Here’s what I love about Sharon Hurley Hall — everything.
Sharon is the brains behind Get Paid to Write Online, a terrific blog devoted to online writing advice. She’s also a warm, vibrant soul who shares openly her experiences and helps others improve what they’re doing. She shares good advice no matter who offers it, as evidenced by her link love in this post.
Today, Sharon tells us why bloggers and online writers need to accept with confidence their skills, and create rates that reflect their value.
Why Real Writers Cost
Money (and Why They are Worth It)
Money (and Why They are Worth It)
by Sharon Hurley Hall
“She’s just a blogger.”
There’s nothing that annoys me more than people trying to
make out that if you’re writing for a blog or online publication, your writing
is less worthy, less valuable or less real than if you’re writing for a newspaper, print
magazine or major publication.
make out that if you’re writing for a blog or online publication, your writing
is less worthy, less valuable or less real than if you’re writing for a newspaper, print
magazine or major publication.
I think that’s plain wrong.
Like other writers, bloggers and online writers can’t
imagine not writing. Like other writers, we have thousands of readers. Like
other writers, we get paid to write – and we’re good at what we do.
imagine not writing. Like other writers, we have thousands of readers. Like
other writers, we get paid to write – and we’re good at what we do.
Maybe I feel this way because of my own background in
journalism writing for a variety of trade magazines. Now that I write mostly
for blogs, I use exactly the same skills that I used for writing news and
feature articles when I write blog posts. In fact, writing for blogs often
means you have to be even more disciplined.
journalism writing for a variety of trade magazines. Now that I write mostly
for blogs, I use exactly the same skills that I used for writing news and
feature articles when I write blog posts. In fact, writing for blogs often
means you have to be even more disciplined.
When I wrote for newspapers and magazines, we often worked a
couple of months ahead for content. That gave me at least a month, sometimes
two, to interview people and put an article together. I had lots of time to
tweak the content too.
couple of months ahead for content. That gave me at least a month, sometimes
two, to interview people and put an article together. I had lots of time to
tweak the content too.
These days, there’s less time. When you write for blogs, you
often have to produce content very quickly and revise it even quicker, while
still producing quality.
often have to produce content very quickly and revise it even quicker, while
still producing quality.
It’s the same with research. Sure, most of your research
sources might be online, but good writers have to know:
sources might be online, but good writers have to know:
●
where to find information
where to find information
●
which sources are the right ones to use for a given
topic
which sources are the right ones to use for a given
topic
●
how to use that information to create something that is
readable and has an original spin
how to use that information to create something that is
readable and has an original spin
●
how to add the personal touch that makes readers feel
you are talking directly to them
how to add the personal touch that makes readers feel
you are talking directly to them
●
how to avoid spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.
how to avoid spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.
No matter who they are writing for, good writers are
voracious readers, keeping up to date with news in their niche so they know
what’s going on, can keep their clients informed and can write about it when
necessary.
voracious readers, keeping up to date with news in their niche so they know
what’s going on, can keep their clients informed and can write about it when
necessary.
The more topics you write about, the more important it is
for you to do this. I use social media sites like Twitter, LinkedIn and
Facebook as well as aggregators like Feedly, Nuzzel and Scoop.it to keep up with the trends that may
affect the way my clients carry out their content strategy and the pieces and
direction of the content I have to write for them.
for you to do this. I use social media sites like Twitter, LinkedIn and
Facebook as well as aggregators like Feedly, Nuzzel and Scoop.it to keep up with the trends that may
affect the way my clients carry out their content strategy and the pieces and
direction of the content I have to write for them.
My point is that, no matter who you are writing for, if
you’re a good writer, you have the same skill and discipline as any other
writer. And you have other skills too.
Many writers help their clients with:
you’re a good writer, you have the same skill and discipline as any other
writer. And you have other skills too.
Many writers help their clients with:
●
being present on social media sites
being present on social media sites
●
web content optimization
web content optimization
●
authority building
authority building
●
choosing blogging platforms
choosing blogging platforms
●
creating content plans
creating content plans
●
writing e-books
writing e-books
●
social automation
social automation
●
creating infographics
creating infographics
●
and much much more.
and much much more.
A professional writer can find information on anything
quickly, speed read research, extract the best information, and add personal
flair.
quickly, speed read research, extract the best information, and add personal
flair.
And then there’s the writing itself. A professional writer
can play the written word like a finely tuned instrument, eliciting the exact
response that writing clients need from their customers.
can play the written word like a finely tuned instrument, eliciting the exact
response that writing clients need from their customers.
My point is: don’t let anyone tell you you’re not good
enough because you’re writing for a blog or online publication. People can make
a very nice living writing for blogs AND have their professional writing skills
appreciated. I do.
enough because you’re writing for a blog or online publication. People can make
a very nice living writing for blogs AND have their professional writing skills
appreciated. I do.
And don’t let anyone use the fact that you are writing a
blog post as an excuse to pay you less than you’re worth. If you are writing an
in-depth, well-researched article, you deserve to be paid for your skill, no
matter where it’s finally being published.
blog post as an excuse to pay you less than you’re worth. If you are writing an
in-depth, well-researched article, you deserve to be paid for your skill, no
matter where it’s finally being published.
Remind your clients that when they hire you, they don’t just
get writing skills, but a wealth of knowledge that helps you position them
perfectly in their industry.
get writing skills, but a wealth of knowledge that helps you position them
perfectly in their industry.
That comes at a price. But as a writer, you have to be
prepared to ask for it and educate your clients about the value of good writing.
prepared to ask for it and educate your clients about the value of good writing.
Some of them have been spoiled by going to marketplaces
where people provide low quality writing for a low quality price.
where people provide low quality writing for a low quality price.
You don’t have to pander to them.
Many of us do at the start, but we learn. In the past, I
have written for ridiculously low amounts and I have undercharged for jobs that
proved to take longer than I anticipated.
have written for ridiculously low amounts and I have undercharged for jobs that
proved to take longer than I anticipated.
That doesn’t happen anymore. My approach is much more
“in your face” now. My guide prices are on my site so I know that
when I get a message from potential clients, they have already seen them. Even
if I end up charging less, the decision is mine.
“in your face” now. My guide prices are on my site so I know that
when I get a message from potential clients, they have already seen them. Even
if I end up charging less, the decision is mine.
The bottom line is: no-one can undervalue you if you value
yourself correctly. Use the points in
this article to show potential clients why you are a real writer and why it’s
worth it to them to pay you well.
yourself correctly. Use the points in
this article to show potential clients why you are a real writer and why it’s
worth it to them to pay you well.
Sharon
Hurley Hall is a professional writer and blogger. Her career has spanned more
than 20 years, including stints as a journalist, academic writer, university
lecturer and ghost writer. Connect with Sharon on her website.
Hurley Hall is a professional writer and blogger. Her career has spanned more
than 20 years, including stints as a journalist, academic writer, university
lecturer and ghost writer. Connect with Sharon on her website.
20 responses to “Writers Worth: Why Real Writers Cost Money (and Why They are Worth It)”
Amen, Sharon! Good writing is good writing – no matter the format. You can always tell the writers (like you) who have a solid foundation and a great work ethic.
Thanks for the link love, Sharon, and thanks for your usual great post – even if you are a blogger. LOL! 😉
Thanks, Cathy. I know so many quality writers who blog that I guess I'm a bit biased. 😉
You know what I see, Sharon? I see bloggers on television. The best bloggers get air time — they're asked to be on shows and give their opinions. So "just a blogger" is such a erroneous label, isn't it?
Thanks for such an excellent post. 🙂
What Cathy said… she must get up earlier than me. 😉
It's got to be frustrating to hear the "just a blogger" response, Sharon, when you know the person saying it doesn't get the distinction between a professional blogger and someone who has a personal blog.
That doesn't mean someone writing a personal blog can't be a good writer, too, but if they aren't being paid to write, they aren't part of the equation for what a professional blogger should charge. (Allowing that would be like low-balling a professional photographer because your neighbor/daughter/friend is an amateur photographer who would take photos for free.)
@Lori: You're right; many bloggers are serving as expert sources on all kinds of topics.
@Anne: thanks 🙂
@ A photographer friend of mine makes exactly the same point, Paula. 🙂
Hooray for you, Sharon, for posting your pricing guidelines on your site! (Of course, you already know how I feel about this issue.)
And congrats on yet another fab guest post. Don't know how you do it. I picture you eating at your desk and sleeping in your chair. And I worry that you haven't gazed up at the sky in a long time. It's quite beautiful, you know. 😉
Here's the thing about exceptional writers/bloggers who undervalue themselves:
CHEAP COMPETITION. It seems there's a constant and frustrating battle going on with the people (I won't call them "writers" because in my book they don't deserve that esteemed title) who crank out articles/posts for a whopping $5 and those who are true professionals. Sure, it's easy to say just ignore that chunk of the population. But prospective clients oftentimes put them front and center! UGH. Then comes along the writer whose work is worth twenty times that amount and the prospect replies with, "I can get this done for a whole lot CHEAPER." Oy. Oh, brother. Somebody shoot me.
I know what you're thinking and I'm thinking the same thing. We should always, always, ALWAYS respect ourselves and our expertise and never cave in to pressure and drop our fees. But I think you'll agree all the "I'll-work-for-food" people can make it pretty tough to convince clients we're absolutely, positively worth what we charge!
[end of dissertation] LOL!
P.S. Lori, I want you to know Cathy Miller (love her!) sings your praises ALL THE TIME. I'm beginning to think you walk on water. 😉
Love you, too, Melanie. 🙂 So good to see you here.
My heart has lots of room for lovely people like you, Lori & all our wonderful peeps.
Okay – altogether now ♫ Kumbaya, my Lord ♫ 🙂
Ack – should be ALL together – and I call myself a writer. LOL! 😉
@Melanie, I use lowballing as a filter. If a client starts the conversation by talking about how cheaply he can get writing, then s/he's not right for me. 🙂
@Cathy, I'll join you in a Kumbaya 😀
Great discussion Sharon!
There are plenty of cheap writers out there, so I guess that will always be a frustration.
But most of the time you really do get what you pay for when hiring a writer (or anyone really). I've found that those who complain the most about bloggers and have the "just a blogger" mentality are usually those who pay the least.
I love this post, and especially the part about bloggers getting airtime and being recognized as experts. Obviously this wouldn't be happening if bloggers had nothing to offer.
Well Melanie, I can walk THROUGH water, but I assure you that's the extent of it! LOL Thank you for your kind words. 🙂
Laura, great seeing you here! Sharon is the best. 🙂
Hi Lori,
Actually, I'm a regular reader. I know I should be leaving comments more often…
Keep up the good work. 🙂
You're right, Laura. I'm always happy when I see my blogging friends cited in articles. It means that some of us are being valued appropriately. 🙂
You're right, it's extremely frustrating to hear someone say, "Oh, I can get so-and-so to do this for half that price." My answer is always, "OK I understand. Maybe we can work together in the future." And I only say that to be nice 🙂
BUT I have had ONE case in which a client was talking about how he could get a "highly recommended English student" to write for $X (practically nothing) and I said, OK good luck with that (but nicer!). Then he admitted he was afraid it wouldn't be as good as a professional could do. So we kept talking. THEN he started haggling price even more when it came down to contract time. Red flags were everywhere! I don't know why I went through with it, but I did one project for them, which they loved. So now I'm working on a multi-project contract for that client.
I know that's a very rare case that something would work out well that started so badly, but stranger things have happened 🙂
Ashley, nice to hear a happy ending story because so often it's the opposite. I take a similar approach. I'm finding I do a lot more triage these days before taking on a new client.
Love this post Sharon. You're so right on all points!
I brought a similar issue up on the latest podcast. But instead of clients taking the "just a blogger" stance, it was the issue of some writers (the "gurus" as Paula would put it) basically telling freelance bloggers there's some huge difference between "blog posts" and "articles" and that's why bloggers don't make as much.
Absolute BS. As I pointed out there, a blog post isn't a type of writing. It's any type of content on a blog, which is nothing but a type of publishing platform where content is displayed in reverse-chronological order. That's it.
Blog posts can be long-form articles, news stories, profiles, interviews, opinion pieces, reviews, and so much more.
Just because our work appears on a specific kind of publishing platform does not mean we should be paid less for it.
That's more true now than ever as more journalists get into blogging (even through major media outlets) and more bloggers get into journalism. The overlap is so strong these days!
So thank you for bringing this issue up. I hate seeing new bloggers assume that what they do isn't as valuable as what other writers do.
That's nonsense. And you covered all the reasons why beautifully in this post. 🙂
It is BS, Jenn. I've had clients tell me similar things. I respond by reminding them that the words are still taking as much effort despite the medium in which they appear. If I can crank out a blog post in less time, then I'll charge a little less for it. If I can't and it requires interviews and research, I'm not settling for a few hundred bucks.
Thanks, Jenn, Lori – let's make it our mission to ban the BS around blogging/writing.