It Costs Money To Make Money by Men with Pens (aka The Original Pen Man)
On raising the prices for your written work…
- How To Get What You’re Worth from Self Made Chick
- 7 Ways to Wipe Out Price Resistance from Freelance Writing Success
- Freelance Blogging for Side Income: My Top 10 Tips from AnyWired
- Problogging Tips: Get Smart, Leverage Your Research from Performancing
- Bill More, Work Less: The #1 Way Freelancers Can Make More Money from Write to Done
- How to Start Charging Your Dream Rates, and Get Away with It from Freelance Switch
- A Simple Way to Stop Clients from Rejecting Your Proposals from Freelance Folder
The Wise And Twisted Games Writers Play — It’s What We Do
I was asked the other day what writers do for fun. That’s a good question. So many posts focus on writing for work and work/home balance, very few pieces focus on the fun areas of the writing mind. While I can come up with an extensive list, I thought it would be fun to provide you with a list of cool places writers can have fun with the English language.
Here’s a list of some fun places for writers to hang out:
1. One Million Monkeys Typing is a writing site of a different sort. When you arrive on the page, you have several stories presented to you. You read the story, and as soon as it takes a turn you dislike, or if you have a better idea, stop, write the section you would like to write, and publish your version of events. The makers of this beta site have created a community there for writers and readers to hang out.
2. Free Rice uses a writer’s quest for knowledge for the benefit of those in need of food. On the game side of things, you will see a word and have to define it. When you give correct answers, you earn grains of rice, which are used to feed those in starving countries. This site builds your vocabulary while helping a charity. The way I see it, everyone wins.
3. Etymologic states it holds the title of the ‘Toughest Word Game On The Web.’ Well, the basic concept seems easy enough. They present you with a word and offer you a set of choices. You have to decide which country the word came from. Not as easy as you think It’s actually kind of addictive-aggravating.
4. Super Text Twist is available online, as a download, and through facebook. This game gives you a set of letters, and you need to make as many words out of the given letters as possible. It’s actually one of my favorite games to play. However, I play a slightly different version on the next site.
5. Filled with addictive games, Pogo has the best collection of word games I’ve seen in a long time. Honey Bees, Word Jong, and Word Craft are some I find myself playing on a regular basis. They do have a paid option, which is a must for me. I may or may not have guest passes for those interested
6. FunTrivia has a section designed specifically for creative writing fanatics. Their quiz section on contemporary literature and fiction is great. You can choose from a whole host of authors there, or you can head to other sections, which include mystery and science fiction. Just pick your favorite genre and away you go.
7. Language is a Virus contains another list of games designed for writers and lovers of the English language. One called Magnetic Poetry takes famous poems and breaks them into chunks. You need to put them back together. This site also contains all kinds of helpful tools for everything from title generators to programs that help you name characters in your stories.
Fellow writers, feel free to enjoy the addiction!
Blog Posts Versus Articles
Today’s post was written by fellow writing coach and freelance writer Kimberlee Ferrell of Freedom Writing. In addition to writing professionally, blogging, and consulting, this small town Iowa writer is the proud mother of two girls.
For beginning web writers, there are two main categories of writing you will come across. Article writing is writing informative essays about a specific topic, which are used on a client’s website or submitted to article directories. These can be search engine optimized, by using a specific percentage of keywords within the article. Blog posts are informative essays as well, although they can be less formal, and directed to the blog’s audience. Blog posts can be written for your own blog, or for your client’s blog.
Personally, I enjoy blogging more than article writing. With blogging, I can insert a splash of my personality within the posts, and have fun connecting with my audience. For me, writing articles is a very cut and dry process. I research my topic, choose an angle, and write a fact based article. Blog posts allow me to pick a subject I care about, and bring it to life.
I am also able to speak my opinion on many topics within blog posts. I can point out things about life, that a simple article on the topic might not be able to. For example, I could write an article about “Tips to Lose Weight.” This would list all of the little things you could do to get in shape. Or I could write a blog post about my personal weight loss experience, taking you on the journey with me. I like having that option, to share my world with my readers.
In my mind, articles are a static form of writing. You write the article, send it out into the world, and that is all. You rarely get a response from your readers about what you have published. With blog posts, you have the opportunity for immediate responses from your readers, via blog comments. Reading comments, replying to questions, and gaining additional information about a topic are all rewarding aspects of blogging.
What is your favorite form of web writing? There are no right or wrong answers, just personal preferences. I would love to hear what you all think.
What Is The True Definition Of ‘Quality Content’?
The concept of ‘quality content’ isn’t as clear cut as you think. Not everyone’s idea of quality content is the same, yet everyone uses that phrase for anything involving the written word. While there is a general consensus on the definition, the reality is that it could be any number of different things. Before you start shouting at the computer screen, let me explain.
Perfect Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation
When asked what quality content is, well written is one of the first traits listed off. I agree. A well written piece reads better, and is more enjoyable. But, what if it has a few small spelling mistakes? Does this mean it isn’t ‘quality content?’
While every writer should aim for perfection, I honestly don’t think a misspelled word could destroy the entire piece. It depends on the situation, and the content itself.
Information
Quality content must contain good information. Regurgitating the same concepts and ideals repeatedly becomes monotonous. Fresh information maybe difficult in some subjects, but your piece needs a unique angle. If you only repeat what others have already stated, it would be easier to copy and paste it rather than writing it.
To present something fresh, write from an alternative perspective. This step often creates writer’s block, but the fight is worth it. For example, instead of using the topic ‘how to write a blog post,’ why not try ‘what makes a bad post.’
Two good reasons exist for this:
1- Not everyone learns the same way.
2- Sometimes, we need reminders of the basics.
Interestingly, I don’t think copy/paste work itself is poor. (Bare with me!) The piece itself is usually fantastic (that’s why it was copy/pasted right?). It’s the fact that it isn’t your own that becomes the issue.
Any time the sole purpose is to show your own voice, don’t copy and paste. If this doesn’t factor into it, then by all means spread the good cheer (by following the proper procedure according to the license, and with adequate credit of course.) A news feed site is a good example. Here, people want straight information.
The other issue is the concept of informative. Photography and creative writing blogs are wonderful, but not necessarily ‘informative.’
So, What Is Quality Content?
In my opinion, quality content needs to match your readers as well as yourself. This holds true regardless what medium you work in. Engage, entertain, inform, take action, but make them feel something! Even getting them to disagree with you can be a great thing. So long as it’s kept friendly, I love a good discussion or debate. The best ideas come from them. If you write on a topic you can’t take an interest in, it will certainly show.
Don’t fret over whether something is ‘quality content.’ Write to the best of your ability, present your ideas well, and bring out your own voice to produce your own quality content. That’s what will make all the difference.
A ‘Hidden’ Gem For Online Writers — Freelance Writing.Com
If you have started as a copywriter, but have never gone to Freelance Writing.com, you may just want to head over there and check it out. These guys have collected some of the finest resources on the web together in one place. Writer forums, freelance writing jobs, articles, guidelines, and more you want to bookmark this site.
I have yet to participate in the writers forums there. Honestly, it just isn’t something I have time for on top of all the other projects I have on the go, and another huge project on the horizon. I do recommend browsing through it though.
Their articles, free ebooks, white papers and other resources are filled with important information. I guarantee that if you need to know something about writing, you’ll find it or a link to it there. Spending time digging through this stuff is well worth the effort.
The freelance writing jobs section pulls open jobs from all over the web including more prominent sites like Elance as well as many of the hidden ones. This eliminates having to bounce through 20 or 30 sites at once. This is a huge bonus for anyone needing to spend less time looking for work, and more time actually making money. Keep your eye out for the gems!
I won’t argue that writing online can certainly be profitable, but you shouldn’t overlook the traditional magazine industry either. With the economy on a harsh downward style, more and more of them are replacing journalists and in-house writers with freelancers. While I don’t necessarily agree with some of this, it does open that market up to those of us without formal training. If you get the right opportunity, it could mean great things in the long term once this crazy world straightens itself out.
Just like in-print media can be a good thing, submitting to printed media without doing your homework can devastate a career in an instant. Freelance Writing.Com has an extensive list of writer’s guidelines that you will want to check out.
Freelance Writing.Com knows that writing isn’t just about work, and they addressed that with their writing contest and events sections. It is definitely worth a peek if you have some time on your hands, or would like to connect with other writers.
Head over, and have a look. Let me know what you think!
