Comments on: Spinning Wheels Require a Slip Differential

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:18:35 +0000

I'll only drop below my established rate if:

- the experience is valuable
- the bank account is empty

I try not to put myself in either situation very often.

By: Paula

Paula — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:34:17 +0000

Oh, we got rain too. Thundersnow, even. If it hadn't been for a couple hours of rain overnight, we would have had well over a foot of snow. Just north of here, in Madison WI, they had 19" while we had a mere 11".

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:45:51 +0000

I'm similar, Paula, but I find I'm increasing my minimum. Thankfully, I'm at a stage where I don't have to take the lower-paying jobs as frequently.

Shoveling? Honey, I was bailing this morning! We got rain where you got snow!

By: Paula

Paula — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:16:24 +0000

For me it comes down to my schedule. If I have a lull, sure, I'll do a $200 for one or two markets I know really well. I already know what they want, how to do it quickly and efficiently (and unlike some content mill writers, I've never been asked to write a revision). But if I have better-paying assignments, I either won't take those or negotiate a later deadline. The editors of those markets (one a regional glossy, the other a website) know that I need to prioritize based on pay rates and time.

My thinking is if I'm caught up on everything else, why not pocket a couple hundred dollars for minimal effort? (BTW: those are both markets that supply the ideas, so there is zero time spent generating ideas. And one of them kicks in an extra $25 per interview.)

Shoveling is done (some of the wettest, heaviest snow I've ever shoveled!) and the soup's in the crock pot. I wish it were ready now!

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:07:00 +0000

I agree that the longer you're in it the less willing you are, or should be, to working for less. It's a little tough at first, but once a writer establishes a toehold in any area of writing, it becomes easier each time out.

For me, $200 an article wouldn't work. But for the poster, it may be perfect in terms of getting a foot in the door and getting a reputable clip. There's that word again - reputable. That has to be part of the decision - is this a reputable publication with actual trained editors and oversight? If so, it may be worth it if the work isn't too hard.

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:13:15 +0000

I factor in the time needed to research and write, and what I figure the payoff will be, in terms beyond just the financial.

It's got to be something I'm really crazy about to agree to go lower for a one-off AND have something worth more than "exposure" down the line.

I'm willing to do that less and less, though, the longer I write.