Comments on: Why You Shouldn’t Ask for a Raise

By: How to Find the Confidence to Ask for a Raise | Freelance Writing Jobs

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:00:30 +0000

[...] week we discussed circumstances when you shouldn’t ask for a raise, but there are definitely times when you should seek out that pay hike to better compensate [...]

By: Deb

Deb — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:10:17 +0000

I’m of the opinion that freelancers should never be afraid to raise rates if they feel the time is right or the project warrants. Every single business does this, and it’s no different. Now, if we raise our rates every other week this could be a problem, but if you work with a client for a year, it’s not unreasonable to give notice of a pay increase.

As freelancers it’s up to us to dictate the rates. If we leave these details up to our clients we won’t get paid at all.

By: Ann G.

Ann G. — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 11:18:37 +0000

@Allena – Actually when it happened, I did come to this board for advice and the overwhelming response was to tell her no. But as James said, “Fear of Paypal…” The majority of my employers pay through Paypal. Had I told the woman no way and she’d won the claim with Paypal, my account could have been shut down leaving me out of many of my best jobs. I wasn’t willing to take that risk.

What this did teach me is to be upfront that I expect revisions to be requested before payment is submitted. Once payment is received, it is my understanding that they have read and find the articles to their liking and there for no revisions will be expected. Revisions requested after payment’s been made any revisions are charged my normal rates.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 03:47:58 +0000

Very interesting discussion, and after reading James article, I’m now reconsidering asking a client for a raise as I near my first anniversary with them. I mean, I’ve been doing the basics of what they ask, but I haven’t had the time (freelancing is supplemental to my day job) that would enable me to justify asking. I would like to increase the services I provide for them and will probably make that offer in conjunction with a requested raise in the future when I can commit to going above and beyond.

By: James Chartrand - Men with Pens

James Chartrand - Men with Pens — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 22:18:28 +0000

@ Allison – You’d be amazed at the number of people who do the same thing day in and day out and who never change a thing. No new knowledge, no attempt to improve the process, nothing. They do their job. Day in. Day out.

Kinda sad, really.

The example you used is a bit faulted, too. You were granted a raise for loyalty in the face of others who didn’t hang on – that’s not the same as going to ask for a raise. There’s a difference

But I hear you. I know where you’re coming from and it’s good.

By: Allison

Allison — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 22:00:40 +0000

I guess I’m just confused as to what instance in the writing world you’d work for someone for a year but not be justified in asking for a raise. Even if you’re just writing a set number of articles on a set subject every week, after a year, you’ll likely be more understanding of a client’s needs immediately, know more about SEO concepts, etc. If you don’t get better over time, you’re not a very good writer, right? I guess if you’re a bad writer you aren’t justified in asking for a raise, haha. I’m just having a hard time thinking of a scenario where you wouldn’t learn and get better over time.

And yes, I think that proving your dedication to a project is definitely part of justifying a raise, the same way someone who has worked for a certain corporation is honored after a few decades for loyalty to a company. I have one client, for example, that gave me a raise after a year because I stuck with his project for that long. There may have been other writers who submit quality pieces as well, but he could count on me to be around every single week, not wonder if I was going to leave after just a month or two.

By: krista

krista — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 21:55:49 +0000

@ James Yes, I certainly do. Thanks for the response.

By: Amy Derby

Amy Derby — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 21:35:46 +0000

Great series, James! I’m looking forward to reading the rest of it.

This is a great list, and I have used several points from your list to justify rate raises.

At this point, I don’t really ask for raises. It’s more like “I’m increasing my rates by X as of [next month]. If that works for you, great. If not, I’m happy to recommend someone else.” Not this exact phrasing, but that’s pretty much it.

So I’ll be eager to see if the way you do it is better than mine. You know, so I can steal your way.

By: James Chartrand - Men with Pens

James Chartrand - Men with Pens — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 21:03:40 +0000

@ Allison – Again, same thing with what I mentioned earlier. In that case, a rate increase is justified because you’ve increased your experience and skills. If you do the same thing routinely without increasing anything at all, then no rate increase is justified. Proving yourself doesn’t, I feel, justify a rate increase – a writer should have proved his or her worth from the initial agreement to work, don’t you think?

@ Krista – If you’re willing to part ways with the clients you have, then yes. If you can get more elsewhere and are willing to pursue that, then yes. Both cases mean that you are making a *choice*. You are not demanding more money just because. See the difference?

By: Allison

Allison — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:43:07 +0000

I did read what you wrote, but I still disagree. Over time, you’re proving yourself AND gaining experience, on top of changing economic conditions. Someone who’s been in any business for 15 years should, in general, have a higher pay rate than someone who’s been in the same business for only a year. Personally, I choose to raise my rates slowly rather than making a big jump. As a writer, I’m always learning and always getting better at my job, even if my duties do not change, so I definitely think annual price changes are justified, just like they are in every other industry.