Comments on: Why You’re Not Cheap

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:32:25 +0000

Your excellent post was my inspiration, Jen. :)

Like Devon says, this is a business. There are expenses to that, and you've outlined those quite well, as has Paula. For clients not to get this is understandable. For them not to pay us a fair rate after realizing this is unacceptable. They're saving the cost of hiring a full-time employee. We're providing excellent services. Both require adequate compensation.

Wendy, I have the same burn marks. They eventually heal, but you're so right - it takes a long time.

Paula, she wouldn't last a day. Those leaving the 9-to-5 have no idea what they're leaving behind until it's gone. Then the panic ensues.

Not egotistical at all, Devon. You conduct yourself as a business person. Cheaper writers often do not. There's a HUGE difference, especially when things go wrong on a project. One can handle it. The other usually cannot.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:31:51 +0000

This is a FANTASTIC post–and it took me WAY too long to learn all this. The truth is, all your expenses–including enormous taxes, health insurance, and other cost-of-life issues–are BUSINESS expenses and you have to factor that into your pricing. That's what people who do this for a living do. Students, dabblers and newbies who don't understand these basic business principles are the ones who don't–so if I get a prospect who wants to hire someone like that, my advice is to go ahead and do it.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:22:33 +0000

I was burned too many times before. Making bad choices like this, due to bad advice; does cost you the reputation you have worked hard to build. It is no fun trying to build it back up. Save yourself the hassles and headaches and just don’t do it.

By: Paula

Paula — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:10:34 +0000

Just last week a friend who's a full-time employee that deals with licensing and clearance issues was griping that the company brought in a freelancer who she said was being paid more than she was for basically the same job.

I pointed out that freelancers HAVE to earn more per hour than full-time employees. After I listed typical freelancer overheads like providing your own health insurance, paying 100% your income taxes; retirement funds, etc.... she started mentally crunching the numbers and the light finally clicked in her head. Otherwise I would have asked if she was ready to trade all her perks for his slightly higher hourly rate.

Even in this economy a lot of full-timers still take their benefits for granted.

I can't even fathom being paid NOT to work!

By: Bostonia Magazine

Bostonia Magazine — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:20:40 +0000

An interesting article on why we don't need literary agents or publishers anymore.

http://www.bostoniamagazine.com/fall09/kirsner/

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:29:58 +0000

I don't drop my prices because this is my business, not my hobby, and I am worth every penny.

As I say when they start arguing, "You want the best? Hire me. You want something second-rate? Go hire someone else."

It sounds egotistical, but it makes the point in negotiation. You are a business person. If you don't negotiate as a confident, competent business person, you tell them it's okay to treat you disrespectfully. And they will.