Comments on: Underbidding – What Do We Think?

By: L. L. Woodard

L. L. Woodard — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 18:14:25 +0000

Honestly, it has never occurred to me to bid lower than what is quoted as the rate. For me, it is a matter of ethics, but I can also see the other side of the coin for those who feel that for whatever reason they need to stand out from the crowd of applicants by being the lowest bidder.

By: LS

LS — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 00:48:43 +0000

“There is a problem with this? You disagree with the principle of more for less? You propose that both buyers and writers should have a less for more mindset?
That makes no sense at all.”

That’s all very simplistic, and I don’t have the time this week to continue to explain my position. People don’t get more for less. They get less for less. It does make sense. Many thanks.

By: Anakrit

Anakrit — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 15:39:11 +0000

Hello!
I’m from India, and a successful freelance writer for the past 6 months. At $5-6 per article, I will get a response, at $50 I won’t. As simple as that. And mind, I am not a low quality or a ‘late submitting’ writer… over 30 clients have testified to that now. The fact is that there seems to be a misconception that people from countries other than US, UK and Aus do not deserve that much, even if they write top quality.

I’ve done a few PR for $50 per piece, and still got repeat clients, but then again, in a competitive workplace, that doesn’t always work. Do you think people would mind getting $50 instead of $5?

Underbidding, the topic of this particular thread, I am against as well. If there’s a range specified, bid at the bottom end if you want to work cheap, but why underbid?

By: Shell

Shell — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:24:05 +0000

@HerBlogginess, you have a very valid point. That’s why I never go for low paying gigs! I feel some people are just out to take full advantage of writers and, of course, if there are some writers who are prepared to write for say $5, $2 or even $1 per article, then the company is laughing.

Like other writers who have said, if you’re looking for experience then why not apply for a voluntary gig and get some good, solid skills behind you and in some cases, a big company name.

By: HerBlogginess

HerBlogginess — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:09:06 +0000

Hate to say this yet again, but unless you are getting paid more than, say $50 per piece, you’re really loosing a great deal of money writing for the web.

One article I wrote for my own blog four months ago took perhaps half an hour to write, and has since earned me over $35 in advertising revenue. Project that out over the next year, and well, you get the idea.

Anyone writing for websites and getting paid in the 4 to 5 dollar range is essentially lining the pockets of the site owner many times over.

Here’s my rule of thumb, which you’re free to ignore, unless you’re writing for a major market (and earning major dollars) when it comes to web writing, you’re better off going it alone.

By: James Chartrand - Web Content Writer Tips

James Chartrand - Web Content Writer Tips — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 12:00:13 +0000

@ LS – Despite the fact that I’ve never mentioned my rates online ever, and despite that you’re making some pretty wild leaps, I think you have it in a nutshell.

Go ask most businessmen today the same thing: If you could buy two similar products and pay less for one, which would you choose?

I assure you that if they say the higher priced one, they aren’t a very good business.

I am a businessman and an entrepreneur as well as a copywriter. I see both sides of the coin. The worker wants more for less. So does the buyer.

There is a problem with this? You disagree with the principle of more for less? You propose that both buyers and writers should have a less for more mindset?

That makes no sense at all.

By: LS

LS — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 02:35:08 +0000

I never tried to do anything of the kind. I just pointed out the chain of logic from your own posts: plenty of writing is of comparable quality, businesspeople should pay as little as possible for comparable quality, and that you charge more than $20 per article. The logical conclusion from that is that people should pay less than that and get someone just as good.

I don’t agree with it whatsoever- that’s what I was disagreeing with. Writing is too subjective to be able to make comparisons like that. Businesspeople should have a rate in mind and get the best they can for that rate. I have no idea what quality you offer and I don’t know anything about your business. Everything I said was based directly on your own posts.

By: James Chartrand - Web Content Writer Tips

James Chartrand - Web Content Writer Tips — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 01:50:53 +0000

@ LS – Chill. My position is that I think undercutting within reason is part of business. My position on pay rate is that $20 is lower end, yes. I’ve never mentioned my own rates, and I’ve always said flexible rates are fine and that sometimes, people do what they have to do.

I’m not sure which position I’m supposed to be defending here, sorry – you weren’t clear. If you disagree, great. That’s fine. Everyone’s allowed to disagree. (As I mentioned, I’m not sure what you’re disagreeing with.)

But I will say that trying to make me look bad, overpriced or attempt to hurt my business isn’t cool. Not at all.

By: LS

LS — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 01:44:06 +0000

No, I read what you said. I also read it on webwritinginfo and here quite a few times. You’ve made the same case many times, and I do understand English quite well. There’s no reason for anyone to make an assumption when you already clearly stated your position. I just happen to disagree, as is my right.

By: James Chartrand - Web Content Writer Tips

James Chartrand - Web Content Writer Tips — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 01:34:32 +0000

@ LS – Selective reading, assumptions on what people think or believe and reading too much into things twists up words pretty nicely. No offense, but you’re putting words in my mouth.

And the discussion has gotten way off course.