Freelance writing on the cheap to begin with

NJFoster · Dec 17, 2008

Is it worth it?

I've been messing around with a few websites and ended up with some articles left over I couldn't seem to make fit, so i sold them for a few bucks.

Now I have had some requests for other work at a penny a word. Hardly great stuff but I'm doing it because

a) quick couple of bucks before christmas
b) its on subjects I can knock articles out for in my sleep, for my work I always have the figures to hand
c) I am a self emplyed recruitment consultant - I suspect having another income stream might be useful for awhile!

But obviously I don't want to stay on pennies a word. I got wondering, is it worth me pitching myself to some webcontent companies as a penny a word guy for awhile and then put up my rates after they see what I can produce. Or would they only ever pay pennies and I would be better off targetting some higher market payers straight away?

Either way i will knock out a few dozen articles at a penny a word simply to get some testimonials for my website and to find my 'voice' in article writing, but from january onwards I am thinking of trying to make a proper go of this so would like advice

cheap to begin with or hit the high payers straight off bat?

psykeout · Dec 17, 2008

To me, I think that every opportunity you have to get your work out there, take it. If you create a stable income on pennies a word (possible), then you open yourself up to other opportunities.

The way that I look at it is, don't turn down an opportunity that may lead to a bigger one. One place that pays pennies per word may publish your work and someone who pays dollars per word may contact you.

If you can knock them out in your sleep, then it's not an issue.

NJFoster · Dec 17, 2008

TnD said:
To me, I think that every opportunity you have to get your work out there, take it. If you create a stable income on pennies a word (possible), then you open yourself up to other opportunities.

The way that I look at it is, don't turn down an opportunity that may lead to a bigger one. One place that pays pennies per word may publish your work and someone who pays dollars per word may contact you.

If you can knock them out in your sleep, then it's not an issue.

Thats kinda what I'm thinking. one client gave me 8 articles to do at a penny a word that needed some research, but he loved it and has me down to do a new project over the new year at a huge (sic) 3pennies a word.

Another has also upped it to two penies a word for the next project

I know not impressive but if they continue being 500 word articles that I have all the research and knowledge for anyway (e.g. business creation, job hunting, cv writing etc) then it turns out to be quite a useful revenue stream.

Mumut · Dec 17, 2008

As TnD says, big things can grow from small beginnings. Good luck with the writing.

WildScribe · Dec 17, 2008

I don't do pennies a word anymore, but I used to, rather often. I found that most clients who start out paying those rates will not ever raise them, or won't raise them much, but you can use that income as a comfy starting point to find new, better clients.

caseyquinn · Dec 18, 2008

IMO, its worth it. Many writers will tell you its not, but that is only because they forgot how they started OR they got a lucky break then they started. Most writers start with low paying jobs and work their way over time. That is the way my wife became a full time writer so its possible. Keep at it with quality and try to get some work out there with your own byline, doors will open if you stick around long enough

samcollie · Dec 18, 2008

Another way to look at it is the time you spend on the pennies a word jobs. If you can crank them out quickly, that's one thing. If they take a lot of your time, that's taking away from time where you could be either querying higher paying jobs, or writing articles at a higher rate.
Several years ago I started declining jobs below a certain amount, and focused my time going after higher paying opportunities. It worked out great for me.
Good luck!

Laurie PK · Dec 18, 2008

If it makes sense to you to write for pennies a word, then go for it! You are gaining the things you've mentioned - and it will improve your writing skills, clips, confidence, etc.

But don't tie yourself to it forever. That is, once you've learned all you can from those assignments, make sure you venture into new lands. And, once you've successfully completed some pennies-a-word assignments, don't be afraid to ask those editors for 15 or 20 cents a word. You've proven your worth, and if they don't acknowledge it, then you're free to peddle your wares elsewhere. Some may give you a raise, others may not...I don't think they all operate the same.

One day you'll be earning dollars a word, and be looking back fondly at these salad days

(because dollars a word can require more research, aggravation, possible problems, and higher standards).

inkkognito · Dec 18, 2008

Even though most of my work is for a decent rate, I still do cheapies sometimes too. Mostly I do it with stuff that I can knock out quickly. Some is for Demand Studios, and I also do it for a couple of magazines on topics that I know very, very well. If there is an advantage to you and/or it's easy to do, then go for it.

bonobo_jones · Dec 24, 2008

Go for it. I write some content, currently for Demand Studios although I don't use my real name for that. DS is quite easy money and pays weekly although work availability is spotty.

However, I used to write for a now-defunct, higher quality content site. An agent contacted me through that gig, and as a result I now have a three-book deal with a fairly major publisher. Lucky breaks can happen.

So I agree with the general consensus - go for it! You can do both simultaneously. Some cheapie writing can help bring a little income while you're waiting for the big-ass checks.

MisterEThoughts · Jan 4, 2009

Yes and no.

scriptor · Jan 6, 2009

The way I look at is the same as some have already, it is better than nothing. I say take what you can get for now, and keep working for bigger and better. And besides, you do get experience and references that way, no matter what they are paying. It is bettern than nothing at all.

Cate · Jan 7, 2009

Well....I don't have anything against working for nothing or low rates when you are starting out.

That said, if you are a good writer, you can make more.

And....my experience has actually been, the higher the pay, the easier the publication is to work with. I'm sure that there are people out there that disagree, but that has been my experience.

scriptor · Jan 8, 2009

Cate said:
Well....I don't have anything against working for nothing or low rates when you are starting out.

That said, if you are a good writer, you can make more.

And....my experience has actually been, the higher the pay, the easier the publication is to work with. I'm sure that there are people out there that disagree, but that has been my experience.

I had never honestly thought in that direction but I can see how that would be true. I am gonna rethink my direction and see what comes about.. thanks!

Freelance writing on the cheap to begin with

NJFoster

psykeout

should be writing instead...

NJFoster

Mumut

Well begun is half done...

WildScribe

Slave to the Wordcount

caseyquinn

Just happy to be here

samcollie

Laurie PK

Fulltime blogger & freelance writer

inkkognito

Onlyifyouwanttowillyoufin daway-Enya

bonobo_jones

Covered in dog hair

MisterEThoughts

Writer

scriptor

Cate

Never Bored

scriptor