So many times I encounter writers who ask me where and how I find my clients, and how I went from $1/100 to $150 to $250 per article. The thing that never fails to surprise me is that when I check out those who are asking, they generally offer their stuff for scraps at the BST section, like $0.70/100 or sometimes even lower. Some even advertise it in their signatures!!! People, this is plain stupidity! You might as well wear a "kick me" sign on your back. First of all if you advertise prices like that, why would anyone want to pay you better rates? Second; when you advertise those rates, you lose any advantage you may have had while negotiating the terms and rates for a writing assignment! I think that the bulk of those writers(The ones that actually can write that is) should start treating their business for what it is: A BUSINESS. When running a business you need to stick to a few ground rules if you are to make any decent money. The golden rules(Platinum even) to live by: 1. Calculate your absolute minimum This means determining how much you can write per day, and how much that should earn you in order to make a decent living(Yes decent living, which means Monthly expenses + Food + approximately 30% for eventualities). That will be your absolute minimum rate. Stick to it no matter what. 2. Never disclose prices until it is time. That time is when you are discussing a job with the prospective client, not before, and even when discussing, aim high. If you think the buyer is looking for a writer at $ 1.5/100 you offer $2/100. That way you can lower during negotiating. Buyer thinks he or she is getting a bargain, and you have the rate you went for. 3. Think outside the box Create services to go with your writing(e.g. Submissions to the top article directories, Social site submissions, etc...) Add value to your writing services. 4. remember the two main objectives for running a business: 1. To make a profit 2. To ensure the continuity of the business. All it takes to do the above are three things: 1. ATTITUDE 2. NETWORKING 3. WRITING SKILLS If you have all three, you can make a living as a freelance writer, running your own business. It really is not rocket science. Most of it is common sense. /end of rant
Nice one Kraven. I agree to all your points, except the place where you see do not advertise your price. I would rather put it this way that i would calculate the best rate for myself and then put it on the board. This will automatically bring in clients who would want to pay that price and are okay with it. I would then based on project bargain more or work on same price. If i get more, i am at bonus level, if i don't then i have nothing to lose. what do you say?
I will tell you what gets my goat is when people say their work is "Highest Quality", when this is clearly not the case... But anyway, nice post Kraven - points there that many individuals can learn from
The final point is to raise the bar in whatever thing you do (writing, promoting, communication...). Getting professional is key, but needs some work and endeavor. Nice post and ideas
So you are saying that you do not wish to advance to a higher level of payment? Because that is what you will become stuck with, when displaying an attitude like that(And you can take it from me. I have made that mistake at the start as well, you now have the chance to learn from mine and do not have to fall into the trap.)
This is where most writers or freelancers fail. They fail because they fail to operate a business. There are many great tools out there that you can use to setup your minimum rate. First thing I would do is figure out the minimum that you can write per day or per hour. Maybe knowing that it takes you 2 hours to write an article and you want lets say $10 per hour. Your rate would be $20 per article, simple. The business aspect comes into play when you factor in all the other costs. These costs include your business expenses not just personal. The $10/hour should cover those. Now you need to know how much you pay for rent, computer equipment, and office supplies there are other expenses to consider also. Then add that to the $20 per article and wham you got your minimum rate.
Hehe I just find it incredible that people are happy to wave around these astounding claims when they are so far from the truth
Hello there. I'm new here, but I'd like to agree with the Topic Starter. If you really want to achieve something more than just being-paid-for-your-job-enough-to-buy-candies, you have to consider what you do as business. I for instance, have established my own copywriting studio (we are here http://is.biz.ua/en ) and I'm happy to work with competent people and to provide them with the whole bunch of services.
What would you recommend to someone who's just starting out when it comes to improving one's writing skills?
There is no better source of writing skills than looking through the tabloids. However, you can also choose to review industry specific magazines as well. If you actually are just starting out, have you thought about a writing or advanced English course at your local college? There are also many books you can pick up off Amazon and Ebay, but look for recommendations because you want to be reading information written by recognised authorities, and not just an e-book picked up for £2.99
Cries for attention to their services, and hope that the one reading has less understanding of the language then they do.
How do you know that it is far from the truth...Quality is relative... to the person who writes it and the ones who will read it. lol
Take a look around on this board at the BST area and read a few WTS threads, you will see what he means
Thanks for pointing me in this direction Kraven, it answers most of my questions. Do you have any recommendations on the tag line? aside from the fact that i should not place my pricing. I am not asking for a word for word phrase, but just an idea of what would help me to start receiving jobs. Thanks again.
Ok i will do that. This may sound dumb for all you DP veterans, but what exactly is the BST? I have only been on here a few hours and have not yet taken the time out to fully explore the site. Regards
Well you mentioned your source for writing jobs in another thread. Try other higher paying sources. There are plenty of them around. I'll PM you a good spot to start