Freelance Writers' Worth Week

While I'm on a short break from blogging, I encourage you to stop by Lori Widmer's blog for Writers' Worth Week. Lori's a year-round advocate for demanding one's worth in this profession, but her efforts this week are particularly tireless. You'll find not only daily posts from her, but also links to guests posts on external sites and to other writers who are participating in this very worthy cause. Definitely plenty to keep you busy until I'm back with my Screw Yous!

Inside A Real-Life Freelance Job Interview Exchange

I recently got an email from a freelancer copywriter (who shall remain anonymous) I look up to for advice, insight and how to play the professional payment game. This individual easily commands top rates, so I was rather surprised to discover s/he even has to contend with this type of situation. Sadly, it seems, we all do.

THE INCITING SCENARIO

The aforementioned copywriter receives a message from someone who as been referred to her/him and who is looking for a "suitable copywriter." Said copywriter is amenable to offering up some names but wants to know more. This is where s/he asks for a ballpark payment figure. The inquirer writes back with the offer of around $15 for 400 words "maybe more" if research is involved. BAD move!

THE COMMUNICATION DETERIORATES

The copywriter and her/his contact exchange in a back-and-forth debate about how ridiculous (or not, depending on the perspective) that offer is, with the emailer resorting to the good old: "I wouldn't have thought it would take much longer than 15 minutes to write a 400 word article, at $20 an article, that is still $80/hr, which works out at something around $200k/yr, isn't that still quite good pay?"

When the copywriter breaks down the numbers, pointing out the error of the emailer's ways, the emailer counters with, "I meant no offense, it's just that's how much my current copy writer charges me who is based in the US."

THE TAKEAWAY

The copywriter is, deservedly, angry but quickly realizes it's not entirely the inquirer's fault for harboring such sentiments. The final sentiment s/he wanted to get across to both the emailer and fellow copywriters is this: "The only reason many of these people offer such low rates is because all the writers willing to work for such rates have trained them to expect it. So, in that case, can you blame them?"

Precisely! As a prospective client said to me the other day, if you don't believe in yourself (and your worth), who will?

The Ultimate Get-a-Clue Freelance Request for the Week of May 2, 2011

This week's Middle Finger Award comes from a high school pal of mine and fellow freelance writer/editor, Melissa.


Project Description: News Writer Needed

Specific Project Request: Hello,

I run several news websites and I am in need of a writer. This work can be done from home.

I need a writer that can provide 5-10 news articles per day that are about 200 words each.

** Most of these news articles will be business related in nature**

Each article must meet these requirements:
* 200 or more words
* Most of these articles will be rewrites but must pass copyscape
* No Spelling or grammar mistakes
* I will need the articles as early as possible in the day (before noon would be great)

I will pay $2 per 200 word news article - So if you did 10 per day - I would pay $20 per day

I need a writer that can provide a minimum of 5 articles per day.

If you are interested in this job please respond to this ad. I will explain more to people that respond.

Thanks John


So here we have the oh-so-typical one cent (or less) per word content rate with the usual laundry list of requirements. But this one has the added bonus of an "early as possible" daily deadline. As I told Melissa, "Oh boy! Just what I want to do is get up at 6:00 in the morning to earn $20 a day. Yippee!" And Screw THAT indeed!