Raise your hand if you’ve ever been in a place where there’s no cash coming in, none on the horizon, and you’re looking desperately for something – anything – that pays now or sooner. Ooo, that many?
Fact is we’ve all been there – some of us more than others. And what’s the first thing we do? We go straight to Craig’s List, Guru, or eLance and practically beg for work. If we score a gig, chances are mighty slim that it’s paying anything near what we are worth. “So what?” you say. “I’m able to pay the rent/pay the electric bill/buy groceries.” Yes you are – for now. And in the time it’s taking you to finish those low-paying projects, you could have scored at least one gig that paid competitive wages. Seriously.
Case in point – I saw last month that my February projects were slim. The temptation was to hit Craig’s List or the job boards and take a lower-paying job that paid much faster. Instead, I took the time to craft two magazine queries for two publications, one paying 75 cents a word and the other paying $1 a word. These are pubs I’ve worked for in the past, so I know the average time it takes to get a check. And now instead of staring at an empty bank account at the end of February despite having some quick-and-dirty projects completed, I’m looking at a really nice pay day and I’m feeling good about heading into March’s busy season with some financial cushion. Time invested – 2 hours of preliminary research and 8 hours interviewing/writing. Payoff – $4K. Let’s compare that to a blogging job I turned down recently that offered $5 a post for 5 posts a week. Assuming about 30 minutes to write and post a day…. yep. I made the right decision.
Don’t let your immediate desperation force you into taking something that’s beneath you. You’ll regret it, maybe not immediately, but when you realize what a few more minutes of concentrated effort could have accomplished instead. And you’ll be stuck in an endless cycle of working your tail off for peanuts because you’re overworked and underpaid and you’ve got no free time to spend looking for something better. If you’re truly stuck, get a temporary position outside the house and stick with it until you’re able to shore up the bank account or secure enough project work to get you back to the home office. Don’t settle for less than you’re worth. We’ve all done it at one point, but it’s no way to run a successful business.
What project did you take on for quick cash that you regret?
15 responses to “Avoiding Desperation Marketing”
Oh, yeah – this post is right on time for lots of writers I know. Desperate times can make you do some pretty deserate things, but like Lori says you have to look at the long run when it comes to marketing. I’m learning this very lesson right now!
I once did a series of articles for this guy to promote his diet pills. The pay was shit ($5/article), the subject made me feel icky (make women feel like crap about themselves so they’ll buy this bogus product), and the guy was very demanding. Do I regret it? Definitely! I left him as soon as I found better-paying work about a week later. I think you’re right, though. I should have spent those hours looking for clients that would pay me fairly for my efforts. In all fairness to me, I was just starting out. Never again.
I don’t usually resort to such measures since I keep a cushion in my bank account. However, having devoted the better part of the past 30 days to being with my dad in the hospital (during which I spent far more than I made and had no time to market), I’m staring at at least a few very empty weeks. I’m not desperate yet, but I’m getting a tad nervous.
Just wanted to add a quick thanks. After reading this post this morning, I just turned down a job that, while it would have kept me busy and paid for the next month, was offering only 60% of what I would usually charge for such an assignment. I’m feeling financially vulnerable yet empowered at the same time. Poor but happy–I’ll take that over just getting by but miserable any day.
Glad to see you back, Kathy. Hope your dad is better.
Krista, we’ve all been there. Don’t knock yourself out over it. 🙂
Kimberly, I agree. Desperate times, but desperate measures should look more like alternatives that work, not quick-and-dirty jobs that leave us feeling cheated.
Irreverent Freelancer said…
“I don’t usually resort to such measures since I keep a cushion in my bank account.”
Kathy, you’re so responsible. :o)
As for me… Well, recently I have done some easier, lower-paying articles than usual, but I made sure to ALSO take the high-paying work when it came along. The result: I have had a crazy-busy weekend, but on payday I’ll finally be caught up from a crappy January.
My view: If the work is easier and takes less time, lower pay rates are okay, as long as you can still maintain your hourly pay standard.
Aha! You noticed my ad and my post about relenting and taking on resume critiques, huh? Well, I don’t regret it yet, but it is certainly born of desperation. Property taxes are due here by April 10.
Now as for the former “problem” client who called yesterday and, with a sigh of regret, my decision to try again to help him with a vague piece of puffery …
No no, Georganna! That wasn’t aimed at you! I’ve just talked with friends recently who are at their wits’ end with finding work.
I’m also taking on a client again against my better judgment. I guess I’ll just bite the bullet and do the work. :))
Hi Lori, just want to say thanks for "Following" me! Isn't it a kick to acquire a new follower? I am enjoying your blog as it relates to the writing life. I do not write professionaly but it has always been a love of mine & blogging is fulfilling a dream of having a place to get the words out!
Lori,
I don’t really regret taking on the job, but I regret the price I quoted for editing and preparing a manuscript for self-publication. The author had paid two editors who took his money and didn’t do anything productive—maybe even made the book worse. He wanted a firm price for the entire project though I usually bill by the hour. The job took a lot more time than I anticipated so I ended up making far, far less than my normal rate. But that wasn’t done out of desperation, just not recognizing how difficult the project would be.
On another subject, I have awarded you the Premio Dardos Award. You can read the details on my blog.
Hi, Lori! I found you by way of Devon’s blog. Now you’ll never get rid of me. 😉 Just kidding. Great post! Very timely and informative. I’m going to add you to my Google Reader.
@Katharine, yeah, I usually am very responsible, but my near month-long jaunt in Manhattan has put a strain on my cushion. ;o(
Hope things are looking up for you, Kathy.
Michelle, I welcome all stalkers. :))
Brenda, I do a little dance every time I get a new follower. It’s like a little present, isn’t it? 🙂
Lillie, I’ll be right over….
Good advice. It’s almost always better to go with something you enjoy and are worth than taking on something you’re not going to enjoy and are going to resent every minute of, knowing you’re worth more!
Hi, Number One Novels! Glad you commented! It’s so true – if you know you’re being underpai, it will affect how you approach the product and the client. I had a client recently who was underpaying me and I was surprised how much I resented it, even though I’d agreed to it initially. Worse, I put this client’s projects on the back burner to finish higher-paying stuff, and when I did get to them, I didn’t put my all into it. First time ever I’ve not worked hard and worried harder, and I do blame the pay scale and the fact the client wouldn’t budge on payment.