Comments on: How to Keep the Freelance Writing Checks Rolling In https://wordsonpageblog.com/2019/04/how-to-keep-the-freelance-writing-checks-rolling-in.html a freelance writing resource. Thu, 02 May 2019 15:44:25 +0000 hourly 1 By: Paula Hendrickson https://wordsonpageblog.com/2019/04/how-to-keep-the-freelance-writing-checks-rolling-in.html#comment-18089 Thu, 02 May 2019 15:44:25 +0000 http://wordsonpageblog.com/?p=7211#comment-18089 I’m starting to see the joys of your invoiced-income world view, Lori. Why? Right now, the amount I have invoice out (or will be invoiced soon) is a lot higher than what came in last month (which was oaky, but not great). The reason is that each client has his or her own payment system. One pays immediately upon invoice, one pays weekly, most pay monthly, and two pay “45 days after invoice” but because they pay per published word, you can’t invoice until they’re ready to publish.

Until now, most of my clients have been ones that assign at lot at different times of year, but don’t always have steady assignments. My new clients are providing a revenue stream that will at least cover my basic monthly bills. Having that little safety net will really help ease the pain when I have fewer assignments from my other clients.

I’m happy to report that all of the marketing I did earlier this year has already landed me two new clients. One has a steady need for the listicles I write—quick, fun, simple, and they total about $600/month. The other is a website that needs new articles all the time. I wrote my first piece for them a couple weeks ago and they’ve already assignment me a second article. If I can average two articles per month for them, that will add up quickly.

You know what that meant? For the first time ever I had to report an income change to the Healthcare Marketplace….but they do NOT seem to understand how freelance income works. They still want my last year’s tax return…the year I lost a key client and my income plummeted. How does that reflect my 2019 income, which is growing? I’ve sent them documentation for April and assignment letters for May so hopefully they’ll see the growth.

]]> By: lwidmer https://wordsonpageblog.com/2019/04/how-to-keep-the-freelance-writing-checks-rolling-in.html#comment-18087 Wed, 01 May 2019 16:10:33 +0000 http://wordsonpageblog.com/?p=7211#comment-18087 In reply to Devon Ellington.

Same here, Devon. I’m spent, too. This week’s projects are completed, so I’m slowing down and giving myself permission to relax.

]]> By: Devon Ellington https://wordsonpageblog.com/2019/04/how-to-keep-the-freelance-writing-checks-rolling-in.html#comment-18086 Tue, 30 Apr 2019 15:46:15 +0000 http://wordsonpageblog.com/?p=7211#comment-18086 I keep money coming in by doing lots of different things. And not being afraid to try and learn new things. But I’m seriously cooked right now. I have to work with a client tomorrow, but I’m seriously thinking of taking the rest of the week off. I need to reassess a few things, and I don’t want to make decisions out of a place of frustration instead of rationality in hand with the frustration.

]]> By: lwidmer https://wordsonpageblog.com/2019/04/how-to-keep-the-freelance-writing-checks-rolling-in.html#comment-18084 Tue, 30 Apr 2019 15:06:48 +0000 http://wordsonpageblog.com/?p=7211#comment-18084 In reply to Joy Drohan.

Crazy, right? But they wanted to spend their budget, so who am I to argue? 😉

]]> By: Joy Drohan https://wordsonpageblog.com/2019/04/how-to-keep-the-freelance-writing-checks-rolling-in.html#comment-18083 Tue, 30 Apr 2019 13:44:33 +0000 http://wordsonpageblog.com/?p=7211#comment-18083 In reply to lwidmer.

Wow, I’ve never charged anywhere near $125 for proofing, but I don’t think I’ve ever worked for a corporation.

]]> By: lwidmer https://wordsonpageblog.com/2019/04/how-to-keep-the-freelance-writing-checks-rolling-in.html#comment-18082 Tue, 30 Apr 2019 13:00:23 +0000 http://wordsonpageblog.com/?p=7211#comment-18082 In reply to Joy Drohan.

Joy, I almost dreaded telling you about March, but April isn’t going to be too bad. Not my ideal, but better.

I remember the day I raised my rates. I think Anne Wayman told me that it would net me better clients. It made for some uncomfortable conversations with now-former clients, but it made it easier for more serious clients to, well, take me more seriously.

For example, I had a friend who worked at a large corporation. She recommended me for a proofing job. I priced it according to my rate at the time ($90 an hour). She called me. “You meant to write $125 an hour, didn’t you?”

Hint taken. I raised the rate and they hired me. Under $100 an hour suggested I wasn’t taking myself seriously. Lesson learned.

]]> By: Joy Drohan https://wordsonpageblog.com/2019/04/how-to-keep-the-freelance-writing-checks-rolling-in.html#comment-18081 Tue, 30 Apr 2019 12:51:32 +0000 http://wordsonpageblog.com/?p=7211#comment-18081 Yessiree, today’s the day I report to Lori on my month. It’s been on my calendar for a week or so. We rejoice or commiserate as appropriate.
I raised my rates over a period of years and I think you really can’t work hard enough to make a decent living, or therefore feel respected as a writer/editor, if you’re working for bottom-of-the-barrel rates. I’ve chosen a specialty I enjoy, and sought out clients who could pay what I feel my experience and knowledge are worth. It took some time and it’s always a work in progress, keeping an eye out for potential clients and marketing (or attempting to) regularly.

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