Low Paying Work: Why I Accepted it.
Posted by Samar | Posted in Freelancing | Posted on 26-11-2008
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In my previous post, I talked about how much I made on my first gig. It’s time to spill the beans on how much per article pay I’m getting now and why.
How Much I’m Earning Per Article
For the work I do now I’m being paid $10 per article. Granted, It’s not much better than $5 but it’s still better than it. Even though the going rates for 500 word articles is three times that, as a starting point for me, I’d say its not bad. Am I aiming too low? Definitely. But I’m new, inexperienced and I’m aware of how much I have to learn. My list of things to learn is incredibly long and the learning process not as fast as I’d like. For this amount, I feel some amount of motivation, take initiative and come up with ideas of my own and work hard on an article.
Why I Accepted Low Paying Work
While I agree that $10 is better than $5, I wouldn’t have accepted it if the gig hadn’t come with perks. I get an editor, my name to my work, resources to learn SEO, revenue share, a helpful writer’s community and the chance of writing for different topics if I so choose. For now, these perks are ideal for me. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is at the top of my ‘things to learn’ list.
Will I Accept More Work for Similar Pay?
Not a chance! My rule of thumb for freelancing is that every gig (till I get established) should pay better than the previous one. Unless the offer trumps the one I have now in terms of perks, I won’t be accepting any more work for $10. If I have to write for that amount, I’d rather continue writing here.
As a seasoned freelancer or a new one, do you agree with my reasoning? Share your experience. Disagree? Feel free to tell me why I’m wrong.
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There is no standard. You will hear some seasoned freelance writers saying: now way, no how and giving a whole host of reasons why not. On an intellectual level the arguments can be very persuasive (and they often accuse those who work for low pay of distorting the market and ruining it for everyone) but it is a very personal decision.
My take on things is: do what works for you. When I first went freelance, I tried getting work online in those auctions or off craigslist and I found it impossible to get paid a fair rate. So I added to my skill set, went on some editing courses, started a blog, sexed up my website and tried a new approach (direct marketing). Now I get 80% of my work from people I pitch and abt 20% from recommendations, so the client knows my valuation of myself and, if I work on one of his projects, it means he agrees with that valuation.
Not saying your way is right or wrong but you could get (and you deserve!) the exact same perks you outlined above for more than $10/500words.
Iris Jumbe’s last blog post..Bury me smiling…
I agree. Back then,, it was also a matter of gaining experience. I’m no longer getting such low rates. With experience I’m getting better pay as well.
I do believe that it’s okay to work for less as long as you don’t get stuck in it.