How did the client take the news, Mary? Sometimes losing a good freelance writer is the kick in the butt some places need to realize the value we really bring.

That does sound like a good conversation, Paula. Seems to me being civil sends a much stronger message than getting fluffed up and irritated. I hope she did learn something — quality demands more pay. Period.

It’s tough saying goodbye to a decent person who simply isn’t a very good client. You’re worth more, Mary. Glad you did something about it!

More than once in recent years I’ve responded to jobs listings (the first red flag) looking for experienced entertainment writers. Those are pretty much the only job listings I’ve ever heard back from. One scheduled a call to discuss an on-going gig. It was a reputable title, but I soon realized it was for their low-paying website, not the high-paying magazine of the same name.

Another flag went up when she said they required a minimum number of articles (no specified length) per month. When I asked about payment, she said they paid $250 per month, plus the “opportunity” to earn more based on how many views all of your stories rack up each month. She gushed about how one writer was earning $1,000/month.

That’s when I told her I typically earn way more than $250 per article, so spending so much time each month for $250, even with the possibility of per-view bonuses, wouldn’t make sense for me. While their fee structure might work for new writers or people who want to gain some solid clips, it doesn’t work for me. She mentioned that some of their writers occasionally get to write for the print publication (she didn’t say which rate they were paid). I told her I’d rather sell one article per year to the print publication than 4 article per month to their website. She really listened to what I had to say, and I listened to her.

The entire exchange was civil, and I think we both learned something.

The worst part? I like her. The pay is decent, and I’m going to be sad to cut ties… but it’s time.

Thanks for the signal boost. It’s so needed at times.