Even feeling like I’d been pushed through a sieve, I managed to get a good deal finished yesterday. I drafted a client newsletter, got an article to a point where I need only drop in one more quote, and wrote the first draft of the 31 Days to Trade Magazine Profits webinar. I still feel like walking blah, but at least I’m still walking (there’s that Susie Sunshine attitude!). Doctor this morning, then hopefully home with some powerful meds.
A writing friend was extended an offer to work for a local organization on a number of projects. The dilemma? They were paying, as she put it, 55 percent under her current rate. The carrot they dangled – they framed it as “guaranteed work” and expected at least 15-20 hours out of her every week. Wisely, she opted to turn it down.
It’s easy to look at a local organization – a big one – and say “Gee, am I passing up a great chance?” But here’s why I advised her to walk away:
It’s not all that great. They’re going into a working relationship with her already not respecting that her time is money. This is a place that’s already saying the real-life equivalent of “You’ll get great exposure and we’ll give you more work!” Who wants more work from people who don’t respect the value of what they’re getting?
It’s what they’re really saying that matters. Their “offer” of “guaranteed” work? That’s really saying “We promise to underpay you as long as you put up with it!” Who needs that?
It’s going to snowball. This is a group that is probably not used to working with freelancers (a college). That half-time work? How long before that becomes a lot more for the same price? And how long before they start treating this writer like an employee? In my opinion, it started the minute they dictated her rate to her.
It won’t lead anywhere. I know this writer has worked with colleges in the past. She doesn’t need one more clip. Taking this job wouldn’t enhance her career as much as it would impede her chances of finding better-paying work.
Her counter-offer wouldn’t fly. She had a great strategy – to offer them XX hours of work for the sum total of that weekly fee (what I’d suggested as an option). However, these are people who think in employer terms. They want to be in charge, and her offer is going to be scoffed. Plus, see above. The work will inevitably snowball.
I would walk away, and I’d do so after telling them what professional writers really charge. Wish them well and know that they’re about to exploit some poor undergrad/grad student to do the work for nearly nothing.
How many local companies have given you similar questionable offers? How do you handle your response to them?
"Guaranteed work" is code for "guaranteed headache." I have never heard a good client say such a thing, but plenty of bad ones promise it.
Good thought on the counter-offer, and having it rejected is confirmation that it's not a worthwhile gig.
She opted not to offer it at all, Jake. I think that was wise. Sounds like it would have been nothing but wheel-spinning.
You're right – the bad ones always promise it!
The sad part is the college probably doesn't even see why their offer would be insulting to anyone other than some inexperienced (gullible) student.
When you're just starting out it is difficult not to just take anything that comes your way. The need for work is greater than the quality of work. However, Lori and others have made me realize that if you take low quality clients then you lose out on better clients. It becomes a viscous cycle. I believe that is why many writers get "stuck" and end up believing you can't make a living writing.
Paula, so true. Colleges I know have issues with budgets sometimes, but more often they're just plain cheap. And they're unaccustomed to working with contractors.
You're so right, Wade. Taking whatever comes along results in more of the same. I'd rather wait an extra week or two for a higher-paying job and create THAT cycle!
Guaranteed work? if she wanted an employer, wouldn't she have looked for a job? I think it was a good decision to walk away and wish I'd had a good friend like you when I was first starting out Lori, to advice me to walk away. Because I have fallen for the "it's guarateed work" line and I ended up working myself to a standstill. Overtime, that kind of client costs you time, money and missed business opportunities that would have pushed your business to greater success, because of the time they take up.
You know, I so hate when others presume to tell you what you should be grateful for in YOUR business.
But, Wade's right, we often allow our insecurity (especially when we are 1st starting out) override what we know in our gut is not right. Good for your friend for being the one to decide what's right for her!
Perhaps they'll hire another writer at that rate, and then see what they get for their money. That's what I always hope will happen, and it makes me sad that there are good writers out there who do write for less than what they're worth, so the cycle continues. At least your friend was smart enough to look for work where she's appreciated and valued.
Jake P said: Guaranteed work" is code for "guaranteed headache."
Yeah, I agree with you, Jake. When someone says that to me, it's a red flag – or least that's how I've come to see things because of past experience.
I might have said, "hmmm. Guaranteed work? I assume you'd be willing to put me on retainer?" and then just shut up to see what their response would be… I love to push back like that.
Anne, that's a fantastic response!
Kim, if it's the place I think it is, that headache is definitely guaranteed!
The counter-offer is a reasonable response. Their reaction is all your friend needed to know she made the right decision.
She trusted her gut, Mark. I agree that it's a reasonable response too, but she had the sense already that they had their defenses up. Me, I might have tried just to see how strong the wall was, but she recognized futility and passed. I think that was wise in this case.
I am not actually in writing business but in a "sister" business: translating. and i totally agree with this article. i remember once saying "i'd play a game all night long rather than doing this job for this price." but the problem is, it took almost 15 years for me to reach that level. and before that, i really had to accept every offer i had because of my insecure financial situation.