Hi to All, Ive been a bit quiet lately as Ive been having a bit of a 'career rethink'. I think, like many, I got caught up in the work lots for little pay syndrone. It sort of crept up on me until finally the exchange rate and paypal costs made be stand back and think about how I was going about it all. In the past Ive written mostly for print magazines, sometimes on spec, but mostly to order. For most part, I've found that many clients (not all) seem to think that writing Internet Content (as opposed to copywriting) doesn't require the same research or effort that print writing does, or maybe they do, but just don't want to pay for it! So, I read the posts about not selling your services too cheaply and stood back for a while from non-fiction and wrote some short stories for some magazines to keep the money coming in while I reassessed how to go forward. I took some time to reset my rates and have been a lot more selective on the clients I take on. The result is that Im now up and running again Im back on a living wage and working smarter not more. I would like to say a big 'thank you' to some of the posters on this site who give all their advice so freely, and my advice to others who are struggling - do as they say, it works!
And you just summed up the problem lots of folks have. Congrats on moving beyond that low rate mentality and working to build a more viable writing career.
Congrats and good job! Thanks for coming back to post your success story. I love it when writers figure out how to break free from low-paying gigs.
You'll need lots of passion and encouragement to move on... By the way, congrats for the decision you've made here All the best with your writing career.
While you're revamping your business, adapt a new mentality. Let me explain. To me (and this is how I run things), my writing business is like the hottest nightclub in town and I'm the guy at the door looking through the line to pick out the best people for my club. I don't accept just any project simply because the potential client will pay my rates. A "measurement test" must be passed. You'll have to come up with your own stuff, but some of mine are: 1. Project must be interesting. 2. Person/company must be respectful and not too needy. In other words, be easy to work with. 3. Project must not conflict with my moral code. There's more, but basically if any one of these tests isn't passed, the project is declined. At the end of the day, I love what I do, because I'm always working with great people and on great projects. I don't have a single problem. And before it's asked (never know), even if I need/want the cash, I keep my "nightclub" sexy. Cash as a top motivator only leads to problems. Good luck.
That's great. Introspection and re-evaluation are vital to life and you are proof. Hope you don't go to the next step like me. Not working at all.
Thanks for the messages all, will let you know how I get on - and I promise to keep my nightclub sexy ;-) Christine