Comments on: Icophobiacs Anonymous

By: Holly Kay

Holly Kay — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 06:35:52 +0000

My freelance writing rates have climbed steadily since I began several years ago due to clients wanting to retain my services, not due to haggling. I’m with the other posters–if I need to haggle to get a fair price, I probably won’t go with the project (but did as a beginner and did not haggle!).

Most people don’t take rate conversations personally–they aren’t thinking “nice” or “mean.” They are simply thinking “in our budget” or not. If a company freaks out at the rate you name, it is probably because they don’t know market rates (unless your estimate is off), and not at all based on their impression of you. In my specific field of writing, there are pretty clear pay ranges, and I definitely know what they are–so if someone is freaked out over a rate, I know it’s because they don’t know the rates. This makes me comfortable with haggling when I feel it’s worth doing.

Haggling is easier when you keep it short and sweet. No apologies. I simply ask for what I want and explain why, and express thanks for being chosen: “Thank you for offering me this project! Is it possible to raise the rate by X. Please let me know if this sounds okay.”

Good luck!

Holly Kay’s last blog post..These Pants May Have Historical Significance

By: Laura Spencer

Laura Spencer — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:04:04 +0000

This is also an area where I'm weak. I have sometimes haggled, but probably not nearly as often as I should have. I also find myself haggling over due dates more then pay (I've been really busy lately). That's probably counterproductive. I need to work on this. Thanks for the reminder. Laura Spencer's last blog post..Is Procrastination Good or Bad?

By: Naomi Dunford

Naomi Dunford — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 05:15:26 +0000

Hmm. I guess I’m of two minds. First, I don’t haggle because I don’t have time and I suck at it. I get all offended and that doesn’t make for a pleasant working relationship.

Second, if I sense hesitation on the price AND I feel it might be warranted AND I really want to work with them then I’ll generally throw something else in. As in, if they’re uncomfortable with $200 for a press release then I’ll revamp their AdWords while I’m at it.

Doesn’t happen often — that’s a lot of criteria to meet — but if they don’t go in for it I know that they either truly don’t have the money or they are haggling for haggling’s sake.

By: Allena

Allena — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 01:19:22 +0000

yeah I just don’t haggle either. I simply don’t have the time. I consider haggling one of those administrative tasks that I try to limit cause I’m not getting paid for it. I can’t stand the back and forth emails. I don’t get paid when I’m writing or reading email, so I try to limit it. Maybe I’d haggle on the phone. Maybe I’d haggle for one of my dream clients. I dunno.

By: Genesis

Genesis — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 22:24:21 +0000

I don´t haggle either when it comes to writing, it´s something that I don´t enjoy at all. But I also work through a couple of agencies, so they have standard rates and I don´t actually need to haggle. Often, when a client comes to me directly, I´ll give a price based on whether or not I want to do the job.

Sometimes, I really don´t want to do a job, so I´ll just throw a huge number out there, but it often backfires and they say yes!

By: IrreverentFreelancer

IrreverentFreelancer — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:47:24 +0000

I'm with Melissa. I've set standard rates. If a prospective client isn't willing to pay them, I just don't work with that client. Where I hate haggling is when clients are LATE with payment. IrreverentFreelancer's last blog post..Pushing a Freelance Hot Button

By: James Chartrand - Men with Pens

James Chartrand - Men with Pens — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 12:44:17 +0000

I’m the opposite. I love to haggle. I recently had someone approach me for a $15 job. (Like, five words, people.) We ended up haggling back and forth in admitted absolute glory and the result was a half hour of pure fun.

I approach the situation with the mindset that haggling WILL happen. I think you approach the situation with the hope that it won’t. I would face the fear, tell yourself that from now on, EVERY client will haggle – how will you deal? Practice how you will deal in your mind by envisioning the scenarios over and over.

Think of it as a challenge, a game. Find the fun. A client is aghast at your rates? Alright, which diplomatic words will you use to compel him to change his mind? A client wants to drive down your rates? Okay, how will you use humor to firmly say no?

Know what your line is. Become comfortable with it. We fear what we don’t understand or don’t know well, so learn And become a pro.

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 04:13:07 +0000

So far... I just don't haggle. The quoted price is the only price I offer and so far nobody has tried to get me to lower my rates. Hmm, maybe they're too low. Having said that, I've only been at it for seven months, and if I felt it was worth it, I'd engage in negotiation for the right project or client. Melissa Donovan's last blog post..April Announcements