It’s because most of our beginner counterparts in this industry will take anything and let someone else be in charge of what they make. It’s tough coming across a client who has dealt with more beggars than choosers.

Here’s another beef: last week I responded to an ad looking for a copywriter for a shoe website. Since I’ve done retail copy (and you know I’m a sucker for shoes), I emailed a detailed LOI. They quickly responded with a curt one-liner: “I like your style – what are your rates?”

For most of us, there isn’t a simple answer. If I don’t know whether I’d be writing 50 word product descriptions or 500 word “about us” and “return policy” pages, how can I send you an accurate quote? I wrote back saying “please call me at XXX so we can discuss your needs. Depending on the scope of the project, I charge by the word, the project, or the hour.” Seems like an honest answer, right? I never heard from them and I suspect it’s because they wanted someone who’d say something dumb like “you can pay me in shoes” or “$.04/word.” Puh-lease!

Maybe keep those samples around for the next person who asks what the difference is? Better yet, maybe we should have a section on our websites where we can send clients – something that would give them an instant sample and explanation. Might work pretty well!

I agree with the consensus that, beyond a shadow of doubt, freelancers need to charge for proposals. I charge for my time and I charge a flat hourly rate for all the work I produce: proposals, edits, new content I write, etc. I don’t charge for attending meetings though. Just for actual work I produce.

Sometimes clients will ask about my editing fees and I’ll tell them it depends on whether they want something proofread or edited. Invariably, they’ll ask what the difference is and I’ll proofread and edit the same bit of text – usually a paragraph or so – show them the difference and give them an estimate of how long each service will take. Often, the client will want editing services at proofreading rates. This is when I have to stick to my guns and say: Sorry, I can ‘t do that. These sample edits then end up as work for which I don’t get compensated but I don’t mind that so much. It’s the nature of the freelance beast, I didn’t invest too much time in it and it’s not my original content.

I have no fear in asking for a fee, and not giving myself away in the process either. The ones who do accept it make up for the ones who don’t, because they’re actually willing to ask for my best work. There’s something in the restaurant business called the “verbal tip” … I’m not going to tip you, but let me tell you how great the service was! I’m too old and too qualified for verbal tips.

Amy Derby was receiving so many questions about the services she provided that she wisely started offering consultation services.

I do charge a consulting fee for meeting with clients in person. In the early days of setting up my business I had several prospects wanting to meet in person waste my time. Besides, I had to make childcare arrangements,etc.

This is such an important topic because there are lots of unscrupulous people out there scamming for free content. Thanks for bring this up.

I had never thought about doing something similar for my online content freelance writing. It makes sense, I just have “never seen it done that way before” 😉

No more creating new content with out compensation. If they don’t like my clips and they don’t want to pay then I’m better off somewhere else anyway.