Welcome to a new economy and a new round of idiot job posters hoping to secure your writing talent for little-to-no money all by either sweet-talking you or convincing you you’re out of your mind to expect more than they’re offering. With our financial pictures fading to darkness nationally, don’t expect anything but an increase in crap job postings.
So why do you take these jobs? Is it because you’re afraid there’s nothing else out there for you? Is it because you really don’t believe you’re worth more? Is it because you believe the claims that the work is “easy for the right person”? Are you afraid of offending someone by telling them they’re not paying enough? What is it? For I sit here year after year scratching my head – writers are taking these jobs, breaking their backs to turn out copy, and getting a fraction of what they should be.
There’s really no reason for it, either. With layoffs at an all-time high and more companies looking to outsource just about everything, the work is there. Last year amid the recession-that-we-weren’t-admitting-to, I earned the most I’ve ever earned, freelancing or otherwise. So have plenty of others who read and post here. I worked with clients I came in contact with years prior through temp agencies (and you must wait a specific amount of time per your temp contract before you can work for these clients, if at all, so check the contracts) hired me directly. They saved the agency fees and I was still able to raise my rates beyond what I earned through temping (which was still a good rate).
It’s all about cost cutting, but not at your expense. Most legitimate companies are willing to pay your rate because it’s saving them either in temp fees or in staff salaries/benefits. Now more than ever, do not apologize for your rates or slash them willy-nilly just because a client balks a little. You have a valuable skill set and they need it. You deserve decent pay for your work. So ask for it.
And for gawd’s sake, stay away from the crap jobs. You know what they are and what they look like by now. Make this the year you believe in your worth.
Have any of you seen an upswing in work and new clients? What about the crap jobs? Anyone seeing more of them?
There are more of them than ever. Taking jobs like that costs you in the long run, because you don’t get paid anywhere near what you’re worth, you’re not treated well, and most of the time, the work you do for these places doesn’t result in clips that can get you higher-paying work.
If you don’t respect yourself (and working for reasonable rates is part of that), you’re not giving potential employers a reason to respect you, either.
The work’s out there; you just have to show some initiative in finding it.
There is definitely a crapload more of crap jobs lately. Where once I could sift through the crap on Craigslist, it’s pretty much all scams and ultra low-paying jobs now.
I haven’t cut my rates or taken those low-paying jobs yet, but I tell ya, if I don’t land another big or steady gig to supplement my other work, I’m not sure what I’ll do. And it’s certainly not a matter of not looking for the work – I spend 2 hours every day of the week looking for and replaying to job postings and half my weekend composing and sending query letters. At least your post injected a bit of confidence! Thanks!
I think I’ll just look for a nice blogging job or two that pay well.
Well said, Lori!
Don’t want to jinx myself, but, yes, I’ve definitely experienced an upswing in work in recent months. And we’re talking non-crap jobs here: fundraising materials, ads, brochures. Clients tell me that they’re downsizing their marketing departments, so they’re increasingly relying on freelancers. Great for us!
Im busier than ever because I spent so much time marketing Sept – Nov. 2008. No one’s blinking an eye at my rates so far. I’m still busy, but I need to market a bit more – don’t want to get too comfortable and suddenly find that there aren’t enough projects to pay the bills. I’m also diversifying my income with some other personal projects – I’m also working on a concentrated niche ebook and blog that I hope will do well.
Yeah, I’ve seen the increase in crap jobs. Some people are taking advantage of this economy and many people have bills to pay NOW so it’s tough all around. Like Rebecca said, a lot of companies get rid of the creative dept.s first wehn downsizing which can be great for us freelancers!
Amanda, envision it. It’ll happen.