Thanks for commenting. I sympathise with your frustration, and let me assure you that it’s not only beginners who have to deal with this mindset. All you can do it set your sights on identifying and winning clients who appreciate what you offer. This has to be a conscious decision, taken in the belief that you can control what happens to you – you’re not just a passenger. Freelancers need this mindset when they’re starting out, although they need flexibility too.

Remember that each completed project is giving you more experience, and therefore more bargaining power. That’s not to say you should accept everything, just to point out that you are always moving forward step by step.

Also, bear in mind how easy it is for clients to get prices from a range of suppliers. I receive many emails that, from their format, are clearly being sent to several copywriters at a time. I probably won’t be the cheapest, and even if we all had the same price, my chances of success are fairly low. So don’t feel bad about missing out – at least you’re being asked!

The other thing I’d suggest is to build up specialisations. Versatility is great, but if you’re the expert n a client’s field you stand a better chance of being hired. You’ve obviously got good knowledge of the beauty industry – could that become a central part of your offer?

You might think that being a ‘beauty copywriter’ would limit your appeal. In fact, it reduces your scope, but intensifies your suitability to a subset of clients. In the early days, when you badly need to close those deals and get experience, that’s no bad thing.

Good luck!

I think that this is a great debate – I’ve only been working as a full-time copywriter since last November, but with very little professional experience under my belt, (just a degree in Creative Writing), I find it hard to get work that doesn’t pay a low-end price. And, what makes it worse for me, is that although clients aren’t willing to pay more than £4 for something that has taken me a fair amount of time to complete (research, writing etc), they become incredibly demanding. But, despite their demands and high-standards, they are certainly not willing to pay more.

I would love to be earning larger amounts, but whenever I receive queries asking for quotes I have two options:

1. Go cheap, and get hired for being the cheaper option (been there, done that and it feels incredibly degrading!)

2. Go for the price I’m actually worth (which is still relatively low, since I’m still new!), and never hear from the potential client ever again!

So, I feel like I am permanently going to be stuck in the lower priced bracket.

Kat

Thanks for commenting. This is a tricky situation, and one I’ve faced myself.

There are really two issues here: asking for a reduction on the grounds of no amends being done, and renegotiating the deal after the fact.

If you imagine how ridiculous it would be to ask for a reduction on these grounds before you began work, you can see how opportunistic this tactic is. In a way, they are taking advantage of your professionalism.

My position on amends is that they’re an optional service element included for the client’s benefit – if that makes sense. If I stay in a hotel but don’t use the swimming pool, I can’t ask for my bill to be reduced. If I order the set lunch menu but I’m too full for dessert, I still pay the flat rate. It’s the same with copywriting – amends are covered if the client needs them.

To avoid any discussion along the lines of ‘this took you less time than you estimated’, keep your prices as simple fees for completing the work, with amends as necessary – not related to the time taken.

On the issue of renegotiation, I think you are wrong to feel disgruntled – but not because the client is right. It’s because I think freelances should keep emotion out of their business as far as possible.

Instead, you should try to do the best you can for your business, viewing it with your most dispassionate, managerial head on. Will this client be a regular? Will they put a lot of work your way? Is it worth letting them have this concession just once, on the understanding that you’ll tighten up the arrangement next time?

You just have to decide, case by case, how to deal with the situation. Yes, it’s ‘unreasonable’, but the question is how you can turn it to your advantage – and whether the payoff is worth the effort. If it’s not, just insist on payment as agreed.

Hope that helps!