Should Freelance Writers Negotiate to get in the Door?
Imagine this: there is a client that you have been dying to work for. But when you finally get close to receiving an offer, you find out that they want to negotiate with you on payment. What would you do? Believe it or not, this can happen time after time. Just as you want to get the best deal, the buyer is trying to do the same thing. The question is: should you negotiate to get your foot in the door?
On one hand, you may want to take a lower price so that you can become established with the client. This is especially true if you know that the potential for long term work is there. Sure, you may not earn as much as you would like, but long term clients are very important to your continued success.
Of course, there are other freelance writers who will not settle for anything but their “set rates.†In this case, you will have to be firm when negotiating. Tell the client what you bring to the table, and why you think that you are worth your fees. You may be surprised to find that sticking to your guns will pay off in the end.
What do I do? There are times when I will negotiate with certain clients in order to get my foot in the door. Of course, I make sure that I first do my research. If I am going to accept a lower rate for my work, I make sure that I am receiving other benefits such as a long term relationship, etc.
My advice: deal with these situations on a case by case basis. If a client wants to negotiate, you should hear them out. Just remember, negotiating is not a one way street. In other words, do not let the potential buyer push you around. Instead, put yourself in their shoes while also doing what is best for you.
If you can reach a mutual agreement through friendly yet professional negotiations, you may want to consider working for a lower fee. In the end, you may earn less money but your foot will be in the door for bigger and better things in the future.
