Getting paid enough?

[Shyflower]

Most people write article on fiverr.com claim only 5$ for 400-500 word, many poople write very good. So, you can refer to the price that you think is good

Apparently you haven't read through this thread. $5.00 for 400 to 500 words is abyssmal and usually those who do 'write' for that amount are typing what someone else has already written. If you are going to right an article of that size it takes far more than a few minutes. If you are spending more than a few minutes in writing an article of that size, you are under-valuing your services and hurting the whole community of writers who know what writing a good article takes both in time and in effort.

Show me a writer who can write 400 to 500 dollars in even one hour and I'll show you a writer who is working for far less than even minimum wage in the US.

[Conran]

Hi guys

I'm not sure if this is the right sub-section to ask but any advice would really be appreciated.

I am currently working for a seo company as their content writer. For every 800 words I am getting about 8 quid, so about a penny a word. I've started to look around and this seems quite low considering I am a qualified English teacher and most of my work is always placed on good websites.

To be honest I feel the company has let me down a bit so am looking to move on. Can anyone suggest ways I can make money from my writing rather than through them as I feel I can do better....

This is a common and difficult discussion.

I write adult content specifically for gay affiliates and studios, I'm freelance, and almost all of my clients come from recommendation. I started out cheap, but I can now command £15 for 700 words. I price each client individually depending on the task and the time it takes, but in recent months I have been increasing the pricing in order to dissuade new clients - because I just don't have the time - rather than let them down or openly state that I don't have the time. This hasn't stopped many of them agreeing to my increased pricing anyway, but it has stemmed the flow enough to allow me to concentrate.

I think the secret is to find a niche that you can dominate. For instance, there are a lot of writers out there, but there are only three in the business and out there in the community specifically able to write gay adult content. Being on a gay adult webmaster forum every day has allowed me to build the brand and I now dominate that category.

Is there not something you can specifically target? Ignore the large copy companies out there, you could just focus on one specific niche and find the audience to support your business, and then expand upon that.

FYI, I never had any specific education in English, and I have found that being "technically" perfect is irrelevant for most webmasters. You just need to be able to write for the correct audience and present information in a way they can relate to. Just wanted to throw that in there - degrees and qualifications are almost irrelevant when it comes to providing services to others in the webmaster world - trust, reliability and general ability are paramount.

[GiraffeMan]

This is a common and difficult discussion.

I write adult content specifically for gay affiliates and studios, I'm freelance, and almost all of my clients come from recommendation. I started out cheap, but I can now command £15 for 700 words. I price each client individually depending on the task and the time it takes, but in recent months I have been increasing the pricing in order to dissuade new clients - because I just don't have the time - rather than let them down or openly state that I don't have the time. This hasn't stopped many of them agreeing to my increased pricing anyway, but it has stemmed the flow enough to allow me to concentrate.

I think the secret is to find a niche that you can dominate. For instance, there are a lot of writers out there, but there are only three in the business and out there in the community specifically able to write gay adult content. Being on a gay adult webmaster forum every day has allowed me to build the brand and I now dominate that category.

Is there not something you can specifically target? Ignore the large copy companies out there, you could just focus on one specific niche and find the audience to support your business, and then expand upon that.

FYI, I never had any specific education in English, and I have found that being "technically" perfect is irrelevant for most webmasters. You just need to be able to write for the correct audience and present information in a way they can relate to. Just wanted to throw that in there - degrees and qualifications are almost irrelevant when it comes to providing services to others in the webmaster world - trust, reliability and general ability are paramount.

That actually is a good idea, to find a niche market and try to position yourself into it. If you have command over a subject you'd know technicalities, the jargon. Obviously there isn't much choice at the start so you do end up writing about mattresses and solar power, which is fine in itself; but considering the amount of extra time spent researching doesn't make it worthwhile.

Writers top the list of almost every freelancing website/forum's complainers when it comes to pay rates. The price really is driven down by newbies trying to enter the general arena.

[Shyflower]

That actually is a good idea, to find a niche market and try to position yourself into it. If you have command over a subject you'd know technicalities, the jargon. Obviously there isn't much choice at the start so you do end up writing about mattresses and solar power, which is fine in itself; but considering the amount of extra time spent researching doesn't make it worthwhile.

Writers top the list of almost every freelancing website/forum's complainers when it comes to pay rates. The price really is driven down by newbies trying to enter the general arena.

Not to be one of those complainer's but I don't think it is the new talented writers who drive down prices. It is the typists and copy/paste crpwd and the web owners who are satisfied with sub-standard work.

Additionally, many talented writers, especially those described as from 'emerging nations', under-sell their services and allow themselves to be exploited just in order to compete with the unskilled, not realizing that price points are one of the criteria that more discerning clients use in finding the skills they need-- i.e. better clients don't look for those who work for peanuts because they know what you get when you pay peanuts.

Moreover, just as any creative worker, writers need to be able to sell their clients on the benefits and value of the service they provide aside from per word, per hour, per project price. Unfortunately, it seems that a lot of writers don't understand that. Writers also need to be as discerning in choosing their clients as their clients are in choosing providers. If you are too eager to accept any job at any price, then your references and portfolio will tell the tale.

[Peterbloging]

Yeh.. It depends but it should higher than you get. If the article quality is really good you should ask for more.

But now a day freelancers are doing it for less than $5.

[Shyflower]

Yeh.. It depends but it should higher than you get. If the article quality is really good you should ask for more.

But now a day freelancers are doing it for less than $5.

Maybe so-called freelancers, but not writers. You can't write quality and make a living on $5.00 per piece. If someone tells you they can write good (note, I didn't say great) content for $5.00 invest in copyscape. You'll need it.

[pkwrite78]

By the way, the biggest issue I see today with many freelance writers on the web is that they are not well-grounded in their craft which is writing to sell. Either they are good writers who don't know a thing about sales or they are good sales people but don't know how to write. The second biggest issue is that many of those who do know how to write, how to sell, or both don't know how to write for reading on the screen. Before you start trying to freelance for the web, make sure you know all three.



1. How to write
2. How to sell
3. How to write for reading on the screen.

well I am going through his problem now, what is your solution to someone like me, who is confused where to start and how to start writing.

[Shyflower]

well I am going through his problem now, what is your solution to someone like me, who is confused where to start and how to start writing.

I think your answer is contained in what you quoted. Take advantage of all the on-line resources and learn the mechanics of good writing. If you have a talent for it, once you know the basics, a lot of the rest will fall into place for you. If you are going to base your business on copy writing for businesses, you will also need to learn how to turn product and service features into consumer benefits. Finally, if your business is centered on writing for the web, then you will need to find some resources that teach you how to write for the screen, which is quite different than writing for other mediums whether print or video.

[pkwrite78]

If you are going to base your business on copy writing for businesses, you will also need to learn how to turn product and service features into consumer benefits. Finally, if your business is centered on writing for the web, then you will need to find some resources that teach you how to write for the screen, which is quite different than writing for other mediums whether print or video.

well, I just want to be a content writer, writing on any topic. But I am confused about what you meant by " my Business" I have no business of my own as such, I am looking for a writing career, be a freelance writer to begin with, writing on any topic.

[Shyflower]

well, I just want to be a content writer, writing on any topic. But I am confused about what you meant by " my Business" I have no business of my own as such, I am looking for a writing career, be a freelance writer to begin with, writing on any topic.

Freelance writing is a business. If you aren't willing to look at it in that way, you are setting yourself up for failure.

[pkwrite78]

Freelance writing is a business. If you aren't willing to look at it in that way, you are setting yourself up for failure.

Yeah Point noted

[jackclarck]

I think professional content writer taking 5 to 7$ per article and many job available in free lance site many company provide the good rate for writing content nice job keep it up

[Shyflower]

I think professional content writer taking 5 to 7$ per article and many job available in free lance site many company provide the good rate for writing content nice job keep it up

I wouldn't hit the power button on my computer for $7.00 and anyone that pays at that rate deserves the copy/paste they get. Any writer that accepts that fee is undervaluing his/her services or mistaking typing for writing.

[likends]

Hi guys

I'm not sure if this is the right sub-section to ask but any advice would really be appreciated.

I am currently working for a seo company as their content writer. For every 800 words I am getting about 8 quid, so about a penny a word. I've started to look around and this seems quite low considering I am a qualified English teacher and most of my work is always placed on good websites.

To be honest I feel the company has let me down a bit so am looking to move on. Can anyone suggest ways I can make money from my writing rather than through them as I feel I can do better....

That's pretty low for an experience writer like you. Why not ask the company your working to higher the rate. And if they wont, better start to look for a new employer rather than spending your time writing and getting paid with low rates.