How to Weigh a Freelance Writing Job Offer
Being a freelance writer does not mean that all I do is write all day. While I wish this was the case, it is far from the truth. I spend a lot of time on administrative tasks, and of course, trying to locate new jobs from time to time.
There are two ways that I get new work. A client either comes to me via my website or a referral, or I find them in one way or the next. But no matter what, I will have to work with them in order to come up with a mutually agreed upon price. The best clients are those who ask for my standard rates, and then do not attempt to negotiate them. Unfortunately, this does not always work out.
Weighing a freelance writing job offer can be difficult for a number of reasons. While payment is always something to consider, there are other factors that should go into your decision.
1. When it comes to payment you need to be careful. There is nothing wrong with taking a lower paying job if you have the time for it, but you do not want to find yourself in this habit. Remember, if you complete one low paying job for a client, they will expect the same treatment for each subsequent project.
2. Does the client come across as difficult to work with? If you get a bad feeling about a client from the start, you may want to walk away instead of accepting the work. Of course, make sure that your concern is valid. In the past few months I can think of two occurrences when I went against my gut, and then ended up burnt by an unruly client.
3. Anytime that you take on a new freelance writing job, you need to have time to complete it as specified. Even though an overloaded work schedule may sound like a dream to some freelance writers, take it from me when I say that this is not the case. I have done this to myself in the past, and the result has been 10 to 12 hour work days.
When you receive an inquiry to complete a writing job, use the tips above when deciding whether or not to accept.
September 6th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
What do clients ask you to write about usually? If you don’t know a topic and have to write it, will you accept?
September 6th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
David - That is a difficult question to answer. I have had some normal requests as well as some that are “adult” in nature.
If I do not know much about a topic I will let the client know, and then take a closer look at the big picture.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
On the first point, consider the reverse as well. If you accept a job that’s lower than you normally charge, the client may plan on that price for future projects. In other words, he’ll take your price and use that to determine the budget for future projects. Then, if you cannot do future projects at the same price, you’ve just screwed him over (from his perspective). He will not think too kindly of you in the future.
It would be better to quote your standard price, and then offer a discount. Make sure you have a good reason for the discount, though. New client special, fall special, etc. That way, the client knows your standard price (for budget planning) and also that your current bid is a special price that he won’t necessarily get in the future.
September 7th, 2007 at 7:39 am
dcr - I agree! That is why I mentioned “Remember, if you complete one low paying job for a client, they will expect the same treatment for each subsequent project.”