Freelancers working for pennies seems to be on the rise...and it needs to stop.

I've noticed something, and I'm sure many of you have noticed it, too.

A lot of freelancers, especially the newer ones, are working for literally just pennies.

I'm talking about the ones who charge rates like $0.02 per word or $10 for 100 words of content.

It's ridiculous and it needs to stop.

Freelancers, why are you selling yourselves so short?

Think about it: Why would you charge such low rates for work that you spend quality time on?

Even more: Why would you charge pennies for content that could end up putting hundreds and even thousands of dollars into your client's pocket?

Let me guess: You don't think your work is good enough, OR you're simply trying to build your portfolio and make some kind of money in the meantime, right?

I see it all the time.

Freelancers who sell themselves so short because they lack confidence in their writing capabilities; OR they're just trying to get any client they can, so that they can build their portfolio.

If you're reading this and you're doing this for these exact reasons, stop it. Stop it right now.

Rather than charging stupidly low rates because you think your work isn't worth more than a few cents, it's time to reevaluate yourself.

Pull yourself together--slap yourself in the face if you have to--and really tell yourself, "I can do this. I am worth more."

And if you're struggling to build your portfolio, rather than settling on rates that won't even buy you a decent meal, start by defining the niche you want to write for instead.

Trust me. You're going to find a lot more work this way.

What would I recommend as a decent rate (especially for newer freelancers?)

$0.25 per word. (And the blood of the cheapskate clients has begun to boil...)

Depending on your writing skills, you can do a little more or a little less, but don't go down any further than $0.15 per word (just don't).

Remember: Your clients aren't just paying for content--they're paying for your TIME.

They're paying for the time it's going to take you to craft their work and perform any research you might have to put in, in order to meet their approval.

They're also paying for any revisions they might ask for (and trust me when I say this: about 9 out of 10 times, your clients will ask you to make some kind adjustment to the work you send them).

"What if no one wants to pay the rate you're suggesting?"

That's fine.

You don't want to work for those people.

The people who want high-quality work from you, but don't want to make a good investment in the work you're producing for them, aren't the kind of clients you want to waste your time on.

I mean that.

Stick to your guns, define your writing niche, and I promise you, you'll find good-paying work with clients who will respect you and your time.

It'll come soon enough.

Thanks for reading, Warriors, and good luck out there.