As journalism outlets shrink and disappear, so do the freelance opportunities. Health journalism seems to be faring better than many other sectors, but at the September Lunch and Learn, freelancers shared their dismay at the stagnant and even declining pay being offered.
Still, it is possible to negotiate for better pay and to align your workload to your sense of fair compensation. Here is some of the advice freelancers shared.
Don’t be afraid to ask for more.
Editors often offer an assignment with the statement, “We can pay $x for that.” It sounds pretty definitive. We all know that publications are struggling to make a profit—but that doesn’t mean they can’t afford to spend a few extra dollars on a quality piece from an experienced writer.
Some freelancers said they have a bottom line and they stick to it: “I don’t work for less than $1 a word.”
They are prepared to walk away from assignments that don’t meet that pay, and they focus their freelance business on better-paying publications. One writer recalled an offer of $785 for a 1,000-word piece. She told the editor she couldn’t do it for less than $1,000 — and she got it. (She noted that even $1 a word isn’t exactly great pay; that’s what freelancers were paid decades ago.)
If the relationship is a new one — and you really want to work for the publication — freelancers suggested a softer tack. One writer at the Lunch and Learn responded to a low-ball offer ($400 for a 1,200-word piece) by asking if there was any “wiggle room” and citing rates of other clients, such as the Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. She was able to get a boost to $700.
Factor in the Work.
A per-word rate isn’t always the best way to measure a fair fee. If you’re doing a Q&A that requires one phone call, $500 might be good pay, regardless of the final word count. Conversely, a 500-word story can turn into a greater burden if you have to have multiple interviews with experts, find a variety of published evidence and provide journal links. Freelancers said the perceived amount of work involved could be part of your negotiation for better pay.
Consider the extras.
Is the editor asking you to provide photos, video or audio? Has the scope of the story grown, requiring you to do additional interviews and write a longer piece? You should be compensated for that extra content, Lunch and Learn participants agreed. It would be great if contracts stipulated how work beyond the main assignment would be compensated, but even if you don’t have it in writing, you still can ask for extra pay if the work requirements change.
Find a balance.
Something quick and easy can fit into the times when you’re waiting for a callback from a source or an editor’s feedback. It may pay only a few hundred dollars — but it doesn’t require much in return. All the better if you have some flexibility in the deadline.
Know your worth.
One freelancer at the Lunch and Learn recalls being offered 75 cents per word at a new publication and telling the editor that she works for a minimum of $1 a word. The editor said he couldn’t pay an extra 25 cents per word. She turned the work down.
Beginning journalists may be willing to accept lower rates to acquire new clients and work samples. Experienced freelancers bring deeper knowledge and produce cleaner copy. For example, they may have access to leading experts because of work they’ve done on prior stories. Just as in other professions, they should be paid fairly for the higher level of expertise they bring to their assignments.
