Bargaining for Fees: Quality Copy or Quantity Risk

By Beatrice Vanni

Article Word Count: 569

No one usually gets a second chance to make a good impression. Do you agree that leaving your editing or writing needs in the hands of a professional is smarter in the long run than getting a closeout deal which may risk your image and reputation?

Professional editors and writers, or freelancers, are in the quality and value business. They usually give excellent service with added value, and will do what they say and not leave a client wondering who wrote or edited their copy.

They come with years of experience which may also include a specialty, such as working with second-language writers, particular industries, a genre or even a certain profession.

Typically, these specialists do not underbid jobs; neither is it common practice to bargain away their services. They have a right, even an obligation, to charge expert fees.

Freelancers are no different than any other authority. High-end clients are desired and especially those who value their work, talent and profession.

Reasonable Fees

Most editors and writers have years of both education and experience to acquire first-rate skills and deserve due compensation. They strive to protect a client's image and reputation which is a huge responsibility.

Fees can run the gamut based on aspects of the job and personal experience. For instance, they may charge by the page for smaller jobs but give quotes for an entire project. Editing copy may take a few minutes or more per page based on its difficulty, while rewriting within the editing process may take much more time.

Higher fees for fewer pages can be expected, but larger projects may demand a lower per page fee for both editing and writing. A client's profit line can be protected in this way.

While editors and writers are not hourly workers, they may charge a flat hourly rate for some jobs. For other requests, per page or per word fees are not uncommon. If a client wants to know how much they are paying someone per hour for a project, they can easily calculate it. Most editors and writers do not make a killing on any piece of work.

Some projects, of any size, demand more time and thought if the work was originally written by a non-native speaker. Language to language translations can be difficult to decipher at times depending on the competency of that writer.

In the long run, clients may receive better value with per page fees and simplify their lives by working with a professional.

Cheaper Fees

Any time clients go bargain hunting, they can surely find many. The question is not whether the client will go elsewhere if the freelancer doesn't bargain. Rather, is the editor secure that they provide quality and value for reasonable rates, and does the client understand their own risks to getting bargain basement deals? What is a client willing to give up for lower fees? What does the writer gain by accepting them?

Anyone seeking professional services should ask themselves if those deals come with another price, like unprofessional work, untimely delivery or, even worse, less of a commitment. Are you confident you won't end up embarrassed? Who exactly gets undercut on prices and why? Clients must ask about the expertise of the writer or editor, and that expert must question the client's commitment to quality.

So, before either of you go bargain hunting, ask yourself these questions, and also ask who wins here.

© 2005 Beatrice Vanni

About the Author

Bea Vanni works with non-fiction authors, educators and consultants who want to gain more visibility for their work and create remarkable solutions for their business challenges. Learn more and get a complimentary consult at http://www.remarkablesolutions.com.

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Key Words: editing, editor, writing, writer, freelancer, clients, experts, fees, bargain, bargaining, non-native language writers, second-language writers

Article Category: Writing and Speaking: Writing/Copywriting; Business: Small Business

Article Summary: If you are an editor or writer or their client, here are a few considerations the next time you want to go bargain hunting. Professional writers and editors all have set fees of some kind and charge based on a variety of factors. Be aware of how fees are set, and the dangers bargaining hunting can bring to a profession or your valued customer.