Comments on: Honors, Followers, and Proof I’m Not Making This Up

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:36:00 +0000

Good opportunities can be low-paying, but the difference is they don’t have to be long-term. My mistake was signing up for all those articles at the outset. But now that it’s in black and white, I have a point of reference. Stupidity on Lori’s part = low pay.

By: Jennifer L

Jennifer L — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 17:24:00 +0000

Thanks for posting the hard cold figures from your 1099s. Seeing that in black-and-white really makes the issue that much clearer, doesn’t it?

I recently accepted an assignment at a fairly low pay rate because I thought it would be a good springboard. A couple of weeks later, the publication notified me that they had decided not to use me after all. I hadn’t signed a contract or anything, so I couldn’t realistically say they owed me anything. I was disappointed in the lost opportunity…but not the low pay. I’ve been thinking about it ever since…would I accept such low pay if a similar occasion came up again? I’m not sure. It would have to be a really good opportunity, you know?

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:14:00 +0000

Excellent post, Katharine. Yes, there are other reasons to stick with a low-paying job. I have a gig that pays me just over half my usual rate. I keep it because I enjoy the work, I really like the client, and the check comes regularly.

By: Katharine Swan

Katharine Swan — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 01:15:00 +0000

I still work for one of my first clients. They've given me a few small raises over the past 3+ years, but it's still nothing compared to what I make from other gigs. But I continue to work with them because I can count on the work and the regular payments, and -- most importantly -- because I really like them.

So sometimes it is not always about the pay. I don't disagree with you, but I think it's also important to note that sometimes reliability and a good relationship with a long-standing client can be worth taking a pay cut for that particular client.

By: WordVixen

WordVixen — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:49:00 +0000

I may have to follow Michelle- "font" is my kinda humor. :-)

I have a dear friend who was one of the favorite freelancers (the go-to girl) for 3 teen mags all owned by the same company. She wrote amazing articles, great interviews, always delivered on time, etc. But it was for the Christian market, as Eileen said. When I mentioned $0.25-$0.50 being the average for small publications, she stared at me like I was insane. Apparently those mags are in the $0.10-$0.15 range.

It's a shame that those mags shut down recently. She's got mad skillz, dude. ;-) But she only likes writing in that teeny-tiny niche- Christian teen with an emphasis on music.

I always wanted to get into magazine writing, but I absolutely don't want to actually talk to people. I'm not sure that even $1 a word would tempt me out of my happy little anti-social world.

Hm... I wonder if I could talk her into a non-fic book proposal. With the experience she has, and the contacts she has... All she needs is a good hook.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:32:00 +0000

I’ve been called a “font” of a lot of things, Michelle – glad one of them is information. LOL

Angie, thanks for telling me. I was actually checking the deodorant’s effectiveness…

Thanks, Kim. Yours is a site well worth the same accolades. 🙂 I think the 1099s were a huge eye-opener for me, as well. To have it sitting there staring me in the face like that and to have – fortunately – the easy comparison makes it SO much easier to ignore the lowering-paying jobs now.

By: Angie Ledbetter

Angie Ledbetter — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:58:00 +0000

Congrats on getting the PD award. And you did nothing to lose Followers. Blogger finally announced there’s been a glitch which causes blog followers to convert to Private, as they’re transitioning in some new friend connection thingy. Supposed to be all worked out shortly, but might be worth reading the update…’specially since my paraphrasing leaves a lot to be desired. 🙂

By: Kimberly Ben

Kimberly Ben — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:53:00 +0000

Congrats on the award well deserved!:) I have on occasion lost my mind and accepted lower wages than I should have, but I’m happy to say it’s happening much less often. I did it because I didn’t know better at the time. It’s so important that we value what we do.

By: Michelle Miles

Michelle Miles — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:37:00 +0000

Wow, Lori! That's eye-opening.

I'm still cutting my teeth before I take the plunge. :) That's why I read your blog and Devon's. You ladies are a font (hehe) of information.

Congrats on your award! And thanks for the reminder - I need to link to you!

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:05:00 +0000

Wow, she was actually excited about that? Damn, I consider that a slower month! LOL

Excellent lesson, Eileen. Thanks for sharing it!