Freelance copywriting for family and friends
Posted by Theda K. on 09 Jul 2007 | Tagged as: Copywriting, Family time, Home Business, WAHM, Writing
As professional freelance copywriters, we set rates that are comparable with other copywriters’ rates.
But family and friends often want a discount on your copywriting services.
How do you handle this sticky situation? I have a few ideas.
When you quote them a rate, tell them the lower end of your acceptable price range. Then be sure to let them know you usually charge clients the highest rate in your range. For example, let’s assume you won’t work for less than $50 an hour, but you usually charge your business clients $65 to $75 an hour. Give your family members the $50 rate, but tell them you usually charge $75.
Trade services. If your friend can knit, fix things, or the like, set up a bartering agreement with them.
Offer your family a discounted rate if they agree to a large job or a repeat project.
Tell your friend how busy you are, and agree to do the work for a lower rate, but it might take you a while to complete the project. This way you aren’t working for less and working a rush job too.
If all else fails, just say no, you’re just swamped, and you couldn’t possibly give their project the attention it deserves. Then refer them to a fellow copywriter. If you anticipate a headache when dealing with your loved one, this may be the only option to maintain a good relationship.
What tactics have you used for this situation?
Subscribe to Crayon Writer
tricky situation
I usually offer big discounts for my friends
Theda -
Excellent advice, and it applies to any type of business. I actually used something similar to the last suggestion with one relative. I knew that they would be trying to get me to work for nothing (of very little) for the entire project so I just turned them down - too busy.
Family always want something for nothing ‘never work for family’
Great tips there, I need to get better at that, I have a very hard time pricing myself, so it is hard to even think about charging family. luckily none of them need a blog redesigned, so I don’t have to worry.
i always break. i give in and do it for less. but they do the same to me
I would never charge my family.. friends get a discount of course..
But I don’t do a lot of work for family / friends anyway
Everytime I come on this site, I find
great information. I really wanted to say that today ’cause I never have
the time to comment. So I stopped by and left you a praise comment fast.
Keep up the good work.
All you do here always serve me in a way or another in my blogging
activity. If you want to know, I currently make $1,500 to $3,000 every
month since september 2006, and I operate a blog called blogadollar dot
com wich is about "make a lot of
real money online" and aims to be a REAL-LIFE case study, where I
reveal all day after day. If you want to see it, go to blogadollar dot com.