Paying (or Not) For Professional Work
I know it sounds as though I beat this drum too often, but I really cannot stress often enough the reasons why you should stand up for what you’re worth. I just had a conversation with a potential client, and I had to let that client down gently (and please, no matter how insulting the offer, remain professional about it).
The offer was for website copy for this client’s new venture. Upon soliciting bids, the client mentioned a lot about what was expected – in short, there was a good bit of copy to be written. I based my bid on my “formula”, for lack of a better word, and sent off my bid with confidence that it was a fair price for both of us.
However, the client’s response indicated that while she liked my experience, my price was “way out of our price range.” I’m going to let you in on a little secret: I bid $750 for ten pages of copy. Most writers I know wouldn’t touch a job that size for under four figures. I was hoping to pick up some quick cash and the possible ongoing assignment they were advertising, so I brought the price down to something manageable (with the disclaimer that if the job were to be more than I had anticipated, I reserved the right to rebid once seeing the scope of it all). The response: “The development and building of our new site alone is quite costly and we can’t afford to be that extravagant.”
What’s wrong with that response? Reread it. Go on, I’ll wait…. do you see it? The client has just handed out an insult with that response and a beginning writer might actually be drawn into what I call client-induced guilt, thus feeling the need to lower the price. What this client said was in essence “we put more value on the designer, who’s the real professional here, and we don’t want to waste more money paying some writer.”
Another line from that client’s note: “…project is not extremely difficult but it will require someone who can use words appropriately.” Really? If it’s not difficult, why hire a writer at all? Why not do it yourself? The client is thinking that “writing is easy” unless the client is the one expected to do it. Somewhere in this client’s mind, the design of that website is everything, and the words are just a formality.
Then they dangled the last carrot: “We’re able to offer the ability to gain experience working on a new project.” Translation: “We’re not interested in paying you a fighting wage.”
I feel bad for that client. Anyone who knows advertising or even simple marketing understands that design alone won’t cut it. Words – carefully chosen words – are the meat-and-potatoes of every advertisement, every customer contact, every attempt to drum up business.
I feel worse for the writer who eventually takes that job. Yes, it may pay all of $100 (which, judging by their initial advertisement, may be all they’ll cough up) and give someone much-needed credit, but I suspect it will do more to create a culture of client-induced guilt in the new writer. If you start your career placing more value on the client than on your own career, how soon before you fail?
New writers, you do not need to take gutter-level pay rates just to get experience. Do yourself an immense favor; bid competitively, but don’t settle for less than you’d make asking “do you want fries with that?” Starting salaries at most fast-food places would pay comparable to that of this particular job. And please, start thinking in those terms. When considering a job, think to yourself “If I were to be working in the open market, how much would I be earning per hour, per day, per week?” Then assess the job offer in front of you using those figures. Make your decision based on that. While it’s okay to negotiate, it’s not okay to be shamed into doing it for much less than you’re worth.
Great article, Lori. I see so many beginning writers undervaluing themselves and devaluing writing in general, and it’s just horrible to watch. In addition to the fact that newbies are selling themselves short time and time again, they’re making it harder for the rest of us! You are a great advocate for those just getting started. Keep up the good work!
Kristen
http://www.kristenkingfreelancing.com
Right on, Lori…
Anne
http://www.aboutfreelancewriting.com
Well said, Lori. I am afraid that all of this “private label” stuff is lowering employers’ expectancy and their price point as well.
I simply cannot *afford* to work for beans!
I wholeheartedly agree, Lori, except when the offer is insulting I have a REALLY hard time remaining professional about the whole matter! I’ve never regretted walking away from an insulting project, no matter how slow business was. A better one is always lurking around the corner.
$750 was a generous price on your behalf. You know what? They’ll get what they pay for. They want to succeed? They won’t with mediocre writing.
Excellent piece, Lori.
Hi Lori,
Very good article and a message that’s very applicable in many industries where dollars and sense are in opposition.
As a site designer, and writer, I can attest to the validity of writing being the meat and potatoes for a website. I do, however, feel compelled to say that it’s a balance. Without a good design and easy to navigate site you create frustration and that distracts the user from the content.
I tend to think of a website like a book: a well-designed cover leads the reader inside, well-designed interiors create the reading experience, and then the content has to deliver the message. A book, or a web site, can easily fail if all three are not equally attended to with time and money.
Char
http://illuminatedesigns.com
Excellent point, Char. I don’t think anyone would argue that bad design can be saved by good writing–it definitely goes both ways!
you’re up in my first carival http://www.thegoldenpencil.com/2006/06/14/about-freelance-writing-blog-carnival-june-15-2006/
love and blessings,
A
http://www.aboutfreelancewriting.com
As a performer, I go through this ALL the time. Learning to say no gracefully without getting completely angry with “them” or scared for me. And yes, I think it comes down to valuing yourself and not getting hooked by those people who don’t get it. A friend of mine is a web designer and I watched her go through a year of turning down people like this. Now, her clients are amazing because she simply doesn’t take any crap!
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I’m a little late reading this, but WOW! “Designers do real work and hiring you would be a silly waste of money.” Wow!
I completely respect designers – they have a skill set I don’t have. But as writers, we have a skill set that others don’t have.
It IS a balance, and shame on clients who thing that it’s otherwise.