Freelance Writing – Why Some People Take USD2/article Gigs
It isn’t the first time that I have encountered such dilemma. And because of the growing issues around these ridiculously low rates, I have decided to compile things on why there are actually some people who grab these opportunities.
A lot of bloggers and freelance writers are always outraged by such rates, but I like to look at it from the other side.
When I was starting out in the freelance writing industry, I admit taking such offers. I even had some gigs which were lower than $2. But that didn’t stop me from reaching for more.
I have my own reasons for taking such gigs, but upon reading more and more from the web and other freelance writers, I’ve understood why some people take those gigs; myself included.
I’ve read so many blog posts and articles pertaining to whether a freelance writer should accept such low-paying articles. In BloggingFingers, there’s this blog post entitled “Just How “Low” Will You Go?” which made me think about these $2 articles.
The whole article struck me, to be honest, and I find it true. Here’s an excerpt:
Others stand by the fact that for some, these prices equal a decent wage. It all depends on where you live. For example, a writer in India might be quite pleased to have ten articles a day at $2, giving him a total of $20 per day. Where the cost of living is lower, it is easier and actually worthwhile for writers to take on these types of pay rates. But does that mean it’s a good idea?
It all boils down to what you feel your work is worth. Do you write at a $2 level? Then maybe you should stick to those lower paying jobs until you improve your skills. If you feel that you have what it takes to get higher paying assignments, go ahead and hold out for them.
Filipino freelance writers probably feel the same. $2/article, with 10 articles a day IS a livable wage. That’s like, 900 pesos per day. Multiply that by 5, and you get 4500 pesos. And for a month, if you decide to write such, you get to have 18,000 pesos. Definitely a livable wage; especially in a country where 10,000 to 12,000 pesos after taxes and other deductions is normal for an office job. Oh, and you still have to pay for your everyday fare.
Which brings me to another blog post from my favorite site, FWJ. There’s an article which also struck me, entitled “Freelance Writing: What is a Livable Wage?” Yes, I know. We might want to have this and that, but strip down everything to the basics: how much do we need to live in the Philippines or some other third-world country? Like what the other article said, the cost of living is much lower, thus people taking $2/article jobs.
A livable wage is the lowest you can go and still put food on your table and pay the bills each month. What I strive to do here is to bring jobs paying at least a livable wage. Not everyone approves of the lower paying jobs. However, as long as I know there are options keeping folks afloat in rough times, I’ll post them here. We all want the desirable wage, sometimes though,we have to take the livable wage.
Which brings me to some reasons why people really take these $2/article freelance writing gigs.
- No Experience or Newbies – admit it. When you’re starting out, you’d even want to try it for free. You give out free samples, you even ask them for you to give them free samples…anything for you to bag that job AND gain experience.
- Portfolio & experience builder – you write $2 articles, you gain experience. You get to know more, practice more, and gain more feedback from your clients. You can also get to build on your portfolio and your freelance writing history.
- Low cost of living – Admit it – $2 to $4 is more than enough for you to eat a decent meal. When you live in a place where the cost of living is fairly low, $$$ are definitely enough. Others may totally scoff these low rates, but it is enough for somebody who needs only $1 to eat his or her lunch.
- Thinking by bulk - Most $2 articles come in bulk – not just one. People take these articles because they don’t earn $2 a day. For example, they earn the same (at 10 $2/articles) as somebody more experienced who writes at $20 per article, with 1 article each day. It highly depends on the person, anyway.
- Time filler – So some people have higher-paying gigs, but they still get those lower-paying ones when they don’t have anything to do. They want to do something in their free time, so they take $2 gigs.
Personally, I do not think there is anything wrong in taking $2/article gigs. It depends on the person involved. It doesn’t exactly mean that she feels that her work is only worth $2. Most of the time, these people are always open in looking for greener pastures while they write these low-paying articles. They use it as a training ground. They take these projects because they believe that they will learn something valuable from them.
As I’ve written earlier, I did start to write at rates this low – and I’m not ashamed of it. I sometimes take those gigs in my free time. It’s still extra income; extra money.
However, I hope some people would not look at Filipino freelance writers as people who would ALWAYS take $2/article gigs. There are a lot of Filipino writers who are very talented and are definitely worth MORE THAN $2.
But if you are just starting, you won’t exactly expect to jump right up to the $10/article mark, do you? Sure, take those gigs, and build on your brand or image. As you gain practice and experience, you can ‘promote’ yourself to higher rates. Always look out for higher opportunities as a writer - think of the $2 as your stepping stone to higher freelance writing rates. Don’t let yourself be tied to that rate forever.
It all comes down to this: respect for other freelance writers. It’s a person’s choice, and a person’s decision. It may vary from case to case, from person to person, and we just need to respect other writers’ own choices in taking these gigs.
What about you? Have you taken $2 per article gigs? I’d love to hear from you.
Liked the post? Subscribe, share or tweet all you want! :)
16 comments
Whether be it Craig’s Listed or ODesked or what have you, you actually get the best of both worlds.
Here are some health facts on those deuce dollar gigs; You get to hone your craft as a writer/blogger/ghostwriter/whatnot. That’s the initial benefit, you get to sharpen your skills.
Second, you get paid by doing so. Let us be thankful for not getting scammed as some others were.
Last, and I’d say the least, you have something to show to your future clients. Although others are reluctant to have our hard-worked, 500-700 worded, all-night-up-coffee-sipped-on articles be used as reference for other providers.
$2.00 seem very small. Specially for projects/articles you do not have an idea about, topped with some pressing demands from the clientele.
Ultimately, as writers we always have the option to take on the task or just decline the very demeaning proposition.
Exactly what I have in mind.
Although others say it’s a bit of degrading, it depends on the person anyway. What could be okay for one writer is insulting for one.
I currently take writing jobs at 2$ When I started, I took jobs for $1.07 each. I agree it would be much easier to do a single high quality article for $20 (because you can really pour your heart and time into it, maybe even receive a byline). But at the end of the day, you take what’s available right? I think the point is not what is ‘insulting’, but what is acceptable. I’m sure that given a chance, any writer would want a higher rate. Availability of jobs is another factor, I for one don’t have access to either Craig’s or ODesk. With my current sources of jobs, this rate is already the highest I can get.
Thanks for that, Johann. As I said, it depends on the writer. What might be acceptable for one isn’t for the other, and we need to respect others’ choices
If I may suggest a ‘better’ alternative to oDesk and Craiglist, you should go consider freelancer.com I found most of my clients here.
Yeah, of course there’s always freelancer.com, but I don’t want to go back there because of their 10% charge to providers, plus I’ve been scammed there. So I said, never again :p
The Market is really very dynamic. With so many options, it has become a client’s market – with too many providers prices dramatically go down. But as an individual’s experience, exposures, projects and portfolio increases, so goes with the rate.
I only worked for somebody for about two years before I quit my good-paying job and ventured into Freelancing. Well, obviously its not about writing, but still Freelance. At first you really have to prove something before you can even charge a decent rate.
But as long as you love what you’re doing – it really doesn’t matter whether the rate is low knowing that soon, you’ll be in better position to charge higher.
When that time comes and you’re confident about your skills – charge a higher rate, actually many people always equate quality and reliability with the price. The higher is the rate, the better is the perception and of course you have to deliver for the investment to be justified.
I just think of those ‘low rates’ as stepping stones to higher opportunities ;p you learn along the way, and you get paid for it – pretty much like an internship.
I would work for $2/article.
Its the clients that dont pay.
Odesk sucks.
Try beating an Indian writer who “claims” he can do 300 forum postings in 2 days. Cant be done unless you are a bot or use a bot.
But nice site change. This is better than the old one.
But why are your cheeks dirty in the banner pic? As in dirty from ground zero?
I’m with you 100%. As someone who hires technical writers the first thing that I look for is their portfolio. If you don’t have a portfolio you can’t work, and anything that you can do to build up your portfolio will pay off in the future.
Haha, try refreshing for another banner pic if you want
The dirt’s probably from the plants’ shadows.
Not all clients do not pay, mind you, and oDesk doesn’t suck. It’s the fraudulent buyers who do. I’ve been working in oDesk, and I’ve never had a non-paying client…
Oh, and about the Indians, 300 forum postings IS possible. Determination and patience is the key
Yes, exactly. You start low, of course, but then it will do you good in the long run. Thank you for your comment
Im currently doing $2 posts. and I’m fine with it since I’m enjoying what I do. Thanks for sharing your knowledge on these things, will be looking forward for more! ^^
…but always aim higher!
Excellent post. I agree with you totally. Competition online is crazy with all the writers from india these days. They drastically cut down the prices for articles and that’s why client’s such as me think articles should only cost $2 a pc.
It’s kind of like how China is basically shaking up the world economy with their basement prices.
Nonetheless, I’ve found that Filipino writers are excellent in their craft and always prefer them.
In fact we’re always on the lookout for new writers, just shoot me an email. : )
Faithful over little, Lord over much. We all need to start somewhere with those baby steps. Before long, we will be joining the marathon.
Leave a Comment