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Writing for hire means figuring out what your words are worth
On most circles, it's considered unsophisticated, uncouth and uncultured - and all of the other shameful "un" words - to talk about the money you make and the way you make it.
I don't care. Let's talk about it.
As a freelancer, the matter of money involves a labyrinth of considerations, factors and variables, for which there is no universal solution that works for every writer or for every situation. But those elements can add up differently depending on who is doing the freelancing.
I'm a part-time freelancer. My monthly freelance income is approximately $2,000 and is made up of a small handful of light-lift pieces and/or a couple of more in-depth features that come with more handsome price tags. Freelancing isn't my main source of income, but it's a nice disposable chunk of my income. (Full disclosure: I'm getting paid $1,000 for this piece.)
The subject of getting paid, and how much, is a big topic among the freelance community, and one that has a lot of perspectives, backed up by a boatload of passion.
"A fair rate of pay takes into account the hours it takes behind the scenes - or at least takes into account our expertise," said freelancer Emma-Claire Wilson. "We are no different than 'contractors' in other professions, only contractors charge far more than 'freelancers' are expected to charge."
"Pay us like professionals who provide a service you need that requires skill," added freelancer Steph Coelho. "Consider all the unpaid labor that goes into the work we do. And no, we won't work for exposure."
Well, some of us don't work for exposure, but some of us may, or might, or have. We'll get to that later.
All writers have their own method, their own logic and their own vantage point when it comes to the monetary value, or lack thereof, of what they should or should not expect to be paid for their work. Some have a set per-word rate. Others factor in degree of difficulty. For others, it just comes down to "do I have the time to add that onto my plate?"
When I began freelancing, 1 was lucky. My first pitch sold and I accepted...