www.inkthinkerblog.com — You already know I don’t have a problem with this! Jessica Mousseau shares her take on whether writers should expose their income:
I wanted to chime in on the SHOULD YOU STATE YOUR INCOME OR NOT? In the past, I have and I see importance in it, especially for those who are reading blogs to learn how to charge appropriately from a professional standpoint. I’m not sure why so many are against it, I for one, don’t condone putting your rates on your website, but in a blog atmosphere I think it’s appropriate. Perhaps because I see a website as formal, think about it this way, at a formal event do you go around saying? Hi I’m Jessica Mousseau, I made $60k in 8 months of work last year? I don’t think so.
What do you think about writers talking about money? Is it good for the business or bad? Leave a comment.
Addendum: Read Deb Ng’s take on it at FWJ.
Tags: freelance writing blog, freelance writing, freelance, writing, advice for freelance writers, how much should I charge, freelance rates, freelance income, jessica mousseau, kristen king, inkthinker
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I believe information is power. If those that are buying the work of writers have the cost information then they have the power.
I believe this about salary and pay in general. Keeping the data hidden serves the payer only.
This is an individual decision. As many know, I see writing as a business. I have been at it 26 years. If someone doesn’t offer enough–I may twit them or ask if the fee is negotiable. I get crinked for this. I have also asked on blogs is it possible to make $75K in this business anymore. Mixed answers–but interesting. I don’t mind saying my income is down due to Craigs and all the lame stuff on there that has led, in my view, to a lowering of the perception of a writer’s worth. Writers taking this money isn’t helping. People with relisting websites circulating the jobs of the low-rollers also isn’t helping. Can’t we tell these bottom feeders they are not at market level? I am well-known for these views. To try to cheer writers up and if employers visit, which we know they do, to show the value a writer brings, we created Writer’s Catablog.
Come to http://writerscatablog.com. It is going to be changed in a week or so–so stay tuned. Our spokesdog Scribbles is also making a video, voiced by a professional actor, Ron McLarty. We pay out of pocket to circulate these views. Writers need an advocate! There are some, but not enough!
Kristen,
I’ve no problem with sharing income stats. I think this may be our only defense against editors/employers who demand lower rates. I think that part of the reason why the “etiquette” of keeping income stats quiet in a traditional workplace environment is to ensure that workers do not share with each other this info and possibly band together to demand higher wages. Unions are adamant about offering that kind of info — it’s their ammo to ensure that equal work gets equal pay, after all.
Cheers,
Marjorie
Marjorie’s last blog post..When a Publication is Being a D***head
@Mark – So are you saying that we SHOULDN’T share our income information because of the power it gives to potential clients?
@Star – I think the conversation about rates and income is important because it lets people know that they don’t HAVE to charge those bottom-of-the-barrel rates to get work, and that no, it’s NOT normal to work for a pittance. I love the Catablog and can’t wait to see the updates.
@Marjorie – Just to be clear, I’m not suggesting that writers collude and set rates — just that we talk about it freely. You are dead on about why we’re programmed to be wary of this: Talking about pay in traditional employment is taboo!
kk
@Kristen – Though I’m uncomfortable sharing rates (upbringing I guess) I really do understand why people do it – if it’s not done in a self serving manner.
If someone is going to share rates there should be a job description included. To say “I earned $7500 last month and so can you” tells me the writer is earning, but doesn’t tell me how. It doesn’t tell me what kind of writing or how many hours. It doesn’t tell me the research involved or if she was up all night. If you’re going to share information, really share information.
@Star – In regard to the relisting sites, yes that would be me, where do you draw the line and say “this is too low, that is just right?” Who makes the rules?
There are plenty of jobs we don’t accept. Anything under $10 per hour, termpaper mills, people who only pay per clicks, anything insulting.
$10 per hour in many areas of this country is a darn good wage, but it’s not up to me to determine what another writer considers too low.We can call employers names or we can work with them to raise the rates. Many of the writers who pay low wages aren’t doing so to get one over, they just don’t know any better.
I do agree a wage discussion is important so we can educate new writers, but I also don’t feel it’s up to me to decide what is too high or too low. It’s not up to me to judge.
@Deb – I agree. Giving numbers with no information to support it isn’t really helpful. You can earn $7500 working 20 hours a day for a dollar and article if you’re fast. That’s meaningless information.
I think you raise a good point, and I agree that what’s too low for one writer may not be too low for another writer. But I think you, Star, and I also agree that there’s a line to be drawn. That’s where the education angle comes in — letting writers know it’s OKAY and a GOOD IDEA to draw that line.
I agree. I think jobs under 10 cents a word are basically no-pay. Those “I need 200 articles” things are nonsense. If those of us with websites set a standard of better pay (no, not price fixing–like writers can be controlled, so not) and ask about or demand better pay, even those in low-wage areas will demand higher pay and not settle for a community common denominator…Don’t we want to make more than someone at the fast food place even if that’s the only “real” job available in our town? Isn’t maintaining your own office, paying your own expenses and giving the client the option of paying you only when you work worth more than handing out fries through a window? My kid used to make $10 handing out clothes at the cleaner’s. I believe it’s OK for applicants to ask if a fee is negotiable–and as you know, I also write to employers and question their wage rate. In a few cases, they respond: What would YOU charge? This may be a learning curve for all. We don’t have to be at their mercy. We have somehing to offer and should stand tall.
Every blog owner will make their own decision on this. People can search Craigs on their own if they are willing to settle for low pay…I am just sayin’. That way, the kinda low rent stuff doesn’t get an attaboy from the established blog owners and get perpetuated. Just my opinion. I will continue to mix it up–write Dear Colleague letters to some listers and discuss this on the Writer’s Catablog. I am a gadfly. My lot in life.
Kristen,
Glad you love the Catablog! The site update that Star referred to in her comment is now up. Three new features and a new weekly cartoon. Enjoy!
We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with valuable information to work on. You’ve done a formidable job and our entire community will be thankful to you.