by Marcie Hill
Most freelance writers are creative beings, not business people, which means we tend to only charge for the actual writing of projects – the part we love most, without fully considering all aspects of completing the project. Unfortunately, we are leaving a lot of money on the table – literally and figuratively.
Image: Pixabay
When we are hired for writing services, we are not just writers. We uncover and collect information through research and interviews to provide a comprehensive story. We are artists who bring thoughts and ideas to life. We are geniuses who connect concepts to make them relatable. We are also editors who organize information to ensure that the final draft is easy to read and easy to understand.
Additionally, as a writer, you are a consultant, a business partner and expert, and should be charging for your time, knowledge and expertise. In The Well-Fed Writer: Financial Self-Sufficiency as a Commercial Freelancer in Six Months or Less (TWFW), author Peter Bowerman summarizes all of the charges that should be included in writing projects.
If you’re not charging for these eight items highlighted in TWFW, then you could be leaving money on the table.
1. Brainstorming
Brainstorming is the process of generating ideas, selecting different angles for your articles and developing outlines. You should allocate at least an hour to this activity, even if the project seems relatively simple. You just never know where your creativity will take you.
2. Background reading
When starting new assignments, you have to read previously published information for two reasons: 1) to learn more about the company you’re serving and 2) to determine if the data is relevant to the current project. Annual reports, website content, newsletters and any other company reports are just a few documents you can read to gather information you need.
The reading time will vary depending on your reading speed; the simplicity or complexity of the documents you’re reading; and the number of pages included in the documents.
3. Research
You will almost always conduct research in your projects, even if you’re just confirming dates, times and places. It is a time-consuming, but necessary aspect of writing. In addition to charging for the actual time you use to conduct research, you should also charge for reading, organizing and summarizing your findings.
4. Interviews
Like research, conducting interviews is very time consuming. First, you have to schedule the interview which could take time due to busy schedules. You also have to compose relevant questions to ensure that you’re capturing the essence of the message. Then, you have to conduct the actual interview and transcribe the notes from the interview. Lastly, you have to creatively weave content from the interview into the story.
5. Additional revisions and edits
I have seen writers include up to two revisions in their contracts for no extra charge. However, if the clients want to make major changes after the approved completion of the project or if they want to change directions mid-project, you need to charge accordingly and revise the contract to reflect the changes.
6. Related expenses
Related expenses include charges for e-mail and internet services, paper and ink and all other charges incurred during the completion of the project. Internet and e-mail services are used to communicate with clients. Paper and ink are used to print the project. You may even have to use envelopes and postage.
7. Additional Meetings
You may have one meeting with the client to determine the direction and expectations of the project. However, if multiple meetings are required, you can bill clients for your time only or for time and travel. Be sure to document this in the contract.
8. Aggravation
One writer in TWFW charges extra for aggravation “just because”. He doesn’t wait for something to happen; he charges automatically based on previous experiences. The aggravation could be caused by the client or unexpected glitches that occur during the course of the project.
Above are eight ways writers are leaving money on the table based on The Well-Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman. Other tips he provides to ensure you move from a starving artist to a well-fed writer, include:
- Have a website that includes testimonials, contact information and your portfolio
- Quote projects in flat fees, not by hourly rates
- Do not quote specific figures until you have a full understanding of what the project entails
- Always have a contract
- Have the confidence to ask for what you want and quote the rates you deserve
Are you leaving money on the table?? Share your tale of how you are undercharging for your writing services in the comment section below.
Marcie Hill is a freelance writer and blog addict who combined her loves to publish, 62 Blog Posts to Overcome Blogger’s Block; the only book written to date that teaches bloggers how to create engaging, shareable content for their sites. Check out Marcie Writes to learn more about Marcie and her services, and to view her portfolio.
The post 8 Ways Freelance Writers Are Leaving Money on the Table appeared first on Get Paid to Write Online.
