The Writing Price List Finally Goes Public!

I had been long contemplating and debating on the fact that should I or shouldn't go ahead and replace the standard and safe 'request a quote' web page on my website with my writing rates. The variable in consideration were plenty and so were the advices which came my way. I decided to take a fair perspective. So with a paper and pen I sat down and made 2 columns on the paper and started listing out the advantages and disadvantages which I could think of regarding posting my writing prices on my website.

Both the columns seemed to have equal number of points! But then deep inside i knew that it was the right time to bring out my writing rates. There was just one problem which was nagging me regarding it and that was the point that by posting my writing prices I would be reducing my chances of potential client interactions as they would now not be contacting me if they feel that my writing services prices are beyond their reach. But it did not take me long to realise that if these viewers did like my work and seeked quality work on their projects then they would by all means approach me!

The other factor that stood out was that now I would be able to concentrate my time only on a handful of clients who would be now knowing what price to expect for their project so that we could go ahead and straight away concentrate on the project. Believe me, when you work as a freelancer, the most time consuming task can be the one when you have to reply to queries regarding the prices charged and the ones which start a price negotiating cycle.

My profession of freelance web writing has many writers who provide content for as low as $1 per page. So by putting up my writing price list I wish to finally and once and for all declare it that no I am NOT one of them. I love my profession and I ensure that my work reflects the same passion and dedication. My writing price list is justified by the quality of my work that I deliver. So if you get what you want for your project I too have the right to charge logically for the same right?

After all, what I am bringing in is transparency and ease so that clients seeking a web content writer will know what to expect! You can check out the content writing rates at my website and let me know what you think!

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Busy Was The Buzz Word This Week!

This week has been a hectic one for sure.. For starters my regular wok too came not in cart loads but in truck fulls and then along came two new projects too. The first project was content writing for a consulting website.

Client: Castle Consultants

The client wanted content on specific guidelines to be used for their financial consulting section. Since the client was expecting some good contracts in a couple of days there fore the requirement of having the content and putting the same on the website as soon as possible was a necessity. Having said that, the complexity aggravated with the fact that the topics I had to write on were completely new to me! The client did provide me with a foot hold to start on but I knew that i had to get my basics clear before i attempted writing.

Clients brief: The content should be crisp, targeting to a niche of customers, should bring out genuineness and credibility as well as sound professional.

I had expected before hand that the assignment was going to be a bit tough and yes it surely was. Tough as in the fact that i needed to understand the topics, understand the requirement and deliver on the same in a span of 2 days. The client was patient enough to go through my drafts and suggest modifications. 2 rounds of modifications followed before the final content was settled for. Now when I look back at this particular assignment I can analyze that what took me the most time here was to get in the right customer targeting. I was blocking my usage to a couple of words only which when I rectified saw things falling in place.

Since I cannot post the entire content here I will copy a part of the content that the assignment for you have an idea...

Government Liaising & Product Launch
Castle Consultants aspires to make your business dealing with various government agencies completely hassle free. We at Castle Consultants understand the difficulties that businesses encounter with government agencies for getting various approvals. We have the desired skills to understand government requirements, procedures, and paper work involved towards setting up new businesses and running them.

Our team of government liaison experts are very well equipped to provide you with government and business liaison services to your utmost satisfaction. The government liaison services at Castle Consulting are ideally crafted allowing us to take care of all the modalities and tasks involved while you can freely work towards meeting your strategic business goals and ensuring growth of your company.
Adding another feather to its cap is the sound marketing management skills that you can avail from Castle consultants. Coupled with adequate and in depth marketing research the business strategy development offered by Castle consultants ensures that your business product is placed in the right market framework and it gets the perfect launch that it deserves. First hand market experience along with the essence of sophisticated market planning gives our experienced and qualifies marketing consultants the extra edge that they need in order to make your product launch a winning one!


The other assignment that i wrapped up was for an image consultancy firm called Indihues.

Situated in Mumbai, India, this company also provides personal styling services and as a part of the same they are going to organize a workshop on "Power Dressing" for employees of various big corporate houses. The requirement here was a bit unique. The client has the entire literature ready but wanted help to convert it into a script. A script that the presenter would present in front of the crowd in the workshop.

Client Brief: The script should be conversational. The language should not be heavy email type but rather the funky sms lingo type. There should be enough punches to make the entire script funny and therefore be able to keep the audience hooked. The principle of connect and disconnect using live situational example too should be incorporated.

Since it would be presented by a young presenter therefore the tone of the script had to be young and fresh. The task involved me having to go through various fashion blogs and websites dedicated to styling of men and have in hand some funky instances and quotes which i could use. The best way that i thought was to approach the project was to imagine myself speaking the entire thing in front of the crowd. This bought sentences into my head. Since I was new to scripting the client also suggested a wonderful idea that i take each topic as a scene and then work on it. Working on in part by part really helped.

Find below a part of the script that I have sent to the client for his feedback.

If you wish to adorn you shirt with a cuff link then first you need to have crisp white French cuffed shirt to qualify! Remember, cuff links just don’t work on any other shirt.

When it comes to handkerchiefs (or pocket squares) your best bet would be one in dark blue or gray. But when in doubt, swear by the white!

A watch too is a perfect accessory. But formal watches can only be leather band watches. PERIOD. Silver or steel-band timepieces just do not work for formal occasions.

Moving to ties, i am reminded of a joke which says that “Yesterday I got my tie stuck in the fax machine. Next thing I knew, I was in Los Angeles."! So you see a tie CAN take you places!

A garish tie will stand out like a bad haircut. A solid black, silver or blue tie in muted tones would be your safest bet. You can tie your tie in three basic ways; the four in hand knot, the half Windsor knot as well as the Windsor knot.

I feel that if you are wearing a tie you should also go for a tie clip. It keeps your tie in place when you’re standing and out of your soup when you’re eating!


Would love to hear from you on this!

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My Tips, My Experience

I may not have had enough time yet as a freelance content writer but there are certain things that I have discovered and rather drilled in my head to keep in mind. Practical tips which have come my way from my very own experience. Tips which might not sound all that important but believe me when you are working in this field of creative writing and that too as a freelancer they can help you wade through real smooth!

1. You have to learn to say NO too! I can imagine that as a freelancer you might be at times wanting to grab any project which comes your way but believe you me, you have to say no at times too. Doing projects for free or on terms which are totally dictated by your client will not get you any good. You have to understand this. It might be difficult to turn down a project but you have to make the client understand your terms and conditions too!

2. This brings me to my next tip. Before you start freelancing as a content writer devote some time and chart down your price list and your terms and conditions. I understand that when yous tart off you cannot charge high but this does not stop you from charging a decent befitting amount too. You have to make the client realise that you have the talent hence he has approached you for his work.

3. Never under price. Never put your talent on the line just to grab a project by succumbing to the pressure of the client asking you to lower your price. If you feel that you are charging the right justified amount then stick to it. You would portray a strong stable personality this way.

4. Never compromise on the quality of work. As a freelance content writer it is your work which is your identity. By delivering low quality work you are harming your reputation. One of the most common reason for producing low quality work is lack of time owing to too many projects. Therefore limit the amount of work that you take on at a particular time.

5. Do not shy from networking. For a freelancer it is the word of mouth which brings in business. For this you need to network effectively. To start networking ensure that you have your portfolio ready. If possible have your website created too. You can now become a member of the various networking communities on the Internet and simply sell your talent.

6. Communicate. Keep in touch with all your good clients as they are the one's who can be your best advertisers to future customers.

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