Anne, exactly. If you're feeling able and willing, maybe.

Cathy, yes. I'm all about reducing if there's much more work on contract. If it's a promise of more work later, they have to have those projects defined and in a contract I've agreed to.

Ashley, you did the right thing. When they start chasing pennies, the aggravation factor has just jumped exponentially. I had a client (who still thinks I'm working with them) who actually wanted a complete article rewrite with three new interviews – in two hours. Needless to say the end product was not what was expected. And you bet I told the client why.

Yo, that's a great idea. If it's possible, it's a super compromise. Not always possible, obviously, but what a great solution!

Paula, great question. What do you prefer? If it were me, I'd appreciate the lower word count – I think I'd resent it less, at least. It's a message that they value you enough to pay a competitive rate, but that their budget sucks. But the first one you mentioned? I'd be gone. I had a company do that to me, but they finessed the rate cut by promising lower levels of writer input required, which never happened.

Becky, I'm glad the other company is working out! I hear you on the time constraints. I think that factors into decisions, too. If the money is a little lower (at your level of acceptance) and the time fits, then go for it. If things don't feel right, trust that.

Mridu, I'd have walked away, too. That's crazy! Or maybe go back and apply Yo's thinking – "I can give you a lower word count for that rate"…. Yes? No?

I've already replaced that income from other sources quite easily. And the editor has promised to get in touch as soon as rates go up again.

I think it really does come down to personal situations. A few years ago, I may not have walked away from this, but at this stage of my career, I can.

I agree with Anne – sometimes it's just how poor you feel at the time! 😉

My problem has been timing recently. I only have about 3 months open on my schedule and longer-term projects are what I'm finding right now. Being a working mom is, well, working against me right now.

But I did recently go back to a client who'd cut their rates, asked how they were doing, and found their rates were back up again. Happily working with them again. Yay!

Other publications have been trimming their freelance budgets by cutting assigned lengths. So on paper I'm still doing the same amount (or more) of pieces for them each year, but the paychecks are much smaller.

So which is worse: a place that cuts per word rates but keeps assigned lengths as is? Or a place that keeps a good per-word rate but assigns smaller and smaller articles? (Seriously, I'm coining the term "articlettes" to describe these glorified blurbs.)

I do pro bono projects for struggling micro-charities who couldn't afford me in a million years, but that's by choice and for a good cause. When real businesses start kvetching about funds being tight and oh please, could I drop my fee just a little, I'm gone. For all of the reasons listed above, but also – if they don't respect my rates, they're not going to respect me in other areas and likely the entire relationship will be one big struggle. Who needs it?

If I am reducing because of something like multiple projects (white paper+case study+editing existing case studies), I'll note my usual fee and show the discount.

The longer I have done this, the easier it is to say no to a new client who can't pay my fees.

I've walked away from far more