Seriously, if another person comes up to me asking me how the terrible, terrible economy is hitting me, I am seriously going to consider running away. Or merely turning my computer off and never ‘chat’ with another soul again. Sure, we’re all hit by the ailing economy…and as writers, we are hit harder because not only do we have to contend with really good writers, we now have to contest for the same job with mediocre but really cheap writers too.
This can’t be good for a writer like me…and here I am, telling it as it is (again) that, yes, we’re hit. Writers are hit….just like the man who sells soya bean paste, and the guy who sells noodles, just like Nike, just like the manufacturer of baby products.
But here’s where the freelance writing market is different. With the economy in such a state, more and more people are out of work…and not all of them are cut out for work as a writer (phew!), so they explore options like online businesses, network marketing or start selling scrapbooking materials, etc.
When there’s a new business…what do we have? YES! Online marketing and promotions! Well, not all of them are going to market themselves online or sell a single damn thing online but at the very least, they’re going to need some web content work done, right? Absolutely.
From my point of view, even if they don’t intend to have a website or a blog, they are going to need someone to write their brochures, newsletters or…say…their proposals?
If you’re a budding writer, here’s where you fit in (cue: title track from Indiana Jones) and you’ve already got your freelance business all set-up and ready to rock and roll, you’re going to be the first few in line for these new projects.
Bloomberg is correct. So’s CNN. We’re nose-diving financially but this does not AUTOMATICALLY mean that there are no freelance jobs out there for freelance writers. There are plenty. All you have to do is to look in the right place and be patient.
And oh…remember to promote yourself too. It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there right now.
What’s the difference between a business writer, a blog writer, a web content writer and a copywriter?
I don’t blame others if they think that there is only one type of writers in this world….and if one was a writer, he or she should be able to write just about anything under the sun. The reality is that, writers specialize too - and there are many types of areas that a writer can specialize in. Don’t be surprised if you get your nose smacked out of your skull to find out that there are more than twenty types of writers out there in the market. But I’ll start with the basic four…
The stuffy writers - Writers who write business stuff
Business writers basically write…well, business stuff? The assignments that these type of writers takes on usually relate to a business – whether building one, marketing one, promoting one or writing to advertise one. The writer basically deals with the company’s core products or writes materials that helps build internal unity or get more exposure. Powerpoint presentations are really popular with these types of writers because Powerpoint is, let’s admit is, is easy on the eye, don’t need all that many words, is rather hard to summarize BUT….is regularly needed and edited.
The rant and raving type of writer – The Blogger writer
About ten years ago, when I first started out as a freelance writer, this was unheard of. I mean, come on…who could have imagined hiring someone to write your online journal for you? I can’t quite imagine that – well, except when a ghostwriter is hired to write an autobiography. Blog writers are a bunch of writers who are hired to update a blog, a not-so-new revolutionary method of promoting companies’ blogs in the blogosphere.
Companies often hire individual freelance blog writers to maintain the blogs which may also involve a little bit of research on the writer’s part. The writing often directly promotes the products or services of the company in a friendly and fun way. That, in itself, is a talent not all writers have because a really good blog writer knows how to strike the balance between getting personal, informative without being overly pushy with the sales bit.
Fill in the web writers – content writing for websites
Some are confused about the difference between a web content writer and a blogger. Essentially, blog writers and web content writers write for the internet…that much is true and that is also where the similarity ends. Let’s just say that while blog writers have every reason to get a little ‘friendly’ and ‘chummy’ with their writing style, web content writers have (usually) more rules to observe.
The role of web content writers is to write articles relating to the business, products and services for the website of the company. It’s usually becomes a part of the website – in all fairness, there responsibility and style of a web content writer overlaps with a business writer’s, so, there’s no reason why you can’t hire one person to be both.
The sell sell sell writers – Copywriters
People are often much more impressed with copywriters than they are with business writers because the job of a copywriter is to entice the consumers to part with their money. When a copywriter makes it, this person often earns a higher reward than what a business writer would. They get more recognition too. As fabulous as being a copywriter is, their roles are often amplified with tight deadlines and aggressive bosses so….
In short, when one is hired as a copywriter, his or her role is to write in such a fashion that it elicits response! Lots of it!
One of the most common questions a fledgling freelancer asks is, “Someone wants me to write some articles for them and name my price. How much do I charge?”
You have to come up with a number… so what do you do?
There are lots of things you can do to determine a price to charge:
First, you can charge a flat-rate for your writing and sell it the same to every person.
Usually this is a per word rate, such as 1-100 words for XX dollars, 101-250 words for XX dollars, and so on, or it can be a flat rate per word such as $0.10-1.00 per word, or more or less. You set the rate. The problem with flat rates is that every writing is different and the research and time it takes to write varies and thus so should the price.
One thing you can do is try to put it back on the contractor requesting your services. Tell them, “I don’t have a flat rate, but rather charge for each unique project,” and then ask them, “Did you have a budget you were looking at for this project?”
They might or might not tell you, but maybe they’ll hint at an amount so that you know what your ballpark is to work with.
If they won’t offer you any hint, then the next step is to look at other publications/sites that are similar to what is being asked of you and find out what the going rate is, or as close to it as you can get, and then set a rate that is close to that going rate.
Set your rate a bit higher than you really want or need and be prepared to offer a lower rate if they say that’s too high. After all, it’s a negotiation as it would be with any contracting type of job. Also, set yourself a threshold that you will not accept less than XX amount, and don’t let them talk you into less than that unless they can offer you some other benefit besides cash (backlink, free promotion for other things, etc that might benefit you).
Your goal as a freelancer should be to constantly increase your breadth of published credits and to make money to support you in your career. That does sometimes mean taking higher and lower payment on similar type content, BUT if someone is really lowballing you, don’t sell yourself short. You’ll get a reputation of working for peanuts and eventually that’s the only jobs you’re going to be able to get.
So, to recap:
• look at what others are paying/charging for similar content
• try to get the contractor to let you in on their budget
• don’t sell yourself short
• offer a bit higher than you are acting ‘needing’
• set a minimum threshold and don’t go below it
• and did I mention don’t sell yourself short?
Keep in mind, writing is a profession. Regardless of what some people may think or tell you, writing well is a skill, a talent, an art… and you deserve to be paid a livable wage for the quality work that you do.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michelle L Devon is a professional writer and freelance editor, providing editing and writing services through her company, Accentuate Services. To network and connect with other writers, please visit her FREE writer’s forum at http://www.writersforum.info. For more freelance writing hints and tips visit Michy’s freelance blog at http://michysthoughts.blogspot.com/
Please feel free to share this article on your blog, newsletter, website or other print/electronic format, provided the article is not edited and all links are live where possible. Thank you!
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Being a mother, a housewife and a work at home parent at the same time can be blissfully fulfilling. We’re reaping the rewards of having the best of both worlds…i.e., earning an income and contributing to the sustenance of the family while being there with our children and watching them grow up. It’s the kind of immeasurable sense of fulfillment that no other types of careers can ever emulate.
But….
….if you’re not careful, reaping the rewards of having the best of both worlds can turn around, rear its ugly head and chomp off a huge chunk of your thigh! (Oh. Hang on….that ain’t such a bad idea after all). The thing is that there’s always a good and bad about everything….now, we all agree on that one. Now, when one is working from home and caring for the kids at the same time, you’re not only facing double the advantages but you’re going to be facing double the STRESS as well! Don’t ever forget that, ok, all you moms out there who are just like me.
Therefore, I found this particular website very useful….http://2work-at-home.com. Needless to say, the website is designed for mothers AND fathers who choose to be greedy and yank the whole cake off the table and decide to work from home. From freelance jobs like freelance writing jobs, freelance web designing jobs, freelance admin jobs, or home based businesses, they list a lot of stuff there and most of the things found on this website, as proven by the number of years that I have been safely using them, are legitimate and real.
Well, if you’re trying to find work as a freelance writer, you might want to hop on over for a quick lookie!
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Those of who who are looking for writing jobs, here’s one for you! Send the email together with your resume and negotiate your pricing from there, based on the requirements.
***
Applicants required to live in a specified location? No
Job category: Writing
Job type: Contract
Date Posted: 2007-12-10
Job description:
Ready to make a difference? We are a new bright green eco-conscious company seeking freelance writers and editors for a new high-profile, environmentally-focused website. Successful candidate will write editorial features in the “green” business and sustainable living space, for both consumer and business markets. Opportunity for both feature assignments and ongoing paid blogging.
Requirements:
Looking for candidate with exceptional writing skills, with deep knowledge and published clips in one or more of the following areas:
* Green Business and Sustainability Practices
* Clean Technology & Innovation
* Environmentally-Friendly Goods and Services
* Campus Environmentalism
* Environmental Activism and Nonprofit Orgs
* Eco-Living
* Green Media and Entertainment
PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR RESUME AND LIST OF CREDITS AS IN-LINE TEXT. PREFER LINKS TO WRITING SAMPLES. NO ATTACHMENTS.
kyotoplanetcom @ gmail.com (delete the spaces to send email)