Freelance writers are always wondering about their pricing. We talk a lot about it on the forum. My pricing has come to my attention in a couple of ways.
The first is a ghostwriting project. The job came through a broker and, as a result, was less than I would have liked to charge. I like the client and there is probably more work coming from him. Besides, I tend to complete what I promise regardless of price.
Here’s the problem. He’s leaning on me to help him make self-publishing decisions. I haven’t self-published in quite awhile so although I can …read more

We’ve had some discussion about low pay jobs and even a Freelance Manifesto which attempts to address low pay problems for writers.
One of my job sources, Online Writing Jobs, lets employers post jobs on their own. They offer several categories, including high pay writing jobs and low pay writing jobs. Although most of the $2 per 500 word ads do show up in the low pay category, more than once I’ve found jobs there that offer as much, or even more than 50 cents per word. I’ve also found listings in the high pay section I won’t post because they …read more

Comments, general gnashing of teeth, and what-have-you continue on the subject of Freelance Writing Pay – hence the Freelance Writer’s Manifesto, found on CraigsList San Francisco this morning. Apparently written by Patricia Skinner who blogs at SEO Blogosphere, it’s an obviously heart felt expression of frustration and an attempt to get writers enrolled in the idea that they (we) deserve to be paid well for our work.
Obviously, I agree – I’m just not sure admonishing writers to charge decent rates accomplishes much. Sure, if every writer or almost every writer stopped writing for $4 an article, the prices would go …read more

Lori Widmer has an interesting post about a writer who, at first, hesitated to push to get paid called Proof That It Works.This particular story is about someone who was having trouble collecting from a magazine for stories she had written and they had published. But exactly the same thing holds true when working with clients.
Most of my contracts are flat fees paid over a period of time. Right now I’ve got one that is divided in fifths; I just billed for the first 20% and if it doesn’t arrive today or tomorrow I stop working on the project, period. …read more

I don’t know about you, but I’m not always too sharp about tracking invoices. At the moment, I set up a tickler in my goal/calendar program (GoalPro) to remind me when an invoice is due.
When it’s time, I create the invoice in Word and file it in my invoice folder with a filename that reflects both the client and the date of submission. I’ve got one client who wants to be billed in advance on the 1st and the 15th. Since the 15th falls on a Sunday, it was time to send out the bill for the second half of …read more

In fact, I’d go so far to say that most freelance writers are true generalists. That is, although we may specialize in certain broad areas, we also have the ability to catch on quickly when asked to write about something new. We’re quick studies.
I’ve proven this to my satisfaction in a forum thread. I just asked everyone to list their expertise… the range of answers is quite amazing. Post your expertise list on the forum or here in comments.
Write well and often,

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Pay for writers seems to be in the very air today. Fellow writer, friend and blogger Lori Widmer has gotten stung – not at all unsual – and has learned from the experience.
She’s sets out in Unreliable Redux exactly how she now proceeds with clients, including exactly what she does when payment is slow.
What I like about this is she actually has a specific plan, a set of steps she can simply work through should the need arrise. My hunch is now that she’s got clarity on what she’ll do, she’ll have fewer problems… not that she’s had that many.
Write …read more

There’s an interesting thread over in our forum. It started with a mild rant about the number of low paying writing jobs that are out there. Most of the responses more or less agree that it’s just plain awful.
One poster, however, bucked the trend, pointing out that low paying writing jobs are offered at low rates because writers are willing to take them. He went on to say he really had no problem with that as long as both parties were happy.
I tend to agree, but go one step further. I think we writers get paid exactly what we …read more

Do I need a contract with my writing clients? Is it something I can generate myself or do I need to pay a lawyer?
Yes, you need some sort of written agreement, but it usually doesn’t make sense to hire a lawyer unless the contract involves a huge amount of money.
I use a letter of intent that I usually draft myself. It includes the goal or purpose of the project, spells out how we will proceed, details how I will get paid and provides a way for either me or the client to cancel if the wheels come off. It …read more

I just wondered if my recent experience was typical for a proofreader.
Here’s the situation: I just completed my first (paying) proofreading job. I’m new at doing this, but some things about my first project surprised me. The biggest surprise for me was that the author had made a lot of textual changes to his electronic file of the book while the material was at the typesetter’s. When I showed up to proofread the book (it was a 700-page technical manual), the author had me inserting the new material from his computer file into …read more