Comments on: What Are You Paying For When You Buy Content?

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:43:23 +0000

I’m dealing with this issue now as I work to re-strategize my business and subsequently the rates I charge. If we are just talking about content, I’m starting to realize that the extent to which a writer needs to research a topic can be a big part of the rate setting process. No one can argue against the fact that there is quite a bit of crap on the web these days. There will always be clients looking to pay bottom dollar for content. But If you’re a writer who work hard to produce clearly written, informative, well-researched content, you want to be paid accordingly for your efforts whether it’s per project, word or by the hour. Time, as in billable hours, is a very finite writer’s resource and needs to be carefully figured into the equation.

By: sherisaid

sherisaid — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:27:32 +0000

This is a topic I struggle with every day as a writer. Sometimes paring an article down to 500 words can be far more labor intensive than turning out a comprehensive article already written that goes way over. Some subjects are just too big for 500 words…and editing is time consuming. I’d rather be paid by the page and go with the flow.

By: Margo

Margo — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:17:22 +0000

You’ve hit the nail right on the head for a lot of writers. Trying to decide what our work is worth is hard. Are we charging too much? Too little? Trying to convince prospective clients that we are worth $50 or more for a page or two of writing is hard enough sometimes, even harder if we ourselves don’t believe it. Writers need to understand the value of what they offer, and charge accordingly. It’s too easy for some of us (um. Me.) to underestimate our skills.
Great post.