How to Get Paid What You’re Worth…

Freelance writers are often faced with clients who don’t want to pay well. There are ways of getting paid what you’re worth, even if a client asks you to lower your prices – just once.

You’re aware of the stresses of running a small business; so how do you keep your business in the black when clients ask for a reduced price?  You’ll want to decide if gaining a new client, at a reduced rate, is possible based on your own financial situation.

The following are some ideas you may want to consider when you’re asked for a discount. Use them to help you decide if reducing your rates this one time is a good idea and whether or not there could be a problem in the future.

Evaluate Each Situation

Each situation is going to be different, so you may want to listen silently when a client asks for a discount. Don’t respond to their request immediately and don’t make any promises. You can tell them you’ll consider their request and then do just that.

Think about how long their job will take and whether there’s “wiggle room” in your price. You may be willing to offer a one-time discount to an existing customer who gives you a good deal of business, but they need to understand you aren’t permanently reducing your rates for them.

Stand Your Ground

Be polite no matter what your answer is. You’ll also want to be firm – if telling them “no” and when you explain it’s a one-time deal. If they decide to go with another writer, tell them “Thank you for considering my services.” It’s better to lose a potential, or existing, customer rather than accepting less than you’re worth.

You may decide to give a client a one-time price break. Be specific about what you’re willing to do and the number of revisions you’re willing to make. A mini contract will spell out which projects are included in the discount.

Walk Away If You Must

You know the amount of money you need to meet your financial obligations. If a client is asking for too much of a discount, don’t be afraid to walk away if you must. While it’s not easy to lose a job, and the paycheck, you can use the time that job would have taken to look for a job to replace it.

With the current financial situation, don’t be surprised if you have a client ask for a discounted price. To make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth, you’ll want to evaluate each situation, stand your ground, and walk away if you must. Remember, it’s your business and you ultimately get to decide whether to reduce your rates or not.

Become the Expert

When you become the expert in a niche topic you can justifiably demand your price – whatever it may be.  One way to become the expert is through article marketing. However, another method is to speak or consult on your niche topic.  As the expert in your niche, you have significantly more authority and credibility, which means you have the ability to charge significantly more than other writers who lack your expertise and/or knowledge.

Getting paid what you’re worth takes a bit of strategy and a commitment to hard work.  Above all, when you are professional and deliver a quality product on time, you’re already steps ahead of many of the freelance writers out there.  To really make good money, find your niche (you can actually have more than one niche but market them each independently) and become the expert.

Happy writing!

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