There’s this quiet little success story happening right in front of us every day. Her name is Cathy Miller.
Cathy is a former corporate communications wonk who did what every 9-to-5 slave dreams of doing — she chucked a lucrative, soul-sucking career mid-meeting and went into full-time freelancing. In 2008, right when the recession hit hard.
Since that time, Cathy has built an incredibly successful freelance writing business. She’s become one of the best friends I have, making up the wickedly fun writers posse I hang out with in email. And she’s learned some great lessons about understanding worth — firsthand.
Writers Worth: A Work in Progress
by Cathy Miller
Do you wonder why some clients shake your
writer’s worth more than others? You’ve worked hard for your business. You are
confident in your abilities. You no longer flinch when a prospect scoffs at
your quoted fee. Then out of the blue, you blink.
writer’s worth more than others? You’ve worked hard for your business. You are
confident in your abilities. You no longer flinch when a prospect scoffs at
your quoted fee. Then out of the blue, you blink.
Your well-established worth is shaken.
You question if the prospect (or client) is right. Perhaps only for a moment,
but you definitely blink. If you’re like me, the worth you place on your
writing is a constant work-in-progress.
You question if the prospect (or client) is right. Perhaps only for a moment,
but you definitely blink. If you’re like me, the worth you place on your
writing is a constant work-in-progress.
Couch-Worthy
A recent blog
post by one of my favorite writers, Peter Bowerman, asked some probing
questions. Those questions hit at the core of who we are as professional writers
– our rates. Peter challenged us to expose the many fallacies surrounding the
notion of “going rates”.
post by one of my favorite writers, Peter Bowerman, asked some probing
questions. Those questions hit at the core of who we are as professional writers
– our rates. Peter challenged us to expose the many fallacies surrounding the
notion of “going rates”.
I stopped a long time ago from letting others dictate what I
should charge or earn for my
professional writing services. However, as I shared at Peter’s blog, for some
reason, I allow a couple of long-time clients to get inside my head when it
comes to what I charge. Why?
should charge or earn for my
professional writing services. However, as I shared at Peter’s blog, for some
reason, I allow a couple of long-time clients to get inside my head when it
comes to what I charge. Why?
The question is a couch-worthy moment for me. It probably
stems back to my childhood. Isn’t our childhood the cause for every hang-up we
possess? Even if you had a great childhood (as I did), you have to blame
something. Beats lying on a couch exploring the inner workings of your mind.
stems back to my childhood. Isn’t our childhood the cause for every hang-up we
possess? Even if you had a great childhood (as I did), you have to blame
something. Beats lying on a couch exploring the inner workings of your mind.
Call it avoidance, but I find it more
productive to deal with my worth-doubting response than getting to its root
cause. Not enough time for that. Not this close to retirement.
productive to deal with my worth-doubting response than getting to its root
cause. Not enough time for that. Not this close to retirement.
So here is a little exercise I do when a
prospect or client messes with my writer’s worth meter.
prospect or client messes with my writer’s worth meter.
Charge more.
Increased Worth
That’s right – charge more. A funny thing happened when I
thought about my self-doubt. Deep down I knew the problem rose from my
certainty that my current fee was too low. I was worth so much more. I resented
the implication that I was not worth a higher fee, much less my current fee.
thought about my self-doubt. Deep down I knew the problem rose from my
certainty that my current fee was too low. I was worth so much more. I resented
the implication that I was not worth a higher fee, much less my current fee.
It would be easy to blame my client. He or she doesn’t get
it. They have no concept of what it takes to write high-quality copy. But
that’s a cop-out. The blame sets squarely on my shoulders. I set my rates. I
choose the terms. If I don’t like my rates – charge more.
it. They have no concept of what it takes to write high-quality copy. But
that’s a cop-out. The blame sets squarely on my shoulders. I set my rates. I
choose the terms. If I don’t like my rates – charge more.
I know I’m worth it. Even if I am a work-in-progress.
================
Cathy Miller has a business writing blog at Simply stated business. Her
blog, Why 60 Miles,
is in the early stages and inspired by her passion for walking 60 miles in 3
days to support research for finding a cure for cancer.
blog, Why 60 Miles,
is in the early stages and inspired by her passion for walking 60 miles in 3
days to support research for finding a cure for cancer.
Aw, thanks for the kind words, Lori. One of the best days of my life occurred when we met through the magic of the online world. 🙂
Likewise, Cathy. 🙂 And thank you for your words of wisdom here, and over the years.
Oh, I like that idea! If a client acts like that, they should be willing to pay a hefty PITA tax (not a line item, of course) to work with a professional writer. Next time I encounter a client who questions my worth and yet still wants to take advantage of my services, I'll just increase that PITA tax by 20 percent. That should solve things 😉
And some aren't even worth the pita tax… thanks Cathy, good article as usual.
Thanks, Ashley and Anne. I find the older I get, the more I find the PITA tax-eligible prospects are not worth it. 😉
Pretty great advice from a "work-in-progress," Cathy.
And yes, you're worth it. And more!
HA! I should have clarified … the "solution" is that the increased PITA tax should chase the client off (since they were concerned about price in the first place 😉 Though I suppose I ought to be careful about that or someone will take me up on it!
A simple, but effective strategy, Cathy. 🙂
I second what Sharon said. Simple. Effective. And hopefully it helps you remember that you really are worth more. We all know you are! 🙂
Bless you, Sharon & Jenn. 😉