However, you're correct. Vetting clients is essential. I've done it for years and I'd hope all writers do. But apparently, they don't, because too often I hear writers saying "I got them to pay me $20 for the gig!" Wow. Twenty bucks to work for two days.

And again I ask where their paper hat is, for what job is paying more at that point?

So yes, we agree. :))

Sarah

I agree with your letter and your assessment, for the most part. However, I think you're being a little hypocritical.

Every professional should vet clients. You have to. Don't work with clients you feel will not appreciate your services and your expertise.

Having said that, you can't necessarily tell a client they are absolutely wrong when they don't feel a higher priced copywriter or more expertly written content will improve their bottom line. Or perhaps maybe it will but not enough of a return to justify the investment. You and I probably know that this isn't ideal. We both know content should be a priority.

At the same time, I'm a web developer and designer and I could easily charge you with the same lack of attention to investing in a real domain, a real brand and the design/development that contributes to a real internet presence.

If my client told me they were just going to use Blogspot rather than pay my rates, I would be disappointed and disagree with their valuation of my services/expertise, but I would have to assume that they understand their bottom line more than I do.

Being a sales person is 90% (more?) of essentially any business, especially professional services like writing, designing and developing. Our jobs are to sell the client or potential client on why our expert opinions matter and that our services realistically contribute to their bottom line.

Lori, in the end I think we agree but perhaps I look at it from a slightly more business-screwed angle. I'd hire you, anyway 🙂

But with copywriting (I know, I sound like a one-note instrument), especially in my field of direct response, it's measurable. We test which headline pulls better, which lead got more response, which copy converts to more sales, etc. Copywriters who make money for their clients are highly valued and compensated accordingly (most of the time; we get our share of deadbeat prospects, too).

Jill, excellent point. My reference was to two different types of projects, but yours is a very valid point.

Wendy, doesn't it suck that the very people who need to care don't? It baffles me.

If they can get it cheaply; they're going to do it.

I think this is a significant part of the problem. Professional writers and editors can tell the difference between poor writing and good. Many others simply cannot. They think that "anyone" can write–after all, we can all write sentences in English, right? That's why our skills aren't valued as much as they should be.

Eileen, when Lori said rates hadn't gone up in 15+ years, I think she was referring to the industry standards clients consider when hiring one contractor over another.

But a similar message can be sent to magazine editors: Don't expect the best when you pay the least.

Great letter, Lori. It's what we all would like to say to our clients. But I have a nit to pick. We set our own rates. So if rates haven't gone up in 15 years, who is responsible? We are, for accepting less than we're worth. I've said it before and I'll say it again: that's why I write copy, not editorial. It's much easier for copywriters to set and get the rates they want than editorial/article writers, who let the publication set the rates.