Once I weeded out the market with a public rate structure, not only did questions and surprise stop immediately, but people who WERE in my market and able to afford me started showing up in droves. Many won't contact for quotes, especially if the competition already put their rate information in their hands. Custom quotes are fine if you really must. But if you choose that route, it's not gender issues leading to rates being questioned. It's more likely off-the-mark targeting.

Just took a quick peek at your business site specifically, and I can see some potential targeting issues there right on the homepage — "no project is too small" plus "reasonable rates" could easily give the impression that you're charging on the lower end.

On top of that, the copy does nothing to talk about specific benefits of hiring you there — all pretty basic "professional," "quality" copy. Since you mentioned that you're questioned fairly often about rates, it might be worth coming up with some new copy and split-testing to see how clients finding you act when your service is promoted differently up front.

Obviously I don't know if that's the real issue, but I think it's more plausible than gender discrimination. And testing never hurts. You might find something that works better for other reasons. 🙂

What "puts me off" is the crying about discrimination without acknowledgement of personal responsibility. When you act different wearing a mask, it's the confidence and attitude that more likely to influence landing gigs — not a newfound penis.

And it wasn't a case of someone doing what they had to do. It was branding plain and simple. A male pen name? That's one thing. An intentionally hypermasculine image where you even go out of your way to post things you know are offensive and degrading to other women? No sympathy (or respect) deserved. I went into my thoughts on that whole BS issue a while back here: http://www.dirjournal.com/business-journal/why-im-tired-of-hearing-about-sexism-in-social-media-and-freelancing/

As for whether or not women's rates are questioned more, I think that's also a pretty narrow consideration. Rather than people perceiving women as less valuable, perhaps men just come across as more intimidating so people are afraid to ask. And I wouldn't call being approachable a flaw. Women can always choose to say no, and if they don't, that's on them and not anyone else's gender bias.

It saddens me to think that women still perceive discrimination, and it appalls me that female freelancers would resort to deceit because they think that is the only way to succeed.

As someone who entered the world of work in the days when women were secretaries or teachers, I have held professional positions, owned a business that grew to one of the top three in the industry within my market, and happily freelanced for 14 years without ever being discriminated against.

Wendy, I think I was just shocked that James had to resort to that in order to work. Yes, I think it was a factor in her not securing work. I'm not put off by it because I think she did what she felt she had to do. I'm only sad it worked so well. Says a lot about society.

They actually ask that, Valerie? That's more than a little rude, isn't it? I don't like to assume it's because of gender, but in some cases it's pretty obviously the cause of some of the issues.

This week, I'm attempting to write a multi-page website while managing phase 1 of a kitchen renovation. I carefully cleared my calendar to make sure I'd have no writing to do when the job began … and then the kitchen cabinets were ready two weeks early, right as two major deadlines converge.

The female clients haven't, to my recollection, fussed about the rate. Probably because women are typically seen as more capable to create emotional type pieces for Motivational/Inspirational purposes. It's not true, but again, if you have that mindset, you're not likely to change it overnight.
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As far as going with a male persona for your business; I am more concerned with the trust issues should they find out that you're not the male they thought you to be. When James came out, I lost a little trust with her because of that, even though I could see what motivated her to do it. I realize that she wasn't the only one to do it, but it still kind of bugs me.

What am I doing this week? I'm finishing up one project and cussing out blogger. I've decided to move the darn blog over to wordpress. Maybe I'll just start over, I don't know.

And yes, I've often thought that being male would automatically confer some of the authority I currently have to work to earn. I've been in situations that you'd swear were from an episode of "Mad Men." I've noticed this breaks down by field somewhat – I've had more of a struggle with my IT clients and a much easier time with my PR clients.

The hermit crabs sound cool. I miss the East Coast sometimes.

Devon, that's been my experience so far. I do get questioned often about my rate. I don't appreciate hearing it challenged as if I'm making it up as I go. I'm confident and assertive in my presentation of what I charge, yet I still get "Wait, we didn't expect that much."

Gabriella, I've been questioned by both genders. I will say my worst offender was female. There was one instance in which her watching the wallet created a bigger project issue for her. I couldn't get the revisions done in the allotted amount of time. If it had been someone who had given me a break in the past, I'd have pressed forward. However, I had lowered my rate and pushed for late payments and frankly, I didn't feel my time or talents were respected. It sort of hit the fan, but I explained that that's what that amount of money buys, and that expecting the impossible in the time allotted wasn't possible for any writer.

I don't think I've been questioned about my invoices often enough to give you a good sense of whether it's unusual. I can remember two instances.

But one thing I find interesting is that the two editors who I felt were nickle-and-diming me were women. Wonder if it's women or men who do more penny pinching?

This week, I'm working on two articles and a bunch of short pieces for a marketing program I handle. Not exciting, but that's good. I'm not really operating at high speed these days!