What's "fair pay" for writing? That's not a simple question. There is no unified body that dictates what fair pay is. Even if there were, individual writers' differences in experience, industry, and regional cost of living would muddy the figure. So how can you know whether a rate is fair?
From the writer's perspective, the process is a familiar exercise in budgeting. Divide the dollar requirement by total billable hours available, and that is the hourly rate.
That's an approximate calculation, though. A higher rate may apply to writing that requires special background. Writing that is casual and requires little research may come at a lower rate. Some work might be charged per word or per page rather than per hour; others may be flat-rate or per-project agreements.
Sometimes industry differences lead to adjustments, too. I'm one example. I bill myself as a virtual assistant that specializes in language services. Because typical per-hour virtual assisting rates tend to be lower than typical freelance writing rates, I place my rates somewhere in the middle.
With so many disparate and possibly unknown factors to take into consideration, it's no wonder clients simply go with the lowest rate. But that's no reason for a writer to accept--or a client to offer--less than adequate pay. And there's also no need to go into lengthy explanation. Instead, both parties may find it helpful to refer to the Editorial Freelancers Association's handy guide to current, reasonable, typical freelance charge ranges.
Don't like that guide? Negotiate into something that's more comfortable. But remember that regardless of circumstance, some things are abundantly clear. Minimum wage is not acceptable for a skilled professional. The job-board typical $1 per 100 words is not acceptable for anyone in a developed nation (and questionable in an undeveloped one). And if you're serious about making a living, "no compensation, but great referrals" is absolutely not acceptable, period.
© 2009 by AnnaLisa Michalski