Hi Everyone
I am new to this site but I got a great morale boost through selling my first article. This aside, I have received 2 other offers but quite below the standard full rights prices which are typically demanded.
As I am just starting out, I am happy to sell things for a little less but selling something for $37 (before CC commission is taken out) for a full rights licence on a 531 word article, I am wondering if this upsets the 'market price' that we all really need and want to command?
The client said on the request that they would pay between $40 and $50 for full rights. As this is already half of typical price range we really want as writers, what should I do?
PS - I actually posted this under Suggestions by mistake first, so sorry if you have already ready this - it was meant to be a question not a suggestion.
Selling article for too low?
Moderators: Celeste Stewart, Ed, Constant
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Celeste Stewart
- Posts: 3528
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Re: Selling article for too low?
$37 for a 531-word article works out to:
$24.05 after the CC cut
five cents per word after the CC cut
In my opinion, $37 seems like a reasonable price for both parties. If the article took you an hour to write, that's $24 per hour.
Welcome and congrats on your first sale!
$24.05 after the CC cut
five cents per word after the CC cut
In my opinion, $37 seems like a reasonable price for both parties. If the article took you an hour to write, that's $24 per hour.
Welcome and congrats on your first sale!
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Elizabeth Ann West
- Posts: 561
- Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2007 4:42 am
- Location: Moncks Corner, SC
- Contact:
Re: Selling article for too low?
Yes, there really should be a little more explanation in the pricing guidelines.... $37 is actually a very decent price for a 531 word article, depending on the subject matter. If the subject is something that did not take extraordinarily long to research or isn't highly specialized, $37 is great. Then again, if the subject matter is very complex, like explaining new polymers used in renewable energy technology, more money may be warranted.
At the end of the day, your obligation to the market only goes so far as you are willing to take it, and certainly not to the detriment of your livelihood. I wouldn't for a second begrudge anyone selling their articles for $1 if it was money their family needed. I have learned that simply putting "Or Best Offer" on articles sends the message the advertised price isn't your bottom line. I'm experimenting a little with it, and pricing my articles slightly more for a "convenience" charge so that my offers are lower but in the ballpark I wanted originally. For example, a 1,000 word article available for $90 full rights, by paying $90 the buyer gets to use the article then and there once the transaction is complete, something buyers do want sometimes if they are actively working on planning content. Others might offer $60-$75 because they are willing to wait a day or two for me to respond if it means a savings to them.
There really are so many pricing strategies out there, including when you are writing to a subject matter where lots of content already exists (I always check that before I submit my article). At the end of the day, just price what you need/want for your time, and don't be afraid to adjust. You'll learn as you go, end of the month articles seem to fly off the shelves around here, or articles pertaining to major news event like tax rebates etc. Good luck and welcome.
At the end of the day, your obligation to the market only goes so far as you are willing to take it, and certainly not to the detriment of your livelihood. I wouldn't for a second begrudge anyone selling their articles for $1 if it was money their family needed. I have learned that simply putting "Or Best Offer" on articles sends the message the advertised price isn't your bottom line. I'm experimenting a little with it, and pricing my articles slightly more for a "convenience" charge so that my offers are lower but in the ballpark I wanted originally. For example, a 1,000 word article available for $90 full rights, by paying $90 the buyer gets to use the article then and there once the transaction is complete, something buyers do want sometimes if they are actively working on planning content. Others might offer $60-$75 because they are willing to wait a day or two for me to respond if it means a savings to them.
There really are so many pricing strategies out there, including when you are writing to a subject matter where lots of content already exists (I always check that before I submit my article). At the end of the day, just price what you need/want for your time, and don't be afraid to adjust. You'll learn as you go, end of the month articles seem to fly off the shelves around here, or articles pertaining to major news event like tax rebates etc. Good luck and welcome.