How to Get The Best Freelance Writing Rate

If you don't ask, you don't get. This is an old saying that works well for freelance writers who are trying to get paid fairly for writing. Negotiation is a key skill for both new and experienced freelance writers. Here are my top tips to help freelance writers learn to negotiate the best price for their writing services.

1. Is The Price Right?

New writers often need to learn how to charge for writing jobs. There is a world of difference (in payment terms) between writing an article for a new ezine and writing an article for an established print publication. Ghostwriting, copywriting and press release writing will all be worth different sums depending on the writer's experience and skill.

Writers who have a lot of experience and many samples of their work will be able to charge more than writers who are just starting out. New freelance writers should consider working for less than the going rate until they have gained experience. Once writers gain experience, they will often be able to get paid fairly for their writing.

There are several free online resources to help writers with setting a price for their writing. For example, WritersMarket.com has an extended essay called 'How Much Should I Charge?' that gives rate guidelines for most types of writing. This is where I usually start if I am asked to quote for a new type of writing job.

2. Minimum Wage

Freelance writers will find that even though they might have the skill and experience to earn a particular amount, they will not always get it. Although the online marketplace means that there are thousands of worldwide opportunities for freelance writers, writers are also competing for jobs against writers from all over the world. This means that those who are buying writing services can get them from the cheapest places. Freelance writers should therefore know the minimum they need to earn in order to manage their lives. This will allow writers to have a minimum price in mind for their writing services.

Example: I would like to earn $1100 from writing this month. However, $1050 would allow me to pay my bills. I have already earned $950 so far. Instead of charging $150 for my next writing job, I can charge $100. This may help me to win the commission and pay my bills.

3. Set Objectives

Writers should go into any negotiation armed with the high and low figures they have worked out. They should also know when they would like to deliver the piece of writing. Editors and publishers will also have objectives. Writers should never accept a first offer, as editors will usually be able to offer more. The exception is if the offer is fantastic or the writer is inexperienced. Accepting a low first offer may mean that editors will always want to offer a similar price for future writing work.

4. Talk It Up

Freelance writers need to justify why they are worth the sum they are asking. Writers should therefore prepare clips that are relevant to the job and show glowing references if these are required. They should also be prepared to talk about how their relevant experience makes them right for this writing job. Then writers can be bold in asking for fair pay for their writing experience and writing skills. If editors and publishers think they are benefiting from writers' experience, they are more likely to pay a fair wage.

Example: A writer has been at home for the last five years, raising children or caring for relatives. When negotiating for a writing job, the writer does not mention that s/he has been home-based. Instead, the writer should emphasize his or her experience in parenting or caring issues. The writer thus turns a possible disadvantage into an advantage.

5. Keep It Quiet

Freelance writers also need to learn to keep some details to themselves. If writers' experience is not directly relevant to the writing job they are bidding for, revealing that information will weaken their negotiating position. Instead, writers should concentrate on the aspects of their experience that are relevant.

6. Be Positive

Negative language often brings negative results, so writers should try to keep their language positive. For example, instead of saying to editors: 'You're not paying me enough for my work', writer should try: 'That's a lower figure than I had in mind.' This makes writers seem reasonable and flexible and will help the negotiation go more smoothly.