Comments on: Writers Worth: Where Your Value Lies

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Tue, 05 May 2015 19:41:39 +0000

Don't forget to feed your baby, Paula. :)

Jenn, you ask a good question. Would I work for them if someone else were the point person? I'm thinking no -- the response was just so cold and deliberate that it felt like a directive from above. It was the sense I got, especially since she knew my price going in. It had to come from someone who would tolerate that behavior (or promote it).

There would have to be proof (once this woman is gone) that the attitude stopped at her, or I couldn't do it. I have plenty of other opportunities to work with clients who aren't rude (and who can afford me, which I think is the larger point in the whole scenario).

Ashley, feels good, doesn't it? You were right to walk away from that, and shame on her for fussing about how great her rates were. People who do often realize they're not paying enough. It's a defensive move.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Tue, 05 May 2015 19:02:32 +0000

Once, waaaay back in the beginning, I tried to negotiate with someone who was firm on her pay rate. The pay wasn't as abysmal as content mills, but it still wasn't what I knew I was worth. She ended the negotiation immediately, wishing me luck. In her reply, she touted the fact that she paid much higher than many others for the same work (true, like I said, higher than content mills). I was really upset about that loss for a long time because I was afraid I couldn't do better. But now, looking back, I know it turned out for the best, because I still might be working for that person at that price.

My, how things have changed ... I had an inquiry a few days ago from someone paying a rate much, much lower than I'm willing to accept. And I didn't hesitate an instant to turn it down (kindly, even though it was really low).

By: Jennifer Mattern

Jennifer Mattern — Tue, 05 May 2015 17:00:11 +0000

Knowing what a jerk this person was in how they criticized your rates, you made the best decision. And it must have felt great putting them on the spot. ;)

I rarely get these kinds of inquiries anymore (a perk of keeping your rates public), and when I do they're never nasty about it.

What I generally do is politely tell them that I can't work within their budget (unless there's a way to change the scope to make that work).

Then I refer them to newer writers who will work for less. Either they realize they're happy with a less experienced writer, and that writer is getting paid what they want (win-win for both), or they realize they really do want a more experienced writer and they come back after they've found a way to increase their budget or decrease the scope of their project.

More come back than you might think!

Out of curiosity, would you consider working with the company if a different point person contacted you? Or did he ruin it for the lot of them?

By: Paula

Paula — Tue, 05 May 2015 15:56:19 +0000

Lori, I love your advice to think of your business as a child or person you want to protect. Funny how most of us are willing to endure less-than-acceptable conditions, but wouldn't never accept the same for our loved ones.

Okay, from today on, my business is my baby!

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Tue, 05 May 2015 15:07:08 +0000

Isn't it funny, Anne? I've had similar head-slapping moments. When I quoted my rate and the client accepted without missing a best, I knew I'd gone too low.

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Tue, 05 May 2015 14:07:05 +0000

I began to understand how low I'd priced myself when someone challenged me to double my rate – back then I couldn't go that far, but did a quote at 25% more than I thought I should. I noticed how easily the client accepted it and realized I had left money on the table… that was the start of the breakthrough for me.

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Tue, 05 May 2015 13:16:49 +0000

Wow. That sucks, Cathy! You'd think with the one-on-one exchange like that he'd have stuck to his side of the bargain.

His karma will get him.

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Tue, 05 May 2015 12:26:58 +0000

My moment was a hard slap to the side of the head. It was my first year of freelancing. I let a smooth-talking salesman convince me to do a marketing analysis in exchange for introductions and referrals. Guess what did not happen? Yep, the introductions and referrals.

That lesson stuck with me. I won't say I didn't still stumble in realizing my worth but it sure made saying"No" a whole lot easier. :-)