Freelance Writing for Nonprofits

I’ve recently hired a few freelancers to help me catch up on some projects and I was stunned at some of the rates people quoted to me. I ended up offering two writers MORE than they asked for, because I couldn’t in good conscience pay the paltry sums they requested. I’m not talking big bucks here, folks.

When I first decided to contract out some work and was looking at my finances, I decided that I couldn’t afford to pay more than $0.10 per word for material that I would be offering for free on my websites and in my e-newsletters. I don’t work for that little, so I felt a little sheepish about offering a fellow writer that rate, but I reasoned that it was acceptable pay for a new freelancer or a young writer. The writers who are helping me with e-books that I sell are getting more, because those assignments generate revenue for me.

Imagine my surprise when I got offers to write for as little as $0.02 per word from people whose writing samples and resumes looked good. How can anyone who is serious about freelancing for a living write a 1,000 word article for $20???

Maybe I’m completely out-of-touch with the cut-throat world of freelance writing as I work in my little specialty niche, but working for pennies per word seems ludicrous to me. How can freelancers expect a living wage if we don’t ask for it?

Bookmark This Post to:

So it turns out that going outside makes your brain work better.

According to Brain Based Biz, the fresh air helps in many ways. Your brain gets more oxygen. The natural world stimulates your brain in new ways. Working memory kicks in and lets you solve problems in new ways. It relaxes your brain and brings calm.

This is the exactly the justification I needed for my sketchy patio furniture shopping behavior. While some people would shop based on how comfortable the furniture is for sunbathing or entertaining, I’m looking for a patio set that will allow me to work outside. I want a solid, smooth table top that I can write on, not one of those iron tables with the woven mesh tops or some weird bumpy pattern. I also want comfy chairs that sit high enough against the table that I can type on the laptop comfortably.

Some may say that shopping for patio furniture based on your ability to work on it is a sure sign of workaholism, but I’d argue that it’s a perk of the work-at-home lifestyle. What could possibly be better than watching your kids play in the sandbox outside among your flower garden in the middle of the day, while you are supposed to be working? Granted, I can’t do serious writing while watching the kids, but I can definitely catch up on email and RSS reading. An even when I’m not watching the kids, I still like to go outside, and then I really can get some good writing in.

Do you like to write outside? Let me know by leaving a comment.

Thanks to Jeff at Donor Power Blog for the tip.

Bookmark This Post to:

I really want to thank Deb Ng for posting my recent job listing on her blog and for managing Freelance Writing Jobs. More than half of the people who contacted me said they saw the posting on Deb’s site and others may have too without mentioning it. She does an AMAZING job and could make lots of money off the list as a paid service if she wanted. She is a real asset to the freelance writing community.

I’ve just donated $20 to her via her “Donate” button, and if you have used her site to find freelancers or to find work, you should consider a donation too. By helping me find some quality people with very specific skills, she saved me a bunch of time and that’s well worth my small donation.

P.S. Thanks for everyone who replied to my ad for freelance writers and editors. I’m working with three new people and trying to get in touch with a fourth. I’m still sorting through projects, so I may be contacting others soon.

Bookmark This Post to:

Yes, I’ve been absent from this blog for awhile. Life happens. I’m back, again, for a longer stretch this time, I hope.

It’s the first of the month, so it’s Blogtipping Day. If you aren’t familiar with the idea, you pick three blogs, say three things you like about them and offer one tip. It’s yet another way to build up the blogging community.

This month I’m ‘tipping three bloggers who have visited my blog recently, according to MyBlogLog.

Writing Thoughts by Laura Spencer

What I Like: (1) Asks lots of questions to spur reader comments and replies on their own blogs. (2) Often lists resources other writers might enjoy. (3) Links regularly to other writers in posts.

My Tip: Consider offering an email subscription option. I use a reader, but I’m surprised by how many people prefer to get blog posts via email. See Feedburner or Feedblitz for details.

Idea Seller by Daniel Sitter

What I Like: (1) Lots of great tips on marketing that a solo entrepreneur like a freelance writer can use. (2) Uses lots of community building widgets in the sidebars. (3) Provides his comments on the blogs in his blogroll so you know why he likes them.

My Tip: The photo looks pixelated. I’d replace it with a higher quality version.

Mrs. Write Right, Word Therapist by Julia Temlyn

What I Like: (1) A good mix of professional and personal information so you get a sense for who the blogger is while also learning from the posts. (2) Tons of outgoing links - a great place to find new favorites. (3) Lots of blogging tips for writers.

My Tip: The posts are so diverse that I’m not entirely sure who this blog is written for, or if it’s simply an outlet for the writer. I’d make the blog’s purpose more clear.

If you choose to blogtip too, remember to tag your post with blogtipping, so other blogtippers can find you!

Bookmark This Post to:

I’m interested in contracting with a few freelance writers/editors to help me get work done more quickly. I’m interested in writers and editors who have a working knowledge of InDesign, Dreamweaver, Wordpress and/or Joomla. Get the details here if you are interested.

Bookmark This Post to: