I’m on the tail end of the biggest recruitment drive I have ever carried out.
I received over 100 applications from freelance writers after this announcement just over two weeks ago. From those applications I trialled 13 writers, and out of those writers, I have (so far) selected seven writers to work with.
It’s been a lot of work, and quite frankly, a large proportion of the work was struggling with applications that weren’t as well written and presented as I would like.
However, what if my struggle could be your opportunity? What if I could point out areas in which I felt the applications I received could have been improved? That’s exactly what I’ve done in this post.
Below you will find eight different critiques, all focusing on responses to just one section of my application form: rates. If this article proves to be popular then I may write up additional posts that focus on the other areas of the application form.
Note: All excerpts from people’s pitches below are anonymous for obvious reasons.
The Application Form
Let’s start by giving you some context. This is the form that applicants had to fill in:
I’m not sure why the screenshot saved in French, but I like it, so what the hell 😉
I’m willing to admit that it may not be the greatest application form in the world, but to be quite honest, clients will rarely present you with the ‘perfect’ circumstances within which to make your pitch. So, I’m not going to pull any punches below!
One more thing: at the risk of stating the obvious, the advice below is made on the assumption that you are actively seeking out work and aren’t necessarily in a position of strength. You could no doubt break many of the rules below and get away with it if your services are in high demand and you can demonstrate great value, but I’m not talking to those kinds of freelancers in this post.
With that said, let’s crack on!
1. Be Realistic
I have never earned anywhere near a $0.35 per word for a blog post, let alone a dollar. So one of two things are happening here: I’m way underselling myself, or many of the applicants were way overselling themselves.
(I should mention that while it certainly is possible to earn say $0.35 per word for a blog post, such assignments are generally on highly technical and/or corporate topics. That aint my bag.)
If I had to guess, I would say that many of the people who quoted outrageously high rates came from an ‘offline’ writing background (where rates tend to be much higher, along with a much higher workload and fastidious editorial oversight), or were completely new to freelance blogging and had no idea what to quote.
My advice to both is the same: know your prospect and be realistic. Do some research and get an idea of what you think could be in the right ballpark. You might not get it spot on, but you’ll be a lot closer than $2 per word!
2. Give the Client What They Want
If a client asks you what your rate per word is, tell them what your rate per word is. Don’t give them a rate per article, and definitely don’t tell the client that you’ll “adopt [their] rates”.
Doing so may seem like a generous move, but it doesn’t do the client any favors. After all, how do they know that the rate they have in mind will be suitable for you? If they’re staring down the barrel of 100 pitches, are they going to take the time to clear up the uncertainty on rates with just one, or move onto the other 99?
3. Be Clear
What’s 20? Or 0.04? Or 0.02?
I have no idea, and that’s the problem.
My application form asked people to submit their rate per word, but it did not say in which currency. If I had come across the same question I probably would have quoted my rate in dollars, because that is the most popular currency. If I was being thorough I also may have put something like, “Also able to quote in pounds sterling” in brackets besides my quoted dollar rate.
But what I wouldn’t have done is left it completely unclear as to which currency I was quoting.
5. Be Explicit
Okay, so this particular applicant didn’t get it right on the currency front, but what I did like was the clarity they offered in terms of negotiations. It’s quite simple: they won’t go any lower than .04 per word (in let’s assume dollars).
I like that kind of explicitness, and I also like how they phrased it. Writing “$0.05 (non-negotiable)” might come across a little aggressive on an application form, but “minimum $0.04” is a neutral yet explicit statement.
6. Keep It Simple
There’s such a thing as too much flexibility. Beyond the lack of clarity on the rate per word, there are probably too many factors at play here to interest most clients.
If you do want to quote different rates for ghostwriting and byline work, do so in a concise manner – something like this:
$0.08 (ghostwriting), $0.06 (w/ byline)
In this case it’s entirely besides the point, as the application is for a ghostwriting job. Therefore, a ghostwriting rate is entirely irrelevant.
7. Don’t Give a Broad Range
Blogging can be varied work, so I get it if you build a range into your rates, but your high end shouldn’t be 500% higher than your low end.
Furthermore, bear in mind that 99% of clients will expect you pay you your low end, so quoting a range at all may not be worth your effort.
8. Give a Rate – Any Rate!
I know it’s tough to quote a rate blind. I’ve been there and I feel your pain. But give the client something. Even “Let’s adopt to your rates” is better than “I don’t know”.
For the purposes of an application, pretend you do know. Quoting any rate is better than quoting nothing at all.
If you’re not sure what you should be quoting, this article may help.
Conclusion
That’s all for rates.
I hope this article was of some help! Let me know if it was in the comments section below and it’ll encourage me to write more pieces along the same lines.
And of course, if you have any other comments or questions, fire away below!
Image Credit: Jericho
I think rates can be such a confusing topic for new writers! This sheds some light on it from the client’s perspective, which is great:-)
Thanks for making time to detail the pricing faux pas you came across.
I’m one of those people that write for periodicals and had a column for many years, so pricing was difficult for me. I’m one of the “$0.35 per word” applicants.
And I understand why. But blogging’s a different game 😉
I hope you do continue with the the critique. This is a difficult area and I am still a little unsure of the rate I should be charging. I think I also did not state the currency, it is easy to overlook these little things so thanks for reminding us.
It absolutely is!
Good post tom!
But I have a question for you. What do you reckon is a reasonable rate for beginner bloggers? I have seen quite a few opportunities where the client will only pay peanuts for 800 words.
Since Tom isn’t telling, try this:
allindiewriters.com/blogging-pay-rates/
“Not telling” – you gave me 2 1/2 hours to respond then decided I was keeping schtum? 😉
When I started I was paid $15 or 20 per hour (I forget which), which was probably 2 cents per word. There is no right or wrong answer to this really; it’s more a case of what you’re comfortable with.
Hi Tom, I think this one would be a useful theme to continue. Always good to see where improvements can be made.
Duly noted Richard!
Yes, I agree on this point. Answer exactly what the client asks. This makes things easy and exhibit your ability to understand things.
Tom,
Good, helpful, and entertaining (intended or not) article on a few levels.
First: it provided a clear indication of the rates for those that are seeking to write in the blogging arenas and genres you seem to focus on in your site and emails to members.
Second (and most importantly): illustrating through examples the absolute importance of following directions to the letter. Now, I know there are occasions where directions may be a little unclear or ambiguous. This, obviously, is the fault of the those giving or composing the direction(s). Those occasions seem to be few and far between.
Finally: On a broader level, I am continually amazed at how people will seemingly ignore the explicit instruction(s) and construe what’s being asked with a very healthy injection of their preference for what they want asked. And will answer so accordingly. This has to be where many of these amazing answers come from. Leaving the reader only to shake her/his head in wonderment. It is at once highly entertaining and frustrating. This is what keeps people so interesting to me.
“Finally: On a broader level, I am continually amazed at how people will seemingly ignore the explicit instruction(s) and construe what’s being asked with a very healthy injection of their preference for what they want asked. And will answer so accordingly. This has to be where many of these amazing answers come from. Leaving the reader only to shake her/his head in wonderment. It is at once highly entertaining and frustrating. This is what keeps people so interesting to me.”
Yes, yes, yes Michael! It never ceases to amaze me.
I think would be interesting to give some reference of average. As you mentioned on your post, it can be quite confusing to know a “proper rate” if you leave it open. So I believe another post showing realistic perspectives with averages for online bloggers, free-lancers on different levels, subjects etc could help interested people in figuring out their rate. Learning how to charge for your job is a very tricky part of any freelancer’s life 😉
That would be a good post; I’ll give that some thought…thanks!
Great post and thank you for telling it like it is 🙂 Please keep writing more helpful posts like this one.
I’ll do my best Chonce!
I definitely think you should make this a series and show each part of the application that didn’t work.
Roger that Cat!
Hi Tom,
This is very useful – especially because it’s based on the actual responses you received.
Please continue the series because it’s interesting and funny.
Yo!
Will do Rohi!
I found this post very helpful. It’s so easy to forget details such as specifying the currency so it’s good to get a reminder. And it’s also great to get some insight into how the client is thinking when they look at an application. I’d love to see more in this series.
Roger that Elizabeth!
I agree with some of the others, I like hearing about the application process from the client’s point of view. Please continue the series!
Okay Kayla!
An interesting post and great to see where we might fit in relative to other applicants. The currency never even crossed my mind!
Some interesting comments as well. I agree it’s important to show an ability to follow instructions. At the same time though, as someone who has been in the position of having to hire people, it’s equally important to demonstrate an ability to think independently.
The client might have the final say but they are also hiring to get a job done. The last thing in the world they need is a robot who never takes initiative.
Looking forward to part two!
“I agree it’s important to show an ability to follow instructions. At the same time though, as someone who has been in the position of having to hire people, it’s equally important to demonstrate an ability to think independently.”
Couldn’t have put it better myself Daryn 🙂
Hey Tom,
This is a very good topic for new freelancers, but also for the not so new ones. It would be great if you continue to write about “best practices” from your 100 applications experience.
Looking forward to reading you.
Best,
Corina
Thanks Corina!
Hey Tom,
I have to say, I’m very curious as to the actual hard results of expected blogging rates. Keep the info coming! It’s always great to hear back from an *employer* on what to do and what not to do when it comes to pitches.
I’ll do my best Daryl!
Yes! Please keep going with these posts!
Thanks Tom
Will do 🙂
Great beginning to what I too hope will be a series!
Thanks Therese!
I use a blog rate of $0.03 per word as the same as my Proofreader rate.
I appreciate your effort to help new writers understand the application process, but unfortunately Tom, some of your own errors are not exemplary from a writer’s perspective. If you are going to take the time to call out blunders made by those seeking employment as a writer, perhaps you should take the time to proofread your post.
If you had read your work before you posted it you would have seen that you did not mean to say “prevent” as the intended word was perhaps “present.”
I am also wondering if your mother never taught you that it is impolite to castigate people in front of an audience, albeit under the guise of anonymity. It is mean and hateful and totally lacking in manners. Oops, did I say that?
Your post could have been construed as helpful from a financial perspective in regards to going rates and how to address them with potential clients, but the substance was highly offensive. If you had written this article as a ‘trial’ I would have told you politely, thanks, but no thanks.
Thanks for the feedback Donna and for the heads-up on the typo. If you’re offended you can just head off the site – no one’s forcing you to read.
Yes, Tom….helps clarify a very foggy subject. Please continue the series – there are always nuggets to be mined!
Wow, thank you so much! I always had some trouble with determining my rates, so I wanted to leave it for the buyer to decide. I won’t make that mistake now!