What is Your Time Worth? Calculating Rates

Image via WikipediaIn setting prices for work and in deciding if a gig is ‘worth it’, there are numerous factors to consider. While picking a number out of the air that sounds good is possible, it is not practical.

One basic way to calculate rates is determining how much money you want or need to make per hour. Once you are experienced with your particular brand of writing projects, it is easy to calculate accurately how long it takes you to accomplish various tasks.

For example:

If you can write two 500-word articles that are light to medium in research in one hour and wish to make $30 per hour, you need to get at least $15 per 500 word article.

However, you also need to consider if that $30 will cover all of your expenses related to those articles and your writing business in general. Taxes, internet, licenses, business registration, advertising and even Paypal fees may need to be covered.

There are some wonderful resources online that help you calculate what you need to charge and remind you of all the little things you need to consider. I have listed a few of those below, and have also included a rates resource to show you the average rates charged by your peers.

Editorial Freelancers Association. Current Editorial Rates (Updated Sept. 2008)
http://www.the-efa.org/res/rates.php

The How-To Catalog. Putting A Price On Your Capabilities: How To Set Your Fees As A Freelance Writer by Debra Jason.
http://www.writedirection.com/rprt300e.htm

About.Com: Freelance Writing. How Much Should I Charge by Allena Tapia.
http://freelancewrite.about.com/od/finances/f/rates.htm

Freelance Switch Hourly Rate Calculator
http://freelanceswitch.com/rates/

Freelance Writing Contracts: Pay Half Upfront

Image via WikipediaOne thing I have learned to do in writing up my freelance contracts and beginning business with new clients is to ask for half the payment upfront. I use PayPal so the buyer (client) feels they have some protection in the deal, too.

I do this because too many scammers are out there who will ask for work, not pay, and then make use of your work. Some will claim it was not up to par, others will never communicate with you again.

When I collect half the money upfront, I know it will not be a total waste of my time to create articles (or whatever)for my new client. I know that I will have at least some compensation for my work. It also tells me they are likely to be serious, legitimate clients when they are willing to pay half upfront. They understand that many businesses operate in that manner.

When it comes to freelance writing, you want your clients to feel safe and comfortable with you, but you also need to protect yourself. Asking for half the fee upfront is common business practice, and one way to protect yourself from being scammed.

The Myths About Working from Home

Over on Freelance Writing Jobs, Deb Ng shed light on some common myths, and the community chimed in. Read the myth-busting blogpost:

Freelance Writing Jobs: Working at Home: Myths vs. Reality

As a freelance writer, what myths have you run across and what myths have you busted?

The two I have run across the most is that freelance writing is 'so easy anyone can do it' and 'working from home is easy/offers a lot of playtime'.

Free Stuff for Freelance Writers

Image via WikipediaHere are a few links to help you organize your time and projects as well as promote and ‘professionalize’ your business:

Custom Planner Templates

Business Fax Covers

Business Card Templates

Stationery and Envelopes

Free Post-its

Track Your Spending and Manage Your Finances

Calendars, Lists, Reminders (mobile phone access, too!)


If you know of more freebies that help freelance writers, please let me know so I can add them to this list. Thanks!

Playing the Client Shuffle – Happy New Year!

Image via WikipediaWhile many view New Year’s as a time to make resolutions and make changes, in the life of a freelance writer, every month can be a time of making changes. Projects end, clients come and go, pay rates abruptly change, and work opportunities are like hot dates – they come in cycles of feast and famine. It can be difficult to formulate a concrete work plan when so much can be up in the air – especially considering the U.S. economy as of late.

Something I do while playing the client shuffle is reassess where I am at in my writing career and what I want to accomplish. I want to work fewer hours for more pay. For me, that plan has been in progress for the past year and while it has not progressed as quickly as I would have liked, it has indeed progressed.

Another aspect of my plan is to only take the work I want and enjoy. No more tedium and endless articles on b-o-r-i-n-g topics that numb my brain while my eyes glaze over and I begin to drool. (Seriously – it is not pretty!)

I have had some ‘lucky breaks’ along the way, but I have also worked hard to increase my skills, pad my resume, and learn from the masters. I no longer feel like I need to take low paying gigs or tedious work in order to pay the bills. I have my financial house in order and I have worked my way up to much better pay than what I got when I started. I still have plenty of room for growth and improvement, but I have the time and the drive to get there.

When it comes to your freelance plan for the new year, what do you hope to accomplish?

The Freelance National Anthem - Everybody Sing Along

I'd like to give special thanks to Deb Ng at Freelance Writing Jobs for posting this great video. The song is played twice, with the second time accompanied by lyrics so all may sing along.

Please join me in singing The Freelance National Anthem:



Today's Question:
What do YOU love best about Freelancing?

Best Sources for Finding Writing Work – Perpetual List

Last Update: January 5, 2009

Whether it is for magazines, newspapers, or other enterprises, there are some places where good job offerings for writers are compiled and listed on a daily or otherwise frequent basis.

This list will be updated as I collect more great sources of job listings. A permanent link to this list is in the sidebar for your convenience.


1-Freelance Writing Jobs
www.freelancewritinggigs.com

Daily listings of work each weekday, plus “Monday Markets” listing of magazine writing opportunities. During the week, Deb and the others on her team post information related to freelance writing and blogging, as well.

2-Accentuate Services
http://www.accentuateservices.com/xmb/forumdisplay.php?fid=3

Frequently updated list of paid writing gigs, primarily magazines. Site wide challenges, contests, and forums. Michy is a published author, and also writes a blog for writers: Editing & Proofreading Hints & Tips.

3-All Freelance Writing Jobs
http://allfreelancewritingjobs.com/

Regularly updated list of job leads, with a key to help you discern if its right for you or not. Also on the site are great articles by Jennifer, who has recently published a very helpful ebook for web writers.

NOTE: I got to preview the book, and it is fabulous! I am very picky when it comes to spending money on books, and I would buy this one. As a pre-viewer I got a free copy, though I forgot about that and was ready to buy one until I was reminded of that fact! *laugh*


4- Freelance Writing at About.com.
http://freelancewrite.about.com/

Guide Allena Tapia complied a 5 part listing of places to look for freelance writing work. Her section on about.com may be subscribed to and is a fabulous resource for freelance writers. Here are her job listing links:

Part 1:http://freelancewrite.about.com/od/freelancejobresources/tp/Freelance-Jobs.htm

Part 2: http://freelancewrite.about.com/od/freelancejobresources/a/FreelanceJobs.htm

Part 3: http://freelancewrite.about.com/od/freelancejobresources/a/Jobsthree.htm

Part 4: http://freelancewrite.about.com/od/freelancejobresources/a/FWJ4of5.htm

Part 5: http://freelancewrite.about.com/od/freelancejobresources/a/FWJ5.htm?nl=1

For 2009, she added more leads (non-repetitive) that she will add to the others. For now, here are her new leads: http://freelancewrite.about.com/b/2009/01/02/freelance-writing-job-leads.htm?nl=1

5-Online Writing Jobs
http://www.onlinewritingjobs.net/

Robert is a freelance writer who is providing this free review service for other freelance writers. He reviews places that buy content and posts the reviews on his site. Other great information is available there as well, including how to make $300 in one day with writing. He later posted proof of those payments.

If you know of any more top-notch writing gigs boards, blogs, or websites, please let me know so they may be included in this list.

Welcome Back to Beginning Write!

Photo © Chance Agrella


After a hiatus, Beginning Write is back with a new look and new information. I can't guarantee regular posts, but I promise to blog about and list the best information I can find to help freelance writers. I will share personal experiences, thoughts, and opinions related to my life as a freelance writer as well.

This blog is not a daily newsflash kind of blog. This is a reference source for writers kind of blog. The information in this blog will be evergreen as much as possible, and I will be updating information as needed.

A few things I will be adding to Beginning Write will be sources of additional great freelancing info, job lead sites, and a compilation of 'content mills' that are legit. I will also be adding information about SEO, how to set your rates, taxes, contracts, monetizing your sites/blogs, grammar, punctuation, style guides, spelling, writing tips, and much more.

So, please pour yourself a tasty beverage, kick back, and enjoy! Your comments, thoughts, opinions, and questions are always welcome - unless they are inappropriate, spam, rude, or otherwise deemed crap not fit for print. ;-)