Getting Realistic As a Freelance Writer – Changing How Much I Can Offer to Clients (2017)

/ There is a 2020 version of this post here.

As I wrote in my recent post at The Pen Thinker, being a mentally and physically ill freelance writer is hard, but nothing makes life (and a career) harder than not setting realistic goals.

That was my failure for a long time: because other freelance writers were happily producing a post per week, I assumed I could work around my health issues to be that productive, too.

I was so wrong!

Life actually works the other way round (adapting a career to one’s own health challenges) and I wind up paying the consequences: a less stable mind, more intense physical pains and an overall struggle in producing quality work.

Well, I don’t want this to happen again, nor I want to feel guilty and depressed because I can’t give clients what they deserve on these terms.

Time for a (Realistic) Change

I’m going to have to cut down some workload to keep stress levels low, as high levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) greatly impact my overall health, and the quality of my work as well.

I’ve beeng seeing doctors and a psychologist, and we’re working toward a therapy that will patch up both mental and physical imbalances, but a change in the way I handle my project is urgent, too.

So, starting in June 2017, I will provide all clients 2 articles a month plus a third “jolly” piece (if my health allows for the extra work).

Less work doesn’t mean less value for you – it’s actually the opposite: less productivity stress when working within the limits of my health issues makes for more careful research and higher quality work! 😉

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And the “jolly” article is a real thing – if I have more energy in a given month, I will definitely provide that third piece.

So there is only to gain for both of us.

My Writing Rates Are Also Going Up

UPDATED Sept 6, 2018. I no longer charge $0.50/word for blog posts as I did in June 2017, but $0.20/word! That means you will pay $100 for a 500-word post instead of $250. Other service rates stay unaltered.

Starting June 2017, my rate per-word goes up to $0.50 $0.20 for blog posts, while e-books/guides go up to $300 per page.

The rate for press releases and web copy currently stays the same.

If you and I already agreed on custom rates, those rates are staying, but please understand that any new projects (new blogs, new case studies, etc.) will see the new rates applied.

The 15% discount for the first contract year for charities and startups stays unaltered.

Need a bundle package (blog posts + artwork)?
It’s always cheaper, you know.
😉

Image: “Have a well earned rest…” by l a n g g i.

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