Freelance Writers: Seven Standard Rules for Getting the Rate You Want

Feel taken advantage of as a freelance writer? Feel like you are working harder for less money all the time?

Following are 7 rules for getting the rate you want - and deserve.

1. No bargaining

Would you go into The Gap and ask them, "Would you take $45 for these jeans instead of $60?" No, you wouldn't because they'd probably look at you like you were crazy.

So, why be so quick to haggle with potential clients? You're not just a "freelance writer." You are a business, just like The Gap. They have overhead like salaries, marketing, rent, etc. to pay for. Well, so do you.

And, you don't have to say this to clients - it's all in how you present yourself and your business. Present a professional image, and the majority of clients won't even dream of asking you to cut your rate.

NOTE: Now, I do believe in giving discounts - eg, for first-time projects, for bulk projects, for continuing projects, etc. This is akin to sales and/or promotional campaigns in a retail store.

2. Target a "Savvy, No Nonsense" Market

And, what I mean by this is, a market that is accustomed to dealing with businesses, not "just a freelancer."

This is why I like targeting businesses. When they contract a service, they already know what their budget is and if they can afford you. They will usually give you a yes or no very quickly - and won't string you along with "maybes, if you cut your rate, when the next client pays, etc."

They will deal with you as a business because they recognize the value you bring to their business. This brings me to my third point . . .

3. Quantifiable Results

Offer quantifiable results to clients.

Use hard numbers to illustrate a point. Nothing sells like results a client can see in black and white.

While you can't guarantee results, you can give them realistic examples of how your services can add to their bottom line - which is really all most want.

4. Examples

If you have "before and after" copy of a website you've redone, or an example of a brochure you created from scratch, or results achieved from a case study you did for a previous client - share this.