Many freelance writers get confused when asked about their progress by article, word, or batch of projects. Letting your client determine the amount he will pay can put you in a losing position as he will likely negotiate with you for the lowest possible price.
But why should freelancers set their own rates?
Would you take it if you were given $2 for a 500-word essay? For a new freelance writer, that might be enough.
If you look at the amount, it’s not much. However, if you’re new to the industry, building your profile, building your client’s trust, and building your skills will help you understand your value. It will help you determine how much to charge for your job.
Think of the $2 per article as a writing example. New freelance writers accept them because they want to prove themselves. They want to see what they can and what they can do.
By starting with low rates, you can either criticize yourself or let your customers criticize themselves. If you continue to do a great job, consider promoting yourself. Gradually increasing your revolving interest can also help a lot as your reputation and portfolio grows.
Ask yourself this question: How much is my work worth? This can be difficult to answer, of course, but once you set boundaries and evaluate your work, everything else will follow.
A portfolio is a good reason to start promoting yourself as a freelance writer. This allows you to showcase your best work to potential customers so they can clearly demonstrate why your rates are the way they are.
If you think your article is worth $1 per 100 words, show it – and prove it. Likewise, if you think a 500-word article is worth $25, show off your best work and show why you’re worth it.
You can’t start your freelance writing career all at once with a $25 gig. Like other jobs, freelance writing has grown. Even working from home can help you grow and develop yourself as one of the most coveted and respected writers in the industry.
So the next time you get a job and need to send in your expected salary, don’t be afraid to bid above budget (or possibly below budget). It just says that your bid or rate measures the quality of your work and your work.