I need to explain as a professional writer
I have been in the freelance writing game when it was not competitive nor was it taken so seriously. It has developed from nothing; time pass into a multi-million-dollar industry. Today it is a different beast and with the entry of non-writers, the space is crowded. Blogs being done for pennies and cents have been replaced with ad copy, traffic and more money. It seems to have taken off in a big way. Some writers get paid and others are lost in translation.
At least 75% of content writers crib:
- Where is the money, honey?
- Why don’t I get clients who pay me?
- Why do they delay payments?
- Why am I still an unpublished author?
Don’t kill the bill
Many clashes happen between content writers and clients. Our expectations are different from theirs. We need to bridge the gap between what they want and what we can deliver.
If you are a professional writer like me try to:
- Accept assignments only through reliable platforms and sources.
- Never submit your assignment without complete payment. I have a 30% cancellation clause with clients so they do not abandon projects and not pay up.
- Insist on a scope of work document before starting. When you mutually agree, the payment terms and conditions can also be laid out legally. In at last two cases I had to resort to the legal terms to get payments. It helped me a lot.
- Make bills and invoices. They are records of your work. (I will address this topic separately too)
Honestly, as a content writer you can get answers from your own actions. Here is a list that you will have to think about. If you are not getting paid, you may get clarity now. Your struggle may reduce and understand why it is a challenge to get paid.
You are targeting/approaching the wrong people
How familiar are you with clients saying, “I have a small budget? When I get more business, I can share the money.” You must be really desperate to stay engaged or need money to agree to such people. This is one of the most familiar lines I have heard and quietly backed off. I have heard clients say, “Take this as a ‘prasad’ (offering) from me.” Well, such people take divinity to ridiculous levels.
Please understand such a client will never pay, nor call you back or engage you with regular work. A hard fact to learn: If the client has no money to pay the content writer, then how the hell, will we pay our monthly bills, leave alone other things we need?
Lack of consistent clients
Over a period of long time, I have built some relationships with clients. The trust me, my work and return often to engage me for several writing services. I learnt that to grow as a writer, I needed to adapt to different kinds of writing modalities. If I could help a client with feature writing, interviews, PR it keeps the money flowing. Now I know that several writers stick to easy-peasy styles like fashion writing, blogging or writing small descriptions. They will not make the effort to skill themselves or even upgrade. By sitting in your comfort zone, clients move on with their business and relationships.
Either you do not market yourself, or have yet to prove your self-worth in the competitive content writing industry. Or worse still, the writing is so bad that the clients do not come back to you.
I have clients who never return but have paid me for the services. They also have recommended my services to their friends. Some return as they want to upgrade their products/services and website content. I have developed expertise in the writing field. I try to adapt to new writing styles. This ensures that I have steady income to meet my requirements. I admit, a few clients make me struggle. They make me write, rewrite, edit and also ask for samples. Depending on the need I also oblige. When I know that my efforts will not be wasted or abandoned…. It pays.
My motto now is,
Coming together is the beginning,
Keeping together is progress,
Working together is pure success
Currently, many writers market themselves on social media and put up content to keep the brand visibility high. Am I a part of this circus? No. I do not need it anymore. If you have to do so. Your situation is different from mine. What may help you to get paid is entirely different from my position.
You do not have multiple streams of income
Who said content writing is only blogging or feature article writing. The service horizons have multiplied. If you do not get paid in one kind of writing switch to something else. There is plenty of abundance, money and wealth around us. Wake up, smell the coffee beans, or sip on fusion teas. To survive people in other sectors also look for additional income, moonlight, take up extra hours. Even in content writing business, we need to invest in such things. So, even if some clients do not pay or delay payments, we are not stuck without any finances.
You may be making a huge mistake in not taking up other alternative sources of income to live comfortably. If you think that a single big project will bring the bread, butter jam and everything else then what will happen after the project is complete?
No Money, Honey.
You may find some other reasons too that will make you realize why you are not getting paid or payment is being delayed. Do let me know, I could offer some suggestions to remove the block heads.
Smile, please
Getting paid is not difficult. The universe does conspire to ensure you are abundant and have all the creature comforts. You need to be mentally aligned. Get smart and prepare a personal map to figure out from where the money will come from.
Be punctual at your work desk– All clients like to work with content writers who are punctual and dedicated to their work.
Comprehend what you write – The simpler choice of words you have, the better they understand. The key to understanding clients and readers is to ensure that they do not need a dictionary to understand what you have written.
Interest in writing – Write for the client, his brief is sacred. Don’t write what you feel like. Respect what he wants. Ultimately write for the interest of the targeted readers.
Refrain from plagiarism – Be original. Do not copy and call other people’s work your own. If you use, give them the credit.
Look out for my next best seller post on ‘Failing at freelance writing work is not a joke. And how to avoid it!