Comments on: Freelance writing: setting your rate

By: The Writer’s Coin » Blog Archive » 31 Days to a Better Blog—Day 11

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:12:12 +0000

[...] Freelance Writing: Setting Your Rate (personal) [...]

By: Freelance Work & Contract Jobs: Free Portfolios : Outsourcing : Post Contract & Consulting Jobs : Find Consultants & Freelancers

Mon, 26 May 2008 03:46:35 +0000

[...] Freelance writing: setting your rate [...]

By: » How to Figure Out Your Rates - A Guide for Freelancers & ConsultantsAll Freelance Work Blog : Tips and Advice for Freelancers & Self Employed

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 06:05:40 +0000

[...] Freelance writing: setting your rate [...]

By: Writer's Coin

Writer's Coin — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 04:55:47 +0000

Brip, I suggested the per-word pay scheme and he said he still wouldn’t be able to go over $50/month, regardless of the pay scheme. So I told him we could try this month at that rate and I’ll make a decision based on how much more work it is. He also threw in some talk of having other writers “at the ready” that want to work with him, which may or may not be true. Either way, I’ll work this month and reevaluate, though I’m getting the feeling I’d rather drop him and focus my time on developing this site.

By: Brip Blap

Brip Blap — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 03:32:04 +0000

So what did you do in the end?

By: The Writer’s Coin » Blog Archive » Ten traits that make you rich

The Writer’s Coin » Blog Archive » Ten traits that make you rich — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:00:29 +0000

[...] what I did so that I can do it better the next time. I’m OK with making mistakes (like when I set my freelance rates) because I know it’ll probably be the last time I’ll make it. Plus I’m stubborn [...]

By: Writer's Coin

Writer's Coin — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 21:38:36 +0000

THanks for the advice! I like the idea of doing only a certain amount of the work and passing it off until the next month, though I know he won’t like that and will cut me loose if that’s what I opt for.

As for charging by the word/page, it might work. It may be that doesn’t want to pay that much but it may also be that he feels per hour is too “flaky,” i.e. I could charge whatever I want.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 01:45:58 +0000

Don’t sell yourself short. They may be able to find another translator, or they may not. But if you accept less money than the job is worth, you will resent the work.

Have you considered charging per translated page? Or having them submit a project to you and you giving them a price quote before accepting the job? That way, there is no confusion about the rates you charge, you get a fair rate, and neither party feels like they were taken advantage of.

By: Shannon

Shannon — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 20:29:31 +0000

This one’s easy. First of all, getting paid by the hour in the freelancing industry is absurd. There’s absolutely no gauge for how long you’ve worked or how long you’re going to have to work. No one gets paid this way, seriously. What you need to be doing is getting paid by the word like everyone else is. It’s the only way to accurately gauge the amount of work to match it with a reasonable price. Hours don’t mean anything.

Since you’re already getting paid a pretty menial amount, i would start off asking for anywhere between 5-10 cents a word. If it’s something that’s a large number of words that might still be too high, but I don’t know how much you’re having to write/translate. Sit down and crunch some numbers and for God’s sake, find a job where they aren’t stingy bastards. Craigslist has a surprising amount of people looking for translators, and most of them are willing to pay a decent rate.

Good luck!

By: Johnny V

Johnny V — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 14:21:22 +0000

Time to do some self-marketing. Obviously you have great skills. Continuing this is to under-earn. If you’re unable to cut this client loose, I’d suggest underearners anonymous.