Today may be the beginning of a new me, or the killer of a client who pays fast and at an okay rate, but takes a lot of work. I was recommended to this guy as an article writer. He first came to me with what I thought was an odd request. He wanted an article on a particular title, but he also wanted 20 pictures on this topic. He would give attribution, so he wanted to know where I got the shots from also. I first had to read up on what this topic was, as it was something I'd never heard of, but it turned out to be fascinating. I then set upon the task of finding 20 images. You know, your first mind thinks that's a pretty easy thing to do, but on many topics you just can't find exactly what you're looking for. Took me a couple of hours but I found the shots. And, based on what he wanted me to do, I wrote the article and plugged in the code, and gave him the links to all the articles. Took me 3 hours, but the article paid a little more than the highest amount I'd made before. I wrote four other articles for this guy, with the same thing each time. However, one of them he didn't like, thus I didn't get paid for. He wanted information I couldn't give him, and he wanted different kinds of images, once again, something I couldn't give him. I could give him only a few, but the others,... just nothing there. Now he's come back asking for a bunch, but I decided it was time to take a major step forward. I told him I could do 3 of them for the rate he'd paid before, as they would be relatively easy, but the research time for his other articles was going to take much longer. I told him what I was making per hour based on what he was paying me and that it wasn't enough. So, if he wanted me to do those articles, I was going to have to drastically up the amount to do them. I gave him a figure that I'm not going to post her, but trust me, it's a dramatic jump from what I've done before. He's liked what I've done to date. Even the article he didn't want he said it was well written. I figure that I'm now at the point where, once proven, I should be able to ask for a higher rate, especially for specialty articles. This forum, especially a couple of people here, have inspired me to go ahead and ask for what I feel I deserve. Well, truthfully, I'm not quite close to that amount yet, but if he accepts what I've told him, I'll be a happy guy. If not, I guess I'll still be happy because I won't have to do those articles, which I estimate at 4 hours of research at a minimum, and I'll make some money elsewhere. Thanks for the inspiration; let's see where it all goes.
Good for you It's not always an easy road, but if you don't do it you aren't going to earn (or feel) the respect you deserve--and then you're never going to be highly paid.
Thats great news, as said its sometimes hard to ask for more but if you think your time is worth more than what he's been offering you then you should be rewarded.
Thanks; you were a great boost in working on changing my thinking in this regard. Now I just have to find more people to pitch those higher rates to.
If you visit some of those blogs we discussed and click on their Marketing & Networking topics, you should find a whole bunch of ideas. Mostly, just remember this--go where your client is.
Good for you...I think that's great that you let him know that your time is valuable and that you deserve more for your investment in time for his work. Best of luck with it
Hi Writer, we've spoken before. It's really great to see that you are beginning to place the correct value on your services. Too many writers, especially here on DP, settle for slave labor rates to be competitive and because they fear they will lose out on work. Just remember, quality writing will always win. Eventually you will build up a nice set of clients who appreciate your quality and will be prepared to pay you what you are worth. Believe in yourself and all will be well
I found some of the people but not all of them. I can't figure out the search function on this site to look for people. So I've had to "luck" my way into finding the folks I did find. Not everyone is as active as you, unfortunately. But I've subscribed to all your blogs.
Thanks. The weird thing is that, in my main profession, when hospitals were hiring I knew I was good and I knew I could probably get my rate most of the time, unless a hospital was in distress. As that market has dried up this is something new, and the field I'm competing in is much more vast. So, it's a new experience, but I hope I'm learning fast.
Thanks for your comment. We'll see if this one, and another proposal I made to someone else, actually comes to fruition.
Congratulations on taking this step. I've been writing for over a year now, and I still can't manage to push my rates up beyond a certain point - I'd sooner quit the job. A makeover in approach is required, I suppose!
Suki, In a way, all I've done is taken advantage of an opportunity that's presented itself. But you're right, at a certain point you probably will need a different approach in marketing yourself. I'm trying to take mine now.
I suppose what happens as time goes by is: 1. A growing awareness of market rates(therefore being able to value my own work better), and 2. More confidence as a result of experience in proving my worth to clients. As a newbie, I simply don't feel entitled to placing my rates above a certain benchmark.
This is an inspiration, haha. I've felt that my personal rates are too low for the amount of time that I spend researching and really focusing on writing in-depth and interesting content for people, so I've tried posting new rates in new forums that I visit. I suppose we'll see how it goes.
The lesson I'm getting hammered in my head these days is that you gotta charge what your stuff is worth. I took a gander at your testimonials, and if you perform at that level of quality, then you probably deserve more than what you're charging now.
Thanks for the advise. I'm working on improving my rates and getting work from clients who pay for quality.
Congrats - I think once you're established, it's easier to say "Well, this is what I charge: if you don't like it... find someone else.". The fact that he's seen your work, liked what you've done means that you are established in his eyes. Eventually I'd like to become an established writer on DP. Hopefully one day I'll also be able to have that freedom. Good luck for future projects!