I’ve been playing DM tag with a potential client on Upwork over the past few days. The time zone difference makes delayed responses understandable — but what unfolded deserves a closer look.
Here’s how it played out.
PC = Potential Client (or Pre-Client, if you enjoy smartassery as much as I do).
Me = yours truly.
The dialogue is paraphrased, and identifying info has been changed to protect the individual involved.
Day 1
PC: Hello, how do you feel about old-fashioned wooden toys?
Me: I love toys from yesteryear! If you’re looking for someone to write about this for your business, I’d love to discuss.
Day 2
PC: Great! We make wooden toys for modern-day children. Does that interest you at all?
Me: Absolutely. While I don’t have children myself, I’ve noticed a clear rise in the popularity of simpler, classic toys. I’d be excited to write about puzzles for your audience.
Day 3
PC: Fantastic. How much for an article?
Me: That depends on the scope. My base rate is $0.05/word. For example:
- 500 words = $25
- 1,000 words = $50
- 1,500 words = $75
This is just the base rate. If you need SEO, keyword research, or additional services, the rate increases accordingly.
Later That Evening
PC: Ope. That’s too rich for my blood. How about two cents a word?
Me:
Thanks for getting back to me. Unfortunately, my rate is non-negotiable. The $0.05/word base reflects the time, care, and quality I put into my work — including research and edits. What you’re proposing is well below my professional minimum. I won’t be able to take on the project at that budget. If your budget increases in the future, I’d be happy to revisit the conversation.
Let’s Talk About This
Every freelance writer — especially early on — will encounter this scenario. A potential client finds your profile, compliments your voice, and says they “love your style.”
Then they ask you to lower your base rate.
They’ll offer $0.02/word and act like they’re doing you a favor. Maybe they’ll throw in “exposure,” or try to guilt you with their budget. But let’s be clear:
Two cents a word is not just a lowball — it’s a red flag.
It signals a fundamental misunderstanding of what your work is worth. Clients like this want your energy, focus, expertise, and care… for less than a gumball.
Why I Won’t Lower My Standards
When someone asks a professional writer to accept two cents per word, they’re asking for decades of skill, insight, and labor — for pennies.
That’s not just unsustainable. It’s insulting.
It’s the classic Fast–Cheap–Good triangle:
- If you want it cheap, it won’t be good.
- If you want it good, it won’t be cheap.
- If you want it fast, don’t expect both.
I’m not a newbie chasing experience. I’m not desperate.
I’m a professional. And my rates reflect that.
To My Fellow AuDHD Writers
Your time is sacred.
Your energy is not infinite.
Your words are not cheap.
You’re not just typing. You’re translating magic, memory, research, and resonance into form. That takes effort — and for neurodivergent creators, it also takes spoons.
If you undervalue your work “just this once,” it becomes easier to keep doing it. And that slope? It’s slippery. It leads straight to burnout and resentment.
Keep Your Standards High
If a client says you’re “too expensive,” they can find someone else. You are not required to lower your worth to fit their budget. They can:
- Scale down the project
- Wait until they have funding
- Work with a writer who matches their rate (and quality)
What they can’t do is demand professional-level work for hobbyist pay.
Here’s a Boundary Template You Can Use
Hello [Name],
Thank you for your message. My base rate is [your rate] per word, which reflects the time, effort, and quality I bring to each project — including structure, clarity, tone, and SEO if needed.
Unfortunately, I’m unable to take on work at [their rate] per word, as it falls below my minimum professional threshold. I’d be happy to reconnect if your budget changes in the future.
Wishing you the best with your project,
[Your Name]
Customize it. Copy/paste it. Tattoo it on your soul if needed.
The Bottom Line
You deserve to be paid fairly. Your base rate isn’t just a number — it’s a boundary. It’s a declaration that your work has value.
Hold it. Defend it. Live by it.
Your Turn
If you’ve ever had a client try to lowball you, I’d love to hear your story.
- How did you respond?
- What helped you hold your ground?
- What advice would you give to others?
Drop it in the comments below. Let’s remind each other:
We are not cheap. We are not replaceable. We are not gumballs.
5 responses to “Valuing Your Time and Your Craft: The Key to Negotiating Fair Rates As a Freelance Writer”
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