Comments on: Setting a Freelance Writing Rate Equal to the Task

By: Heather E. Sedlock

Heather E. Sedlock — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:54:55 +0000

I write as a freelancer and the rates have definitely been going DOWN. I’ve noticed this and I think it’s because of content mills taking the lead in the market. That’s my personal opinion, of course and I could be wrong.

I currently write for a few places for free or next to free. I just need the outlet until I find some clients!!

By: LIsa

LIsa — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:39:35 +0000

would be glad to write about non-profits and/or writing for kids and the education market.

Lisa

By: Deb Ng

Deb Ng — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:27:25 +0000

Private clients and many magazine markets are generally where the money is, though I’m happy to see the rates for web writing are going up. I remember when $20 for a blog post was considered extremely high pay, not it’s on the low end. Lisa, we should talk about getting you to guest post here about breaking into non-profits.

By: LIsa

LIsa — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:23:11 +0000

When I’m working for a client as opposed to a content mill, I can set my own rate to a certain degree. I’ve found that few will accept a per diem higher than $500/day, but often I can set up a project fee that allows me to do better than that. It varies, of course, depending upon project, client, and relationship. I should mention that I usually work for non-profits (museums, universities, hospitals) or for small businesses, so can’t make the really big bucks some can charge to major corporations.

Lisa

By: Deb Ng

Deb Ng — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:18:12 +0000

Good for you, Jeanne. Having figures in front of you will encourage you to be firm when quoting a rate. Let’s see if you can encourage more writers to follow suit.

By: Deb Ng

Deb Ng — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:16:06 +0000

That’s exactly right, Lisa. Some clients set a rate with no negotiations – and by accepting it the writer is sort of setting a rate, I guess. My recommendation for these clients is to be sure the end justifies the means. This post was mostly meant for those who are quoting rates for their potential clients. However for any job the amount of pay should equal the amount of work – with enough left over to make a profit.

By: LIsa

LIsa — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:52:55 +0000

It sounds great to set the rate, but the reality is that in many cases it’s not actually in your power to do so. You can decide it’s not worth the agony to work for a particular fee — but if you’re working for, say, Demand Studios, it’s take it or leave it.

Lisa

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:37:10 +0000

This week, I sat down and finalized my rate sheet. I now have it printed and on my desk. When a client calls for a rate or I am preparing a bid, I now have an easy way to reference my rates. I suggest this for anyone…it’s a great time saver, and you sound a lot more confident when someone asks you for a rate!

PS: Don’t post it to your website or send the whole sheet to a client. It’s for YOUR reference.