Happy Friday! Let’s talk about rates today since a lot of people equate Friday with payday.
Do you have a minimum rate for your work? Does the time it takes you to complete an assignment come into play when you charge these rates or accept a job with a predetermined payment?
Of course we all want to earn as much money as we possibly can. As a freelance writer becomes more experienced, they will typically charge higher amounts for their work. Sometimes that work also takes longer to complete because as with any skill, harder jobs are typically done by more experienced people.
I just wanted to throw this out there to all of you: sometimes taking on a lesser paying job, that can be done quickly, will actually earn you more money!
As a Freelance Writer grows and gains experiences, they start to learn more about themselves as writers. The writer will notice a trend in the niches that are more enjoyable to write, what styles match the writer’s style better, and perhaps the writer even has a preference to article length. Some writers enjoy researching and learning new things or spilling out the same topics over and over again in the specialty of their choice. Some simply like to write quick and simple articles.
Today, I want to talk about the long articles that have higher payouts versus small articles with lower payouts. I have recently come across a couple of companies that pay on the low end of the pay scale, but the articles are very short and require little to no research. I decided to apply after hearing a little bit about them on the WAHM.com Moms Who Write message board.
I decided to apply, and have been hired for one of the companies already, because the work is actually going to earn me more money per hour than some of the bigger and higher paying content mills.
Okay, I know it’s Friday, but let’s talk math for a minute.
For example, I can write one article at Demand Studios for $15. With the research, choosing pictures, and finding resources, it takes a good hour to two hours for me to complete one assignment. That means I am working for $15 an hour or (gasp) $7.50 an hour. Yet, I can complete four or five of the smaller articles at one of these other companies in an hour. Even though those smaller articles might pay only $4 or $5, I am earning more money per hour because I can get them completed quickly. At the least, making $16 per hour when I complete 4 articles at $4 each in one hour. If I complete 5 articles at $4 each, I’ll make $20 an hour. If I can finish 25 articles a day, 5 days a week, this will give me about $2,600 a month of income (or more)! That sounds pretty good! I can easily complete 25 small, 300-400 word articles a day.
Of course, in order for this to really work well, the company needs to have a lot of assingmetns available so that there is enough work to actually complete 25 articles a day. If a writer is only going to be able to do a few small articles here and there, the low payments might not work out. Again, it really depends on the writer’s style and preferences.
Private clients are a whole ‘nother ball of wax. A writer can pick and choose their private clients and only contract with ones that pay high rates. The writer may still choose to take a smaller pay amount for very quick and easy work, or, the writer may hold out for bigger and better pay.
It really boils down to what works best for you as a Freelance Writer. There are all kinds of companies that hire freelance writers, just check out the huge List Of Companies That Hire Freelance Writers. I’m sure there are more that are not even listed and can be found on such sites as Craigslist.org or any of the many freelance writing job posting websites.
What do you think about writing short, easy articles for a lesser pay amount versus a higher pay for larger article that require more research and take longer to complete?
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18 comments
Deanna says:
08/20/2010 at 1:00 pm (UTC -5 )
Hi,
Great blog. I ran into you when I was researching an article. I also have a blog for writers called Write Moms. Stop by if you get a chance. I am going to add your blog to my list of blogs for my readers.
Cheers,
Deanna
Deb says:
08/21/2010 at 11:44 am (UTC -5 )
Hi Janis!
Great list of companies that hire freelance writers! I should have come here 1st instead of searching all over the net. Keep up the good work!!
Amber Hunter says:
08/22/2010 at 3:28 am (UTC -5 )
I timed myself the other day with the assignments I completed for Text Broker. I made $23 in an hour for whipping out a couple of easy assignments.
That said, there are more assignments on this site that have complicated writing instructions, multiple URLs included for research, crazy keyword phrase combinations that are difficult to work into an article naturally and so on. If I can avoid taking an assignment like that – I can make a good hourly wage from companies that offer low paying assignments.
Anyway, excellent article, Janis! I was just referred to you from Deanna’s Blog “Write Mom’s” for your sample resume. Happy to find another writer sharing their experiences!!
Amber
Janis Bennett
Twitter: janis_bennett
says:
08/23/2010 at 10:14 am (UTC -5 )
Sure, as long as you link back with credit to me, you can use my post.
Janis Bennett
Twitter: janis_bennett
says:
08/23/2010 at 10:17 am (UTC -5 )
Thank you Amber! I’m glad I could help you! I totally agree with you about Textbroker (and I write there from time to time)! Of course, articles that require a lot of research and links and such are not worth the smaller pay, but quick articles that can be written fast are definitely worth it!
Janis Bennett
Twitter: janis_bennett
says:
08/23/2010 at 10:18 am (UTC -5 )
Hi Deb!
I’m glad that list is helpful for you! I know I have a message on Firehow from you, I just havent been over there in a while. It is not as productive as I hoped it would be. I just signed up for Suite101 and will eventually get some articles up there for residual income.
Janis Bennett
Twitter: janis_bennett
says:
08/23/2010 at 10:20 am (UTC -5 )
HI Deanna! Thanks for visiting Freelance Writer Road. I went to your site and it’s great! I posted a comment and am now following you.
Amber Hunter says:
08/23/2010 at 2:53 pm (UTC -5 )
Oh yay! Another Suite writer.
I really love writing there, people are so friendly and helpful. It takes a little while to build up income though. Definitely think of it as a forward investment.
ipod shuffle accessories says:
08/25/2010 at 11:33 am (UTC -5 )
Thanks for the tip!
I am going to add your blog to my list!
Antionette Hegland says:
08/26/2010 at 6:03 am (UTC -5 )
Not bad at all, have been searching for some days on this topic, but only now I found what I was looking for, how cnaI thank you Admin?
Janis Bennett
Twitter: janis_bennett
says:
08/26/2010 at 7:58 am (UTC -5 )
Thanks Antionette! You can thank me by keep coming back and getting your friends to come visit my site too!
Janis Bennett
Twitter: janis_bennett
says:
08/26/2010 at 8:00 am (UTC -5 )
I would like to thank everyone that has posted such nice comments! I can’t always respond to everyone individually, but I try!
Janis Bennett
Twitter: janis_bennett
says:
08/30/2010 at 1:00 am (UTC -5 )
Thanks so much Lillie!
Janis Bennett
Twitter: janis_bennett
says:
08/30/2010 at 1:04 am (UTC -5 )
Thanks! I get a good amount of traffic! Of course, I’d love more! Who wouldn’t! The more people that come here, the more people I feel I’m helping, even if only in some tiny little way!
Backlinks says:
08/30/2010 at 2:52 pm (UTC -5 )
This is a good blog. Keep up all the work. I too love blogging and expressing my opinions. Thanks
Janis Bennett
Twitter: janis_bennett
says:
08/30/2010 at 9:24 pm (UTC -5 )
Thank you!
Janis Bennett
Twitter: janis_bennett
says:
08/30/2010 at 9:24 pm (UTC -5 )
Thanks!
Janis Bennett
Twitter: janis_bennett
says:
08/30/2010 at 9:26 pm (UTC -5 )
Thank you so much! I can not remember the exact place I found this WordPress theme, sorry! There are lots of great themes online, both free and paid ones. I’m sure you can find something great for your site.