Writing Samples

[Stefan A]

Thanks. Will do. I like the time tracker feature and use it for every job.

[Douglas Michael M]

I was pleasantly surprised to observe that the peculiarities of the time tracker—which works best if work segments and "away" time are organized into multiples of 10 minutes—made me much more systematic about taking ergonomic/rest/brain-clearing breaks, which in turn made for more procuctive work time. So, yes, I now often use it on fixed-price jobs.

[Stefan A]

The way I see it is that I am new to this freelancing business.  So I figured I would start low and work my way up. Also, I've had a hard time figuring out how to charge. So thanks for the link--I will bookmark it.

Part of me also would rather have some work, even if I know the pay is far less than it should be, than have no work at all.  Plus, I'm writing up a storm, which means experience and a portfolio of work (although it's ghostwritten, I can provide the Word Documents as samples). Besides, it's not that hard to find the articles--I've found a few by putting in half a sentence in google search with quote marks around it.

What I wish I understood is the business model that's at work here with the Amazon Affiliates. I want to know am I being entirely ripped off, or is the amount they get just not enough to justify larger pay for their writers? 

And then it would be nice to get some feedback on my writing from someone outside this whole system.  Sometimes I wonder if the words are really that important--if they are just a way to get someone to click on product links.

Thanks.

[Douglas Michael M]

Whoa, that's a tangle! Let's try to sort it out.

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Stefan A wrote:

The way I see it is that I am new to this freelancing business.  So I figured I would start low and work my way up. Also, I've had a hard time figuring out how to charge. So thanks for the link--I will bookmark it.

Virtually all experienced and successful writers say: It don't work that way. Starting cheap is an excellent way to brand yourself as a cheap—i.e., low quality—writer. It's a trap.

Part of me also would rather have some work, even if I know the pay is far less than it should be, than have no work at all.  Plus, I'm writing up a storm, which means experience

So what's to keep you from writing up a storm and getting paid more for it? What's to keep you from writing up a storm on your own time and your own dime, so you have samples to show that actually belong to you, so you don't have to worry about permission? Why are you so attached to underselling yourself?

and a portfolio of work (although it's ghostwritten, I can provide the Word Documents as samples).

Whoa, whoa, whoa! What's format got to do with it? Either you can reproduce (share/"provide") the documents or not. Either you can claim authorship or not. See previous replies. Format and/or how you reproduce your work have nothing to do with anything.

Besides, it's not that hard to find the articles--I've found a few by putting in half a sentence in google search with quote marks around it.

Ditto if you're thinking of pointing prospective clients to your work via Google. How you claim authorhip is not the point. Either the client allows you to do that, or not.

What I wish I understood is the business model that's at work here with the Amazon Affiliates. I want to know am I being entirely ripped off, or is the amount they get just not enough to justify larger pay for their writers?

 
Amazon = kiss of death. Do not concern yourself with other people's business models, or what affiliate marketers can or cannot get or can or cannot afford. The only question is what business model, including an adequate return on your time and expertise, you can afford—or not afford.

And then it would be nice to get some feedback on my writing from someone outside this whole system.  Sometimes I wonder if the words are really that important--if they are just a way to get someone to click on product links.

Bingo! You may stop wondering. You're welcome. There's an enormous and varied market out there for real writing that does real work in the world if that's what you want to do and you have the chops for it.

[Stefan A]

Thanks for your email. I understand what you are saying. I think the part
of writing for myself versus writing for someone else at this point is that
I still have the experience and I am getting paid something for it.
But I understand your point. So I don't mind raising my rates. Then the
next step would be finding clients willing to pay that much. And I don't
see a lot of postings where people are willing to pay that much. Am I
missing something?
Thanks again for your help.

[Wendy C]

Stefan, look at the profiles for those of us who have responded to you.  Check our skills and rates.  We all have work. That should answer your questions.   

[Stefan A]

Thanks

[Stefan A]

Thanks for the feedback. What you're saying makes sense. Someone gave me a link to a page from a freelancers organization which lists price ranges.  

Eventually I will need to make more money as a freelancer, so I should go ahead and raise my rates.  

The reason I asked about the Amazon business model is I want to know if they can really afford to pay pennies on a word.  

[Stefan A]

Okay, I raised my fee to $25. I think that's inching toward what the freelancers association suggests.