Thursday, June 26, 2008

Have Freelance Writing Rates Degenerated into an Elitist/Classist War?

Two things today dear readers:

1) 10 wet noodle licks for me: I'm going to get Parts II and III of the How to Write Content that Generates Traffic series to you next week. I've gotten three rush projects in the last two days that have just thrown everything off. And, being right in the middle of a web redesign hasn't helped either . . .

Couple that with the fact that I'm trying to leave a clean desk b/c I'm off to Chicago this weekend for a graduation party for my girlfriend. Single mom, mid-40s, completed nursing school (chemistry, physics and biology) near the top of her class. I couldn't be more proud -- or in awe. If I had to take physics at my age . . . well, just go ahead and flunk me right now! I barely passed 10th grade chemistry. :-)

2) The Freelance Writing "Rate Debate" Rages On: I received the following email from someone today who just ran across my blog, so I wanted to get your take. After you read it, I'd like to know your feelings regarding the following:

Are some writers shooting themselves in the foot by not being flexible on rates?

Are "higher-end" freelance writers hurting more now? [Boy, this smacks so much of classism/elitism to me that I cringe even typing it]

Should long-time freelance writers accustomed to charging more adjust their rates?

Are you having a hard time landing new gigs?

Click here to read the entire post.

FYI, I'm see you back here next Tuesday -- to perhaps continue this debate -- but for sure to crank out the rest of the traffic-generating content series (a thousand mea culpas for delaying this).

Useful Freelance Writing Links
Ebooks on How to Start a Freelance Writing Career
Need to Drive Traffic to Your Website?
Get Affordable Content for Your Website, Ezine, Etc.
Advice, Tips, Case Studies & More on Freelance Writing

Sincerely,
Yuwanda Black, Publisher
How to Start a Successful Freelance Writing Career Newsletter
P.S.: Want the liberty of working from home as a freelance writer in your PJs, getting assignments via the internet? Click here for more on How to Make $250+/Day Writing Simple, 500-Word Articles. All you need is a computer and an internet connection to get started.
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3 comments:

Kimberly Ben said...

Enjoy your trip, Yuwanda. And thanks for the link love! :)

Lillie Ammann said...

Yuwanda,
I agree all writers have to set their rates on what's best for them. Although my rates are on the higher end of the scale, I don't think everyone has to charge what I do. However, I want writers to understand that they can set their own rates and don't have to be tied to the low prices common on bidding sites. They should set their rates based on their experience, cost of living in their area, personal goals, and other factors - not on what the cheapest advertiser is willing to pay on a bidding site.

Yuwanda Black said...

@Avid-Writer: You're welcome for the link love Kimberly. And, I'm so looking forward to my trip. My girlfriend and I have been friends for 16 years, and now that we live in differenct cities we don't see eachother often, so this will be a blast.

@Lillie: Thanks for writing in. As for those bidding sites, I've said on numerous occasions that I wish they would just go away.

In fact, I forget that they exist b/c I applied for a job on one exactly once years ago and was so frustrated with the "bidding process," that I vowed never to do it again. So, when I'm talking about rates, I don't even factor those into the equation. I should remember to make that clear.

Again, thanks for your insight.