It’s the number-one query I get requested: “How can I earn more money writing?”
I’ve given numerous solutions in previous posts, however at this time I’ll deal with one nice approach any author can use to up their earnings.
I discovered this technique again after I had my first enterprise within the mid-Eighties. I lived close to a few the film studios in Los Angeles, and I had a script-typing enterprise.
- I had a payment for typing scripts
- I had one other payment for typing scripts in an enormous hurry. It was almost double the common payment
Generally, screenwriters would come to me all matted and hung over and say, “Oh my God! This draft is due in two days, and I simply completed it. Are you able to get it typed up tomorrow?”
And I’d say, “I certain can…at my rush charge worth.”
Often, they’d ask me to do it on the common worth. However I’d say no. It’s the frenzy worth, take it or depart it. They usually’d take it, each time.
Doing rush work at common charges means you’re taking a consumer’s disaster and letting it develop into your disaster. Now you’re up working till midnight, and never incomes something extra for the inconvenience.
Cost a premium, and also you make extra in your willingness to drop all the things and deal with their venture pronto. Now, their disaster is your alternative to earn extra.
That’s how it is best to view it: your disaster is my alternative.
It really works the identical means in freelance writing. Individuals who plan badly are in all places. They create emergencies. Out of the blue, they want tons of writing carried out on a decent deadline!
That’s the place you are available.
What’s the foolproof technique to make more cash writing? Put out the phrase that you just concentrate on rush jobs.
- Let people know you’ve bought what it takes to crank out writing below the gun, and also you’ll have a fantastic new area of interest that raises your charges
- Contact native advertising companies and pitch your self as a rush specialist
- For those who write for publications, you should definitely let your editors know that in the event that they ever have one thing that wants a fast turnaround, they’ll name you
- When you’ve got any background in submitting same-day information tales, both in conventional information or for on-line blogs, point out it
When you get one rush job, phrase will unfold. Individuals you’ve carried out rush work for occasionally know different dysfunctional folks or firms, they usually cross alongside the phrase that you just had been their clutch participant. Just some rush jobs a yr could make an enormous distinction in your earnings.
Actual examples of rush-work expenses to make more cash writing
Listed below are two examples of nice rush initiatives I’ve had and was ready to make more cash writing.
One is a white paper I wrote for a small staff’ union. They wanted it carried out earlier than contract negotiations so they may use it as a bargaining instrument…however they dithered lots about what it ought to say and took numerous time getting organized. Then, they modified their thoughts a pair instances, having me write totally different variations so they may examine them. I used to be charging $500 a web page, and one of many variations was longer than our unique bid, so I bought so as to add that onto my payment.
The consequence? A $3,000 price ticket as a substitute of $2,500.
One other is likely one of the greatest rush-work assignments I’ve had. I used to be approached by a significant financial-services firm. They’d determined their firm web site wanted a really lively weblog they needed to launch in simply a few months. They needed to create a stockpile of greater than 150 brief, reported weblog entries, so they may put up a number of gadgets each day. They’d spent an excessive amount of time conceptualizing what they needed, and now there was solely six weeks left to launch!
They started by providing $200 a publish. After I identified it was primarily a big rush job, they instantly upped their charge to $300 per. At that charge, I agreed to get 20 posts carried out on their loopy deadline—pocketing an additional $2,000 as a result of it was a rush.
Their response? They had been thrilled I took so most of the posts, which means they wouldn’t have to seek out as many writers as they thought to work the venture.
Because it occurs, I discovered the work satisfying and I had the time in my schedule to do it. However they nonetheless wanted to pay me extra for rush work, as a result of rush work prices extra.
Everyone is aware of that rush = larger value, which is what makes this technique to make more cash writing really easy to deploy
You actually don’t have to clarify to a prospect that their rush venture will value a premium. They get it.
I signed up a consumer who is basically a perpetual rush job. It’s a weekly commerce publication the place they want individuals who can react to information on Monday and file it by very first thing Thursday, each week. They pay $1 a phrase.
You is probably not busy when a rush job comes alongside. Possibly you don’t have a single different writing task that week. However that doesn’t matter. The consumer doesn’t have to know that. They simply have to know that rush jobs value extra…a truth they are going to often settle for and not using a blink.
Bear in mind the well-known work triangle—good, quick, low cost. Choose any two. You’ll be able to’t get all three without delay. You need good AND quick? It’s not going to be low cost.
By the identical token, if it’s quick and low cost, it received’t be good, as I’d typically level out to my script purchasers. To which these screenwriters would all the time reply, “Oh! However I would like it to look actually good.” After which they’d pay the upcharge.
What to cost for rush jobs to make more cash writing
You deserve extra for doing issues on a rush foundation. So if a potential consumer involves you with a rush venture, bear in mind to up your charges.
Cost 30 p.c to 100% extra, relying on how determined the consumer appears, the dimensions of the issue, how briskly they need it, and the issue degree of the task.
Rush jobs are a fantastic area of interest, since you earn more money, and you seem like a hero for driving to the rescue of somebody who was in dire straits on their venture. Rush prospects are sometimes super-grateful, although they paid a premium.
This publish initially appeared on the WM Freelance Connection.
