Tag Archives: freelance writing

Freelance Writing Rates: Holding steady since 1973

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Larry will write for you for super cheap. In fact, he just needs a free lunch and some kind words.

So, we’re watching Almost Famous the other day and it gets to the part where, in 1973, Rolling Stone’s Ben Fong-Torres asks William if he wants to do a story for on Stillwater for the magazine. He offers him $700, then ups to $1000 when he mistakenly assumes William’s silence means he’s holding out for more. Funny, yes, but Matt (my boyfriend, also a writer) looked at each other and laughed for a different reason — his fee is not that different to what freelance writing rates are today. In fact, getting $1000 for a feature is still quite a good rate unless you’re dealing with the big boys. Of course, Rolling Stone is one of the biggest and I’m sure the pay their writers well, but that’s the exception, not the rule.

If you want to really see freelance writing rates in action, check out Craigslist’s jobs section. The posts almost always offer completely laughable rates, or offer it for “someone who wants to build their portfolio” aka, write for free. There’s someone on there who’s taken to chastising people for these low offers and I get a kick out of their crusade.

The thing is, writers don’t get much respect. And it kind of sucks. Aside from too much competition in the market and too many people willing to work for next-to-nothing, there’s a general lack of understanding in as to the value of good writing. People always want to cheap out on the writing. And unfortunately, it shines through and through in the work, whether it’s a brochure, a website, or an article.

What do you do, though? Well, it would be nice if other people stopped writing for free or shit pay, but that’s not going to happen. I just try to only write for people that compensate me accordingly — which they tend to once they realize that a crappy writer isn’t worth the battle. There are only so many hours in the day, and you need to make enough each hour to make ends meet. Tough gig, this freelance writing.

Better to be ‘free’ in recession?

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I find myself increasingly concerned about the economy lately–not just becuase it’s bad for everyone when recession hits, but more selfishly, for myself, a self-employed writer.

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Granted, I do not run a restaurant located next to the GM plant (thank goodness) or hold stock in Bear Stearns, but nonetheless, I find myself worrying about financial security as the nation’s purse strings collectively tighten.

But should I be more worried or less worried than my salaried peers? I’m not sure. When there’s less budget to spend, do companies layoff staff and move to contractors or they keep staff and get rid of the contractors?

My friend Jim Carroll, a trends and innovation expert, told me this winter that his research indicated that young people increasingly feel that working for themselves is more secure than working for a company. And recently, he wrote about the increasingly independent nature of professionals.

“60% of engineers and architects are expected to be working on a contingent basis by 2012,” he writes. “That’s a huge number — and is indicative of our onward march to a massively nomadic workforce.”

Reading Jim’s posts always make me feel better–he’s been incredibly successful and is an enthusiastic proponent of working for yourself. (He’s been doing it for almost 20 years.) He has also reminded me about the global nature of today’s marketplace and that people like me really stand to benefit from it. So, with Jim’s advice in mind, I remind myself that unlike many of my peers, I am used to hustling for work, being interviewed and chasing after assignments. Nevertheless, it’s a bit nerve wracking.

Do you work for yourself? Are you worried about financial stability as the economy dips? Is it better to work for yourself in recession (as a service provider, not a restaurant owner) or secure yourself a salary? Comment away!

Photo: www.SocialTechnologies.com

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