Most freelance writers charge based on what they are worth. However, these ratios vary widely between different freelance writers. What is a good rate for one person may be a slave rate for another.
$2 or $3 may seem like a small amount, but there are still writers who do these freelance writing jobs on a regular basis. We can’t blame them, nor should we judge them. Especially if they are just starting out in the freelance writing industry, these gigs are actually opportunities for these writers. While other writers may scoff at these proportions, they should respect other writers’ decisions.
Why do writers take these low-paying jobs? Here are some real reasons.
- Experience and Practice – Not every freelance writer is a full-fledged writer. Many of them are just getting started. Think of it this way: Others volunteer or intern at companies for little or no pay, just to gain experience, just to give them an idea of the game. These $2 to $3 articles are like freelance writer articles.
- They gain experience, train themselves along the way and just improve themselves.
Reputation – Since most new writers have nothing to show potential clients, they can use these articles as a start to build their reputation. While other clients may not allow them to use these articles as part of their portfolio, freelance writers can always ask if they can use them as a reference for future projects. - Extra Income – This may not seem like a huge amount, but it’s a great way to supplement your own income. For $3 a day or $15 a week, you can easily make anywhere from $60 to $100 a month depending on your preferences. That’s enough to save you extra, pay for daily transportation or pay for daily meals.
- Low cost of living – $2 or $3 may sound small to others, but it increases in value where the cost of living is lower. In a place where $2 to $3 can live a whole day, writing these articles is enough to keep them alive.
- With all these things in mind, it comes down to one thing: respect the decisions of other writers. It is not surprising to take on such a job, we should all accept that as self-employed, our rates differ from each other. If you’re just starting out, these low-paying gigs will do you a lot of good while continuing to improve your writing skills. Remember to keep looking for better opportunities and move up the ranks in the freelance writing industry in the process.