Freelance Writers - How Much Is Your Writing Worth?
One of the common complaints I hear from new coaching clients is that they’re swamped with writing work - yet all of their assignments pay mere peanuts. They know they will never make a living this way. What are they doing wrong?
My first reaction to this problem is to ask them these two questions: “Why are you working for peanuts? Is that all you think your writing is worth?”
When you get right down to it, we’re all paid basically what WE think we are worth.
Think about it. At least once in your life haven’t you asked for a raise because you thought your boss wasn’t paying you what you were worth?
Well, maybe it’s time to ask for a raise again. Only this time, ask YOURSELF for the raise.
Stop searching for (and accepting) low paying assignments. Instead, break out of your comfort zone and go for some of the writing jobs you KNOW you can do but have been reluctant to even apply for because the higher pay being offered for these jobs scared you off.
Before you do this, though, be sure your writing really IS worth the pay being offered. If you’ve only taken one short workshop to learn to write for children, for example, chances are you’re not ready to ghostwrite books for popular children’s or teen’s series. But that doesn’t mean you need to settle for writing only children’s book
Children’s magazines just don’t pay that well - no matter how much you think your story or article is worth. But some of the adult publications, aimed at parents AND their kids, do. Study the articles in publications like FamilyFun or Parenting to get a feel for the kinds of nonfiction pieces they tend to publish.
Next, get really good at writing queries, then send a query to one of the glossy, higher paying publications like these. If you need someone to help you determine just what your writing is worth, hire a coach, take a writing class, or join a critique group that includes at least a few writers who are being well-paid for the writing they do.
Also, keep improving your craft. Write every day. Read every day. Study the markets every day.
If you keep getting better and better at what you do, soon you won’t even THINK about writing for peanuts anymore because you’ll KNOW your writing is worth so much more.
For more articles and information to help you create the freelance writing career of your dreams, visit The Working Writer’s Coach at http://www.workingwriterscoach.com and sign up for The Morning Nudge, a free weekday motivational and informative email. Also, find more tips and information for freelance writers at http://www.myspace.com/suzannelieurance and learn to market your writing services through social networks.
Tags: freelance rates, freelance writers, freelance writing, payment rates for writers
