Low Pay High Pay – It’s All Perception
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 are offering way to little money for the work required.
I can only conclude that employers have a wide perception of what’s high and what’s low pay. The truth is there is no “industry standard” for writer and editor pay. It is a free market and it’s up to you how much you make.
Write well and often,
Subscribe to Abundant Writing News
Tags: freelance-writing-fees, money, pay, writing-fees, writing-payRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Business of Freelance Writing, General Freelance Writing
7 opinions for Low Pay High Pay – It’s All Perception
alicia
Dec 11, 2006 at 8:51 am
I wish there were an industry standard - it would make things so much easier. *sigh*
Anne Wayman
Dec 11, 2006 at 9:57 am
no, no, no… whatever it turned out to be there would be a gillion exceptions… it’s actually pretty simple now… you set your rate, they either buy or they don’t.
alicia
Dec 11, 2006 at 10:24 am
True. My biggest worry is always, if I had just set it $10 lower, maybe they would have bought. I mean, I can sacrifice $10, right? However, I won’t backtrack and reset rates if the ones I’ve already set don’t “work” for them.
For 2007, I vow to be more firm, and confident, with my rates. :)
Anne Wayman
Dec 11, 2006 at 12:01 pm
lol, but it isn’t true and you know it… $10 less won’t get the deal… confidence is the key imo… know your own worth then charge that.
Matt Keegan
Dec 11, 2006 at 3:10 pm
Lowballing prices will only hurt you, Alicia. Stick to your guns and you’ll know that what you are writing is worth the rate. When I’ve cut my prices too low in the past, I always felt anxious and angry. I would rather do without the work!
alicia
Dec 11, 2006 at 3:25 pm
More good advice, Matt.
This reminds me of some of the writers who bid on projects on those bidding sites (I’ve never used them, so I’m not sure about the exact terminology) - I’ve been told by some writers that they will actually get in bidding wars, going lower and lower in order to get the job.
No, thanks.
Anne Wayman
Dec 12, 2006 at 8:22 am
Which just drives down the price… probably quality too.
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: