Comments on: What’s the Point in Having a Freelance Writing Business if Not to Make a Profit?

By: Setting, Increasing, and Sticking To Your Freelance Writing Rates | writingspark.com

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 21:05:12 +0000

[...] seemed like a much better time than, say, mid-June. Plus, Deb Ng’s recent blog post about making a profit with your freelance writing business provides some solid information about setting and raising rates and proved to be just the kick in [...]

By: Freelance Friday - Your Ideal Project Profile, New Years Resolutions & More | Kristi Hines

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:23:21 +0000

[...] What is the point of a freelance writing business if it is not making a profit? [...]

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:48:21 +0000

Honestly, I think very few freelance writers are running a business or think like businesspeople. This article, for example, isn’t really about maximizing profits from the viewpoint of a business owner. The thinking is too inside-the-box. This article is more from the slant that freelance writers create a job for themselves (not a business) and gives suggestions on how to boost their salaries a tiny bit. It’s more of the viewpoint of “ask for 25 cents a word instead of 20 cents a word” rather than “think how you can pitch a $500,000 project to a corporation.”)

By: Qiana

Qiana — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:18:59 +0000

Great point Carrie. While I’m new to freelancing (I’m still in the researching phase), I would suggest that if a client doesn’t want to up your rates, that you don’t walk away from said client until you find one who is willing to pay what you the rate you desire.

By: carrie

carrie — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 01:28:39 +0000

These are some interesting points, but I think you are not taking into account the state of the economy and the fact that we are and have been in one of the worst economic downturns in over a decade. It’s always great to get your asking price, and indeed to earn as much per project as the market will pay, but if your target market has been significantly impacted by economics, you have to respond and price accordingly.

By: Dave Doolin

Dave Doolin — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:33:06 +0000

This is good advice for any business.

Also, for you newbies, don’t forget about the self-employment tax.

By: Lucy Smith

Lucy Smith — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:07:13 +0000

I’d say I’m making a profit at the moment, new as I am to the game. Each month, I’m turning in enough after tax to cover food and some pocket money (I’m fortunate enough not to have to worry about rent and bills for the meantime).

I’m also smart enough to be provisioning for tax so that won’t be a problem.

I do need to work on increasing my client base this year and upping that income, but I’m pretty happy with how things are going at the moment. It’s important to remember that you won’t be making excellent money overnight, but keep plugging away and make smart choices, and it’ll come.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:36:39 +0000

Great points! The hardest part of freelancing for me has been negotiating prices. I’m typically not a salesperson or very pushy, but, as you’ve said, I’m in this to make money. Freelancing has forced me to learn skills I would have never developed otherwise.