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Topic: Any freelance writers out there?? Need help
| Author | Message |
| mushkambaryan | Posted – 12/17/2007 6:01:42 PM | show profile Hello again, everyone! I know that some of you are freelance writers. One of my prospects creates videos for realtors where they display and describe properties. They use freelance copywriters. My concern is, they pay $100 per 3-4 minute script. And do not provide 50% upfront. Don't you think, it's a little too low?? Shouldn't it be around $400-$500 per script?? Any thoughts? |
| Canadiana | Posted – 12/17/2007 9:14:53 PM | show profile Off the top o' my head: yes. How long do you think it will take you to write each script? You should be paid about $50 an hour although I'm sure others here will say more. I've never received a percentage upfront but luckily have not had a problem with getting paid from any client. |
| westsidestory | Posted – 12/17/2007 10:31:20 PM | show profile $100 per minute. Up front - 25% at least. |
| writesonwater | Posted – 12/17/2007 11:29:28 PM | show profile West -- per minute? surely you jest ... I think at least $50 an hour, but I would also set a project min. I have a client that gives me something that really needs reworking. A few verbal kung fu flips and twitchy fixes and it's all better. It may take hardly any time at all, but it's a huge deal for them and I have a minimum. |
| mushkambaryan | Posted – 12/17/2007 11:43:02 PM | show profile The prospect says that they have a structured pay cycle in place and will not reinvent the wheel for me. If they are working with other writers, and those writers are good, how can they possibly get away with paying them meagerly $100?? What experienced copywriter would ever agree to that? Like I said, the script lasts for 3-4 minutes, but it's a lot of work. And a lot of words could fit into those 3-4 minutes. I will say to them, $200 is my minimum (revisions are free of charge...) Thoughts?? |
| words2spare | Posted – 12/18/2007 1:14:42 AM | show profile | email poster do every writer out here a favor and respect yourself This client is devaluing our entire profession, as is anyone who calls themselves a professional writer who would take this job. It is not until we stand up for ourselves and demand adequate compensation that we will be able to stop this abuse. If the client thinks $100 is proper compensation tell them politely that they are insulting professional writers. Then walk. Let them hire somebody with no skills and no talent for $100. Then they will either get the crap they deserve, or come back to us professionals with a realistic budget. How much do you think this script you write will make them in sales, even if it only helps them sell one property? Now does $100 seem like just compensation for your contribution? |
| fourfold | Posted – 12/18/2007 7:50:50 AM | show profile | email poster Seems very low to me. I think westsidestory meant $100 per minute of the script, which would be $300-$400. If the client says they can't reinvent the wheel for you, say, "gee, thanks for thinking of me but I don't think I can do it for that amount of money." Do not, as one poster suggested, "tell them politely that they are insulting professional writers everywhere." How do you say that politely? |
| writesonwater | Posted – 12/18/2007 8:42:17 AM | show profile There are lowballers out there -- people who would never dream of trying to live on what they ask others to. I think the poster is right about having to be diplomatic -- but you have to hold your ground as well. I like the idea of $200 with up to two free revisions. ON the revision thing, you might have to be careful -- some people (perhaps the same lowballers) are unprofessional enough to go completely different directions on third drafts, etc. This can be particularly true as different cooks get involved in the process and try to redirect the recipe. One piece of background that may be a consideration: Your prospect may be limited by what they can charge their clients, the realtors paying for the scripts -- the real estate business is pretty sucky right now with the mortgage debacle, so they may be trying to offer sweet deals to entice business. |
| Metro Writer | Posted – 12/18/2007 9:57:41 AM | show profile WOW has the right idea about revisions, but I would limit it to two minor ones. Otherwise you risk a client who is never satisfied and you will be putting in a lot more work for no extra money. As far as getting good writers for so little money, they're not being honest with you unless they have very low standards on what they consider to be good writing. |
| mushkambaryan | Posted – 12/18/2007 1:57:14 PM | show profile Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, guys! I saw some of their videos on their website. They are very well-written and well-produced. IMO! People who wrote them cannot be inexperienced or low-quality professionals. So, the prospect either tries to bargain me down or...I don't even know what to think. Based on their website and videos, they ARE working with good writers. Anyway, I offered $200. Take it or leave it! |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 12/18/2007 3:44:54 PM | show profile You will have no trouble finding people who will let you write for them for as little as you will accept. The best practice is to have an idea of industry standards and have a line in the sand minimum and preferred rate. Ask for what you want and walk away from low offers. You'll lose some business but do much better in the long run. |
| mushkambaryan | Posted – 12/18/2007 4:56:48 PM | show profile Excellent point, Dribble! Thank you so much for your input. It's better to walk away from bad prospects than let them use or abuse you. There is no shortage of weasels out there. Let's not perpetuate the notion that writers can work for free or for peanuts. Writing is hard work. And we deserve to be compensated! |
