Comments on: Changing Services and Writing Rates in the New Year http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelancing/business-career/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/ Your Secret to Freelance Writing Success Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:28:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Diana http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelancing/business-career/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/comment-page-1/#comment-1591 Diana Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:08:02 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelance-writing-careers/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/#comment-1591 Here's an example of one of my articles: http://tinyurl.com/2nq9lc As you can see, no name. When we write an article through the subcontractor company, we are assigned an editor. We write the article, submit it back to the company through a special online program and then it gets edited and sent to eHow for approval. If everything is fine (it usually is), it gets uploaded. You get paid twice a month. It really is a good gig: quick, easy and well-paid (for what it involves). Here’s an example of one of my articles: http://tinyurl.com/2nq9lc
As you can see, no name. When we write an article through the subcontractor company, we are assigned an editor. We write the article, submit it back to the company through a special online program and then it gets edited and sent to eHow for approval. If everything is fine (it usually is), it gets uploaded. You get paid twice a month. It really is a good gig: quick, easy and well-paid (for what it involves).

]]> By: Diana http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelancing/business-career/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/comment-page-1/#comment-1590 Diana Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:02:49 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelance-writing-careers/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/#comment-1590 Yes, if you work directly for them, you only get pay per page view (I'm guessing that can't add up to more than a few cents a month). When they subcontract to other companies, however, you get paid a flat fee but you don't get a byline. My articles are published with a byline such as "eHow party planning editor" or something like that (according to the topic). The company that contracts these articles out also works with other content websites. eHow is just one of their clients. Yes, if you work directly for them, you only get pay per page view (I’m guessing that can’t add up to more than a few cents a month). When they subcontract to other companies, however, you get paid a flat fee but you don’t get a byline. My articles are published with a byline such as “eHow party planning editor” or something like that (according to the topic). The company that contracts these articles out also works with other content websites. eHow is just one of their clients.

]]> By: Jennifer Mattern http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelancing/business-career/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/comment-page-1/#comment-1587 Jennifer Mattern Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:57:49 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelance-writing-careers/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/#comment-1587 That's interesting Diana. I didn't know they contracted out to other companies. If you work directly through them, don't they pay based on views or something similar? That’s interesting Diana. I didn’t know they contracted out to other companies. If you work directly through them, don’t they pay based on views or something similar?

]]> By: Diana http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelancing/business-career/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/comment-page-1/#comment-1584 Diana Mon, 31 Dec 2007 15:53:31 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelance-writing-careers/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/#comment-1584 I wanted to clarify that lower-paying doesn't mean $2 articles, like a lot of content work out there. But I do, for example, write for eHow. Not directly, but through a company eHow contracts to. The pay is $19 per article (about 400 words). Sounds very low, but if you take a look at eHow, you'll see that the articles are basically a series of steps: very easy and quick to write. I usually can do 3 in an hour (if I know the topic well). So while the pay is low compared to writing for magazines, it does add up in the end. I wanted to clarify that lower-paying doesn’t mean $2 articles, like a lot of content work out there. But I do, for example, write for eHow. Not directly, but through a company eHow contracts to. The pay is $19 per article (about 400 words). Sounds very low, but if you take a look at eHow, you’ll see that the articles are basically a series of steps: very easy and quick to write. I usually can do 3 in an hour (if I know the topic well). So while the pay is low compared to writing for magazines, it does add up in the end.

]]> By: Diana http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelancing/business-career/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/comment-page-1/#comment-1578 Diana Mon, 31 Dec 2007 11:18:55 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelance-writing-careers/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/#comment-1578 I tend to take a lot of lower-paying work because it has some advantages: it usually pays faster, it's easy to write and there's so much of it that I can always count on it to pay my bills. Querying magazines or writing for higher-paying markets is great, but it often takes a long time to see results, so I can't count on it as my main source of income. I think it may be different for people who work as copy writers or do more business-oriented writing, but if you work mainly with articles, the lead time is usually very long. I tend to take a lot of lower-paying work because it has some advantages: it usually pays faster, it’s easy to write and there’s so much of it that I can always count on it to pay my bills. Querying magazines or writing for higher-paying markets is great, but it often takes a long time to see results, so I can’t count on it as my main source of income. I think it may be different for people who work as copy writers or do more business-oriented writing, but if you work mainly with articles, the lead time is usually very long.

]]> By: Jessica Mousseau http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelancing/business-career/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/comment-page-1/#comment-1558 Jessica Mousseau Mon, 31 Dec 2007 02:31:45 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelance-writing-careers/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/#comment-1558 I do the same, but I choke up those tasks as "investments" into my business. And they are things that keep me sane. :) I do the same, but I choke up those tasks as “investments” into my business. And they are things that keep me sane. :)

]]> By: Diana http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelancing/business-career/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/comment-page-1/#comment-1528 Diana Sat, 29 Dec 2007 08:17:45 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelance-writing-careers/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/#comment-1528 I work in a completely different way to Jenn, but it's still absolutely possible to get the rates you want. I don't get work by networking or direct contact with companies. I either query magazines or answer call for writers posted in job boards. Either way, I only pick those who are offering a rate I find fair in the first place. I don't mind writing for low pay if it's something I can do quick or a large project that will generate revenues for a long time. For example, I write weekly articles for a e-newsletter that pays $25 for 400 words. Not a great rate, but the articles never take me more than 30-40 minutes to research and write and the writing itself is a lot of fun. Like Jenn, I do spend a good deal of time doing things that are not billable. Write copy for my own website, post, answer ads, send queries, edit or check in with past clients/editors. It does take a while to get to the point where you can higher rates on a regular basis, but it's definitively possible. Again, I think a website is essential as a step to get there. I work in a completely different way to Jenn, but it’s still absolutely possible to get the rates you want. I don’t get work by networking or direct contact with companies. I either query magazines or answer call for writers posted in job boards. Either way, I only pick those who are offering a rate I find fair in the first place. I don’t mind writing for low pay if it’s something I can do quick or a large project that will generate revenues for a long time. For example, I write weekly articles for a e-newsletter that pays $25 for 400 words. Not a great rate, but the articles never take me more than 30-40 minutes to research and write and the writing itself is a lot of fun.

Like Jenn, I do spend a good deal of time doing things that are not billable. Write copy for my own website, post, answer ads, send queries, edit or check in with past clients/editors. It does take a while to get to the point where you can higher rates on a regular basis, but it’s definitively possible. Again, I think a website is essential as a step to get there.

]]> By: Jessica Mousseau http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelancing/business-career/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/comment-page-1/#comment-1520 Jessica Mousseau Sat, 29 Dec 2007 06:18:47 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelance-writing-careers/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/#comment-1520 I actually created a SET ratesheet for this year and have sent it to a few new potential clients and they took the bait -- so I'm happy -- so in essence, I have raised my prices... I actually created a SET ratesheet for this year and have sent it to a few new potential clients and they took the bait — so I’m happy — so in essence, I have raised my prices…

]]> By: Jennifer Mattern http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelancing/business-career/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/comment-page-1/#comment-1518 Jennifer Mattern Sat, 29 Dec 2007 02:11:46 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelance-writing-careers/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/#comment-1518 Well remember... the bulk of your working hours shouldn't necessarily be billable. For those taking care of all of their administrative tasks and marketing themselves aggressively, a little over half of working hours are often the billable portion. To make that work, you have to account for it in your average hourly rate (even if you don't bill hourly). It's precisely why $25 / hr as a freelancer isn't the same thing as $25 / hr for a salaried employee. It's not something that has to take forever. I only took about 3 months of heavy networking before I was earning well over that $.16 / word on most gigs. Here are a few things that really helped me: 1. I built up connections with other writers who were in similar niches but not generally directly competing - when they found out a client or someone else was looking for a press release writer or copywriter, they sent them my way. 2. I went with a content network very early in my Web writing work, and used my time there pretty effectively as far as networking with people in freelancing and publishing - some of whom later became clients and others who have referred several clients to me. 3. I set up a business site very early on. 4. I regularly network in forums - not only to advertise my services to potential clients, but to contribute quality posts. People like what I have to say and see I know what I'm talking about, and that makes them willing to pay more for my services than they'd pay to someone else. In this case I stick with one primary forum and just a few others where I pop in occasionally. Building a reputation and high post count can make you look better to potential clients. 5. I started my own blogs in the same niches where I was doing client writing (small business, marketing, PR, etc.). Again, people see that you can write on the topic, that you understand what you're talking about, and they'll often contact you because of your blog posts. It gives people another way to find you through search engines, and it also allows you to earn a bit of income in the meantime through advertising or other monetization. I still earn much more from services overall (writing plus consulting), but my blog income has grown enough that I'm making them a bigger priority in the new year, and planning to make them (in conjunction with any e-books or other informational products I create) my primary income stream within the next three years. It can definitely be done. I remember working constantly and always wondering when I'd finally burn out. Eventually you'll get to the point where you can ease off, spend less time looking for work (because more of it will find <i>you</i>), and more time building some passive revenue streams (always good to diversify in case one income stream dies off). :) Well remember… the bulk of your working hours shouldn’t necessarily be billable. For those taking care of all of their administrative tasks and marketing themselves aggressively, a little over half of working hours are often the billable portion. To make that work, you have to account for it in your average hourly rate (even if you don’t bill hourly). It’s precisely why $25 / hr as a freelancer isn’t the same thing as $25 / hr for a salaried employee.

It’s not something that has to take forever. I only took about 3 months of heavy networking before I was earning well over that $.16 / word on most gigs. Here are a few things that really helped me:

1. I built up connections with other writers who were in similar niches but not generally directly competing – when they found out a client or someone else was looking for a press release writer or copywriter, they sent them my way.

2. I went with a content network very early in my Web writing work, and used my time there pretty effectively as far as networking with people in freelancing and publishing – some of whom later became clients and others who have referred several clients to me.

3. I set up a business site very early on.

4. I regularly network in forums – not only to advertise my services to potential clients, but to contribute quality posts. People like what I have to say and see I know what I’m talking about, and that makes them willing to pay more for my services than they’d pay to someone else. In this case I stick with one primary forum and just a few others where I pop in occasionally. Building a reputation and high post count can make you look better to potential clients.

5. I started my own blogs in the same niches where I was doing client writing (small business, marketing, PR, etc.). Again, people see that you can write on the topic, that you understand what you’re talking about, and they’ll often contact you because of your blog posts. It gives people another way to find you through search engines, and it also allows you to earn a bit of income in the meantime through advertising or other monetization. I still earn much more from services overall (writing plus consulting), but my blog income has grown enough that I’m making them a bigger priority in the new year, and planning to make them (in conjunction with any e-books or other informational products I create) my primary income stream within the next three years.

It can definitely be done. I remember working constantly and always wondering when I’d finally burn out. Eventually you’ll get to the point where you can ease off, spend less time looking for work (because more of it will find you), and more time building some passive revenue streams (always good to diversify in case one income stream dies off). :)

]]> By: Kathleen http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelancing/business-career/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/comment-page-1/#comment-1517 Kathleen Sat, 29 Dec 2007 01:57:11 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelance-writing-careers/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/#comment-1517 So I either need some "connections" or I need to learn how to market myself. Neither will be easy since I work nearly every waking moment. I wouldn't need to work that much if I could get those kinds of rates. :) So I either need some “connections” or I need to learn how to market myself. Neither will be easy since I work nearly every waking moment. I wouldn’t need to work that much if I could get those kinds of rates. :)

]]> By: Jennifer Mattern http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelancing/business-career/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/comment-page-1/#comment-1515 Jennifer Mattern Fri, 28 Dec 2007 21:19:55 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelance-writing-careers/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/#comment-1515 That's only about $.17 / word, so yes, there are definitely markets out there. You just don't find the gigs advertised publicly as often as you'll find things like $.01 - .05 / word gigs. It often comes down to who you know (for referrals for those unadvertised gigs as people hear of them) and how well you can market yourself. This year the minimum I accepted for articles (with the exception of one repeat client I'm doing occasional blogging for) was $200. Needless to say I didn't do much in the way of "content writing" for traditional site owners. Also keep in mind though that my full-time "job" is running my PR firm (most of my income is from consulting) - my writing is part-time. Most of that writing has been copywriting (marketing copy). I'm only considering offering the cheaper content as potential filler work when I have time available for some reason. I have no doubt you could fill a full-time work-week with $50 / article gigs if you focused enough on marketing and networking, but that's not something I'll be looking into doing (it would be taking a pay cut over the consulting work, and would set me back on my own sites and publishing, which are my priority in the new year). That’s only about $.17 / word, so yes, there are definitely markets out there. You just don’t find the gigs advertised publicly as often as you’ll find things like $.01 – .05 / word gigs. It often comes down to who you know (for referrals for those unadvertised gigs as people hear of them) and how well you can market yourself.

This year the minimum I accepted for articles (with the exception of one repeat client I’m doing occasional blogging for) was $200. Needless to say I didn’t do much in the way of “content writing” for traditional site owners. Also keep in mind though that my full-time “job” is running my PR firm (most of my income is from consulting) – my writing is part-time. Most of that writing has been copywriting (marketing copy). I’m only considering offering the cheaper content as potential filler work when I have time available for some reason. I have no doubt you could fill a full-time work-week with $50 / article gigs if you focused enough on marketing and networking, but that’s not something I’ll be looking into doing (it would be taking a pay cut over the consulting work, and would set me back on my own sites and publishing, which are my priority in the new year).

]]> By: Kathleen http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelancing/business-career/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/comment-page-1/#comment-1514 Kathleen Fri, 28 Dec 2007 20:50:16 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelance-writing-careers/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/#comment-1514 My rates can't be negotiated since the companies I work for set the rates that they will pay me. I am amazed that you can get $50 for a 300 word article. This is for online content? Wow, I thought I was being paid fairly well at $25 for 650-ish words (sometimes I go more around 800 words depending on the topic). Maybe I need to set up a site offering content services. I can write well, I just have no idea how to promote my services. My rates can’t be negotiated since the companies I work for set the rates that they will pay me. I am amazed that you can get $50 for a 300 word article. This is for online content? Wow, I thought I was being paid fairly well at $25 for 650-ish words (sometimes I go more around 800 words depending on the topic).

Maybe I need to set up a site offering content services. I can write well, I just have no idea how to promote my services.

]]> By: Diana http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelancing/business-career/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/comment-page-1/#comment-1498 Diana Thu, 27 Dec 2007 19:24:58 +0000 http://allfreelancewriting.com/2007/12/27/freelance-writing-careers/changing-services-and-writing-rates-in-the-new-year/#comment-1498 I'm planning on working on a larger variety of topics and trying things I haven't before (such as affiliate marketing, PLR packs and my own e-book series) in order to meet my $100/day goal. Currently I have no works generating passive income, so building on that is definitively one of my goals for 2008. Rather than increasing my base rates, I want to work on querying better paying markets and getting more "filler" work that can be done quickly and easily (less SEO, more general web content). I’m planning on working on a larger variety of topics and trying things I haven’t before (such as affiliate marketing, PLR packs and my own e-book series) in order to meet my $100/day goal. Currently I have no works generating passive income, so building on that is definitively one of my goals for 2008. Rather than increasing my base rates, I want to work on querying better paying markets and getting more “filler” work that can be done quickly and easily (less SEO, more general web content).

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