Among the many important themes that run through Laura Poole’s new Dr. Freelance Advisor Guide, Juggling on a High Wire: The Art of Work-Life Balance When You’re Self-Employed, self-employment guilt is the one I want to discuss today. While January is a time of shiny-fresh slates, December can be particularly tough for freelancers and those who are self-employed. Here’s why: [Read more…]
Editing rates and negotiating
Dr. Freelance: I was approached by a successful entrepreneur and aspiring author who’s written a massive book about his industry. I initially gave him my editing rates in an hourly rate (a mistake, I know!), and he asked me to calculate a project fee based on the document as it stands. Well, my estimate was about 25% above his budget, and now he’s asking me to lower my rates. (He still wants me to edit the book, based on my own experience in his industry and the editing sample I sent him.) The challenge is that he wants more than just copyediting: He wants to cut out a lot of fluff, and there are some organizational issues I’d need to address as well as cleaning up the manuscript. I truly believe that my estimate is fair, but I’m torn between wanting the gig and needing to stand my ground.—What’s My Next Move? [Read more…]
You need to watch your own tail
On Halloween night a few years back, a young girl dressed as a lion marched up to my wife on our front patio and said, “My mom says that you shouldn’t have candles in your pumpkin, because my tail is flammable.”
My wife replied, “Well, I guess you’re going to have to watch your own tail.”
This post isn’t about safety around open flames or teaching kids about manners. It is, however, about personal responsibility in freelancing. [Read more…]
The need for speed [in freelance writing]
Dr. Freelance: I’ve been offered $0.10 a word, for a total of $9350, between now and December 30 to provide writing content for five different websites. No two sentences can be the same. I’m trying to decide if this is physically possible.—Karin
I’ll be honest: When I first read this, I was thinking you’d been offered a freelance writing job for 9,350 words, which is physically possible. But after our follow-up conversation, I understand that the project is actually a headier 93,500 words. I wrote a bit about writing speed in “How much time will it take to write the copy?” a while back, but let’s break your particular situation into its component parts—because it’s not just about the need for speed. It’s about math. [Read more…]
When editors make misteaks
Dr. Freelance, I submitted an error-free article to a magazine, only to discover that mistakes were added to it sometime before publication! Since I’m relatively new to freelance writing, this is particularly embarrassing and painful, since I will find myself explaining the typos to potential clients and editors that I show the article to. My question is, do I say something to the editor, and if so, what? I obviously don’t want to burn any bridges and jeopardize the potential for future assignments.—It Wasn’t Me [Read more…]
Help! I’m underpricing my freelance rates
Dr. Freelance: You have probably heard this before, but I constantly look at the going freelance rates for a project on one of the industry rate charts, add up the average per page/word costs, then think, “I can’t charge THAT!” So I end up underpricing myself and throwing in freebies such as marketing plans and so on.
I am aware of the danger of undervaluing my work, but I have really yet to find a client who understands the value in what they are receiving and are willing to pay full price. I recently lost out on an editing project, which I’d priced at $1,500 for 80 hours, to another editor who charged $400. I understand that I need to do a better job of pricing accurately, but how do I avoid losing work to someone who’s supplementing their retirement income with a few dollars?—Shooting Myself in the Foot [Read more…]
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