Pricing articles for private requests

Linda Hourston · Post by **Linda Hourston** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:48 pm

Just wondering if anyone could give me some information/advice on pricing structures for private requests. I've supplied a number of articles for a private request and the requester specified a price of between $20 and $30 per article. However, I've noticed similar article sales, to the same requester are selling for $50. Does this mean that although a price range has been set on a request, we can still specify our own prices?
Any advice anyone?

Celeste Stewart · Post by **Celeste Stewart** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:54 pm

If it were me, I would bump the price up. Try to check out the other articles before they sell if you can just to make sure you are comparing apples to apples and if yours are of similar length and quality, you should try to get paid at the higher rate

Linda Hourston · Post by **Linda Hourston** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:59 pm

Thanks Celeste for such a quick reply!
Yes the articles are similar in content, word length and ability so I will try to improve my "bottom line"

Celeste Stewart · Post by **Celeste Stewart** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:37 pm

Customers are quick to tell you when your price is too high but they'll rarely tell you when it's too low!

Linda Hourston · Post by **Linda Hourston** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 3:53 am

Hey Celeste - you're fantastic! You're right and even tho I'm new to freelancing I understand and appreciate your views - even though I'm worried about losing what looks like a long term request, I am concious of the work load. It's hard - anyway I should have more confidence. Thanks so much x

catnipp333 · Post by **catnipp333** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 4:05 am

Linda,

I am glad you asked & changed your prices -- you DESERVE to get more! The original post had $40 -50 & I noticed it had changed when the next public request was posted. I am posting to a private request with the original pricing. I saw some of the articles bought for under $20 & I was concerned I was going to be replaced with the cheaper ones. It is better for ALL of us to stick to a decent pricing. I know I cant afford to give it away!
GOOD LUCK to you making what you deserve!

Catnipp333

Linda Hourston · Post by **Linda Hourston** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 4:39 pm

Hi Catnipp333
yes I did negotiate a higher price with Paul but I'm still not sure I'm happy tho - Paul did tell me he had two writers working at $30 an article (8-900 words) one at $50 (that's you Catnipp) and I was at $25. He proposed $35 per article for me which I agreed to - however considering the effort, research and CC commission considerations, I'm still not sure the price is right for this type of article. I really enjoy the work and am happy to have regular work but for $35 it doesn't really leave me much time for other work. (Paul did say he has just hired more writers so it will be interesting to see how their pricing goes)
You're right tho Catnipp - we should all stick together re pricing - maybe it would be better if we could all work to an agreed upon scale - something like a certain price for so many words - I don't know ....
Thanks for your encouragement and support tho, it's nice to know us writers can support each other.

Linda Hourston · Post by **Linda Hourston** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 5:02 pm

oh - one more thing. Regarding the above issues - I've been checking out what sort of private requests are selling and notice ALOT of travel articles still selling for $50 - is there anyway of knowing who the requestor and writer is?
Thanks

catnipp333 · Post by **catnipp333** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 3:42 am

Linda,

I totally understand what you are saying about research -- it's taking me a long time also doing them. I REALLY APPRECIATE the work also & got worrried when I saw the other articles going for really low prices, but I think many of them were not written specifically for him (at the time of writing)-- they had been done before at a set LOW price, but they were also very short articles and she has many of them so I am sure more will sell low.
I know many of the requesters do have a set per word price and as you say -- you MUST take in to consideration ALL the fees (CC & PP) to get a "true" amount of what you get when it is all said & done. It is up to them though & Paul is one of my best clients and I am VERY HAPPY with him.
The only way you can "see" who the writers are is by "catching" their articles after they are reviewed BEFORE he buys them (& he buys them all day & night). I saw the ones you had done & also many of the others that went through, but not all of course. I saw the ones you speak of for $50 that went through a few days ago.
GOOD LUCK to you & I hope it all "works out" for you soon!
Catnipp333

cbhrbooth · Post by **cbhrbooth** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 6:36 am

Linda, Congratulations on negotiating a better price for your work. Learning what your time is worth, as well as the work you produce, is a struggle, but worth the hassle once you've figured it out.

If you have time, check out what other travel customers offer (print & online) to see what they pay. You may be able to create a "career plan" for yourself that lets you use your currect experience to leapfrog into better-paying markets. For instance, if you're developing an expertise in the travel market, you may want to use your current work to eventually pitch and win much higher paying work with the top-tier travel magazines (that will pay $2.00+ per word).

Just a thought. . .
Mary

Post by **constant-content** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 11:46 am

There should be no calibration on prices and I'm about to delete this thread. Every writer should be pricing his or her work accordingly, not grouping together and coming up with a set price. One customer could pay one writer one price and another a smaller price, there are differences in writers work as well as length that should all be taken into factor.

Constant Content

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