Some Schmuck Expecting You to Write For Next to Nothing? Hand Him This Brilliant “Designers Who Blog” Post.
By Tom Chandler on Jan 26, 2007 in Business of Freelancing, Writing
From Designers who Blog comes the story of a now-anonymous article repeatedly copied and reposted on Craigslist - one aimed squarely at those who expect creatives work for free.
Though focused primarily on illustrators, it should be a mandatory read for any artist selling their work at rates that won’t buy a fast food dinner (and yes, I think $5 for a 400 word “article” qualifies).
Here’s a small taste:
In this country, there are almost twice as many neurosurgeons as there are professional illustrators. There are eleven times as many certified mechanics. There are SEVENTY times as many people in the IT field.
So, given that they are less rare, and therefore less in demand, would it make sense to ask your mechanic to work on your car for free? Would you look him in the eye, with a straight face, and tell him that his compensation would be the ability to have his work shown to others as you drive down the street?
Would you offer a neurosurgeon the “opportunity†to add your name to his resume as payment for removing that pesky tumor? (Maybe you could offer him “a few bucks†for “materialsâ€. What a deal!)
You’ll want to read the whole thing at Designers who Blog. And then start building a creative practice that offer the potential for a sustained, reasonable living.
I’m working on a few posts to help that process along.
Remember: writing may be a calling, but freelancing’s a business. And no business survives overlong when those running it can’t eat, heat, or pay the bills.
Technorati Tags: illustrator, freelance, writer, writing, copywriting,
After spending a few years pissing people off and engaging in a never-ending series of arguments about the rate question, I pulled a Chief Joseph and opted to “fight no more forever.”
I hope I’m not turning my back on that pledge by making one observation…
The most important part of your post with respect to the issue of what constitutes a fair wage is:
“And then start building a creative practice that offer the potential for a sustained, reasonable living.”
This is where the $4/500 word crowd and the rest part ways. Not every self-proclaimed writer can do that, will do that, or even knows what that means. Which is why sometimes $4 is probably more than what they deserve, paid by customers who don’t need anything more than they get.
And I’m stopping here before I start defending certain bad neighborhoods within Writing City again.
Good post, though. Those who are going to read it are probably those in the can-do camp, and it’s a damn good reminder for ‘em.
Carson
Carson | Jan 26, 2007 | Reply
The real aim of posts like this is to let new writers know you can’t eat links, and that $5 “articles” aren’t typically considered professional work, much less a living wage.
One of my favorite writers said that all you can really give your kids is good teeth and an education.
With that in mind, drawing that line in the sand for newer writers (and warning them off the cliches like “there’s plenty more work after this job”) is the best anyone could hope for.
Everything else is up to them.
Tom Chandler | Jan 26, 2007 | Reply
My parents made me pay my own way through college and assorted partially-completed grad school adventures.
I just had six teeth extracted and have additional work slated after a “debridement” (I think that’s the word) at the periodontist.
Thanks for making me hate my parents, Tom.
:-)
Carson | Jan 26, 2007 | Reply
I have no comment.
Tom Chandler | Jan 26, 2007 | Reply
Good post Tom.
I just arrived home after five days away to hits on the NO!SPEC site as well. All due to the Craigslist post with the missing author. In addition, Digg is now involved in the conversation.
Hopefully we’ll be able to find the original writer of the post.
cat | Jan 30, 2007 | Reply
Good luck! Still, because of the “Power of Mystery” the article might have greater impact if the author is never found…
Tom Chandler | Jan 30, 2007 | Reply
I think one of the reasons why companies are pushing writers (and other professionals) to do the work cheaper is because they know that many professionals will actually do it. Only a very very few people have the courage to walk away from business that is almost done deal.
But I believe we have to train and strengthen our “walk away” muscles, and when it’s necessary, we have to cut our losses, which are really good losses. It would become a bad loss if we accepted the gigs at lower fees.
And here I’d like to recommend Robert Ringer’s nipplepiercingly brilliant book, Winning Through Intimidation. The title is misleading though. A better title would be how to avoid being intimidated. There are some great scenarios in it about negotiating fees.
Tom "Bald Dog" Varjan | Jan 31, 2007 | Reply
Tom;
You touched on the subject of an upcoming post, assuming I ever find the time to write again.
I started out in this business when work was harder to find, and most of it resided in the hands of a few companies. I took my beatings at the hands of skilled negotiators - until I read a few books on the subject.
I quickly learned the value of techniques like “The Hot Potato,” “the Higher Power” and a few others.
Great comment, and thanks!
Tom Chandler | Jan 31, 2007 | Reply