Rates - setting them, getting them, etc.

Where to look up freelance rates for articles, essays, blogs, and more -

NUJ Rate for the Job (from the National Union of Journalists)

Who Pays Writers lets you search rates by publication

JournoResources put together this list of commissioned rates

IWW Freelance Journalists Union compiled this spreadsheet with rates and contact details

Contently’s Freelance Rates Database

Anna Codrea-Rado is working to close the #FreelancerPayGap - enter the rates you were quoted here and browse rates quoted to other freelancers here (note: this is UK-focused)

On setting rates

“How Much Should Writers Charge Per Word or Per Project?” by Robert Lee Brewer, Senior Editor at Writer’s Digest

“Asking for More: Negotiating Rates for Freelance Assignments” by Rachel Zamzow, The Open Notebook

How to say “Sorry, I’m not doing that for free” (via Reddit)

Rate transparency

Without getting too preachy, I will say that rate transparency is crucial to growing a sustainable freelance ecosystem. It ensures you don’t get lowballed, prevents freelancer rate discrimination*, and prevents you from wasting your time and the editor’s (if the publication’s rate is lower than you expect, say).

If a writer gets in touch with me asking if I can share a contact, I typically mention what I was paid alongside it. I’d encourage you to do the same wherever possible.

*see #FreelancerPayGap - a Google Sheet that compares pay alongside ethnicity, experience, etc.