When freelance writers talk about rates, the conversation can get heated very quickly. It’s a topic that a lot of us obviously feel very passionate about. Am I curious about how much other freelancers make? Well…..
Yes and No. On one hand it’s helpful to know what the pay range is for what we do. The flip side is that unless the person sharing the information also gives details about the type of work they do, their level of experience, educational background, etc., I don’t have a frame of reference to put it in.
- Are they working full-time or part-time?
- Do they have steady work or did they have some slow times during the year?
- How many billable hours are they working per month or per year?
If the motivation is to show others that they can earn a living wage doing something they enjoy, then I think that’s great. I am really glad to hear when fellow freelancers are doing well.
I don’t see them as competition, though. I’m on my own journey in my career and as long as I’m growing by getting interesting work and continuing to build my business, then I’m on track. The only time I object to hearing about my fellow writers’ numbers is when they are being used as a sword to take a swipe at someone who is in a different stage in their career or who has made different choices about what works for them.
Do you want to know how much your fellow freelance writers make? If you do, does this information affect the choices you make about your own career?
This is why I never participate in any of those “how much did you make this month” threads at different writing forums. Not everyone does the same thing. There are so many types of writing and writing clients, you can’t even compare. It’s easy to say, “well you should only be making this much money” but the truth is, everyone’s circumstances are different and that is why I don’t do that anymore.
I do, Jodee… because I’m nosy. LOL — All kidding aside, I often say I won’t participate in those kind of discussions, then curiosity gets the better of me.
I know it shouldn’t matter what other people are making but it often inspires me when I hear about high-paying jobs.
I do agree w/ Deb that numbers are basically meaningless without context or frame of reference.
@ Dawn: Enquiring Minds want to know!
I do want to know. I freelance full-time, so it’d be interesting to see how others are faring in comparison.
I don’t really want to know what everyone else is making, but for the love of God, I sure wish people would quit accepting 500 word blog jobs for $2 or $3 and driving down the pay for all of us.
Yay, Sandy! Tell it! I always like to hear–but I have learned in almost 3 decades of doing this that people will say anything and it’s not always reliable.
Yes, I personally benefit from knowing how much other freelancers earn. It is a great motivator. When I knew that it was possible to earn $5000 and more per month, this motivated me to do the same and affected the type of work I accepted. Now I know that the sky is the limit when it comes to freelance writing. Of course, it does help to have a frame of reference, and many people do provide details about their business models and the types of writing they do.
When I started my business I did ask others their rates. I didn’t ask simply out of curiosity but to determine whether my own rates were comparative (I asked others in my niche with similar experience/skills). I was surprised to learn that I was charging too low for the same services. It gave me the confidence to increase my rates with new clients.
I want to hear. Probably cause I’m nosy. Yet, I know I wouldn’t change much if Writer A’s numbers are electrifying and large. I’m kinda set in my ways, such as how many hours I’m willing to work and what kind of writing I will do.
I also like to share, because I recall when I came into this career, every single day I wondered if it could really, truly pay the bills. When someone else– along my same education level, experience level and motivation level– said “I make xxxxxx,” then I felt safer going gung ho.
I do find myself interested in finding out what other freelance writers are making because it motivates me and gives me an idea of what I could shoot for. Although I usually don’t ask; instead I’m more interested in finding out what works for them, and how they are able to make as much as they do and if they have and advice or tips. And I do have to agree with Sandy in wanting to slap those people who are taking the jobs that pay horrendously low rates and then giving clients the ability to short change the rest of us with meager wages!
I think it’s only natural that we’re curious to know what other writers charge. But the truth? It’s irrelevant.
Some copywriters won’t get out of bed for less than $150 an hour. Others are happy with 5 cents a word. Some write fast, some slow. And then there are media and industry differences: article writing isn’t the same animal as marketing copy. Catalog copy blocks don’t compare with landing page content. General market copy is nothing like to-physician healthcare.
All said, however, I admit to feeling satisfaction when I hear about other writers’ high rates. It’s validating to see that decent wages aren’t an aberration.
Here is a rate survey:
http://boomvangcreative.com/FreelanceForecast2009.pdf
I’m not so much interested in what other writers are making, but I would like to know what clients mean when they say, “Compensation: industry standard.” What is industry standard, anyway?
To know what YOU think industry standard is, you need to know what other writers are making. Whether the prospect knows what is standard, though–clearly, they do not when they have the stones to say, “How’s five bucks sound?”