4 Years In and My Rate Is...Lower?
Plus writing opps, tips, encouragement, and more
Hi & happy June!
4 Years In and My Rate Is...Lower?
Today marks my four-year anniversary of freelance writing full-time (yay!) and I had an interesting realization: I’m getting paid less for some articles than I did, say, two years in.
I used to get paid a minimum of $200 for an article (and $45 before that) with my average being around $250 to $350. But now, I’m writing pieces for as low as $150.
To clarify, this isn’t true across the board. Some publications I regularly write for pay me more or the same as that old average. Also, when I’ve been offered assignments that paid less for a lot of work, I’ve confidently (and nicely) said no.
At the same time, I look at my emails now and realize I’ve started writing for other publications that pay less (aka $150). And despite that, when they give me lots of assignments that seem fairly easy, it’s hard to say no. I need/want the money.
Saying “yes” to lower rates wasn’t necessarily an intentional decision from the get-go. For example, sometimes I look for new places to pitch because other editors I’ve worked with leave or I just need more funds. And then coincidentally, my first article for the new pub was $250, but I’m later assigned easier stories for $150.
This isn’t exactly where I’d expected to be.
Many writers (sort of including me) are all about getting paid the amount you deserve, never writing for a rate below a certain amount, etc. Further, I think it’s true, sometimes, that saying “no” to a low-paying assignment right now means having time for a higher paying assignment later on.
And, I also want to acknowledge that sometimes that’s not easy or as true. Editors are leaving and publications are shutting down, so your options are limited. Budgets are being cut, so editors can’t offer as much. Summer means vacation means needing extra assignments, even if they don’t pay a ton. Staying connected with an editor (even one who can’t pay as much) can have its benefits down the road. I’ve also read that some financially successful writers have sustained themselves off a bunch of cheaper “fluff” pieces. Etc etc. I just want to make some space for these situations and viewpoints, too :)
Updates / Housekeeping
As mentioned in a previous newsletter, paid subscribers have the opportunity to promote themselves! We’ve got some writers there so far who are offering resources, community, and so much more. Connect with them here!
Writing/Freelancing Tips
HuffPost Personal editor Noah Michaelson on writing personal stories (podcast & video & extra links)
This one is more of a warning/FYI: a story I saw about a romance writer getting locked out of Google Docs
Pitch Calls
GENERAL NOTES FOR THE PITCH CALLS BELOW:
If the story is about a marginalized community, you probably need to be in that community to write the piece.
Mentioning my name in your pitch won’t help, unfortunately!
Who Pays Writers can be a helpful site to get an idea of how much publications pay.
Pitch calls:
Ali Pantony: I'm looking for intriguing, clicky, confessional first-person pieces for @GlamourMagUK. Please email ali.pantony@condenast.co.uk with your most original ideas. (Sorry to be *that editor*, but I'll only be able to respond to successful pitches, so no need to chase – thanks).
Edutopia: No deadline - we are always accepting pitches.
Mike Epstein: Looking for a freelance A/V writer to handle some commerce work for Popular Mechanics. Pressing need for someone who has tested outdoor speakers in the past, but I need a person or two for various types of speakers, headphones, TVs and possibly projectors throughout the year.
Writer Jobs
Writing/Freelancing Resources
A bunch of tips & resources from Priya Krishna (for food writers, cookbook writers, and all writers!)
Women’s Media Center for finding sources/experts
Research on how much other freelance writers charge (& related info!)
Encouragement
I want to acknowledge that some of these are more solidarity-ish than encouragement-ish, or I mean them as encouragement to you vs. to the freelance writing field, haha.
If just freelancing isn’t financially sustainable for you, you’re not alone!
If you’re struggling as a freelance writer right now, it’s not your fault!
My Articles + Updates
I got to meet author Harlan Coben in May! He seems so knowledgeable, kind, funny, relatable, and talented. I’m hoping to write an article about his writing tips soon!
For HuffPost, I wrote about “euphoric recall,” a term that describes remembering a bad time in a positive light. The article has lots of interesting and important insights from therapists!
Another HuffPost assignment I got focuses on a common misconception re: happiness, and it’s pretty eye-opening!
Narcissism stories seem to be popular right now, and I’ve gotten to write some for Well+Good! Here’s one on narcissist smear campaigns & how to take back your power.
Want More? Here Are Other Ways I Can Help
Don’t forget about my approved pitches document and Medium guide and coaching/editing services and writing checklist set and worksheet packet for writers!
More of my content: (1) my writing Twitter // (2) my portfolio // (3) my resource set // (4) my newsletter with tons of writing jobs and pitch calls // (5) my Instagram
(BTW, my Ko-Fi shop is here!)
This newsletter is free, but if you’d like to donate, my Venmo is @AshleyBroadwater, my PayPal is paypal.me/aebroad, my CashApp is $ashleybroadwater3, and my email for Zelle is ashleybroadwater346@gmail.com :) A huge thanks to donors!
That’s all for now! Thanks for reading this month’s newsletter. As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions :)