Advice for Copywriters: How to Win the Freelance Bidding War

Are you a freelance copywriter working from home? If so, you've probably been on the project bidding war sites, like elance.com. You've probably seen ads like this:

"Need 50 Articles Ghostwritten. 500-800 Words. Budget: $250-$500. Timeframe: one month."

"How insulting!" you think to yourself, and yet sheer curiosity lures you to the bidding area. What do you see? Lowbrow bidders losing their minds... chomping at the bit for this embarrassing offer: "Bid: $500." "Bid: $300."

All of this is doing a number on your head. You start second-guessing your own worth. "Damn. Is that the going rate? This is what I have to compete with other writers for to get jobs? Jeez." And there you sit, mired in self-doubt and confusion.

To the poster of the high-volume, low-budget article job: I'm sorry - WHAT? You want FIFTY articles in one month, and you're going to pay me no more than $500 dollars to write them, AND I don't even get any free promotion out of the deal? No way. Not taking that bait, honey. Thanks for the skimpy offer, though.

People, let's think this over a minute. Unless you plan to pimp out some interns who are willing to do the work anonymously AND for free (a preposterous notion in itself), why would you ever agree to this project? If you researched and wrote two articles a day you could have this done in a month, but it would encompass most of your time for that month... and when you were done you wouldn't even have enough money to make your rent!

Jobs like this are what I call "Copywriter Sweatshop Jobs" and should be avoided at all costs. Why? Because freelance websites who pit writer against writer for the lowest rate have one-up on the writers. Not just you personally, but ALL the writers. If you play the game, you end up working your tail off for virtually no profit, and guess who comes out the big winner? The buyer, and the bidding website. But not you, dear writer! Not you.

Think about it. You're already paying for a subscription to be listed on the site. You have to pay again if you want to upgrade to some shnazzy, portfolio-having status. You're required to pay a percentage of the job that you bidded on and won. So how is this a big cash cow for you as a freelance writer? It isn't. You know you're going to bust your hump putting out a quality piece for these people. So don't undercut your ability. And above all, don't worry that some low bidder got the job and you didn't. If the buyer only wants to pay chump change, you don't want the job anyway!

Am I trying to tell you to boycott project bidding war websites? No, certainly not. But if you, as a seasoned copywriter know that a project is going to take you 10 hours to complete, and you typically charge $60 an hour, then DO NOT AGREE TO DO THE PROJECT FOR $250 instead of $600. It doesn't matter what the buyer says his budget is. Make your bid for $600, and then quietly walk away.

Life doesn't come easy for a freelancer. As a sole proprietor, you have no corporate safety net. You must pay for your own health insurance benefits. You are responsible for every aspect of your home business, from promoting to customer service to budgeting to website design to outsourcing. If you can do all this on your own, you are nobody's bitch. So don't play the role of one!

In many ways, big companies do far better in terms of productivity when they hire freelancers to do their work. Why? A freelancer is going to do a more efficient and more thorough job, because of the codependent nature of the relationship. The reasoning: "If you don't like my work, you won't hire me again." Meanwhile, the salaried guy with a fat benefits package is sitting at his desk making personal calls, surfing the net and looking forward to his two-hour liquid lunch. Where's the justice?

Corporations save thousands of dollars when they contract projects out instead of hire full-timers. They can surely afford your services at a price that reflects your level of talent and professionalism. Smart companies know that quality work will cost them some money; and yes, they WILL pay for your expert services. Settle for nothing less than a respectable fee. Not sure what that is? Go do some online homework. Find out what others are charging. Consider your location (big city clients pay more), your level of expertise and credentials.

If every copywriter stood his or her ground when it came to fees, no buyer on that bidding site would be able to ask an insulting sum of money for his project. So instead of seeing other writers as competition, view them as your comrades. If we work against each other, we devalue ourselves. Take a stand, stick to your guns, and watch the good-paying jobs roll in. End of story.

Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.

Dina Giolitto is a New-Jersey based Copywriting Consultant with nine years' industry experience. Her current focus is web content and web marketing for a multitude of products and services although the bulk of her experience lies in retail for big-name companies like Toys"R"Us. Visit http://www.wordfeeder.com for rates and samples.

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Copywriting Information:

Related Articles

How To Write Powerful Headlines
I want to tell you how I go about writing headlines. I like to keep swap files of headlines around for future use.
Business Writing: When Not To Be Professional
It's time to write your next ad or brochure. Maybe some web content.
Writing Effective Sales Copy
Whether you run a home-based business or Microsoft, one thing is always true: products do not sell themselves. So what makes customers buy? Words.
How Not to Write a Press Release
Several years ago, when I was working for an agency, I was fired from an account. What that means is the client didn't want me writing for him anymore.
Ad Copy - Your 12 Point Inspection!
You're ready to launch that new product or promotion, & you're really counting on a piece of advertising copy to come through for you.You're looking for stellar results! And, you're determined to do everything in your power to get them.
Copywriting 101: Exclamation Point, Friend or Foe?
My name is Ann and I'm a grammar geek. There, it's out and I'm relieved.
How to Start and Sustain a Career as a Freelance Writer
Have you wondered how you can make a career writing books or articles for various publications? Or are you seeking a viable second income opportunity but do not know where to start? Well, freelance writing may be the right career for you and it can open a world of lucrative opportunities for you.You do not need to have special qualifications to be a freelance writer and make money.
Knowing Copywriting Basics - How To Get Ahead In Your Copy Writing Business
In order to get ahead in your copy writing business, you need to know copywriting basics. There are several things that all business owners need to know, and here, we will touch on just a few.
Are You Asking the Right Questions in Your Copy?
It's a common approach to writing copy. You begin by asking questions.
Why Your Advertising Copy is not the Most Important Part of Your Ad
If you own a shop in the middle of the desert, and nobody walks past..
How To Find A Copywriting School
Have you heard the good things about the field of copywriting? If you have, then you know that a qualified copywriter is an invaluable asset to those looking for them. Becoming this asset means going to a copywriting school.
How To Become A Freelance Copywriter In New York
As a freelance copywriter in New York, your work is never done.What?Do you mean to say that it is hard to find regular freelance writing jobs, even here in New York City?For those looking to succeed, employment is hard to find only because we lack the knowledge of where to find the work we want.
Promote Your Business and Get Paid for Doing It!
How can you gain credibility and exposure for you and your business, reach a motivated audience, develop a far-flung network, hone your presentation skills -- and get paid to do it?Many writers, artists, speakers and entrepreneurs have found an answer: they teach classes in adult education programs.Adult education is big business.
Freelance Writing As A Career
Most people would love to make a living from freelance writing. If you tell people that you are a freelance writer, chances are that they will respond by telling you about their own desire to be a freelance writer.
Crank Out More Articles More Often With An Article Swipe File
If you write copy you need a swipe file. A good swipe file can save you lot's of work and enable you to crank out more articles more oftenEvery good copywriter has a swipe file.
Six Reasons You Don't Need a Technical Writer (and Why They're Dead Wrong!)
I know, I know. Times are tough.
How You Can Proofread Your Own Work
Putting out a high quality product is a given these days. With all the competition out there, you have to look great in every aspect.
So Youve Decided to Hire a Freelance Copywriter - A Guide to the Collaboration Process
Whether you're an executive or a small business owner, chances are you will have to hire a writer somewhere along the line to create your marketing material. Here is some insight into the process, what is expected of you, and how to get the most out of your investment.
Designing for a Non-English Audience
Having worked as a digital publishing specialist at a large corporation at my previous job, I did not think being in charge of foreign language typesetting would be too difficult. After all, the layout and the images are already prepared and I only need to flow in the text - how hard could that be? I was sure that a simple Copy and Paste, or text importation, would do everything.
A Little-Known Secret To Writing Sales Copy, For Serious Copywriters Only!
Have you ever wondered how your copy sounds to your prospects when they're reading it?If you have, here's a little-known trick to making your copy sound as clear as a bell, and feel as comforting as a warm fireplace in the winter.The very best way to figure out how your copy sounds to your prospects, is NOT to read it, but to read it out loud.