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Wednesday, January 28, 2009
How Much Do I Charge for My Writing?Here comes the most sensitive portion of a freelance writing job: how
much should you ask from your client? Of course, there will always be pros and cons when you set your price too high or too
low. A budding freelance writer would think of lowering down his rates in the hopes that he can attract clients that way.
However, there are actually a number of them who believe that your quality is mediocre; that’s why you can’t afford
to raise your fees high. There are also others who start high, simply because they want to earn big immediately. The problem
is that this may actually scare clients away for the simple reason that they may not afford you. What’s more, you’re
new, and investing too much may be a huge risk for them. So how much should you charge? I would not give you a specific amount, as the
best person to determine that is really you. But there are some factors to help you come up with the fairest and the most
ideal rate for yourself:
What is the project about? Different projects equal different rates—that’s
one thing you should keep in mind. After all, it’s a lot easier to work on a blog post about love than an article about
the war in Darfur. Moreover, the equation doesn’t change even if you’re working on the same kind of work, such
as an e-book. It’s more convenient for you to talk about affiliate marketing since there are plenty of materials about
it than to come up with a 60-page e-book about mesothelioma.
Who owns the rights? A
lot of times a freelance writer is a ghost writer. This means that he’s going to write for somebody else, and the distribution
and even resale rights will belong to your client. The price for the material will then depend on the opportunity costs—that
is, how much you’re going to lose for choosing to sell your rights to others. For example, if you will have better chances
of earning more on your ghostwritten article about the Holocaust in the United States market, then you may want to let the
client pay a little higher.
How long does it take you to finish a project? If
it’s going to take you a long time to complete a project—especially if it compels you to conduct interviews and
travel to different places—the fee for the article may be set a little high. After all, you have to make sure that you
will be able to recover the expenses that you incurred. However, you have to make sure that you’re honest with your
report. Don’t include the time you sat down in a café and took a snack, for that’s completely not included
in your job. You may also want to rate yourself by the hour or by a fixed price. Regardless of your choice, though, always ensure
that you can rate yourself according to what you can do. Clients will be more than happy to give you the salary that you want
as long as you can prove your worth to them.
9:07 pm est
Friday, January 16, 2009
Why You Should Freelance WriteIt’s no doubt that one of the most popular and definitely lucrative
work-at-home jobs today is freelance writing. Some of the beginners right now are earning around $500 to $1,000 every month,
while the veteran ones are definitely cashing in almost a million every year. However, it’s more than just the money—it’s
all about complete financial freedom, and if you can’t get the idea into your head, then perhaps you will be when I
tell you the many reasons why you may just have to go into freelance writing:
1. You can be your own boss.
Sometimes it’s not because of the 9–5 schedule
that you just want to leave your workspace and perhaps go on sick leave or a vacation. It could also be because of your boss
and even with your colleagues. And if you’re tired of dealing with them, or if you don’t like to be a corporate
slave anymore, you can move into freelance writing and just deal with the clients that you want to work with.
2. You can bring your kids to school or go to yoga class. Freelance
writing offers you the flexibility especially when it comes to your time. You can pursue your own interests and hobbies—things
that you absolutely cannot accomplish when you’re tired to your regular work. Oftentimes, you have to squeeze in these
things during meetings, appointments, and overtime, which can be stressful at times. Besides, how many birthdays or recitals
do you have to miss simply because your boss wants your report immediately?
3. You get to write. A lot of freelance writers tend to overlook this specific benefit, but in truth,
it’s one of the reasons why they are motivated to do the job in the first place. Freelance writing, despite the long
list of instructions, still gives you an opportunity to express yourself in a more creative and compelling way. There’s
the challenge of being able to persuade other people to take on your views. Freelance opportunities like product reviews,
blogging, and travel writing gives you a chance to share your thoughts regardless of they are good or not.
4. You can take a leave anytime you want to. Do you
want to travel? Or do you feel burned out with your current freelance writing job? You can always take a leave and involve
yourself in other non-work-related activities, and no one is going to ask you to file one two weeks before your scheduled
departure. As long as you don’t simply vanish into thin air—send an e-mail to your clients beforehand—you
can take a cruise or spend the holidays with your loved ones at the other side of the world. And if you somehow miss writing,
you can just turn on your laptop and talk to your clients again. You don’t need to be home by then. Most of all, freelance writing
is constantly evolving, as new ideas and needs crop up. Thus, even if you’re just at home or somewhere else, the learning
never stops—your purpose never ends.
7:33 am est
Saturday, January 10, 2009
I Need A WriterWith so much information on the web today, many companies and individuals have a difficult time finding a quality and dependable
writer. My passion and ambition in writing is to communicate from one human soul to another. If you're saying,
"I need a writer..." you just found yourself one.
Take a moment to browse through my portfolio.
If you're in need of web content, creative writing, technical writing, a press release, poetry, SEO,etc. then you've
come to the right place.
I believe in the human connection so I am always available through email and phone.
Being a writer is so much more than making a quick buck; it's about people, a message and the skill of communication.
Take a look. Enjoy your searching and hopefully you will have found your writer.
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