Freelance Writers: How to Determine When to Send a Rate Quote 
Requested by Potential Clients
Part I of II
by Yuwanda Black
[Want to start a successful career as a freelance writer? Click here.]

In Friday’s post, I talked about how to handle the “How much do you charge?” question from clients. Novelist Misti Sandefur sent in the following in response to that post:

Question: If you could do another post about what you should say in your proposal, and even include an example of a proposal, that would be great (I learn best from seeing examples).

Finally, would you do this same thing when responding to a writing gig where they asked you to send a quote with your response? For example, there are many projects posted on Craigslist that ask you to send clips/samples, your resume and your quote.

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Answer: In answer to the second question Misti, the simple answer is -- it depends. Let me explain.

Venues like Craigslist offer a potpourri of projects, as any freelancer who’s familiar with their site knows. So, for simple, straightforward projects, if they ask for a quote, then send one. In fact, many will say in their ad that they won’t respond if you don’t send in a quote.

Side Note: As someone who uses Craigslist to find freelancers for projects sometimes, I can tell you, this is probably not true. I will say something to this effect  in my ad, but I always look at every response that comes in – because you just never know (it’s the human curiosity factor).

BUT, I digress.

So, you may be thinking, “What types of projects can you feel fairly certain that you should send a quote in with?”

Eg, students looking for someone to edit their paper; a beginner’s resume (or a professional who has an existing resume that needs sprucing up); a non-native speaker who needs someone to proofread their ebook; etc.

The more detail a person gives, the better. Speaking of rules, let me outline some:

When to Send a Client a Rate Quote:
3 Rules to Determine If/When You Should

1. Details. Again, the more the better. Take a non-native speaker who wants you to proofread his ebook. If the ad reads something like:

Non-native English speaker (Korean) needs e-book on web design edited/proofed. Lived and worked in U.S. for 5 years. Comfortable speaking, but not writing English. Book is 53 pgs. Need in 2 wks.

In my opinion, you have enough info here to give a fair rate because they give you their level of comfortability with the English language, what their mother tongue is, length of book and deadline.

These are the types of details you want. Any type of major stumbling block to a project -- these are the types of details you want before determining a rate.

2. Caveat: Never submit a firm quote – unless and/or until you see a sample page, photo, etc. Always add a caveat so that if it is substantially different from what they said in the ad, you have an “out.”

Your standard phrase could go something like: Rate quoted is dependent on project parameters stated in the ad. Add-ons, substantial differences and/or changes in deadline can all increase (or decrease) the rate quoted.

Add this is small print at the bottom of each quote you send out. That way, if you ever have to change your rate, you can direct the prospect’s attention to this verbiage.

3. Timeline: Always, always, always refer to the timeline in your quote. Why? Because, as I wrote in Friday’s post:

If a client has made contact with you, a freelancer, they’re ready to start (and finish) the project.. . . Sending a proposed start/completion date is very important because it “subliminally” sets the project in motion, getting it off the client’s desk.

Tomorrow’s Post: Tomorrow, I’ll address the first part of Misti’s question.
To find this post, see the 10/30/07 blog post at InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com.

Sincerely,
Yuwanda Black, Publisher
http://www.inkwelleditorial.com/
http://www.inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/
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Originally posted on 10/29/07

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