As a freelance writer, you should have an idea of what you charge for particular projects. While your freelance writing rates can and will change over time, you need to make sure that you have an idea of what you are dealing with at the present. This will go a long way in helping you to stay organized, while also making your life easier when quoting potential clients.
Do you ever find yourself saying, “I’ll lower my freelance writing rates for you?†If so, you need to dig deep and determine why you are doing this. It is not uncommon for a buyer to want to negotiate a lower price. In fact, I have found that this happens more times than not. But remember, you are in charge of your freelance writing career. You should never feel pressured to lower your price because you think that the buyer will walk.
You need to think about it this way: if you lower your rates you are saying two things to the buyer. First off, you are telling them that your “set†rate is too high. After all, if you are willing to negotiate down in price you are admitting that you are charging too much. Additionally, when you lower your price you are also saying that you are not worth a higher amount. Remember, you are a professional. You have the right to set your own fee schedule and then stick to it at all times.
When you stick to your guns, you may be surprised to find that the buyer still selects you for the job. In fact, you may gain a lot of respect by nicely saying “my rates are fair and I cannot offer a lower price.†In the long run, this sort of self confidence will work in your favor. It will also allow you to feel better about yourself.
Does this mean that I never lower my rates? Of course not. There are times when I do this. For instance, if I want to get my foot in the door with a large client I may offer a slight discount. And remember, if you are going to lower your rate for a good reason, you still need to make sure that you are working at a reasonable hourly rate.
If you live in the United States, there is a good chance that you are not working today. After all, it is Labor Day. That being said, I am sticking to my usual holiday routine and working a few hours in the morning. Even on holidays, I like to get up, check my email, and do a bit of work here and there. This is not always the best idea, but I have a hard time staying away for too long.
Since 1894, Labor Day has been a federal holiday in the United States. For those of you in other parts of the world, I am sure that you have similar holidays that pop up from time to time.
Anyway, I hope everybody has an enjoyable Labor Day. And if you are not in the United States, enjoy your Monday. Starting your week on the right foot is always a good thing! Â
As a freelance writer it is only natural that I enjoy reading. Do you? In my opinion, every freelance writer should read as much as they can. Personally, I read everything from books to magazines to the newspaper; this is something that I enjoy. But to go along with the enjoyment that it brings, I also learn a lot. I pick up on other writing styles, and come up with new ideas that I can follow through on.
As of late, I have been reading a lot of books on business and investing. But what about books on freelance writing? In the past, I was reading as many books on freelance writing as I could get my hands on. Recently I have moved away from this for a couple reasons. First off, I like to give my mind a break from my career when reading. Additionally, there are only so many freelance writing books out there. I have not read them all, but the majority of them are on my bookshelf.
If you work as a freelance writer and hate reading, you can still be successful; there is no doubt about it. That being said, most writers I know like to read. If this sounds like you, read anything that you find enjoyable. You may be surprised at how much you learn.
