Comments on: It’s All in the Perspective

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:24:17 +0000

Anne, I think so, too. The minute you monetize the news, you lose objectivity. And by monetize, I mean insist that your news programs or copy strives to meet not the objectivity, but to draw in advertising dollars and readers by any sensational means possible.

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 20:36:41 +0000

Good stuff as always kiddo... and switching, reaching out beyond the comfort zone is always a good idea.

It's not free stuff that's killing journalism, although it's not helping. It's consolidation of news and the corporate view that news has to make money therefore is entertainment. Sigh... okay, off my soapbox.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 18:21:26 +0000

One of those days, eh Cathy? :)

Joseph, try "Il vostro Web site è una cosa di bellezza!" And kiss your fingertips as you say it. :)

Free stuff is killing journalism, Paula. Hmm.... that's an article....

By: Paula

Paula — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 16:38:17 +0000

I took some resources and ideas I wasn't able to use in article assignments and started a column for a local weekly newspaper. The idea was to self-syndicate, but that was also when newspapers began folding left and right, so even a bargain syndie rate wasn't in the cards at the time.

The scary thing I've noticed is that aside from breaking news stories, the "major" daily in town is now composed largely of their staffers' regurgitated blog posts and reprints from other newspapers owned by the same company.... basically anything they can churn out for free.)

By: Joseph Hayes

Joseph Hayes — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 16:05:03 +0000

Note to self: "Your website sucks" not good.

Other note to self: Stop saying "Il vostro Web site gorgoglio" to Italian clients [headsmack]

By: Cathy

Cathy — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:26:41 +0000

LOL-see why I hate copyediting! Make that afforD!

By: Cathy

Cathy — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:25:23 +0000

Lori, I was also grossly underpaid (it was in the beginning of my freelancing career), but it opened other doors for insurance technical writing. It was also where I found I REALLY do not like copyediting as I had that gig for some of the P&C courses. Blech.

And I loved the client, still stay in touch. They just can't affor me-LOL!
:-)

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:46:55 +0000

Devon, exactly that. Ten bucks a post isn't worth rolling out of bed for.

Cathy, I swear I had nothing to do with it! LOL I've taken to copying my posts before I hit Publish Your Comment. It's done it to me enough times....

I swear we have parallel lives. I wrote insurance courses, too! We'll have to compare notes on that. For me, those were some of the worst experiences thanks to the clients (the work was decent enough, but tedious and involved). I came away feeling grossly underpaid for it. Never went back.

By: Cathy

Cathy — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:07:37 +0000

Aaargghh, Blogger ate my comment again. Every time I get too wordy-did you program that, Lori? :-)

I started out with the $50/blog post for an industry blog, but I thought, this is nuts for the time I put in. So I stopped doing posts. It wasn't worth my time. I think it's part of me evolving in freelancing. I have picked up industry blogging again, but at a much better rate.

The possibilities are endless and you gave a great list of ideas here, Lori.

As you know, I'm also in the insurance field, although mine tends to be more on the health side. My clients? Brokers, wellness vendors, authors of healthy living books, dental and medical vendors, specialty health care consulting firms, HR professionals, companies with healthcare clients.

I have done very techie from writing continuing education courses for insurance to writing content for an HR web portal for a brokerage firm.

I've written content for white papers (lots), case studies, press releases, blog posts, executive bios, training courses, sales letters for newsletter subscriptions, PowerPoint presentations and lots and lots of articles (mostly ghostwritten).

What I love now is that I am well-compensated and I can be more selective about the work I do. Like I wrote on a recent post, That’s the great thing about writing – there are so many forms. There’s no reason you shouldn’t love it.

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:42:15 +0000

You have to shift all the time, or you get stale.

Regarding the blog posts, yes, you should get AT LEAST $50 a blog post at the start, and that should increase if you're building an audience.

When someone says "$10/blog post" laugh in their face as you walk away.