Are your Freelance Writing Rates Negotiable?
In a tough economic climate, it is common for companies to do whatever it takes to save money. While this often times means hiring freelance writers, it also means trying to get the best deal possible. For this reason, clients may attempt to negotiate a better rate. The question is: are you willing to partake in this type of discussion?
There is nothing wrong with negotiating your rates. But of course, you only want to do this if the end result is a mutually beneficial relationship. In other words, your client should not be getting the “good end of the stick.†If you will do the job for less because you are interested in striking up a relationship with the client, there is nothing wrong with moving forward. Just make sure you are not wasting your time – you should receive as many “benefits†as the client.
Of course, there are also drawbacks of negotiating. Above all else, you are going to make less money. Along with this, your client will expect you to give them the same or better deal with every future project.
Also, it can be hard to avoid the habit of lowering your rates for future clients. If you do this once you may begin to feel that it is the only way to get work again. In most cases, nothing could be further from the truth.
I know many freelance writers who will not lower their rate, regardless of what it means. On the other side, there is a group that has no problem with this. Personally, I take it on a case by case basis. If I think I can benefit from negotiating, I am 100 percent open to doing so.
So, are your freelance writing rates negotiable?
