Holding Firm Part 2: Copywriters Ain’t the Only Ones Getting Dissed
By Roberta Rosenberg on Apr 24, 2008 in Occasional Rantings, Running Your Biz, Working with Clients
I was heartened to see how many folks took the time to comment on my original post about holding firm to our value.
That’s why I think, perhaps anyway, we’ll find some small comfort in the knowledge that we are not alone in our endless effort to keep our value proposition from sliding away.
Consider these examples:
From the programming/coding world:
Hey, so, we aren’t really prepared to pay. I mean there isn’t that much to it, it’s just a PHP website with a MySql database, I was hoping you could just throw it together as a favor. Oh well, thanks anyway…
From the wacky, zany world of entertainment:
If you’re a writer (or an artist or even an actor), folks are always trying to get you to write, draw or act for no money.
I know I felt loads better reading these posts and essays. I’m sure you will, too.
Now as serendipity would have it, a few days later (or so) Michel Fortin wrote How to Negotiate Better Fees. What you should know upfront?
“The customers who are willing to pay you the least will always demand the most.”
My addition to this spot-on axiom?
Clients who know the least about marketing and the marketing process will be the hardest to satisfy and be convinced of your value.
And yet we soldier on…
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Sarah | Apr 24, 2008 | Reply
I used to follow up with those prospects who were unsure and ‘whiney’ about the prices just to make sure I got their business.
I soon realized that it hurt more then it helped.
I leave these clients alone now. If they aren’t happy to pay a decent, not-unfair price for my services, they obviously don’t care much about their own business success.
I can’t believe your first example there! What a cheek!
I have to say, though, that there are many individuals out there who are willing to work for peanuts, which ends up pulling a lot of work away from those of us who actually wanna make a living out of this line of work. That is half the problem.
These copywriters propagate those clients who expect something for nothing.
Devon Ellington | Apr 28, 2008 | Reply
I’m sick and tired of the people who hate their jobs and believe that if someone LOVES what they do (writers, actors, artists, tech gurus, etc), instead of hating the job/vocation/career, they should be willing to give it away for free.
Just because we love what we do and are good at it, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be paid what we’re worth.
Why should we be punished for following our dreams by people who are too cowardly to do the same?
Devon Ellington’s last blog post..Monday, April 28, 2008
Roberta Rosenberg | Apr 28, 2008 | Reply
@Sharon, Devon - you’re preaching to the choir here, guys. I would never in my wildest imagination call up my accountant and tell him I was thinking about the whole debit/credit thing and wanted a brand new approach to doing my books. But in our business, (yes, I said business), everyone has an opinion and it usually starts out with, “Well, I’m not as creative as you, but …”
Just because I watch movies doesn’t mean I can write/act/direct movies. Just because you’ve read/seen advertising, doesn’t mean you can write/design it.
But, like I said, I’m preaching to the choir :D.
Tom Chandler/Copywriter Underground | Apr 29, 2008 | Reply
I wish I had a quarter for every time that someone with a six figure salary and benefits suggested I take less for the work I do.
It wouldn’t exactly be politic, but I’ve always wanted to ask them to take a lump out of their paycheck when they wanted more work than the budget allowed.
Sadly, I believe the problem will get worse; read this spot-on post by Nicholas Carr to see how little value the technology folks place on “content.”
Tom Chandler/Copywriter Underground’s last blog post..Nicholas Carr on the “Value” of Content (or, Why You Should Build Value For Yourself)
Roberta Rosenberg | Apr 29, 2008 | Reply
@Tom - thanks so much for the Carr post. His thoughts and the comments were illuminating to say the least. Are we creatives - copy and otherwise - all just pushing that big MF’ing boulder up the hill to think we may be able to continue making a living at our various arts and crafts?
David Bowman | May 5, 2008 | Reply
So much of what we do seems like “art,” and certain people think that “artists” like us should work for the joy of doing it. Yes, editing is joyful, but it’s also very hard work a takes a lot of skill–as should any art.
Roberta Rosenberg | May 5, 2008 | Reply
@Dave - I think we all should be paid for delivering the joy … because as I say to my copy coach-ees - it’s not about us, it’s all about “them.”
Thanks for your comments. Writers AND editors are always welcome.