Comments on: Successful Freelance Writers Keep an Eye on the Competition http://www.poewar.com/successful-freelance-writers-keep-an-eye-on-the-competition/ Writing Career Center Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:51:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: John Hewitt http://www.poewar.com/successful-freelance-writers-keep-an-eye-on-the-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-112905 John Hewitt Tue, 17 Jul 2007 20:05:23 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/successful-freelance-writers-keep-an-eye-on-the-competition/#comment-112905 There's no doubt that getting the work done cheaply is their primary goal, but no one wants to be forced to go with a really bad writer just because their bid was lowest. Even on those job boards, anyone with a brain will look at the low bidders and try to pick the one they think can handle the work. There’s no doubt that getting the work done cheaply is their primary goal, but no one wants to be forced to go with a really bad writer just because their bid was lowest. Even on those job boards, anyone with a brain will look at the low bidders and try to pick the one they think can handle the work.

]]> By: Amy Derby http://www.poewar.com/successful-freelance-writers-keep-an-eye-on-the-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-112894 Amy Derby Tue, 17 Jul 2007 17:20:05 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/successful-freelance-writers-keep-an-eye-on-the-competition/#comment-112894 I honestly thought the project was automatically awarded to the lowest bidder -- like buying something on Ebay. If the employer is able to choose, that makes me feel a little better. Honestly though, I don't entirely see the point of using such a service if it isn't to find someone to do cheap work. Perhaps I'm just dense. To each his own, I suppose. I honestly thought the project was automatically awarded to the lowest bidder — like buying something on Ebay. If the employer is able to choose, that makes me feel a little better. Honestly though, I don’t entirely see the point of using such a service if it isn’t to find someone to do cheap work. Perhaps I’m just dense. To each his own, I suppose.

]]> By: John Hewitt http://www.poewar.com/successful-freelance-writers-keep-an-eye-on-the-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-112856 John Hewitt Mon, 16 Jul 2007 23:55:43 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/successful-freelance-writers-keep-an-eye-on-the-competition/#comment-112856 To be fair, a client of these services has the right to pick anyone. They don't have to go with the lowest bidder.Sure, most of them will go with the lowest bidder, but a few might be smart enough to look for talent first. To be fair, a client of these services has the right to pick anyone. They don’t have to go with the lowest bidder.Sure, most of them will go with the lowest bidder, but a few might be smart enough to look for talent first.

]]> By: Amy Derby http://www.poewar.com/successful-freelance-writers-keep-an-eye-on-the-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-112852 Amy Derby Mon, 16 Jul 2007 21:29:04 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/successful-freelance-writers-keep-an-eye-on-the-competition/#comment-112852 John, I agree. The whole concept of job bidding seems a little bid ridiculous to me. If I want a quality writer, I'd want to hire the best person for the job, not award the job to the lowest bidder. I'll admit, I'm not all that certain how these bidding sites work, but it doesn't seem like the best way to hire someone. John, I agree. The whole concept of job bidding seems a little bid ridiculous to me. If I want a quality writer, I’d want to hire the best person for the job, not award the job to the lowest bidder. I’ll admit, I’m not all that certain how these bidding sites work, but it doesn’t seem like the best way to hire someone.

]]> By: John Hewitt http://www.poewar.com/successful-freelance-writers-keep-an-eye-on-the-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-112794 John Hewitt Sun, 15 Jul 2007 21:30:52 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/successful-freelance-writers-keep-an-eye-on-the-competition/#comment-112794 Hi Amy, Yes, the desperation out there is so widespread that it can be sad at times. That is the problem with looking for positions that require you to bid against other writers. The best gigs are the ones that you are the only one pitching. Hi Amy,
Yes, the desperation out there is so widespread that it can be sad at times. That is the problem with looking for positions that require you to bid against other writers. The best gigs are the ones that you are the only one pitching.

]]> By: Amy Derby http://www.poewar.com/successful-freelance-writers-keep-an-eye-on-the-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-112790 Amy Derby Sun, 15 Jul 2007 19:27:04 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/successful-freelance-writers-keep-an-eye-on-the-competition/#comment-112790 Great topic. Just yesterday, I was browsing a few freelance bidding sites -- ifreelance, getafreelancer, writerlance -- more out of curiosity than out of desire to bid on the projects. I'm always astonished at the low rates writers are willing to work for. I can understand writers from India being willing to work for $3 per article, but there are plenty of writers from the US, Canada, Australia, etc, also willing to work as cheaply, probably to keep up with the competition. It saddens me, but it also makes me grateful to have some steady clients who are willing to pay me decent wages. As a side note, I've been considering joining mediabistro, so I'm glad to see a good mention of it here. Great topic. Just yesterday, I was browsing a few freelance bidding sites — ifreelance, getafreelancer, writerlance — more out of curiosity than out of desire to bid on the projects. I’m always astonished at the low rates writers are willing to work for. I can understand writers from India being willing to work for $3 per article, but there are plenty of writers from the US, Canada, Australia, etc, also willing to work as cheaply, probably to keep up with the competition. It saddens me, but it also makes me grateful to have some steady clients who are willing to pay me decent wages.

As a side note, I’ve been considering joining mediabistro, so I’m glad to see a good mention of it here.

]]> By: John Hewitt http://www.poewar.com/successful-freelance-writers-keep-an-eye-on-the-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-112542 John Hewitt Thu, 12 Jul 2007 14:26:56 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/successful-freelance-writers-keep-an-eye-on-the-competition/#comment-112542 Thank you for your input Michelle. I'll take a look at oDesk. Thank you for your input Michelle. I’ll take a look at oDesk.

]]> By: Michelle Keller http://www.poewar.com/successful-freelance-writers-keep-an-eye-on-the-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-112487 Michelle Keller Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:55:31 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/successful-freelance-writers-keep-an-eye-on-the-competition/#comment-112487 Hi Anne, Global competition is certainly making it challenging for writers to set their rates. Even so, there are still people who prefer working with freelancers in a timezone similar to theirs or who speak certain languages, so many North American writers are still in demand. If you are a technical writer, you might want to consider checking out oDesk. Buyers can search for providers in specific time zones or who are fluent in specific languages. Payment is guaranteed and you can browse what others are charging for their work. Best, Michelle Hi Anne,
Global competition is certainly making it challenging for writers to set their rates. Even so, there are still people who prefer working with freelancers in a timezone similar to theirs or who speak certain languages, so many North American writers are still in demand. If you are a technical writer, you might want to consider checking out oDesk. Buyers can search for providers in specific time zones or who are fluent in specific languages. Payment is guaranteed and you can browse what others are charging for their work.
Best,
Michelle

]]> By: John Hewitt http://www.poewar.com/successful-freelance-writers-keep-an-eye-on-the-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-112452 John Hewitt Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:50:12 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/successful-freelance-writers-keep-an-eye-on-the-competition/#comment-112452 Hi Anne, The problem with people undercharging is becoming a serious issue, and it's one that won't be going away. With the influx of international competition and the number of people who are simply desperate to make it, there is always going to be a pool of people who charge less than they should. Freelancing is a global sport now, and that is going to make it harder to succeed, but I still rest easy because most freelance writers are absolutely terrible. Hi Anne,
The problem with people undercharging is becoming a serious issue, and it’s one that won’t be going away. With the influx of international competition and the number of people who are simply desperate to make it, there is always going to be a pool of people who charge less than they should. Freelancing is a global sport now, and that is going to make it harder to succeed, but I still rest easy because most freelance writers are absolutely terrible.

]]> By: Anne Wayman http://www.poewar.com/successful-freelance-writers-keep-an-eye-on-the-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-112450 Anne Wayman Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:40:08 +0000 http://www.poewar.com/successful-freelance-writers-keep-an-eye-on-the-competition/#comment-112450 John, good points. Keeping an eye on the competition makes sense... as long as writers don't panic and fear to charge what they're worth... it's always a balancing act. Anne www.thegoldenpencil.com John, good points. Keeping an eye on the competition makes sense… as long as writers don’t panic and fear to charge what they’re worth… it’s always a balancing act.

Anne
http://www.thegoldenpencil.com

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