Comments on: Taking Baby Steps for a Better Pay Rate for Writing

By: Ed

Ed — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:26:01 +0000

@James – I’m moving to flat rate, also. It seems to help self-limit the PLR type that want to pay pennies. The change is also removing me from the blogging market and helping me concentrate on journalism and corporate clients.

By: James Chartrand

James Chartrand — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:54:54 +0000

@ Ed – I’ll take flat rate any day and here’s why: Most clients can’t figure out how many words they need, what amount that comes to for them and what they’ll end up paying. Give them a nice, solid number and say, “Here’s what it’ll cost you.”

By: Ed

Ed — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:28:07 +0000

James, I’ve found it easier to raise rates as your confidence also increases. The question now is whether to stick with per-word or go with a flat rate and in what situations either option is best suited.

By: How to Land Repeat Clients That Pay Well | Business Tips for Writers

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:08:55 +0000

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By: Shirlene

Shirlene — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:09:00 +0000

Excellent tips. Wonderful way to work a business including web design which is the other thing I do. Thank you for this.

By: James Chartrand

James Chartrand — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 11:36:02 +0000

@ Hazel – It’s a start. And slowly, as you continue working, you can raise rates a little and eventually get to the point you need to be.

(And yeah, good sidebar, eh?)

@ Susan – Tricky is an understatement!

By: Susan

Susan — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 03:48:37 +0000

Nice post, it’s always tricky to determine a pay scale when clients range from small businesses all the way up to corporations.

By: hazel

hazel — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:42:44 +0000

Great post, interesting discussion.

I’ve also sometimes asked for “just a little bit more” from my lowest-paying client. After first telling me the budget was fixed, she upped me $25 on a $300 gig, so I did OK on that one. It’s still too low for what I do for her, but she was there for me when the bottom fell out of my market early last year, so I’m keeping her on anyway.

BTW, I love the “looking for more tips?” sidebar – very enticing!