Am I missing out on SALES because of Cheap Rates?

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As a relatively new freelancer I am trying to build up an online reputation, both on freelancing sites and my own blog through feedback/testimonials.

To do this, I've been writing for dirt cheap rates. Similar to the price of non-natives.

I just read an interesting thread from another Warrior, DeePower.

Dee included samples of the writing she paid for, around $1/100 per words. Which is quite similar to my rate on these freelancing sites. The work she received was barely readable, as you would expect I suppose...

Anyway, my question:

Am I missing out on SALES by offering such cheap rates?

By sales I am referring to the packages on my site, or selling myself on these freelancer sites.

When potential clients see such low rates being offered, they might automatically assume that my content is of low standard due to the normal quality received for this price from other writers.

So, should I increase my rates in order to increase my sales/projects that I get awarded?

A lot of my clients have been surprised at the quality of work they receive for the price, and now I am starting to see why.

My initial plan was to gain enough feedback to be established on these sites, and enough testimonials to post on my site before upping my rates.

Plus, I don't want to overcharge for my writing, I am trying to test the water. But no client will say that my services are too dear (obviously)!

Anyway. Do you think I should up my rates? What to?
Are there any experienced writers who could help out?
Or anyone who would look at a sample to suggest what my skills are worth?

Any help/advice is more than welcome.

Thanks Warriors.
-David

EDIT: Freelancing sites are Upwork and Freelancer.com
#main internet marketing discussion forum #cheap #missing #rates #sales
  • If you are working on Fiverr the best thing you can do first is to work on increasing your status to either Level 2 or Top Rated then increase your prices to what you feel your work is really worth. Unfortunately you will have to undersell yourself to get more customers in order to increase your level and become better known. Most potential clients have more respect for Level 2 and Top Rated sellers than they do "the scrubs" pardon the expression.

    However all of this will be contingent on you providing high quality work and getting 4 - 5 star reviews from your clients.
    • [2] replies
    • My bad, I should have mentioned the freelancing sites are Upwork and Freelance. Thanks for the advice though.
      • [1] reply
    • i agree 100%

      work on your fiverr profile and increase your level.. also make sure your reviews are stellar,

      Best of luck,
      Ike
  • Honestly, that looks too cheap. Whenever I have tried to pay that cheap, it's been garbage and I won't do it again..
    • [1] reply
    • It depends.. I had some bad writers writing for $5 for 500 words.
      But I had a writer $5 for 400 words ( she always did go slighter over it ), she wrote so good, that even I couldn't write it so good :-O :-) She did it as "extra money" ( of course I didn't push for deadlines, it could take a week or 2 to get 5 articles, but she always did do it ! )

      Because of the competition good writers also go lower ( later on they could go higher )... so yes good tactics to get positive reviews ( but be carefull some persons abuses it too, they ask more )
  • You need to immediately scale up your rates. When you offer hilariously low rates, you will only get hired by low-grade content mills.

    Moreover, low rates are enough to scare away potential high paying clients. Even if you present them with great sample work -- they won't believe you.

    When you are not valuing yourself, why should others value you?

    Stop undercharging yourself. If you have earned some repute, even 10-12 reviews, it's time to step up your game.

    For a more detailed answer, I highly recommend you to read one of my own thread on this forum: http://www.warriorforum.com/mind-war...-re-worth.html

    Good luck!
    -J
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Yes -- too cheap.

    Charging $1 an article and it takes you 30 minutes to make it's just not good for you. Even if it takes you only 10 minutes you still are selling yourself short.

    I did the same thing and regret it still.

    Start your rate at 1cent a word and once you get to 100 articles written increase it to 2cents a word. After you've written a total of 300 articles increase it to 3 cents a word. Keep going until you are at a comfortable rate that allows you to write 10 articles a day without going nuts. Be sure to submit articles to magazines to get the rep to charge 15 to 20cent a word and have no one even consider not paying it.

    I wrote novels at 10cent a word but children's books were crazy low since they were faster. I regret that because people pay for quality NOT speed.

    Try copywriting too! I think writing a good sales page can bring in big bucks.

    Charge what you are worth not what you think people will buy.

    You got this honey -- have confidence in yourself and your work and success will be right there in your grasp.

    Good luck sweetie!
  • Don't work cheaply have a rate and what you believe you are worth
  • The big money will definitely be in sales copywriting for you. $10,000 per sales copywriting project (or more) is not unusual...and you'll earn it in the time you spend. But, you have to have proof you can sell with your writing if you go that route. The best way to do that is to either make a product of your own or find one to sell and then build a sales page for it and start writing.
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